New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-04
GEN JACKSON AND THE HERMITAGE.

As Military Chieftain and Chief Magistrate of
the Republic the name Of ANDREW JACKSON is
conspicuously and endurngly recorded upon the
pages of American history. As the standard
bearer of a dominant party, his popularity was so
powerful and resstess that his individual will
and pleasure became the prevailing index to po-
litical action. He was especially and preemi-
neptly the idol of his party, aud although i'm
peIious, and often repulsive, still there was so
much that was generous noble and patriot in
his impulsiye nature that a brief report of any
of his actings and sayings, and description OF
his home. surroundings will ever be attractive
and interesting to newspaper readers.
General Jackson died on the 9Th day of June,
1854, aged seventy eight On the 9th day Of
April, about six weeks previous to his decease,
visited the Hermitage at the invitation Of and
in company with the late Gen. Robert Armstrong
who, it Is well known, was a follow soldier
with and an intimate friend of Gen. Jackson.
He had Just returned from the Presidential Inau-
guration Of Mr. POLK, and was the worthy and
merited recipient Of the lucrative Consulate
commission TO LiverpoOl-snd this was his frat
visit 10 the Hermitage after his return from the
Inauguration.
The Hermitage is twelve miles from the City
of Nashyille-the road leading to il is a SIN both,
Mscaiamized turnpike, with many spacious resi-
dences and highly cultivated plantations upon
either side. Eight miles from Nashville is an
old two-stOry log house, which was the head
quarters of Aaron Burr, while building and
launching his Hat-bOats on Stone River which
empties into the Cumberland just above Nash
vile. Rumor has sometimes associated the name
Of jackson with Burr, in this enterprise; but
Gen. Armstrong said that Gen. Jackson not only
had no participation therein, but that he was the
first to advise Jefferson of Burr's whereabouts
and doings; and he further said that Burr had
no designs Of REASONABLE character, nor of ex.
citing civil commotion-his objec. being the ac-
QUESTION Of what is now Texas. We passed
through the Clover Bottoms, around which, viii
lon, was the celebrated race-course frequented
end patronized by Old Hickory, and with which
many thrilling incidents and bloody ARRAYS are
identified.
The Hermitage plantation originally comprised
twentyone hundred acres of productive lands;
it now contains only thirteen hundred-eight
hundred acres having been given to Major Don
elson, by Gen. Jackson, and on which the Major
has erected an elegant residence. The Hermit
age mansion stands half mile from the road
is spacious two-story brick building, with large
wings, adorned with wooden pillars, and sparse
ly surrounded with trees and shrubs The gar
den contains about two acres, in which lie the
family vault or tomb, with dome supported by
eight stone columns-a very attractive aud ap-
proprise tomb for General Jackson aud his wife
for whom, alone, it was constructed.
We found Gen. Jackson very feeble unable to
leave bis bedroom, coughing great deal, and ex-
pectorating with difficulty ard pain. He was sit
ting in his large arm chair, dressed in his old
camlet wrapper cloth bootees, his high shirt-col-
lar with the edge turned down, as usual; his long
"silver-gray" hair well combed back; a Bible
and hymn-bOOk on the table by his side, and the
smoke gracefully curling" from long Indian
pipe in his hand.
AS we entered, he greeted US cordially AMI en-
braced Gen. Armstrong affectionately, and then
addressed bis friend in these words: LAST Tues
day came within moment of choking 10
50 death, SRI thought / was gone, Sir-upon
my honor, Sir-When the Almighty takes me,
Sir, He will do it suddenly, sir-I shall go in
moment, Sir-I shall choke to death, Sir.
HeiDquired most affectionately after his friends
"Blair and Rives," expressed an anxious solicit
tude that their paper should be the organ Of the
new Administration, and added, with impulsive
earnestness: POLK will rue the day he dispenses
with their editorial services, Sir; and the DEM
"ocratic party will lose ito energetic unity, Sir.
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