The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-02-29


State. General Harrison was amply quail
fled for the Legislative duties he was thus call
ed to perform, not merely by the possession
Of high order Of intellect, a cultivated mind,
long and intimate familiarity with affairs, and
great political and general requirements, but
also as an animated and ready speaker, fluent
in language, plain, but not ungracelul In man
ner, eminently happy in extempofaneous adj
dress, and endowed with apt and ready skill
in bringing the resources of his mind to bear
upon any given subject all which traits char
acterised his cursory debates as well as more
formal speeches in Congress.
1t would far exceed the necessary limits of
these Outlines, TO enter infinitely into the re-
view of General Harrisons acts and opinions
during the period of this his service in Con-
gress. These alone, with the official papers
which proceeded from his pen. whilst at the
head Of affairs in the Northwest, would con-
stitute volume.
\ or thss sutjerts, however, which received
particular attention from him, some deserve
to be mentioned, for their intrinsic importance,
and the value of his efforts in regard TO them.
Such are the organization Of the militia the
introduction of a more equal system of mill
tary education than now exists the recogni-
American republics the improvement of the
moral condition of the army by augmenting
the inducements to responsibility on the part
of the non commissioned officers and soldiers;
the introduction of uniformity as 10 military
pensions and above all, his strenuous exer-
tons in behalf Of the claims Of the surviving
officers and soldiers Of the Revolution.
MINISTER TO COLUMBIA.
| In 1928, General Harrison was appointed
by Mr.. Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary to
the Republic of Columbia. He arrived in the
midst of that unhappy period, when Bolivar,
forgetful of that example of Washington,
| which il had been his pride in early life to fol-
low, was engaged in those efforts to change
the constitution Of his country, the failure of
which, and the chagrin they brought upon him,
consigned him to premature grave, the
broken-hearted victim of bitter disappoint-
ment and unavailing regrets. An elaborate
letter of General Harrison's TO Bolivar, in
reference to these matters, is justly admired
for the noble and just sentiments of republic
can liberty and Of pure patriotism, which it is
replete with. General Harrison did not re-
main long in Columbia, however; the change
Of administration which ensued in the United
States, producing his recall.
CONCLUSION.
Such, without charging 10 refer to other
trusts Of less general importance at different
periods conhded to General Harrison, have
been the great public employments, which, in
the course Of his diversified and eventful life,
he has been called to fill, with honor TO him
self and to the Union.
The traits Of character, which distinguished
him in those employments, have been des-
cribed briefly, as they came successfully in
review. Some of these traits, of a personal
nature, deserve to be more distinctly spoken
Of by themselves.
Disinterestedness and integrity in pecu-
mary matters have marked all his actions
As Governor Of Indiana and as Superinten-
dant Of Indian Affairs, large sums of money
passed through his hands to be disbursed at
his discretion, and with few of the checks now
provided in reference to such things. He |
gave no security, and the Government had no
guaranty for the faithful application Of the
funds entrusted TO him, but his prudence and
honesty. But he was conscentiously true |
to his duty neither accommodating wealth by
speculation upon the public money or lands,
nor becoming debtor of the Government
During the war, as commandments chief in
the Northwest, he had liberty to draw on the |
Government to an unlimited amount, and was
daily passing large sums Of public money
through his hands, bat not cent did he ever
divert to his own use; and at the close of his
military services, there was no charge against
him on the books of the Treasury, except for
moneys faithfully and truly accounted for by
him, and allowed as such.
Meanwhile, his situation in life, more espe-
cialy when Commander-in-chief subjected
him to many and great personal charges; not
only those directly incidental to his military
duties, in travelling and otherwise but, |
charges, also, Of different kind, imposed by
the peculiar description of the forces he led,
and the consequent necessity he was under at
times, of keeping free quarters for the recep-
ton of his fellow-citizens, whom his duty to
the Government, and the dependence of the
country upon volunteer troops, made il impor-
tant he should cofciliate. Add to which, that
at his own expense, he continually supplied
clothing and other ncediul comforts for his sick
and wounded soldiers. Hence, though he
lived as frngally and Jared as hardly in the
field as any soldier in the ranks Of his army,
yet his expenses at that period exceeded his
pay, and the balance came from his private
property.
Since the war, General Harrison has been
tie principal representative of the military
class of our citizens in the region in which he
lived and the old soldier, the veteran, who
had served under Wayne, st. Clair, and
others, and still more, they who had served
under himself came 10 him 20 present their
claims for lands and pensions, and regarded
! him Ia the light Of a protector and friend.