Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-08
Boston and Gen. Jackson.

Just after the Opening of General Jack
sons second term there arose between his
administration and the opposition fear
full war in regard to the United States
Bank, which institution, headed by Mich
olas Biddle, of Pennsylvania, was re-
garded by the Democrats as an opponent
of the interests of trade. On the con-
trary, the Wings gave it their sanction
and most earnest support. 1t was sup
posed that Webster great speech in reply
to Hayne had brought Jackson over to
the Wing side to such degree that be
would favor the Whig policy of the United
States Bank. To make this more sure
Jackson was invited to visit Boston,
where an ovation was given, such as was
never rendered to any other Presid ent
since the days of Washington. He was
not proof against the fattery, and had
nearly yielded to federal persuas' ,ns,
when David Henshaw, that war hors OF
Democracy, averted the intent, anC' il
was discovered soon after jackson left
that he had actually signed the order for
the removal of the deposits while at his
hotel in Boston.
The wrath of the Boston people can
better be imagined than described, They
! sought every way to demonstrate il. In
| 1884, shortly after this supposed overt
act, the frigate Constitution was hauled
into the dry-dock at Charlestown, Com
modore Charles Elliott being at that time
| in command, and staunch friend and
supporter OF Jackson. Whatever were
his motives or his reasons, he gave an
order 10 Mr.. Laban S. Beecher, the well
known ship carver, then a young man
but short time in business, who kept at
| No. North Market street, to carve full
| figure of Jackson for fgurehead to be
placed on the Constitution. The Consti-
| tuition, it will be remembered, was Bos-
ton-built ship, built on the present site
| of Constitution Wharf She was the
glory of the old North End, and on her
| first voyage was manned mostly by Bes-
ton men. The time, the circumstance,
and the order, all provoked the Boston
merchants, and they appointed COM
mittee to wait on Mr.. Beecher and re-
quest him TO stop the work.
Old Captain Ben Rich, long since
dead, was the spokesman of the commit
tee, a great friend as we'll as generous
patron of Mr.. Beecher, being a large
shipowner. Mr.. B. respectfully declined
to sccede to the demand made by Cap
tain Rich. Another of the committee,
Mr.. Alfred Richardson, waited upon Mr..
Beecher with the same result, Mr.. Beecher
threatening to shoot any man who should
interfere with his work. As soon as the
| facts were made public the excitement
became intense and violence was threat
ened, the principal merchants Of Boston
taking part. At this juneture, Commo-
dore Elliott, being alarmed for the safety
| of the fgure-hesd, with the promptness
and decision which was characteristic Of
the bluff old Commodore, ordered the
work to be taken to the navy-yard and
there finished, and informed Mr.. Beecher
that he would send well-manned barge
to the rear of his shop by daylight. Mr..
Beecher's place was situated so that the
rear of the building was on the edge of
the old Middesex Canal. The barge
arrived at the time designated,
manned by thirty men, who were
provided with billeis of wood to defend
themselves in case OF attack. As sort
of feint, portion of the men proceeded
to the market with baskets. Meanwhile
Mr.. Beecher had packed the unfinished
fgurehead in large box and lowered 1t
down by the ruh into the barge this
accomplished, the boatswain piped his
whistle aud the crew Of the barge came
on board and she shot through the canal
Just as the excited crowd, who had got
wind of the proceedings, appeared on the
ground, "the little man in black," with
his treasure, being prominent object on
board the barge for the Kisses Of the
crowd. Arrived at Charlsstown, Mr..
Beecher was allotted convenient room