Introduction

Dear Reader,

When Mr. Yager asked us to write a biography about a president of our choice, I never dreamed how hard it would be to pick one. I went to the C-Span website and looked at a few presidents. After I had looked at about ten different presidents, my hand slipped and I clicked on Andrew Jackson. I thought, since I’m here, I might as well read about him. I read one paragraph and knew this was the president I wanted to write about. I went to the library and grabbed some books, copied some articles, and printed some website information. The next weekend when I sat down to read what I had gathered; I was amazed. Andrew Jackson was so many things. His personality amazed me. He played a rough looking man on the outside, but on the inside was this loveable person who cared about everyone. What amazed me most of all was his love for one woman, Rachel Donelson Jackson. His duels were almost always about her and their marriage.

Andrew Jackson was a man of many talents. He is often described as a frontier president, wild and courageous, peaceful and quiet. Andrew Jackson lived at a time that influenced where we are today. Even though they barely had any inventions back then, he was always full of new-fangled ideas. One last thing made him my favorite president: he was for the common people, and he always fought for the rights of the citizens like us. No law was ever passed if it favored the richer. Andrew Jackson was a simple man, but a brilliant one right beneath his top layer. I hope you will enjoy reading my biography as much as I enjoyed learning and writing about Andrew Jackson.

Chapter One

A President is Born

On March 15, 1767 a wail was heard in Waxhaw, South Carolina. The wail belonged to Andrew Jackson, the nation’s seventh president. Named after his father, who had died only a few days before his birth, Andrew was of Irish blood. He was the third son out of three. A few years before Andrew’s birth, the Jacksons and their two elder sons made the crossing from Ireland to America. After Andrew’s birth, his mother, Elizabeth, had to abandon the family farm and move in with her sister, Jane Crawford, who also lived in Waxhaw.

Elizabeth chose to spend her very meager income to send Andrew to a Presbyterian academy. His mother wanted him to be a minister. No one else thought so. They all knew that Jackson’s handsome face had a vicious temper. He was known to be a bully by his schoolmates. Andrew learned almost nothing about anything that he was supposed to have learned. He enjoyed writing, though. He even made up his own rules for writing. In a paper he wrote when he was eleven years old, you can see his rules; "A Memorandum How to feed a Cock before you him fight Take and give him some Pickle Beef Cut fine…" He also enjoyed reading the newspaper to fellow neighbors who were illiterate. Thus, he learned good speaking skills at an early age.

Andrew was only nine when the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Revolutionary War seemed far away from him until 1780 when British soldiers came into South Carolina. Andrew’s oldest brother Hugh, was killed when the enemy attacked his troop. Already his other brother, Robert, and himself were training with other local soldiers. It was at this age that he found his love for the military.

When Andrew was thirteen, he got his first war assignment. No one quite knows what it was, but most believe it was probably a messenger between troops. He was captured by the British in 1781. When a British officer ordered Andrew to shine his boots, he refused. The officer slashed at him with his sword leaving a gash on his head. This gash would serve as an everlasting memory of his hatred for the British. As a punishment for his disobedience, Andrew and his brother were thrown into a prison camp. There they received very little food and no medical attention even though smallpox was spreading through the camp. Their mother somehow made a deal with the British for their release, most likely by giving them two captured British soldiers for her sons.

Robert died of smallpox shortly after he was released out of the prison camp. Andrew almost would have died himself if it wasn’t for the help of his mother, who nursed him back to health. When Andrew was feeling better, his mother volunteered to help wounded soldiers in Charleston, South Carolina. Andrew didn’t hear anything from his mother until one day a few weeks later, he received a small package of clothes. These clothes were his mother’s. She had died of cholera from one of the prison ships that she worked in. Andrew was an orphan with no mother, no father, and no siblings. He fell into depression.

In 1782, Andrew became a teacher. He earned enough money to live by. This was the beginning of his want for even more money and fame.

Andrew decided to become a lawyer. An attorney accepted him to study at Salisbury, North Carolina. He let him work off some of his tuition. While Andrew was there he enjoyed the company of other young students studying to be lawyers. He excelled in horseracing, cockfighting, card playing, dancing, and most of all drinking. He sometimes drank so much that reports say that he smashed glasses, tore up clothes and curtains, broke furniture, and even set fire to a tavern.

In 1787, he passed a bar exam before two judges to become a professional lawyer. Although he had learned very little about law, he passed, but only for temporary practice.

In 1788, the now twenty-one-year old Andrew became the public prosecutor for the judge in the soon to be state of Tennessee. He hoped to live on the frontier, away from the bustling cities. He first moved to Jonesborough, 200 miles east of Nashville. After moving in he bought a nineteen-year-old slave named Nancy. It’s suspected that this was the place where he fought his first duel against Waightsill Avery. Both men fired in the air instead of each other, proving they were brave enough to accept a challenge, but smart enough to not to fire at each other.

Rachel and Andrew were married the petition for a divorce was given. Jackson was sure they were free to marry, but why a trained lawyer wouldn’t know the difference between a petition and a grant is unknown. After the couple was married for two years, they found out that Rachel’s first marriage was still legal. They quickly remarried but damage was done already. For the rest of their lives, Jackson’s enemies spread rumors about their marriage.

After they were properly married, Andrew set up a private law business and became a district attorney for numerous counties. He issued over seventy warrants in one month and quickly earned a reputation as a powerhouse of energy and determination He was named United States Attorney General for the Southwest Territory.

In December of 1793, Governor Blount led a campaign to have Tennessee join the Union. Andrew Jackson became one of the five members of a convention committee made to make a draft for a pre-constitution. He supported a provision giving all free white men the right to vote. This led to him being known as a champion of the masses. He highly supported removing Native Americans from any place that whites wanted to live in. He wanted a legislature to be known as the General assembly, and a Bill of Rights to insure freedom of speech, press and assembly as trial by jury for white males.

Chapter Three

The Beginnings of a Government Career

On June 1, 1796, President Washington signed a bill that made Tennessee the sixteenth state of the Union. Andrew Jackson was elected as Tennessee’s only representative in the house. Even though he was new to Congress, he questioned George Washington’s authority. He said that the first president had "been Grasping after power, and in many circumstances, exercised power that he was not Constitutionally invested with." He did support Washington when the president sponsored a bill to pay state militias to continue their battles with Indian tribes. The bill passed with Jackson’s help, and the new representative from Tennessee won the devotion of Tennesseans.

