Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-11-11
From the n. Y. Evening Post.
COL. BENTON'S HISTORY.
The Character of Gen Jackson,

tHe Wuole OF zen SoChcou duntnts-
sration, as one Of his most jealous per-
sonal and political friends. And in his
"History" he gives the following sketch
of his character. We do not OF course,
agree with him in all that his friendship
impsls him to say Of Gen. Jackson; but
he does write much that Is true Of his
-Benevolence and warm-heartedness; and
the whole sketch will be read with iter-
est even by those who differ most wide
ly from its author.
The first time that saw Gen. Jack
son was ut Nashville, Tennessee, 1799--
he was on the Bench, judge ofthe then
Superior Court--and youth Of seven
teen, back In the crowd. He was then
q remarkable man, and had his ascend
ant over all who approached him, not
the effect Of his high judicial station, nor
of the senatorial rank which he had held
and resigned. nor OF military exploits, for
he had not then been TO war, but the ef-
feet Of personal qualities-cordai and
graceful manners, hosptable temper,
elevation OF mind, undsunted spirit,
generosity. and perfect integrity. In
charging the jury in the impending case,
he committed slight solecism in Ian
guage which grated on my ear and lodged
on my memory, without derogating in
the least from the respect which he in
spired, and without awakening the slight
eat suspicion that was ever to be en-
gagged in smoothing his diction. The
first time spoke with him was some
few years after, at (then) frontier town
in Tennessee, when he was returning
from a southern visit. which brought
him through the towns and camps of
some Of the In1ian tribes. In pulling
offhis over coat perceived on the white
lining Of the turning-down sleeve, dark
speck, which had life and motion. I
brushed Il of, and put the heel OF my
shoe upon little thinking that was
ever 10 brush away from him game OF
very different kind. lie smiled; and we
began conversation, in which he very
quickly revealed leading trait of his
character--that Of encouraging young
men In their Iaudable pursuits. Getting
my name and parentage, aud learning
my intentioned profession, he manifes-
ted regard for me, said he had received
hospitality ut my fathers house In North
Carolina, gave me kind invitations TO
visit him, and expressed belief that
wouli do well at the bsr-yenerous
words, which had the effect Of promoting
what they promised. Soon after, he
had q further opportunity to show his
generous feelings. | was employed In
. criminal case Of great magnitude,
where the Oldest and ablest counsel ap-
peared-.iaywood. Grundy, Whitcsids
and the trial Of which Gen. Jackson
attended through concern for the fate OF
q friend. As junior counsel | had to
precede my elders and did my best; and.
Il being on the side Of his feelings, he
found my effort to be better than Il was.
He complimented me greatly, and from
that time our intimacy began.
soon after became his aid, he being
aMaior General In the Tennessee militia
made so by a majority OF one vote
How much often depends on one vote!--
and after that | was habitually at biz
house ;and .as an inmate had opportunities
60 know his domestic life, and at thai
period when II was least understood and
most mlsrepre sented. He had resigned
his place on the bench OF the Supreme
Court, a. he had previously resigned hi
place In the Senate Of the United States
and lived on superb estate OF som,
thousand acres, twelve miles from Nash.
willie, then hardly known by lts subse
-auent famous name OF the Hermitage
a name chosen for its perfect accord will
his feelings; for he had then actual,
withdrawn from the state of public life
and from q state OF feeling we'll know
20 belong TO great talent when hndln!
no theatre for his active employment
He was a careful farmer, overlooking
everything himself. and seeing that th
fields, and fences were In good order, tn
stock we'll attended, and the slaves com
fortably provided for. His house wa
the seat OF hospitality, the resort OF &C
quaintances, aud OF all strangers vis.tinl
the state--and the more agreeable 4
al from the perfect conformity OF Mrs
Jackson's disposition TO his own. Bu
he needed some excitement beyond tina
which farming life could afford. an
found II for some years In the animatin
sporta OF the turf. lie loved hne horse
--raccrs Of speed and bottom --owne
scvcral-and contested the four mil
heats with the beat that could be bred,C
bought. or brought TO the state, and c
LARGE sums. Thu is the nearest
gaming that ever knew him 20 come.
Cards and cockpit gaming have bee
Imputed 10 him, but most erroneously. ~
I never saw him engage In either, Due
were usual In that time, and he had HI
share Of them, with their unpleasant col
eomltantsl but they passed away vii
ali their anlmosltles, and he has ofta
been seen xealoualy pressing tho a
vancement OF those against whom
1had but lately been aFrayed In dead
hostlllty. iiIs temper was pIaeable I
we'll a. irasclbie. anil HE reconciliation
were cordial and sincere, OF that. n
. own case was a singular Instance
There was dsep-seatsd vein OF pIety
him, unaiieetedly showing itself ia h
reverence for divine worship, respect
the ministers OF the Gospel. their hoaI
table reception At his house. and eonsta
encouragement Of al! the plous tende
.eies OF Mrs. Jackson. And when III
both afterwards became members OF
church, IL was the IA tarai aud regul
result Of their early and cherished te'
ings. lie was gentle In hls house a
alive 10 the tehderest emotlonsi and
this can give an instance greatly In co
ssrast with his supposed character, a
worth more than long discourse In sho
Ing what that character really was.
arrived at his house one wet chilly e'
ming In February. and came upon him
the twilight, sitting alone by the hre,
lamb and "a child between bis knees.
He started little, called servant TO
move the two innocents TO another roc
and explained TO me how Il was. 7
child had cried because the lamb W
out In the cold, aud begged him to bri
II in---which he had done to please I
child-hIs adopted son, then not L
nlI ~. f.ronfora tnaa .