Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-22
iancliui idea, but upon examination it may be
found that there is, too, some reality in it.
Anccdotc Of General Jackson

In the year 1911, General Jackson had oc.
cdsion TO visit Natchez, in the territory of
Mississippi, for the purpose of bringing up a
number OF blacks. part Of whom had be-
come his property in consequence of having
been security for friend, and the remainder
were hands which had been employed hy a
nephew, in the neighborhood OF that place.
The road led through the coGniry inhabited
by the Chickasaw and Choc,aw Indians, and
the station of the agent for the Choctaws
was upon it. On reaching the agency, he
found seven or eight families Of emigrants,
and two members of the Mississippi IegisIa-
tive council. detained there under the pre-
tence that II was necessary for them to have
passports from the Gov. of Mississippi
One of their number had been sent forward
10 procure them. In the meantime, the en-
'grants were buying corn from the agent, at
an exiravagant price and splitting rails for
iilm at very moderate one. Indignant 1t
The wrong inflicted on the emigrants, he re-
preached the members Of the council for
submitting TO the detention, and asked the
agent how he dared 70 demand pass from
iree American, travelling on a public road.
lhe agent replied, by asking with much
temper, whether he had pass. Yes. sir
replied the general Il always carry mine
with me; am free born American citi.
zen; and that is a passport all over the
world He then directed the emiorants TO
gear up their wagons, and if anv one at
tempted TO obstrncI them, to shoot him down
as highway robaer. Setting them the en-
ample, he continued his journey regardless
OF the threats Of the agent.
Alter concluding his business, he was in
formed that the agent had collected about
nifty white men and one hundred Indians, to
stop hun on his return, unless he produced
passport Though advised by his friends
TO produce one, he refused to do so stating
that no American citizen should ever be
subjected 10 the insult and indignity of pro-
curing pass, to enable him 10 travel pub
lic highway in his own country. Like all
travellers among the Indians, al that time.
he was armed with brace Of pistols; and
having added rifle and another pistol he
commenced his journey. When within a
few miles of the agency, he was informed
by friend who had gone forward to recon
noitre, that the agent had his force in readi-
ness 10 stop him. He directed his friend to
advance again, and tell the agent that if he
attempted TO stop linn, it would he at the
peril OF his life. lie then put his blacks 10
order, and armed them with axes and clubs
at the same time telling them not 10 stop I'M
less directed by him, and if any one offered
10 oppose them, 10 cut him down. Riding
by their side, he approached the station,
when the agent appeared, ard asked him
whether he meant to show his passport
Jackson replied, That depends upon cir
cumstGnces. ! am told YOU mean TO stop
me by force; whoever attempts such thing
will not have long TO live;' and with a look
that was not mistaken. he grasped his bride
with hrmcr grip. His determined 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 with.
out further molestation or interruption. lie
afterwards reported the conduct of the agent
to the government and he was dismissed
from his agency.