In 1797, Andrew Jackson was elected to the Senate. Jackson’s temper led him into a fight with Thomas Jefferson, the Vice-President. Jefferson even wrote about him: "His passions are terrible…he could never speak on account of the rashness of his feelings." Andrew didn’t enjoy being in the Senate. He was easily bored by the long discussions and frustrated by what he considered the inefficiency of the federal government. More then ever he missed Rachel, and at home Rachel often showed her unhappiness at his absence. In April of 1798, he resigned his seat giving no apology or explanation.

Now Andrew Jackson asked the legislature to elect him to a seat on the state superior court, a position that paid $600 a year. Jackson held this position for the next six years and was known for his integrity, his swift and fair decisions, and his strong sense of justice. Jackson gained more notoriety when Russell Bean was arrested for cutting off an infant’s ears. He arrived on the court steps, but refused to enter the court. No one could force him up those steps. Andrew left the court, approached the defendant with a pistol in each hand, and told him to either get inside or be shot. When asked later why he had obeyed Jackson, Bean said that he took one look into those eyes and he knew Andrew would’ve shot him. It’s no shock that a couple of weeks later Jackson was elected as mayor general of the Tennessee militia.

Chapter Four

Attack, Andrew Jackson

Some of Jackson’s enemies accused him of having a disloyal affair with Rachel. One of these people was John Sevier. He was angry at Andrew because he had testified against him in court. Jackson challenged Sevier to a duel. The duel was set for October 12, 1803. He waited and Sevier showed up three days after the set date. The two men cursed and threatened each other, but didn’t do any fighting.

Andrew formed a partnership with two other men to operate a cotton gin, a distillery, and some stores which sold staples like coffee, blankets, dry goofs, and gunpowder. Most of the customers paid in other goods rather than money so the store didn’t bring in much profit. While Andrew was busy at the store, Rachel was managed about twenty slaves who worked the cotton, corn, and wheat crops on their farm. Jackson always said that his slaves must be treated humanely, but he used whips and chains when he suspected laziness, or hostility. He bred horses, cows, mules, and was very proud of his champion racehorses. He continued to speculate in land, despite his many problems with depts.

At this time conflicts between Spain and the French in Louisiana heated up. Napoleon Bonaparte forced the Spanish to yield the territory to France. The United States then bought the territory from Napoleon. Jackson now applied for appointment as governor and set to work to persuade the Tennessee Congressional delegation to support him. He was angry when Jefferson chose W.C.C. Claiborne over him.

Once again Jackson got into a fight over Rachel and the authenticity of their marriage. He challenged Charles Dickinson to a duel that was set for May 30, 1806. A crowd gathered to see who would come out alive. Most people bet that Dickinson would be the better shot. The surgeon gave each man a pistol, and they took their places twenty-four feet apart. Dickinson’s first shot hit Jackson in the chest. As he fell, he shot and hit Dickinson in the ribs. Dickinson fell. Now that both men were on the ground, the surgeon announced that the duel was over. While other men carried Dickinson away, Jackson got up, and his supporters saw a red stain on his chest. He closed his chest quickly while remarking that he didn’t want anyone to know he was hurt. A doctor told Jackson that his bullet had shattered two ribs, and longed Dickinson’s chest. Since it was so close to the heart, the bullet couldn’t be removed, and he died a few hours later.

At the Hermitage, Jackson spent several years tending crops, buying and selling slaves and land, and keeping up his stable of champion horses. Despite these activities, he lived with continual health problems. He suffered from time to time of fevers, a result of the smallpox he got when he was a child. He had chronic dysentery, and the wound from Dickinson brought recurring discomfort and congestion.

Rachel helped Andrew as much as she could. She was a lively and vivacious hostess, and she impressed friends using her intelligence. Her openness gave her the nickname of Aunt Rachel. As the years went by she became more and more absorbed in her religion. Since the couple had had some miscarriages and infant deaths, they had no children of their own. They both became very close to children of their relatives and friends. In 1809, they adopted one of a set of twins born to Rachel’s sister-in-law. They named him Andrew Jackson Jr. The couple also took in John, Daniel, and Andrew Donelson, whose father had died. They also took in William Smith, the son of neighbors who wouldn’t take care of him; and various nieces and nephews as they saw need to.

Regardless of his success with the Hermitage, Andrew was unhappy with his life. He saw serious problems with the country. Problems with the British were starting up again. The Native American situation remained an undeclared war, and Spanish-American resentment increased. Jackson considered himself to be a soldier without a war. In June of 1812, when President Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war against Great Britain, the now forty-five-year-old Jackson was ready. He put posters up everywhere saying: "Volunteers to Arms…We are going to fight for the reestablishment of our national character." In two days he offered the President 2,500 volunteers ready to fight and die for the cause. While he waited for the President’s orders, he drilled and organized his troops. He also outfitted them, sometimes even using his own money. He boasted about his past and his men: "My pride is that my soldiers have complete confidence in me, and on the event of war I will lead them on to victory and conquest." For months Andrew did what he loved to do most: drill.

The orders finally came from President Madison. It was both good news and bad news for Jackson. The good news was that they could finally go fight for their country. The bad news was that they would be under command of Brigadier General Wilkinson. When Governor Blount was authorized to supply volunteers for an expedition to New Orleans, he named Jackson a major general of those volunteers.

In December of 1812, Jackson advised his troops to prepare for a five or six-month expedition. He told them to bring their own rifles, and they set off in foot-deep snow. Jackson encouraged them all the way. When he was praised for his fine troops, Jackson answered that he felt fortunate to live in a republic and that fighting for this government was a duty he owed to future generations of Americans. Andrew Jackson spent thirty-nine days traveling down the Ohio River. He lost three men and one boat before they even landed in Natchez, 1,000 miles from Nashville. There Andrew received many notes from Wilkinson advising him to stay at Natchez. For weeks Jackson and his troops waited for word. Finally in March he received a letter from Secretary of War John Armstrong ordering him to release his regiment because they were no longer needed. Jackson exploded in fury. He was in Indian country, in the middle of nowhere, 500 miles from home, without transport or medicine. How could he release over 2,000 men? Andrew refused to obey the order. He insisted that he would lead his soldiers back to Tennessee. He even said that, if necessary, he would pay the soldiers himself since they had followed him loyally.

Old Hickory Will Ride

The trip back strengthened the already strong bond between Andrew and his soldiers. The men were tired and hungry, their spirits were falling, and the march was long. With 156 soldiers on the sick list, eleven wagons, and highly rationed food, Jackson remained strong, and an uplifting spirit. They described him as tough as hickory; some began to call him "Old Hickory." In this way Andrew Jackson became forever more Old Hickory.

