Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/395

 352

five miles, from Nashville to Philadelphia. were kept at that time, none of Judge Jack He arrived in the latter city about the first son's opinions are in existence, and he is of December, soon after the country had never quoted, or referred to, as an authority, gone through the agony of its first contested by the present bar of Tennessee. But there election, which resulted in placing John comes down the century a tradition that he Adams in the White House, with Thomas presided over the court with dignity, and that Jefferson as Vice-President. In the National his decisions were brief, unlearned, some House of Representatives Andrew Jackson times tingrammatical, but generally right. As was the sole representative of Tennessee, an evidence of Jackson's fearlessness as a which now has ten members. It is a matter judge, the following incident is given. In the of record that Andrew Jackson voted against fall of 1803, while he was traveling from Nashville to hold court at Jonesboro, he was the address to President Washington, be cause he did not approve of Jay's treaty, and informed by a friend that his enemies were did not sympathize with England against getting ready to mob him on his arrival at the latter town. He was suffering at the France, did not approve of the Administra tion for its apparent indifference to the time from intermittent fever, and was so Indian massacres in Tennessee. Little did weak that he could scarcely sit his horse. But Jackson, or any person, then dream that in when he heard of this threat all his indomit less than twenty years the obscure member able energy was aroused, and putting spurs from Tennessee would be only less popular to his horse, he reached Jonesboro before than Washington himself. sunset. Burning with fever, he lay down on a bed at the tavern, and while in this suffer Andrew Jackson gave such satisfaction to ing state a friend came in and told him that the people of Tennessee as;i member of the Lower House that, when a vacancy occurred Colonel Harrison and a regiment of men were in front of the tavern threatening to tar in 1797, he was appointed United States Sen ator. But the slow, dignified body, which and feather him; and his friend advised him the Senate then was, did not suit the active, to lock the door of his room. At this, Jack son rose ur>, threw his door wide open, and ardent, energetic young Senator from Ten nessee, and he resigned his seat in April, said, with that peculiar emphasis which won him many battles without fighting: "Give my 1798, after serving only the half of one ses sion. It was during this short experience in compliments to Colonel Harrison, and tell the Senate that he became acquainted with him mv door is open to receive him and his Aaron Burf, and it is supposed that it was regiment when they choose to wait upon me, and that I hope the Colonel's chivalry will in the society of that polished and accom plished •gentleman that he acquired some induce him to lead his men, and not follow thing of that exquisite courtesy which after them." The "regiment" thought better of ward distinguished him. their purpose, while Judge Jackson recov Andrew Jackson was too important a man ered from his fever, and held his court as to be allowed to enjoy for long the retire i usual, unmolested. Upon another occasion, ment of private life, and soon after his resig the notorious outlaw, Russell Bean, was nation from the United States Senate he was summoned to appear in court to answer the elected one of the judges of the Supreme charge of causing the death of his youngest Court of Tennessee, a position which he oc child, by cutting off its ears, declaring that cupied for six years, holding courts at Nash the child was not his, and that he maimed it ville, Knoxville, Jonesboro and other places. so to "know it from his own." He refused As no records of the decisions of the court to appear to answer the charge, and a