South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-05-07
A CONDENSED SKETCH
I'VE LIFE OF
Cen. William Henry Harrison.

Presidency of the United States, by
lsrpe popular meetings in various parts
nf the Union, and by numerous State
Conventions, a very natural desire has
been excited in the public m'nd. to DC
iaformed as to the history of bis life,
and the nature and extent OF the pub
lie services, on which his claim 10 that
distinction rests. 80.
II is the purpose of the writer OF this
sketch TO lay before the people very
brief outline Of his civil and military
achievements, that they may be ena'
bled to form some idea OF hrs charac'
ter. and capacity to administer the go
yernment Of the United States.
General Harrison is a native OF
Charles city county, in the State OF
Virginia. He was born in the year
177s, and is consequently, at this time,
(lSs6) about sixty three years of age.
He is a son of Benjamin Harrison, one
of those pure patriots, who, in 1776
"pledged their lives and fortunes and
sacred honor" for the maintenance OF
the liberties of their country; and
whose names have been immortallzed
Nv their connection with the declara.
lion of American Independence.
Young Harrison inherited little from
his father, save his ardent devotion to
his country, and . name illustrated by
public services and personal sacrifices,
10 our revolutionary struggle. He was
compelled therefore, to rely upon his
own exertions, to procurethe means of
support, and at an early age he adop-
ted The medical profession, and devo'
ted himself for some time to those stu
dies which we're necessary 10 prepare
him for it. But before the period ar
rived at which he was to receive his
diploma, the cruel dcpredations OF the
Indians on our north western frontier,
determined him to abrndoa his pro-
fession, and seek for honor and dis
O. lnction in the service of his country.
Having formed this resolution, neither
the remonstrances Of his friends, nor
the perils and privations ola border
war could turn him from his purpose.
Finding him infexible in his determi-
nation, application was made by his
friends, to Gen. Washington, then pre-
sident Of the United States, in his be-
half, for an ensign's commission in the
North western army. The request was
readily granted (; and at the age Of 10
the youthful hero left all the endear-
men,s of his paternal home to encoun-
ter the dangers and privasions incident
TO frontier campaign.
In very short time after he reach
ed his destination his GOODNESS and in.
trepidity attracted the favourable no.
tice of Gen. Anthony Wayne the com.
mander Of the Western Army, and he
appointed him one Of his aids in the
dangerous campaign against the lndi.
ans and British forts. The conduct
of Harrison on that occasion not mere.
ly fulfilled the high expectations of his
commander,bu gained honorable men.
ton OF bis name in the dispatches to
the government, land elected from Gen.
Washington himself, the warmes, com
menda,ion of his gallantry.
On the death of Gen. Wayne in 1897,
Harrison, who had in the mean time
been promoted to a captaincy, left the
army, and received the appointment of
secretary of the north western terrific
~. His department in that station,
met with the most marked approba-
non OF the government and the people,
and when the territory entered into the
SECOND grade of government, he was
'Nusen Its first delegate to Congress.
A''he time Of his election, the Yves.
teFn states and territories were labour-
ing under most serious disadvantages,
resulting from the existing method of
d'sposlng of the public lands, within
their borders. Under the system, as
it then stood, the government lands
wefe divided into tracts, generally of
about 1900 acres each, which were
thrown into market, and almos, inva-
riably purchased by companies of gree.
dy spectators, who sold them out at
On exorbitant profit to the actual set
uets' The effect was to create most
wa" '9us moHopoly, and greatly TO re-
s sslu 'ne settlement of that vast and
is'sho country. No man who could
hOs command $4,000 at least, could
Dsso'ne INC purchaser of any part OF
the public domain, even a, he mini.
mann price, unless he would consent to
become tributary to the Spectators,
by paying The profits which they might
lhink proper 10 extOrt. Mr.. Harrison