Within a month, Andrew and his troops were back home again. Once they were home again, Thomas Hart Benton accused Jackson of allowing a duel to take place among his troops. His brother, Jesse Benton, had been one of the duelists. He said that his brother had been severely hurt. Old Hickory denied the allegations, and he threatened to horsewhip Thomas Benton if he ever saw him. Benton went with his brother to track Jackson down.

The three men met on a public sidewalk. Old Hickory, holding a whip, backed the two brothers into a hotel. Jesse ducked into the hallway and from this place he fired at Jackson hitting him in the arm and shoulder. As Jackson fell he fired at Thomas twice but missed. Thomas fired twice more at Jackson. Onlookers stopped the fighting after that. Jackson, who was now only half-conscious, was taken to the Nashville Inn where his blood soaked through two mattresses. In a daze he heard the doctors say they were going to amputate his arm and Jackson replied by saying that he would keep his arm. The doctors obeyed and they dressed his wounds. Below in the streets crowds were screaming at Thomas for he had done. He fled.

Before Jackson had completely recovered from his injury, he joined in the increasing conflicts between white men and the Native Americans. The Creek Indians had massacred white settlers for taking the Creeks’ land. The Spanish and British offered help to the Creeks. The Shawnee tribe under chief Tecumseh also offered help. Tennesseans called on Old Hickory to rush to Alabama and destroy the Creeks. He was ready, from his sickbed, he sent orders for troops to report to Fayetteville for immediate duty.

With his arm in a sling, Jackson led his troops at a speedy pace of thirty-six miles per day to the southern tip of the Tennessee River. He took along ten wagonloads of food and built a supply station he named Fort Deposit. He hoped to have received there the supplies he ordered but was too impatient to wait for them.

A few days later, Jackson led his men in an attack on a Creek village. They killed 186 men and captured eighty-four women and children. When the captured Creeks refused to take care of an infant named Lyncoya, he took care of the child himself. Later Jackson sent him to the Hermitage with a note telling them to treat him like any of Jacksons’ sons.

Despite the victories they had, the soldiers rebelled due to the lack of medicine and food. They gave Andrew a petition saying they wanted to go home. He rejected it saying soldiers were supposed to be loyal. Complaints grew and grew and finally one day Andrew said that if supplies didn’t come in two days they could go home. The supplies didn’t come. Jackson released the men, but he himself would not leave. He asked for two men to stay. 109 did. The rest left promising to return with supplies if they found any, which they did twelve miles from Fort Deposit. They returned to Andrew with150 cows for slaughter and nine wagons of flour. Things seemed to go a little better until December 10, 1813, the one-year anniversary of their enlistment. Volunteers declared they were free to go. Old Hickory countered saying that they were just a few weeks away from winning the war if they would just hold on. He also warned that they would leave over his dead body. There was no sound from the troops. Then some officers stepped forward and said that they would stay until reinforcements arrived.

Finally reinforcements arrived, but Jackson soon learned that their term would expire in just a few days. He gave the troops the choice to stay or to leave. All but a 100 or so men left. For weeks he sat in his fort with just 100 men, waiting for replacements. At last in January of 1814, 800 recruits marched into that fort. Jackson was so excited that he kept them marching straight into Creek country. There was heavy fighting with many casualties. Jackson’s troops succeeded in driving off the enemy. Old Hickory proudly said to his troops, "The gratitude of a country of freemen is yours; yours the applause of an admiring world."

In March 1814, Jackson’s spies told him that the Creeks were gathering at an area called Horseshoe Bend. The Creeks met there to protect the land, which they believed to be sacred. Jackson marched his men to Horseshoe Bend and set up guns aimed at the camp. For two hours, the guns fired into the camp every time a Creek stuck his head out. Then some of Old Hickory’s men set fire to huts grouped around the edge of the camp. The fires distracted the Creeks long enough to allow Jackson’s men to charge to the compound.

Jackson sent an interpreter to ask the Creeks if they would lay down their arms. They refused and the fighting went on until the men couldn’t even see the targets they were aiming at. The next morning Jackson ordered his men to take a count of Creek casualties. They counted 860 dead and 300 captive. The Creek Chief Red Eagle surrendered without a fight.

On April 18, Jackson reported to Blount that the Creek war was over. Everywhere he went, he was praised for his courage, determination, and the loyalty of his men. Everywhere he went he praised his men for the same qualities. He now was promoted from major to general. Unfortunately, he suffered from his diseases again, and this time he also suffered from the bullet in his arm.

He was ordered to conclude a peace treaty with the Creeks. He demanded that all the Creek leaders surrender to him on August 1, 1814. The chiefs appeared, and he told them that they owed the United States reparations for war damages. The bill was about half of their territory: twenty-three million acres of land in Alabama and Georgia. There were three more demands: stop all communication with the British and the Spanish, acknowledge the right of the United States citizens to travel freely through Native American territory, and finally force their chiefs to surrender to Jackson. A few days later the chiefs accepted the terms.

To make sure the Creeks didn’t find refuge in Spanish Florida, Jackson sent a message to the Spanish governor of Pensacola warning him not to help the Creeks. He clearly stated that the United States would attack Spain if necessary. Within a generation, almost all of the Native Americans were banished from the South. Jackson was very proud of himself because he had proven that the Native Americans could be dealt with by regulation and punishment.

Chapter Six

The Battle of New Orleans

Secretary of War James Monroe sent Jackson word that the British planned to take New Orleans, but even as Monroe was writing the letter, Jackson was planning to invade Florida whether he received instructions or not. On October 25, Jackson wrote to Monroe telling him why he wasn’t going to follow presidential orders. He said that his move to Florida was necessary to stop the Spanish governor of Pensacola from persuading Native Americans and the British to help him fight against the United States. A little more than two weeks later, Jackson arrived in Pensacola and sent a note to Governor Gonzalez Manrique, telling him that he wanted possession of Fort Barrancas. For some reason the governor didn’t receive the note. The British fired on the truce flag that Jackson held and soldiers poured into the city. Within a few minutes, the governor appeared holding a white flag. The British retreated and Jackson gave the city back to the governor.

Now he wanted to meet the British’s next assault at New Orleans. On November 27, an armada of sixty British ships carrying 14,000 British troops headed for New Orleans. Jackson spoke to the citizens of the city using a French interpreter. He urged them to unite against the British, and he began preparations for their defense. He made a deal with pirate Jean Laffite, who had a 1,000 men, heavy guns, powder, and shot.

The British were sighted off New Orleans on December 13, 1814. They attacked and defeated the American naval force that tried to prevent them from entering the bay south of the city. Andrew Jackson now quickly sent a message to the capitol telling them that all available troops should come to assist him. He told Governor Claiborne that he needed to impose martial law on the city. The governor agreed, but the legislature rejected the idea. Nevertheless on December 16, Jackson declared martial law in the city.

