Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-28
GENERAL JACKSON.

~~S1SS - -
the occasion Of the presentation to Congress
Of the sword of General Jackson. The late
Goar rnL ttis S'wuru. 4 ney were
old associates in arms, and General Jackson
could not have selected a truer, Drawer, or
more loyal man, than General Armstrong for
the bestowal of this signal distinction. As is
known to the country, General Armstrong died
some months ago, and his family very properly,
deeming the war-sword of jackson rather
public than private legacy, determined, after
the death of General Armstrong, to whom ii
was given as mark of personal confidence, to
present it to Congress.
Our space yesterday was so occupied with
the speeches, the excellent and admirable
speeches, made on the occasion of the prescn-
taton, that we could not make room for the
correspondence that led to it. We here in,
sert it.
NASHVILLE, February I, 1855.
DEAR SIR: Doctor w. s. McNAIRY left here
few days ago for Washington, having i'll
charge the sword that General Jackson before
his death gave to General ARMSTRONG. The
Doctor was requested by William M. Armstrong
lin whose keeping it had been left by his father
to hand it over to you on his arrival in Wash
ington. You, / believe, were present at the
time General Armstrong had the honor Of
having it presented to him by his distinguished
friend. 1t is the sword worn by General
jackson in his various campaigns and during
the whole time he remained in the Military
service of his country. 1t is therefore justly
regarded as relic of great value. 1t was
General Armstong's wish that il should be
placed at the disposal of Congress, or the Gov
eminent, with view to its. being deposited in
a suitable place, where doubtless millions of
General Jackson's admiring countrymen will
in time TO come gladly look on it as the war.
sword Of one whose brilliant services in the
cause Of his country places his name in bold
country.
No person, believe, would have been pre-.
ferred to Yourself by General Armstrong as the
medium for presenting the sword to Congress
or the Government, which, at the request OF
his son, you will please do in such terms as
you may deem proper.
lam, very respectfully, your obedient servant
JOSEPH VAULx.
Hon. A. 0. P. NICHOLSON.
WASHINGTON, February Is, 1855.
DEAR SIR: A short time before the death OF
General Jackson / received note from him
inviting me to visit him for a special purpose.
1 did so, and found that, amongst other things,
he desired to put into my hands the sword
which he had used at the battle of New Or
leans, for the purpose of delivering it to the
late General Robert Armstrong, as q testimo
NAL of warm personal friendship, and as an
evidence of his high appreciation of his mill.
tary services and his patriotic devotion to the
honor Of his country. / delivered the sword
as requested, and it was kept by General Arm
strong during his life. Since his death his
family have concluded that the most proper
disposition they could make Of il would be 10
present it to Congress- to be kept az a per
petual memento Of the brilliant achievement
with which it is connected. For this purpose
the sword has been forwarded to me with the
request that | would present it To Congress In
the name Of General Armstrong; family. II
has occurred to me that / could not more an
propriately discharge this trust than TO place
the sword in your hands and ask that YOU will
present il ia such way as you may deem most
proper. The known relations in public and
private between General jackson and yourself
as well as your constant friendship for General
Armstrong, seem to me TO render il eminently
fit that the presentation, should be made by
you. ] therefore place the sword at your dis.
posal, and respectfully request that you would
undertake TO carry out the wishes Of the
donors.
am, very respectfully, your friend,
A. o. Il. NICHOLSON.
Gen. LEWIS CAss.
Mr.. BUTLER sent to the Chair the follow.
ing resolution:
Resolred, DC, That the thanks Of this Con
gress be presented to the family Of the late
General Robert Armstrong for the present Of
the sword worn by General Andrew Jackson
while in the military service Of his country, and
that this precious relic be hereby accepted ii
the name OF the nation, and be deposited for
safe keeping in the Department Of State. and
that copy Of this resolution be transmitted "a
the family Of the. late General Robert Arm.
strong.
The resolution was agreed TO without dis
senting voice, and the resolution and sword
were sent to the House Of Representatives.
This interesting exhibition is not without lis
useful lessons and patriotic suggestions.
Few men have lived who were made or
s,erner and nober stuff than Andrew jackson.
lie possessed, what no statesman and no chief.
tain can be great without posscssing-a STRONG
WILL. But the iron Of his nature was happily
relieved by generous impulses and kindly and
genial qualities. His instincts we're almost un-
erring; his sagacity as quick and direct as the
lightnings Of heaven. Without regular disci.
pline, he was one OF the FIRST commanders
without regular training, he was one OF the
greatest Of our statesmen. Some men had
more knowledge, and higher scholastic attain.
ments, but scientific learning and college elabo.
ration bowed before the man Of instincts, OF
observation, Of fixed opinions, Of sublime
heroism, of intuitiye sagacity. lie not only
lives in history, but be wrote his great name
on rBE HEART Of this nation. No man however
great, or however humble, ever approached
Andrew jackson without feeling that he was in