Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-09
n,- TRUE SPIRIT OF JACKsoN1ssH. v.
ATTEMPT AT ASSASSIN ALTON!

80
ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION
Our readers will recollect the recent publ
cation of Dr. James L. Armstrong, under the
signature of "A Tennesseean." DIR. A. Is .
worthy and highly respectable citizen oi ioh.
ncssee. and il is stated in the CommerciaI
Advertiser is n member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. "For number OF months
past. he has been engaged in enlightening tho
public mind as TO The real character Of Gener-
al Jackson, in series of numbers called Tho
| Tennesseean.' These letters founded entirely
upon documentary evidences, are producing
wonderful effect wherever they have been re-
ceiyed or read. Indeed the facts disclosed re-
s,ecting the ferocious character OF Jackson'
have several weeks since determined his friends
TO Put so troublesome Difness ouf J me
pav. Three time he has been challenged TO
mortal combat. But his religious opinions for
bid his acce ptance of an invitation to murder.
And rs q last measure his assassination has
been resolved on:'
Copy Of letter from Dr. Jane. T. Armstrong, author Of
Grhe Tennesse,ao," dated Davis Mills Bedford 20.
Tenn. i7th July, lS2a.
In the third number Of tho Tenncsseean,
have said, that | was afraid OF the daggers
and pistols Of Gen. Jacksons assassins.' This
has been verified. On yesterday, about twelve
O'Clock, four men rode up to my shop, got
down, and went in. | was sitting in the front
piazza of my dwelling house, and saw them
Supposing them TO be men who might nave
business with me, left the house uDarmed and
alone, and proceeded TO my shop. almost 100
wards distant The assassns had seated them
selves in the back room of my shop, with their
ba cks towards me, two being on each SIDE oil
the door As soon as had entered and dis
covered who they were, | was convinced some
outrage was intended. The assassns were by
name-.1lalcoln, GHchrist, from Alabama;-
Jesse Tdyior, from the Western District OF
Tennessee; and William Guchrist and -dr-
chibald Yell. from Shelbyville, Tenn. On
casting my eyes around, discovered that they
were armed with large clubs; and also in the
breasts of several could see the handles OF
drks and pistols, especially tho assassin Yell.
This is the same Yell who is n member of our
Legislature, and figured as the Jackson bully
at the last session. He is the same Yell. who
certified for Parrish, that was the author OF
THE Tennesscean,' and procured certificates
against the character of John Woods. These
fellows very soon produced pa per which they
said must sign. Perceiving il was their OBJ
iect to force me 10 sign something dsgraceful,
| told them was unarmed and alone, and that
it was very unfair 10 be thus set upon in my
orn house. At this time was standing near
the nck door of my shop, and had time TO
reflect, that there was n neighbour who lived
about three hundred yards distant, across the
creek, where there was probably some COM
pany, ard also where might procure arms to
defend myself 1 determined to risk being
shot, rather than sign the paper, which did
not see, nor do know its contents. Seeing
me dsinclined to look at the paper,on OF them
swore I should sign il: or he woud-At this
moment believing from the movements OF the
party, that they certainly designed to assassin
ate me, | sprung out of the house, and retreat
ed as fast as | could toward Davis store: tho
assassins followed me rapidly. One of them
(Malcolm Gichrist) who lives in Alabama had
been selected to perform the deed. This fell
low pursued me in front Of the others, and in
endeavouring to draw his pistol from his breast
he dropped and lost it, The pistol has since
been found, and was heavily loaded-and it 10
now in my possession. On the return of the
assassins to their horses, crippled youth who
was near my shop, saw them looking for It,
and heard the fellow say how he had lost it..
was pursued across the river, and in at
tempting to climb the bank on the other side,
the two Gilcl,rists overlook me and knocked
me down with their clubs, and would surely
have killed me if Mr.. Davis and a number Of
other men had not come to my relief. am
old, and have grand chiIdren-the as
sassins wero all comparatively young men. Il
am bruised and mangled all over, and my boad
is cut to the skull, and am just able to hold
my pen, and cannot do this subject justice, as
feel considerable weight and conclusion Of
the brain.
On last Monday morning was in Shelby
vile, procuring documents to write n No. on
General Jacksons intimacy with Burr. This
no doubt these fellows had heard, and it was
determined to put me out of the way. or dis
grace me. Thank God, they have not, asyet
done either. But I really consider my life in
danger and therefore suppose shall be COM
PEELED to dcsist from giving information to the
people, relative to General Jackson. As q
parting word, ask my countrymen to pause,
and think before it is loo late, what kind Of .
man they desire to make President.
JAMES l.. ARMSTRONG.
Extract Of letter from gentleman in Tennessee.
P.S. have just seen gentleman from Bed
ford county, who says that The physician CALL
ed in to the aid Of DR.. Armstrong, represents
his injuries as very serious. This is Jackson
ism in its true colours-such the Hero in
early times has often acted himself!
AT the upper end of York street, saws the