On December 22, the British landed. On December 25, the fighting accelerated. For the next few days the two countries traded shots from their boats and on land. For days the battling went on. Jackson wrote to President Madison begging him to send more soldiers to the battlefield. They finally arrived but without arms. Finally in the early morning of January 8, 1815, a thick mist separated the two armies. As the haze lifted, rockets shot across the fields from both sides. Jackson darted through the smoke, encouraging his troops the whole way. Finally in a couple of hours the British retreated, leaving body upon body. Records say that one could walk for half a mile without stepping on the ground.

The east bank of the Mississippi was safe under American control. Andrew Jackson rode proudly among cheering soldiers while a band played "Hail Columbia." He now called for a count of the dead and wounded. The records showed about fifty Americans dead or wounded, and over 2000 British dead or wounded. Old Hickory declared that the counting was correct and that the Americans had won! Jackson’s massive firepower at the precise time and place was responsible for the one-sided victory.

Chapter Seven

From a Hero to a Zero to a Hero Once More

On January 23, Old Hickory led his troops through the city on a victory march. He grandly marched under the arch built especially for the celebration. People cheered uncontrollably for their hero, Andrew Jackson, the savior of New Orleans. Then the boom was let in. Andrew Jackson pronounced that martial law was still under effect; men could still be drafted any moment. Everyone put down their flags and banners and started protesting against Jackson. Overnight he went from a hero to a zero.

On February 4, news of the victory finally reached Washington. Newspapers shouted the good news, singling out Jackson as the hero. Rachel and Andrew Jr. left the Hermitage to join Old Hickory. Nine days later, news came that the American and British foreign ministers had signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium. When this news reached New Orleans on March 13, 1815, Andrew instantly got rid of martial law. He pardoned all those that were accused of military offenses, and dismissed the militia and volunteers. For the second time that year, New Orleans celebrated its freedom, only this time it was from General Andrew Jackson.

Andrew Jackson’s name was not easily forgotten or forgiven in New Orleans. Judge Hall demanded that the Hero of New Orleans be given a trial for his imposition of martial law. The case began on March 24, 1815. Dominick Hall was the presiding judge. Jackson insisted that the judge excuse himself because of his involvement in the case. When the judge would not, Old Hickory admitted defeat because he knew he would lose anyway. His sentence was either a prison term or a $1,000 fine. He quietly paid the fine without fuss, which earned him some friends.

Everywhere he went cities paid their respects for their hero. Jackson accepted the praise modestly, giving credit to his men. For a few months he was able to enjoy the quiet life of home. Rachel had taken good care of business and with the profit from the farm and his military pay, he was left very well off.

Chapter Eight

Problems With the Indians Never Seem to Stop

Andrew kept close watch for any news over the Native Americans. When Secretary of War, William Crawford, decided to make a council about the Native Americans revolting against their land loss, Andrew Jackson was chosen as a member. He became the most influencing member on the council. He said that Native Americans had no rights except those granted by Congress. He said to Congress, "I conclude that Congress has full power, by law, to regulate all the concerns of the Indians." He also told the council that Indians were never to be trusted. He thought that he knew what was best for the Indians.

In September of 1816, Cherokee and Chickasaw leaders met with Old Hickory. The Cherokees spoke first and insisted that they would give up no land. Jackson countered that, saying they had to sacrifice two million acres of land. In return they would get $6,000 a year for the next ten years, plus a bonus of $5,000 as soon as they ratified the treaty. On September 14, they agreed. Negotiations with the Cherokees and Choctaws went much the same way.

Thousands of speculators rushed into these areas to assert their rights. They felt indebted to Jackson. Jackson would not rest until all the Native Americans had kept their promises to stay out of the east Mississippi. There were some people that felt the treatment that the Native Americans were getting was cruel and unfair, but since there were so little of them, Washington didn’t hear about it.

Andrew Jackson believed that the African Americans, Seminole Indians, and the Spanish in Florida were threats. African Americans were because they could revolt against the whites anytime. The Seminole were because they helped runaway slaves, and the Spanish were because they believed that Florida belonged to them. He asked President Monroe for permission to attack the Seminoles and the Spanish.

In early 1818, Jackson authorized his officers to recruit troops from Tennessee. He paid with his own money for supplies, and they set off to the countryside of Georgia. As they moved east, they destroyed hundreds of tribal villages where they encountered resistance to give them food.

Once in Florida, he sent a message to a commander saying he would take over St. Marks, a fort. The officer, who didn’t have enough troops to fight back, handed it over. Now he went east to the Suwannee River. He wanted to capture Chief Billy Bowlegs. When he reached the area, he was stunned to find it empty. Then he discovered that British officers Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert Armbrister had carried advance warnings to the tribe. He had both men put under trial, and when they were found guilty, he ordered for their executions.

Traveling east again, he met little or no resistance. The Seminoles had learned from the first Indian war that they were much weaker than the American troops. Even with no resistance, he thought that the Indians would gather supplies and men, and meet in Pensacola. He decided to occupy that town to prevent the Native Americans from building up an army.

He arrived at Pensacola on May 14, 1818 and instantly demanded that Spanish governor Jose Masot surrender the fort. When he refused, Old Hickory ordered his troops to aim their guns at the fort. After only a slight struggle, the Spanish surrendered. On June 2, he wrote to President Monroe telling hem that the American Indian War was over. Then he left for Tennessee.

A few months later, problems started again. He had a major collapse in 1819 thanks to his recurring diseases. Rachel was by his side for more than three months. The Hermitage was now two-story, and he had built Rachel a private church on their property. He enjoyed the peaceful life at the Hermitage. He was watching closely though when Spain ceded all of its territories east of the Mississippi River for $5 million. With Florida now in the United States control, President Monroe asked Jackson if he would consider becoming governor of that territory.

Chapter Nine

Governor Jackson in a Heathen Land

At first Andrew Jackson wrote back to the president saying he was looking for retirement. He didn’t seem so thrilled about it, but he didn’t discard the idea either. He had to put this aside because his country needed him to negotiate another treaty with the Native Americans. He opened the meeting by saying that the president knew about their economic depression. He told them that the president wanted to help them. To do so though, he wanted to exchange some of the Choctaw land east of the Mississippi for a larger area west of it. The Indians knew that the land Jackson was offering was very poor, sterile, and worthless. They argued briefly, and then Jackson shut off the arguments: "If you refuse…the nation will be destroyed." The Indians agreed knowing they couldn’t do any better and sadly headed west without food or supplies.

