The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-12-26
THE WING CANDIDATE
For the Presidency.

others arrived at an age 10 take part in
the scenes Of active life, and may be IN
clincd to ask who is General HaRRI-
son I've suhjon a brief sketch of his
character and services, which we derive
from a contemporary Journal. Few living
patriots can produce a title 40 strong to
the gratitude and affections Of their fellow
cltiLens.-Nahoaai itelliseaccr.
General WILLIAM Henry HARRISON
was born on the ninth day of February,
l773, IN Charles City county, Virginia, at
the family seat on the James river, called
Berkcly, about seycnty.miles below Rich.
mond. His father was Benjamin Harri-
son, a lineal descendant Of the celebrated
General of that name, who held a commits.
sion IN the parliamentary armies during
the English civil wars, and who, for his
devotion to republican principles, persisted
en- the scaiiold. Benjamin Harrison was a
distinguished citizen Of Virginia, much
honored and highly trusted BY his fellow
citizens. He was brothcr-ln.law Of Pev.
ton Randolph, the first President Of Con
gress, and was himself a member Of that
body during the wears l77i, l775, and
1915. II was principally through his in.
fluence that John Hancock was chosen
TO preside over the Congress, as successor
10 Peyton Randolph. He was chairman
of tue Committee of the Whole House
when the Declaration of Independence was
finally agreed TO; and his signature is
borne upon that celebrated document
Having retired from Congress, he was
elected a member Of the Virginia House
Of Delegates, over which body lie presided
as Speaker, until l7e2, when he was elcc.
ted Governor Of the State.
Benjamin Harrison died poor, leaving
three sons, OF whom WILLIAM HENRY
HARRISON was the youngest. At his faith.
ers death he was a minor, and was left by
has fathers will to the guardianship OF
Robert Morris, the celebrated hnanc Ter.
He had selected the practice of medicine
as a profession, and was diligently pursu.
lng his studies with that object, at llamp-
Httl It4lIZts WITH Tit ilNtA1ttlH bi
the Indian war on the Northwestern iron.
tier, and the call for men and officers for
the defence of the settlers, induced him to
enter into the military service. His guar
dian would have dlssuadcd hlm from this
determination, but Washington, has faith.
.er's friend, approved Of It, aud gave him q
commission OF ensign IN the first regiment
of United States artillery, then stationed
at Fort Washington, on the present site Of
the city OF Cincinnati, aud under the com.
mand OF General 81. Clair, Governor Of
the Northwest Territory, and commander.
ln-chiei Of the military forces IN that sec.
ton OF the country.
A soon as he received his commission,
young Harrison, who was at this time but
nineteen years Of age, FASTENED to loln ms
regiment, and arrived at Fort Washington
shortly after the disastrous defeat Of -.
Clair, near the head water, Of the Wabash.
This was time of great danger and alarm.
Shortly after his arrival at Fort Washing.
ton, he vas appointed 10 command the cs-
cort Of train Of packhorses, bound for
Fort Hamilton, some twenty or thirty
miles north Of Fort Washington; which
difficult service he performed with such
credit as 10 attract the particular notice Of
the commander-in-chict,
In 1892, Harrison was promoted 10 the
rank Of Lieutenant, and m l7g3 Ne joined
the new army under General WAYNE. Ills
spirit, enterprise, and sagacity soon attract.
ed the notice Of that able commander, who
appointed him one Of his alds-dc.camp, in
which difficult aud responsible post be
served during the war. His services, cs-
peclally at the battle Of the Maumcc Rap.
IDS, by which the contest was brought 10 a
close, are mentioned with emphasis IN
Gen. Naync's official account Of the We.
tory. After the close Of the war, Harm.
rIson was promoted to the rank Of Captain,
and was placed in command Of Fort Wash.
ngton the most important post IN the West.
ern country. While ia tins command. he
married daughter Of John CleYes Symmes,
the founder Of the Miami settlcments-a
lady III whom he has ever found faithful
and attectlonale companion.
In 1897, Harrison resigned his commls.
SION IN the army, and was appointed Sec.
Rotary Of the Northwestern Territory, and
eX.otiicio Lieutenant Governor. The next
year the Northwestern Territory entered
the second grade Of Territorial Govern.
oent, aud became entitled to a Congress.
sonal delegate. General Harrison was
chosen to fill this important station. He
remained IN Congress only one year, but
during that time he rendered very essen. |
tai service to his constituents. As the law !
then stood, the public lands could only be
purchased IN tracts Of four thousand acres
a very great hardship upon the poor set.
tiers, who were thus obliged to purchase
at secondhand, and at an enhanced price.
Harrison brought this SUBJECT before Con.
gress, and moved a COMMITTEE to consider
1t. OF that committee he was himself an. |
pointed chairman; the only Instance, il is !
believed, IN which such honor has been
conicrredupon Territorial delegate. He |
made a report, accompanied by bill, au.
thnrIZtUu no ptrttl1g l,rJa /