Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-08-20
AlecdOte of General Jackson.

AHecdOte of General Jackson.
In the year 1911, General Jackson had
occasion TO visit Natchez, in the territory
of Mississippi, for the purpose of bring
ing up a number of blacks, part of whom
had become his property in consequence
of having been security for a friend, and
the remainder were hands which had
been employed by anephew, in the neigh
borhood of that place. The road led
through the country Inhabited by the
Chckasaw and Choctaw Indians, and
the station of the agent for the Choctaws
was upon it, On reaching the agency,
he found seven or eight families of emf
grants, and two members ofthe Mlsslsslp-
pl legislative council. detained there, un-
der the pretence that il was necessary for
them to have passports from the Cover
nor of Mississippi. One of their num-
her had been sent forward 10 ro 'ure them.
In the meantime, the emigranls were buy
ing corn from the agent, at an extrava-
CANT price and splitting rails for linn at a
very moderate one. Indignant at the
wrong inflicted on the emigrants, he re-
mittng to the detention, and asked tho
agent how he dared to demand a pass
from free American, travelling on pub.
lie road. The agent replied by asking,
with much temper, whether he had a
pass. Yes sir" replied the general.
- always carry mine with me: am
free born American citizen, and that is
a passport all over the world" He then
directed the emigrants to gear up their
and if any one attempted TO OBJ
struct them, to shoot them down, as a
highway roboer. Setting them the ex-
ample, he continued his journey, regard
less of the threats Of the agent.
After concluding his business, he was
informed that the Agent had collected
about fifty white men and about one hun
dred Indians TO stop him on his return,
unless he produced passport. Though
advised by his friends to procure one, he
refused to do so; stating that no Ameri-
can citizen should ever be subject 10 the
insult and indignity Of procuring a pass,
to enable him to travel public highway
in his own country. Like all travellers
among the Indians, at that time, he was
armed with brace of pistols; and hav-
ing added n rifle and another pistol, he
commenced his return journey. When
within a few miles Of the agency, he was
by friend who had gone for
ward 20 reconnoitre, that the agent had
his force in readiness to stop him. He
directed his friend to advance again, and
tell the agent that if he attempted to stop
him, it would be at the peril of his life.
He then put his blacks in order, and
armed them with axes and clubs at the
same time telling themnot to stop unless
directed by him, and If any one offered 10
oppose them, to cut him down. Riding
by their side, he approached the station,
when the agent appeared, and asked him
whether he meant 10 stop and show his
passport. Jackson replied, That de-
pends upon circumstances. am told
that you meant to stop me by force;
whoever attempts such thing. will not
have long to live - and with look that
was not to be mistaken, he grasped his
bride with irmer grip. His determin-
ed manner had such an effect, that the
agent declared he had no intention of
stopping him, and he and his party were
suffered to pass on without further mole
station or interruption. He afterwards
reported the conduc, Of the agent TO the
government, and he was dismissed from
his agency.