In February, 1821, Monroe asked Jackson again if he would take the job as governor of the Florida territory. Rachel didn’t want to move to Florida, but Jackson saw it as a chance to rebuild his reputation where he had received a lot of criticism. Added over that was a salary of $5,000. On June 1, he retired from the army, and the whole Jackson family moved to Florida. When Rachel first saw it, she wrote back to her friends: "Oh, the wickedness, the idolatry of the place! Unspeakable the riches and splendor…pray for your sister, in a heathen land, far from my people and church."

On July 17, they arrived at Pensacola. American soldiers marching to the beat of their band followed them. Governor Cavalla handed over the keys to the city. Most importantly, the Spanish flag was lowered, and the American one raised. Almost overnight problems arose. Jackson spoke no Spanish, and Cavalla spoke no English. Through their translators they argued about who would have possession of the legal papers, and who would control the city’s cannons. Jackson argued, but did not wait for agreement.

In mid-August, Cavalla refused to hand over some papers and Jackson threw him in jail. As soon as Cavalla handed over the papers, he was released. Cavalla charged Jackson with false arrest. The case was sent to Washington City where Jackson’s actions were upheld. He had won the case, but the emotional and physical losses were too great. In October he wrote to Monroe saying that he wanted to leave Florida. He was still incredibly proud of his accomplishments. He had made a wide range of offices including sheriffs and district attorneys. He also had promoted the use of the English language. He had also made a more democratic society, insisting that every white man had a right to vote. No one was happier about moving back to Tennessee then Rachel, who still hated Florida.

Chapter Ten

On the Way to the White House

At the Hermitage, Jackson was on the verge of collapse. He had constant problems with his health, and his medicines didn’t help either. He took lead and mercury, which sometimes caused fevers. His family problems didn’t help either. Andrew Jr. was doing poorly in school, and they had adopted a boy, Andrew Huthchings. He was a problem, too. Lyncoya, the Indian boy, was doing well in school, and Jackson wanted to send him off to college, but he disappointed his father by wanting to take up the saddler’s trade.

During his recovery, he studied the country’s problems. The depression had made banks issue paper money. Jackson declared that the money was worse than worthless since the government didn’t back it. He was right, and later they found about a scandal and a bribe behind it. The people wanted to go back to a simple government. They knew Andrew Jackson as a simple man. More and more people started begging him to run for president.

At first he wasn’t too thrilled about the idea, but like before, he didn’t give up on it either. In July of 1922, the Tennessee House of Representatives unanimously nominated him for President. In the Senate, some of his enemies walked out of the meeting when his name was mentioned. The others all gladly supported him.

He decided to run for Senate against John Williams. Even though he didn’t wan to become a Senator, he knew that if he did, he would have a better chance at becoming President. He ran for Senator and won.

On December 5, 1822, Old Hickory took his seat in the Senate. He steered clear of any hint of corruption, and recorded his vote on every question. He stayed above the arguments of his opponents for not following military orders, and imposition of martial law. Most of all he stayed away from any arguments and seeing John Quincy Adams, who would most likely be his presidential opponent.

Jackson wrote to Rachel daily, assuring her of his love. He also sent messages to Lyncoya and Andrew Jr., telling them to study hard. He said it was very important to him because he lacked a fine education himself.

Although almost nothing is known about his campaign, it is known that after two years in the Senate, he traveled back to the Hermitage to pick up Rachel and some of her family. As they traveled to Washington City, they waited about the presidential returns on December 7, 1824. After 28 days of travel, they arrived in Washington City where they were greeted warmly by most of the citizens of the town. They all thought that Andrew was going to be their next president.

By mid-December, all the votes had been counted for and Andrew Jackson had the most popular vote. He was the favorite in every part of the country except New England. There was one problem; he didn’t receive the required majority of electoral votes. The election now went to the House of Representatives with each state having just one vote. They would choose between the three-highest vote getters, Andrew Jackson (99 electoral votes), John Quincy Adams (84 electoral votes), and William Crawford (number unknown).

The contest was tight, and many rumors of bribery and conspiracy filled the capitol as the House prepared to cast their votes. On January 24, 1825, under Henry Clay, Kentucky voted for John Quincy Adams. When people heard this they found it very odd because Adams hadn’t received a single popular vote in that state. Many believed that Adams had promised Clay a seat in his cabinet if he made Kentucky turn to him. In February, the House announced that Adams had won with thirteen states, Jackson had seven. He shook hands with Adams and congratulated him on his victory. He didn’t mention the election fraud at all. Five days later John Quincy Adams appointed Henry Clay as Secretary of State.

Andrew declared that the newly elected president had lost the trust of his people. He asked the public: "Was there ever witnessed such a bare faced corruption in any country before?…I shudder for the liberty of my country."

Despite his political defeat and physical problems, Old Hickory found the strength to adopt a new cause, the need for government reform. He believed that he would be a great leader for the reform movement. With the great help of the now Vice-President Calhoun, a Jackson supporter, he set up an informal headquarters at the Hermitage and entertained a steady stream of visitors. All of the visitors begged him to run for president again. It was clear that Adams would run once more. In October of 1825, the Tennessee legislature nominated Jackson for president.

Chapter Eleven

The White House Must Be Yours, Andrew Jackson

As soon as he got nominated for a second time, he resigned from the Senate so he could spend time campaigning. He became the unofficial head of the Democratic Party. As the country grew, so did fraud. He promised the people to rid the country of this fraud. Another challenge was ridding the land of Native Americans. Conscious of public opinion, he refused to join Rachel’s church saying that would be choosing sides among people, but he promised to join after the campaign.

His determination would not overcome the physical problems that hurt both himself, and Rachel. Her health was poor, and she was overweight. His own health continued to plunge. Another problem was his ill-fitting dentures that sometimes blurred his speech.

He received a big boost in spring of 1826 from Calhoun. Calhoun had been disgusted with what he called Adam’s mistakes, wrote to Jackson saying that the country was in danger because of poor administration. He pledged his full support for Jackson. In less then six months, Martin Van Buren announced his support of Jackson. Under the leadership of Calhoun and Van Buren, the South and the West were united politically for Andrew Jackson.

As his candidacy looked better and better, opponents made stronger and ruder remarks about his past. They accused Rachel of being an adulteress and a bigamist. They brought up the story of Jackson’s execution of the two British soldiers, the cruelty he had showed to the Native Americans. Others said that he was a military man, not fit for President.

His supporters called themselves the Hickory Club, made reports denying the claims of the opposition as soon as they were issued. They portrayed him as a champion of the people, and made many souvenirs including badges, beer mugs, plates, and even ladies’ combs.

