The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-09
WHOLE NUMBER 1872
Meeting of Jackson and J. Q. Adams at
President Monroe's Levee.

The following account Of the rencontre
between General Jackson and J. @. Adams,
at President Monroe's levee the night after
dency, by the House Of Representatives, is
taken from Peter Parley's "Recolcctions Of
his Lifetime -
shall pass over other individuals pres.
ent, only noting an incident which respects
the two persons in the assembly, who,
most Of all others. engrossed the thoughts
of the visitors. Mr.. Adams, the elect, Mr..
Jackson, the defeated. 1t CHANGED, in the
course Of the evening, that these two per-
sons, involved in the throng, approached
each other from opposite directions, yet
with out knowingit Suddenly as they
were almost together, the persons around
seeing what was to happen, by sort Of
instinct, stepped side and let them face.
Mr.. Adams was 10y himself; General Jack
son had a large, handsome lady on his arm.
They looked at each other for a moment
| and then General Jackson moved forward,
and reaching out his long arm, said: "How
do yon do, Mr.. Adams l give you my
left hand, for the right, you sec, is devoted
to the fair: Ihope you arc very well, sir"
All this was @:sllantIy and heartily said and
done. Mr.. Adams too1the Generals hand,
and said, with chilling coldncss: "Vcry
well, sir; hope Gen. Jackson is well!"
1t was curious to see the Western planter,
the Indian fighter, the stern soldier, who
had written his country's glory in the blood
Of the enemy at New Orleans-gcnial and
ngracous in the midst Of the court, while
he old courticr and diplomat was stiff, rigid,
n and cold rs statue! 1t was all tie more
remarkable from the fact that, four hours
before, the former had been defeated, snd
the latter was n victor in struggle for one
Of the highest objects of human ambition.
The personal character Of these two indivd-
uals was in fact well expressed in that
chance mecing the gallantry, the frankness
and the heartincss of one, which captivated
all; the GOODNESS, the distance, the sclfcon-
centration of the other, which rcpelled all
A somewhat severe, but still acute analist
Of Mr.. Adams character, says: "Undoubt-
was his cold and autipathetic manner, and
the suspicion of scldshness it suggested, OF
at least added greatly to confirm. None
approached Mr.. Adams but to recede. He
never succecded-hc never tried to concili-
ate. sE,
rccollcct an anccdotc somewhat illustra
tive of this. When he was candidate for
the Presidency, his political friends thought
it advisable that lie should attend 'cattle
show at Worcester Mass, SO as to conciliate
the numbers Of influential men who might
be,presrht. Accordingly he went, and while
there many persons were introduced to him,
" and among the rest, n farmer of the vicinity
"a man ofsubstance and great respectable
fty. On being presented, he said.:
Mr. Adams, bam very glad to SEQ you.
Ny wife when she was gal, lived in your
farthcr's family you were:tEen little boy,
and she has told me a great deal about you.
She has very often combcd your head y
sssssWell," said Mr.. Adams, in bis harsh way
I f"fsuppose she combs yours nowl" The
f.poor farmer stink back like lasicd ifonnt,
II feeling the smart, but utterly unconscious
of the provocation. '.'""2s '.:
a /.