CHAPTER LI.

JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

N the 4th of March, 1829, General Andrew Jackson entered on his duties as President of the United States. Martin Van Buren, of New York, was appointed Secretary of State, and the other members of the cabinet were selected from among the most distinguished opponents of the preceding administration. A general system of removal from office was commenced, the President being determined on a general removal of his political opponents. The administration was denounced, as pursuing a course contrary to the spirit of the institutions of the country -proscribing all who did not agree with him in his political opinions. The policy of the administration in regard to the tariff and internal improvements, was understood to be similar to that of the preceding ones, but on the question of the currency-the existence of the national bank, it was known to be essentially different. In his first message, the President recommended several amendments to the Constitution, which Congress neglected to consider, and it was soon apparent that there was a want of harmony between the President, his cabinet, and many of those who aided him in reaching his high office.

In the congressional debates of 1829, the advocates of nullification, who had been gradually gaining strength in consequence of the neglect

of their opponents, sustained a complete defeat. The principal advocate on the side of the Union was Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. His adversary was Robert Y. Hayne, of South Carolina. The legislature of South Carolina protested against the passage of a new protective tariff. But no resort was had to more violent measures. By an act of Congress, in May, 1830, a provision was made for reviving the trade with the British ports in the West India Islands, which had long been prevented by the measures of the British government.

W

HEN President Jackson came into power, a majority in Congress were his friends and fully intended to support his administration. But the extraordinary character of his measures, and the difficulties which occurred between himself and prominent statesmen, alienated the larger portion of them, and he now could command but a small and ineffi

cient minority. In consequence of some misunderstanding of the designs of the President, the members of the cabinet tendered their resignations. In the summer of 1831, the cabinet was re-organized. Edward Livingston, of Louisiana, was appointed Secretary of State. This cabinet was much superior to the former one in talent and energy.

In December, 1831, the directors of the United States Bank applied to Congress for a new charter, the term of their former one being about to expire. The bill for that purpose passed both houses of Congress; but the President returned it with his veto, and the Senate refusing to reconsider it, the bill was lost. The President's course of action excited much violent discussion in every part of the United States. He was applauded by the majority of those who had no interest in the existence of the bank.

In the latter part of 1832, the legislature of South Carolina took measures for resisting the execution of the new tariff law within the limits of that State. This brought matters to a crisis. The President issued a proclamation, plainly and forcibly stating the nature of the American confederacy and the supremacy of the federal authorities, and expressing his determination to execute the laws at all hazards.

The foreign relations of the country were conducted with ability and energy by President Jackson. Treaties were concluded and ratified with the government of Mexico, and a treaty between the United States and France, respecting claims for depredations on American commerce, was signed at Paris, in July, 1831. Treaties were also concluded with Austria, Naples, and Turkey. The manner in which the government conducted

affairs abroad and at home, was calculated to make it popular, in spite of the clamorous opposition of the moneyed interest.

President Jackson had formerly expressed himself in favor of one presidential term, but his friends now persuaded him to accept the nomination for a second. Martin Van Buren was nominated as the candidate of the same party for the vice-presidency. Henry Clay and John Sergeant were the principal opposition candidates. General Jackson received a large majority of votes in the electoral college, as did Martin Van Buren. HE second session of the twenty-second Congress

commenced in December, 1832. On the 28th of December, John C. Calhoun resigned the office of Vice-President and was elected a Senator from South Carolina in place of Mr. Hayne. The exciting discussions in regard to the tariff and nullification were renewed in Congress. The legislatures of several Southern States adopted resolutions disapproving of nullification, but condemning the protective tariff as unconstitutional. South Carolina was almost unsupported in her clamorous opposition to the power of the general government. In that State, munitions of war were provided and a single spark only was necessary to kindle the blaze of civil war. Fortunately, a compromise bill was passed by Congress, and a collision between the general and State governments prevented.

The second presidential term of General Jackson commenced on the 4th of March, 1833. At first it seemed as if this second term was to be as tranquil as the former one had been turbulent. But the removal of the government deposits from the bank of the United States by order of the President was a new cause of excitement. Treasury, Mr. Duane, had refused to perform this service without the The Secretary of the sanction of Congress. He was removed, and Roger B. Taney being appointed in his place, the demand of the President was satisfied. The hostility of the government to the bank induced the directors to adopt a general system of retrenchment from which much commercial distress ensued.

The administration was supported by a majority in the House of Representatives, but could command only a minority vote in the Senate. The removal of the deposits was censured in the lower house, and a somewhat angry correspondence ensued between the President and that body. In June, 1834, several changes were made in the cabinet. John Forsyth, of Georgia, became Secretary of State, Mahlon Dickerson, of New Jersey,

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Secretary of the Navy, and Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire, Secretary of the Treasury.

At the first session of the 23d Congress, various acts for internal improvements were passed, together with one regulating the coinage of gold. The State elections evinced that the administration had lost much of its strength, but its friends, known by the party name of "Democrats," were still numerous and active. On the 19th of July, a party of Seminole Indians crossed their bounds, near the Hogstown settlement, for the purpose of hunting. They separated, and agreed to meet on a certain day. On that day five of them were met together, when a party of white men came by, and commenced flogging them with their whips. Two other Indians came up and fired upon the whites, who returned the fire. Three whites were wounded, and one Indian killed and one wounded. On the 6th of August, Dalton, a mail-carrier, was murdered, and the Indians refused to deliver up the murderers. In September, a party of Mickasuckees, headed by Osceola, waylaid and shot Charley Omatha, a powerful friendly chief. General Clinch, who commanded a small force in this section of country, now commenced operations against the Indians.