On the hearings of the rumors about their marriage, Rachel already suffering from bronchitis became hysterical. Jackson often sympathized with her, saying she was the dearest thing to him. In these family problems sixteen-year-old Lyncoya died. This left a very heavy blow to both parents. Rachel lost all her spirit.

The final tally of the votes showed Jackson as the winner. He had 647,000 popular votes to Adams with 508,000. He greatly dominated the electoral vote with 178 to 83. John Calhoun won the vice-presidency. A journalist wrote that the election of Jackson was a victory of democratic principles over the politics of the wealthy. Andrew Jackson was now to be known as President Andrew Jackson.

Rachel did not join the celebrations. She only would mention that she was happy for her husband, but had never actually wished for him to become President. While Rachel’s friends and family planned a new wardrobe for the First-Lady-to-be, she suffered from depression and poor health. Her cold became a very serious respiratory infection. As she gasped and writhed for breath in painful spasms, a doctor performed bloodletting. She then suffered a heart attack. On December 22, 1828, she died.

Andrew’s grief was deep; they had been together almost forty years. He said, "My heart is nearly broke." He felt more than sorrow, though. He felt anger. He believed that part of the reason of Rachel’s death was because of all the rumors and accusations about their marriage. He vowed revenge for her untimely death.

Chapter Twelve

The First Administration

Jackson now made the three-week trip to Washington by steamboat and then by carriage. The new president arrived at Washington in mourning clothes, a black suit and tie, white shirt, and black bands on his arm and hat. He moved into a hotel on February 11 and immediately began a schedule for greeting Congressmen and cabinet members. Before he did that though, he had to choose the cabinet members.

Selecting his members was a tough job. Not only did he have to think of expertise and skill, but "payment" had to be considered also. His first appointment was Martin Van Buren for Secretary of State. Next he appointed his old friend John Eaton as Secretary of War. Secretary of Treasury would be Samuel D. Ingham. Attorney General would be John M. Berrien. Postmaster General would be John McLean and Secretary of the Navy was John Branch.

On March 4, 1829, huge crowds gathered around or at the Senate Chambers to see and hear their hero, their new President, inaugurated as President of the United States. Fifteen to twenty thousand came. Andrew appeared in mourning black, a very sad expression indeed. He sat between Calhoun and Chief Justice John Marshall. The chair reserved for John Adams was empty because he refused to come.

His speech was just ten minutes long. After he spoke, he kissed the Bible held by Chief Justice John Marshall. Then he bowed to the crowd, and they roared their approval, the highest officer had bowed to them. He rode a white horse to his new home and the crowd followed him.

Before Rachel had died, she had suggested that her niece, Emily Donelson, become First-Lady. She became a wonderful hostess and her husband was Jackson’s personal secretary. With a grant from the government, he added a few things to the White House and some of his in-laws moved in.

One of the president’s first actions was to make a "rotation" plan. In this plan government workers were limited to a four-year term to prevent them from abusing their position. He discovered that over $280,000 had been stolen from the Treasury department. He indicted eleven Treasury agents. He fired dozens of other workers found guilty of stealing in other departments. In his first year, expenses of the Navy decreased by one million dollars.

Serious family problems added to the stress he already had. He still mourned for Rachel. Andrew Jr. was involved in a romantic affair his father didn’t approve of. The other Andrew disobeyed and wouldn’t behave properly. He also worried that his overseer at the Hermitage was treating his slaves cruelly.

When he had appointed John Eaton as Secretary of War, his advisers had warned him not to do so because of his wife, Margaret. They had much the same rumors that Rachel and Andrew had had. This scandal swirled around Eaton and blocked him from doing his job properly. Jackson had had enough. He called for a cabinet meeting. At the meeting he said that he would not fire Eaton, and that if anyone opposed that, they could quit their new jobs. This brought back strong memories of Rachel and once again his health was poor. This time even his legs swelled and he felt weak.

Even through all his difficulties he kept the government going. He continued his quest to make Texas become a state, even offering $5 million dollars to Mexico. The economy was strong, and Jackson wanted to pay off the $48.5 million federal dept. In his December state of the union address, he declared that he was thankful to God for all that he had given America. He mentioned that the national dept had greatly reduced and that he hoped to see it drop even lower while he was in office.

Now conflicts grew between the North and South over import tariff bills. The North wanted high taxes. This way they could charge more for their goods, insuring profit and growth. The South favored lower taxes to allow cheaper goods to come into the country. The South was hurt two ways by the tariff: It cut into their sales of crops and raised the prices of the goods they had to buy from the merchants.

To many in the South high tariffs were another example of growing northern domination of national politics. A group of southern leaders headed by the vice-president made a theory called nullification. This theory said that because the national government had been formed by a voluntary agreement of the states, the states were the ultimate final authority of which acts that the U.S. Congress passed were constitutional.

Even though he was from an area of the nation that wanted low taxes, Jackson supported the North this time. Most of all he strongly opposed nullification. At a dinner attended by many of the South’s supporters, he said a toast that became famous; "Our Federal Union: It must be preserved!"

In South Carolina, supporters of nullification called for a militia to enforce their decision to secede. Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the people saying that no state could secede, and that state officials that wanted to secede were guilty of treason. To Congress he announced, "If this secession goes on, our country will be like a bag of with both ends open. Pick it up in the middle or endwise, and it will run out. I must tie the bag and save the country." Eventually Jackson reached a compromise: if the nullifiers would drop the idea of secession, he would cut the tariff in half. The bill passed and President Jackson was once again a hero.

In the fall of 1830, Jackson had big plans. He hoped to pay off the national dept by 1833. He increased the power of his presidency by vetoing more bills than all the previous presidents put together. He believed that he had restored virtue to the American government. He planned to improve relations with Great Britain, especially in trade. There was doubt about it; he wanted another term in office. He had to first overcome criticism from both parties about his unfortunate cabinet choices. Van Buren had a solution; he and Eaton would resign from their cabinet positions. With these resignations, Jackson could justify a reorganization of the whole cabinet. In April 1831, Van Buren, Eaton, and two other members resigned. Jackson announced that he would appoint a whole new cabinet.

These changes didn’t quiet Jackson’s opposition. Even democrats suggested that Jackson’s failing health made it almost impossible for him to serve a second term. Calhoun, who was seeking to be president himself, even wrote a fifty-page report in which he criticized all of Jackson’s faults. Opponents asked how a president who claimed to be a symbol for individual freedom could support the removal of Native Americans so much. Some even went as far as to criticize him about not designating a day of national prayer when a cholera epidemic swept the country.

The President had answers to all of these questions. He had a new cabinet, he stated that Calhoun was the "most profound hypocrite he had ever known and a danger to the country." He insisted that the treatment of Native Americans was kind and humane. He justified his decision not to designate a day of prayer by saying that it would interfere with the separation of church and state.

