The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-12-31
Capt. Shreve and Gen. jackson.

A correspondent of the Cleveland (Ohio)
Reuiew, says:
"Jabez Lorwell, Esq, of Wayne county,
recently communicated to me character
istic anecdote Of Gen. Jackson. which have
never seen in print, and which will certainly
bear repetition. Mr.. Lorwell was personally
acquainted with Captain Shreve, mentioned,
and represents him as possessed Of much of
the unyielding and energetic character which
so distinguished General jackson. Shreve
was well known throughout the South dur
ing his life
During the-last war with England, Capt
Shreve was commander and owner of a YES
sci which piled the Father of Waters and
which, during the period Gen. Jackson had
New Orleans under martial law, made its
appearance at the levee of that city. Gen.
Jackson being apprized of the arrival Of the
vessel, at once sent for Captain Shreve an
nounced TO him that he should consider him
self, his crew and vessel, as in the service of
Government, and hold himself in readiness
to discharge any duty that might be imposed
upon him. Capt. Shreve unhesilatr civ ac-
cepted the conditions thus stated to him. and
obtained permission from Gen. jackson to
make some necessary repairs to his vessel.
before being compelled to do active service
"Whie these repairs were in progress,
and the appearance of the British army was
daily expected before the city, number Of
citizens applied to Capt. Shreve requesting
him to convey their families some fifty miles
up the river, to place of safety. The Cap
tain explained to the applicants his situation;
but assured them that if they could ob'ain
Gen. Jacksons consent, he would himself in
Ierpose no objection TO their request. A de-
putation of the citizens then applied to Gen.
jackson, and obtained his consent; and Capt.
Shreve had fleighel his vessel with the
persons of many ladies and chdron and
also considerable quantity of very valuable
goods, when he received message from
Gen. jackson, ordering him to perform some
service, which would compel him to discharge
his living freight, and completely disarange
his plans. Capt. Sh,eve blunly told the
officer who brought the messaoe that he
would not obey the order The officer
warmly exposuIaled with Capt. Shreve, and
held up TO him, in glowing colors, the ter
rors of Jarkson's dispIeasure; but Captain
Shreve was built of quite as uohending ma
teral as Gen. jackson, and Indignantly re
fused to do the bidding.
"1he officer returned to the Oll Chief
and detailed to Inn tie circumstances of
Capt. Shreve's refusal. In towering pas
sior, the G ,nelal ordered a file of men to
arrest Shreve, and bring him at once into
his presence
"Bul comparatively little time had elapsed
before the enraged Captain stood in the
presence of the equally enraged General.
The latter fercey y eyeing Captain Shreve, in
a voice husky with intense passion, made
the inquiry:
obey my 0rders"
"'Yes, by, do,e' was the vehement
and impeuous reply of TIE undaunted Cap
tain.
jackson could not repress the expression
Of surprise which spread itself over his face
at the unexpected and emphatic reply of the
daring Captain, and in a tone of voice con
siderably miIder than his first inquiry, bade
Shreve explain his conduct. Upon the ey
planat;on being given, Jackson dismissed
him, simply saying that he had forgotten his
children Captain Shreve then had upon his
vessel.
"Aflerwar,ls during Jacksons Pr sidency,
Congress made appropriations of large
sum Of money for the removal of the innn-
merable snags and other Instructions which
made the navigation of the Mississippi river
at that time very dang rous to life and prop
erty. Notwithstanding the fact that many
Of his warmest political friends applied to
General Jackson to secure the appointment
of one of his friends to SUI erinlend that
important work, and that Captain Shreve
was his resoute and unrelenting political
enemy, General Jackson persisted in award
ing the place to the stern and honest old
captain; and the success with which he per
formed the duty attested Jakson's sagacty
in making his choice. SlIreve invented ma
chinery and apparatus especially adapted to
the successful prosecution of the work, and
completed it to the perfect satisfaction Of all
interested in it, and at a late day succeeded
in removing the great Red river raft, which
had previously been considered an impract
cable undertaking. This raft was over thirty
miles in length, and for years had blocked
up the entire river"
PAGE c. was pretty extensively known
in the olden time as one of the hardest of
the hard not a court passed without half
dozen indictments against him for assault
and battery. lie had just been tried aud
fined heavily, and was standing in medlta
tive mood upon the upper step of the court
house door, One step below him stood a
stranger whom Page had never before seen,
and who certainly had given him no cause OF
offense. Without word Page struck the
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