American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-03-22

From the Philadelphia Times. '"
AND'w. JAcTEsoN DoNELsoN.
ANDREW JACKSON DoNELsoN, the
candidate of the American party for
Vice President the United States, is
the son of Samuel Donelson, one of the
earliest settlers of Tennessee, and the
brother-in- law of Andrew Jackson
the hero of New Orleans having mar.
ried Donelson's sister. Previous to
this marriage, however, a long intimate
acquaintanccship had subsisted between
the Jacksons and Donelsons, which was
greatly strengthened by this connexion.
After Mr.. Donelson's death, which oc-
cured while the subject of this brief
sketch was still very young, his two
sons Andrew jackson and Daniel, were
/ adopted in the family of Gen. Jackson
and subsequently sent to West Point
to be educated. While at this institute
Andrew was distinguished for diligence
and attention to his studies. His pro-
gress in all the branches that were
taught in the academy won for him the
esteem of the Professors, all of whom
fhad discovered in him the Germ Of great
abilities, and predicatcd his success in
/ life, with considerable confidence. At
the examination, Donlason had but one
competor for the first honors of the in
stitution-a young man whose parents
were poor, and who were consequent
! ly unable to aid him in his struggles.
10 him Donelson (who was really his
superior) generously accorded the first
honors, preferring to pass but an in
different examination in French, in
which he had always excelled, rather
than defeat his friend, whose future
depended so much upon the accom-
Iplishmeht of this object. The second
honors were given to Mr.. Donelson.
I After he had received his commission,
Major Donelson was appointed by
! General Jackson one Of his aids dc
camp, in which capacity he continued
to act until jackson resigned his com
mission, After that event he retired
from the army, and commenced the
study Of the law. Having been adj
mitted to practice, Donelson at once
opened an Office in Nashville, and soon
obtained an extensive and lucrative
practice. At isjunction, while max
ing splendid figure at the bar, win
ming the confidence and admiration Of
of his follow citizens, he was earnestly
importuned by Gen. Jackson, who had
just been elected President of the Uni
ted States, to become his private Sec
rotary and confidential adviser. Scorn-
ing all the bright prospects in his pro-
fcssion, for a period of eight years, ht
served Jackson with ability and fdeli 2
during his continuance in office. Many
Of the messages which astonished the
world, during Jacksoc administration
by the boldDess of their tone and the
yigor of their diction, bear the eviden-
ces of Donelson's polishing hand. A
little anecdote ut this point will show
the great confidence Jackson placed in
Major Donclson, and in what light he
1 viewed their relationship. a treaty
was made with the Choctaws, and after
the treaty had been signed, General
Jackson turned to the chiefs who were
assembled, and said, eff any of the
articles contained in this treaty are
violated while | live, come to ne; If
any are broken after n,y death, here IS
n,y son pointing to Myor Douetson, )
90 to lin, he wiH act IN my stead. :"
! During Van Buren's administration,
Mr.. Donelson was appointed Minister
to Berlin. His conduct while occupy
ing that position gained for him the
reputation Of a skilful diplomatist. -
During his residence at Berlin, the
Prussian Government vas about send.
ing to this country five hundred of its
paupcr inh ,bitants, who had been main
tanned for years at the government ex-
pensc. Mr.. Donclson on being ap.
priced Of the fact, at once demonstrated
against their miserable starving poor
being sent over to fill our alms.houses
and charitable institutions, and stated
that his government should be iinmedi-
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