Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/106

 IV-PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, George, first President (q. v.).

Jefferson, Thomas, third President (q. v.).

Madison, James, fourth Presidlent (q. v.)-

Monroe, James, fifth President (q. v.).

Harrison, William Henry, ninth Presi- dent of the United States, born at "Berke- ley." Charles City county, Virginia, Febru- ^^y 9» 1773' son of Governor Benjamin (q. V.) and Elizabeth (Bassett) Harrison. He made good use of his father's excellent library, preparing himself for admission to Hampden-Sidney College, from which he was graduated, then taking up the study of medicine in Philadelphia, under the guar- dianship of Robert Morris. • He was at- tracted by the western emigration, and de- sired to enter the army, for clearing the way for emigrants, and the objections of his guardian were only overruled through the influence of President Washington, who commissioned the young man (April, 1791) ensign in the First United States Artillery Regiment, then stationed at Fort Washing- ton (the site of the future city of Cincin- nati, Ohio), the key to the southwest region, practically in Spanish possession and unex- plored, (jeneral Wayne was attracted to him and made him lieutenant, and he was of the detachment that built Fort Recov- er}-, on the ground of St. Clair's defeat, and he was commended in general orders for his "excellent performance of a perilous duty." At the battle of the Maumee (Au- gust 20, 1794). General Wayne said of him

that "by his conduct and bravery he ex- cited the troops to press to victory." In 1795 he was promoted to captain, and placed in command of Fort Washington.

In 1798 President Adams made him sec- retary of the Northwestern Territory under Governor St. Clair, and he resigned his military commission. He was frequently acting governor during St. Clair's absences, and resigned in October, 1799, having been elected to Congress as one of the first two territorial delegates. In Congp-ess he se- cured the subdivision of the public lands into small tracts, in the interest of bona fide settlers, and to the disappointment of speculators. When the territory of Indiana was formed, he was appointed governor by President .\dams, and was reappointed by Jefferson and Madison. The authority granted him was extensive: he appointed all civil officers, and all military officers under the rank of general ; and held the par- doning power, as well as supreme authority to treat with the Indians. In 1803 the im- mense Louisiana territory was added to his jurisdiction. His sterling integrity was evidenced by the fact that, with unlimited opportunities for speculation, he would not take a single foot of public land, and he re- fused the proffered gift by the people of St. Louis of one-third of the land upon which the city was subsequently laid out. When the Indians became troublesome in 181 1, he held an unsuccessful conference with them at Tippecanoe, and, having reported to Washington, was authorized to force

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