Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-07-23
THE WHIG CANDIDATE FOR THE
PRESIDENCY

For the information of large class of citi
zcns who have more recently than others arri.
we'd at an age to take part IN the sceacs of ac-
tive life, and may be inclined to ask '.Who is
Cen W. III. Harrison ~ We subnin Il hriel
sketch Of his character and services, which we
derive from contemporary journal. Few liv-
ing patriots eau produce title 80 strong to the
gratitude and affections of their lcllow-citizens.
General WILLIAM Henry HARRISON was
born on the nirth day of February. l772, in
Charles City county Virginia at the family
seat on the James river. called Berkly, about
seven miles below Richmond. His farther
was BENJAMIN Harrison. n lineaI descendant of
the celebrated General of that name, who held
commission in the parliamentary armies dur
ing the English civil wars. and who for his de-
voton to the republican principles, persisted
on the scafiold. Benjamin Harrison was dis.
iinguisned citizen of Virs ihia, much honored
and highly trusted by his frlIow-citizens He
was hrolhrr-in-law of Pey,on Ran olph. the first
President Of Congress and was liuself a men,
ber of that body during the years IVA. rs. ard
70. 1t was principally through his influence
that John Hancock was chosen to preside over
the Congress. as successor 10 Perton Randolph
He was Chairman of the COMMITTEE Of The
Whole House when the Declaration of Inde-
pen.ence was finally agreed To; and his sig
nature is borne upon that celebrated document.
Ha ing retired from Congress. he was elected
l. mber Of the Virginia Fl nuse of Delegates,
over which body he presided. as Speaker, until
1882 when he was eerted Governor Of the
State.
Benjamin Harrison died poor, leaving three
sons, of whom William II. Harrison was the
Al c,tbo IantI In ,
aud was left by his fathers will to tlr guardian.
ship of Robert Norris the celebrated iinanrier.
He had selected the practice "f medicine as
q profession, and was diligently pursuing his
studies with that object, at Hampdeu Sydney
College. when the disasters Of the Inlian war
on the Northwestern frontier, aud The call for
men and officers Tor the defence of tie settlers,
induced him to enter into The military service.
His guardian would have disSliahed him from
the determination, but Washington, his fathers
friend approved it, and gave him Il commits
sion of ensign in the first regiment Of United
States Artillery. then stationed at Fort Wash
ington, on the present site Of the city of Ciurin.
natl anu under the command Of Gen. ST. Clair
Governor Of the northwest Territory. and com
mander-ln.chief of the military forces in tina
section ofthe country.
AS soon as he received his commission, voting
Harrison. who was at this time but l9 years OF
age, has:ened TO join his regiment. and arrived
ut Fort Washington shortly after the disastrous
defeat Of st Clair. near the head waters of the
Wabash. This was time Of great danger and
alarm. Shortly after his arrival at For: Wash
ington, he was appointed To command The es
cort of tram of pack-horscS. bound FOR For
Hamilton, some twenty or thirty miles north o
Fort Washington; which difficult service he
performed with such credit as to attract the par
ticu'ar no;ice Of the cummander-in-chief
In l792, Harrison was promoted 10 the rank
of Lieutenant, and in 49,. he Joined the new
army under General Wayne. His spirit ell
terprIse and sagacity soon attracted the notice
of that able commander, who appoI ted him
one of his aids-dc-canp. in which difficult ant
responsible post he served during the war. Iii.
services, especially at the battle "f the Maumec
Rapids. by which the contest was brought to a
close, are mentioned with emphaSis IN Genera
Wayues official account of the victory. Aiicl
the c'ose Of the war. Harrison was promoted 10
the rank of Captain, and was placed in COM
nand at Fort Washington, the most importall,
post in the western country. While in this
command. he married n daughter Of John C.
Svmmes. the founder of the Miami settlement
u lady in whom he has ever found faithful
and affectiunatc comphhion.
In 1897. Harrison resigned his commission
in the army and was appointed Secretary o
the N. western Territory. and ex-officio Lieu
tenant Governor. The next year the North
western Territory entered the second grade o
Territorial Government. aud became entitled to
Congressional delegate. Gen. lIa rison was
chosen to fl! tins important station. He re-
manned in Congress onlv one year, but during
that time lie rendered very essential service tc
his constituents. As tie iaw tl'cn stood the
public lands could only be purchased in tracts
Of four thousand acres; very great hardship
upor .:,e uooi sotll. rs wlu were thus Obliged
TO purchase at secondhand, auG at au enl,uacrd
price. Harrison brought this subject before
Congress, and moved committee to consider
it. Ofthat committee he was himself appoint
ed chairman; the only instance, it is believed, in
which such an honor has been conferred upon
a Territorial delegate. He made n report, ac