Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/323

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

which was captured by the frigate Sliaitfiofif after a short engagement off Boston. June I 1813. Midshipman Weaver was severely wounded in this battle and was taken to Halifax as a prisoner with the rest of the officers and crew who survived. He was promoted to lieutenant after the war and commanded the schooner Tom Bozclin in 1816 and the schooner Spark, in 1817, in the Mediterranean squadron. He served on the ship f-raulclin, in 1818-24, in the Mediterran- ean and the Pacific squadrons. By a mis- understanding as to his leave of absence, he was obliged to abandon the naval service, November 27. 1824. after which he was em- ployed by the government in the state de- partment, where his knowledge of modern languages made his services specially valu- able. He was secretary of the commission to adjust the claims of the Spanish citizens, was commissioner to Mexico in 1834, and superintendent of the census of 1840. He died at Dumfries. \*irg^nia, in 1846.

Arnold, Thomas Dickens, born in Spot- sylvania county, \'irginia, May 3, 1798. He was a farmer boy, and his education was obtained almost entirely by his own efforts, and to aid himself, he taught the farmer's children. When war was declared in 1812, his strong physique and sturdy appearance permitted his enlistment, although he was but fourteen years of age. During the march to Mobile a young soldier, the only son of a poor widow, was tried by court-martial for straggling and was shot by order of Gen. Jackson. The circumstance made a deep impression upon young Arnold's mind. He denounced the act as unwarranted ty- ranny, and in after years showed his hos- tility to President Jackson. He was ad-

mitted to the bar in Knoxville, Tennessee, in March, 1822, quickly attaining distinc- tion in his profession. He was elected to congress in 1831 on the Whig ticket, after he had been twice defeated. Taking a partisan stand on the political issues of tl»e day, he was reckless in his criticism, and generally opposed the administration. On May 14, 1832. he made a speech against Senator Houston, and Maj. Morgan A. Heard, who had had some connection with the western army. In this speech he used this expression "capable of any crime." and indulged in severe personalities. On leaving the capitol. Heard fired upon him with a horse pistol, wounding him in the arm. and then struck him with a cane. Arnold knocked his assailant down, wrenched away tl:e pistol, and carried it off as a trophy, while Heard was left for several hours where he fell. The admirers of Mr. Arnold presented him the next day with a highly wrought sword-cane with the inscription, "Presented to Thomas D. Arnold for his brave defense against the attack of Morgan A. Heard." In 1836 he was elected briga- dier-general of Tennessee militia, and in 1841 was returned to congress, serving from May 31, 1841, till March 3, 1843, ^vhen he retired from political life and devoted him- srlf to the practice of law. He had a notable controversy with William G. Brownlow. He died in Jonesboro, Tennessee, May 26, 1870.

Poindexter, George, son of Thomas Poin- dtxter. born in Louisa county, \'irginia, in 1799. of Huguenot descent, was early orphaned, and became a lawyer. In 1S02 he removed to Mississippi territory, and became a leader of the Jefferson party.

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