Another problem was the Bank of the United States (BUS), which called itself the National Bank. It wasn’t actually a national bank; it was just a privately controlled banking corporation with ties to the federal government. The stockholders of the bank had three advantages: the government deposited money in the bank, and the bank paid no interest on the deposits. The bank paid no taxes in the state of Pennsylvania where it did business. Lastly, Congress could not charter any institution, which would compete with the BUS. Jackson said these government-sponsored advantages worked against the democratic principles he had established for the country. Nicholas Biddle, the president of BUS, insisted that the bank played an important role in the economic health of the country.

The conflict continued over the summer. Jackson was lonely and frequently cried at Rachel’s grave at the hermitage. His headaches were constant and he was very weak. He did have some good luck when a surgeon said he could remove the bullet that lay in his arm. Andrew rolled up his sleeve and ordered the surgeon to begin. The surgeon squeezed Jackson’s arm and the bullet fell to the floor. The operation was a success. More bright news was that Andrew Jackson Jr. was engaged. Also that Andrew Hutchings pledged to be a hard-working student at the University of Virginia.

In January 1832, BUS president Biddle petitioned Congress to re-charter the bank. When Congress passed the bill he vetoed it exclaiming, "The bank…is trying to kill me, but I will kill it!" The veto delighted Biddle who thought Congress and the people would turn against the president. He was wrong. The president got even more supporters.

Things got even worse between Old Hickory and the vice-president. He had nominated Van Buren to be minister to Great Britain. When the vote was tied in the Senate, Calhoun broke it and voted against Van Buren. Jackson was so outraged that he asked Van Buren to be his running mate in the upcoming election and Van Buren accepted.

He started a strong campaign. He was never too busy to stop and shake hands or listen to pleas. He was the first president to insist that the White House was the People’s House. Always remembering that his country was a democracy, he proposed a change in the process of nominating national candidates in the Democratic Party. He suggested that there would be a national convention attended by delegates elected by the people. The first national Democratic nominating convention opened in May, 1832, in Baltimore, Maryland. Jackson was the presidential candidate, and Van Buren received the vote for vice-president. The Republicans nominated Henry Clay for president and John Sergeant of Pennsylvania for vice-president.

Jackson was re-elected with about 150,000 more popular votes than Clay and with 170 more electoral votes. On Inauguration Day Jackson held his body with military stiffness. The temperature was only eleven degrees Fahrenheit. The president shivered, gave his speech, and went to the White House and to bed.

Chapter Thirteen

The Second Administration

Jackson believed he could pay off the national dept by using $6 million of government bonds being held in the Bank of the United States. Biddle said the withdrawal would have a bad effect on the economy. Jackson insisted, and Biddle stalled. He began an investigation of bank operations. By January, Biddle admitted that the government funds were not in the bank; they had been used for investment by the bank officers. This was a flagrant violation of the contract between the bank and the government. Andrew Jackson resolved to have the BUS destroyed once and for all. He set a deadline of September. By that time, he wanted all the state banks to be ready to accept all government deposits.

In May, 1833, Jackson was traveling in a steamboat to Fredericksburg, Virginia. A fellow traveler named Robert Randolph approached the president, seeming to want to shake hands with him, but instead he hit Jackson. Blood spurted from Jackson’s face. He tried to rise but couldn’t. The president’s attendants grabbed Randolph before he could hit again. They asked him if he wanted them to kill Randolph and the bleeding president shook his head no. He wanted the man arrested and punished for his crime instead. The bruise on Jackson’s face left no lasting damage, and Randolph pleaded guilty to the act of pulling Jackson’s nose at his trial and was freed. Jackson continued to travel but now with military guard.

Once more his health suffered and this time he didn’t even mind letting the public see how sick he was. His feet and ankles got so swollen that he sometimes had difficulty standing. He began to pray more often and went to church every Sunday.

When his health started to get better, he returned to the BUS question. He suggested to Secretary of the Treasury William Duane that they insist the BUS outline a plan to pay back all deposits. If the bank officers did not, Jackson would remove all government deposits at once. Duane disagreed and Jackson asked him to go back being Ambassador to Russia. He seemed to agree, but as soon as Jackson made the public announcement about the funds, Duane would not resign. Jackson fired him.

Biddle had a plan for how to make the bank be re-charted. As he had hoped, businessmen went to Jackson begging him to re-charter the bank. When Jackson answered no, some of the justices from the Supreme Court said that they were living under the rule of one man who happens to be a tyrant. Jackson then ordered all of the government deposits to be withdrawn from the BUS. Biddle raised interest on loans and said that this interest would drop when the bank was re-chartered. He also refused to grant loans to new businesses until the bank was re-charted. Squeezed for credit, businessmen again went to plea to Jackson. Jackson refused.

When he wrote his speech to Congress, he wrote about how well he had handled the BUS situation and that it was no longer a problem. He also wrote that the national dept was reduced to only $5 million. He also bragged about his Native American program. Henry Clay used this speech as a basis for attacking the president on his programs. Clay asked Congress to record a censure. At first Jackson reacted with rage but then he thought that maybe Clay was right. Clay had insisted that Jackson was implying a revolution. When he thought about this he figured Clay was right, his revolution was a victory for the middle and lower classes over the higher class.

The Senate, under Clay moved to censure against Jackson because he over-reached his executive power when he removed money from the BUS. On March 28, 1834, the motion to censure Jackson passed 26 to 20. Immediately Jackson published a full report of his actions on the BUS problem. Emotions and opinions rang throughout the country. His supporters called him a great democrat. His opponents criticized him calling him a power-hungry leader.

Jackson was weak again, not only physically but emotionally too. Andrew Jr. had moved back to Tennessee along with his wife and Jackson’s favorite granddaughter, Rachel. He missed Rachel a great deal, and he worried about Andrew Jr. because he spent recklessly. His worries increased when the Hermitage burned down.

After losing the Hermitage, Jackson’s life was threatened by another attacker. He was leaving a funeral when he faced thirty-year-old Richard Lawrence. Lawrence stood less than three feet apart from Jackson, drew a pistol and aimed it straight at Jackson’s heart. The pistol misfired twice, and Jackson rushed at Lawrence with his walking cane raised. Before he could reach Lawrence his aides had wrestled Lawrence to the ground. At a trial, Lawrence was found not guilty of plotting to kill the president. Instead he was found insane and sent to an asylum.

Old Hickory was overjoyed when Congress passed a Coinage Act authorizing the minting and distribution of gold and silver coins. More good news was that support for the BUS became so weak that Congress passed a resolution against re-chartering. It was Jackson’s plans that set the banking system of today on its way. The end of his worries about the banking system did not make Jackson happy. He still wasn’t satisfied with the progress of Native American removal. He had ordered the Seminoles to move west. When the chief said no he had him jailed. When the chief came out again, his hatred for whites grew and once again battles started. Battlegrounds were filled with dead bodies from both sides.

Problems about slavery were buzzing around Jackson. Abolitionists blamed the president for not abolishing slavery. Anti-abolitionists blamed him for not stopping the abolitionists. The House passed a resolution declaring that interference with slavery was unconstitutional and that any and all mention of abolition was to be forbidden in Congress. This created a conflict in Congress for the next couple of years.

Another domestic problem was poor mail service and increasing dept in the United States Postal Service. Jackson appointed a new postmaster general, and improvement came instantly. Next a $5 million international issue demanded attention. In 1831, the French had agreed to pay damages for American shipping losses during the Napoleonic Wars, but by 1834, they had made no effort to do so. Jackson demanded immediate payment. The French took this as an offense, and ordered their ambassador to come home to France. Americans quickly got ready to rebel against the French as soon as word came. Instead the word was that the French had agreed to pay for the damages. America would have to apologize to France, but Jackson had no intention of doing that. England stepped in to intervene with the problems and the case was settled, no apology from the Americans, payment from the French.

Andrew Jackson knew he would not be able to withstand another term in office, but this wouldn’t stop him from making sure Van Buren was put into office. He was satisfied when the Democratic national convention gave Van Buren 600 votes. With Democrats secured, he now wanted to agree with the Legislative Branch in hopes that they would vote for Van Buren. After this was done, he retreated to Rip Raps, a resort on the Potomac. He hoped that rest would ease his physical pains.

He didn’t get much rest, because when he got there, he heard of street riots in Charleston, South Carolina. The riots were about anti-slavery issues. After a couple of plantation owners had gotten letters about anti-slavery, the mail offices burned any piece of mail that had any trace of anti-slavery issues. Jackson stood on both sides of the issue. He supported the national law of how mail wasn’t supposed to be burned or destructed, but he said the county officials would have the final word.

Andrew Jackson’s final open house brought a huge crowd. All of the people wanted to shake his hand and thank him for his work. He received many gifts that night, including a carriage from a New York committee.

Old Hickory left for the newly re-built Hermitage in July. The mansion was now grander than ever before. The beauty and peace of the Hermitage did not take him away from politics. He still wanted Texas to become a state, but the Mexicans who still owned it, harassed and annoyed the consul and citizens. Jackson sent a fiery note saying if one hair was touched on the consul’s head, he would burn down every Mexican city. The harassment quickly stopped.

Chapter Fourteen

Sweet Retirement

In November of 1836, Old Hickory coughed so hard that he blacked out. He lay semiconscious for several days. While close friends and family worried about his health, he worried about writing a State of the Union address. This only gave him more pain, and he lost consciousness again. He was cheered when Van Buren won the 1836 election. He was well enough to give his farewell speech to the United States ending it by predicting his own death, "My own race is nearly run; advanced age and failing health warn me that before long I must pass beyond the reach of human events." Around 11:30 on March 4, 1837, Jackson relaxed with a few close friends. When the chimes of a clock rang 12:00 am, he said, "Gentlemen, I am no longer President of the United States…I am very glad to get away from all the excitement and bother." The next day, Jackson escorted Van Buren to the Capitol where the new president gave an hour-long speech. After the ceremony, the crowd cheered wildly for Jackson, their hero.

Jackson was out of office, but not out of dept. He returned home with only ninety dollars in his pocket while the bill for the Hermitage went over $15,000. He couldn’t find any way of paying off the depts. He requested membership in a Presbyterian Church, keeping his promise to Rachel many years ago. His sight and hearing started to decline. Somehow he found the strength to attend a 25^th anniversary party of his victory of winning the Battle of New Orleans. He tried to act normal, but everyone could see the pain in his face.

In 1842, Andrew’s health declined again. He wrote a new will requesting that he be buried next to Rachel. He left the Hermitage to Andrew Jr. When Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845 and James Polk was elected president, Jackson exclaimed; "I thank my God that the Republic is safe." He now had to be propped in bed to read or write and he didn’t have enough energy to visit Rachel’s grave anymore.

Andrew Jackson asked that his grandchildren pay him a visit, and he kissed and blessed each and every one. He then said, " Do not cry, be good children and we will all meet in heaven." He told his family he wanted to be buried without a lot of expenses.

Seventy-eight-year-old Andrew Jackson died on June 8, 1845. The funeral service that was held at the Hermitage was open to the public who were invited with a simple notice. Over 3000 people showed up. In every community flags were flown at half-mast, papers were bordered in black, and salute guns were heard. Andrew Jackson was buried next to his beloved Rachel.

Conclusion

Andrew Jackson was many things. A general, a lawyer, a governor, a husband, a Senator, a Representative, and a president. Very little people accomplish half as much in a lifetime. When you look back at his terms in office you think of the United States acquiring over 100 million acres of land. The growth of the economy, the closure of the BUS. Most of all he established a new presidential style as a leader of the masses.

He was the first to do many things. He was the first person to become president from the frontier with very little education. He was the first president to tell people that the government belonged to them. He was the first president to be censured. He had vetoed more bills than all of the former presidents combined. He was the only president to pay off the national dept.

We all owe great thanks to Andrew Jackson. He knew what he had to do to keep this country free, and he knew that this country would survive only if it grew. Florida would have never been ours if he didn’t fight for it. The Midwest would never have been ours if he didn’t fight for it. He may have been cruel in the eyes of some, and I agree, but overall he was a patriot if there ever was one. I hope that you will join me in saluting the man on the twenty dollar bill, the president that did the more for his country than any other president.

• 1767-Born in South Carolina on March 15.
• 1780-81-Serves in American Revolutionary War.
• 1787-Obtains license to practice law.
• 1791-Marries Rachel Donelson Robards.
• 1796-Elected to House of Representatives.
• 1797-Elected to Senate.
• 1802-Becomes major general of Tennessee militia.
• 1814-Commisioned major general in U.S. army.
• 1814-Imposes martial law in New Orleans.
• 1818-Invades Spanish Florida
• 1819-Faces Congressional censure.
• 1821-Becomes governor of Florida.
• 1825-Defeated for U.S. president in House election.
• 1828-Elected president.
• 1828-Rachel dies of heart attack.
• 1830-Signs Indian Removal Bill
• 1832-Reelected President.
• 1836-Leaves Washington as ex-president.
• 1845-Dies at the Hermitage.