Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-04-10
Andrew JacksOn's Vow.

Shortly after the occupation of
Pensacola and the expulsion of the
! Spanish authorities from Florida, by
General Jackson, Mr.. Edward PAIL
rey, an old citizen of New Orleans,
now dead, was wont to relate that
whilst standing behind the counter
of the National bank, his attention
was attracted to group of military
officers who entered the bank and
| inquired for the cashier. The chief
of the party was a man gaunt, stern
| featured, spare and wasted of form,
/ but erect and firm of carriage.
! The cashier having appeared, the
chief introduced himself: 81 am
Andrew Jackson, maiOr-general of
the United States army, command
| ing the forces now occupy PenSa-
cola. My soldiers aresuffering great
| ly for the want of provisions, cloth
| ing and medicines. Immediate re-
lief is required, and | must have
! $40, 900 to purchase them supplies.
Here is my draft on the government.
l desire to have it cashed."
The cashier was appalled, by this
demand. There was no authority
| to honor this check. The courteous
but firm manner and the prestige of
the chiefiain, however, restrained
any such intimation from the
cashier. Requesting the general and
his staff to he seated, he retired to
the rear Office of the president, and
communicated the appalling de-
mand ofthe conqueror of Florida.
The president was equally alarmed,
and dispatched "A messenger to con-
woke the directory. They quickly
assembled, and the subject was re-
ferred to them.
1t should be borne in mind that
at that time Gen. Jackson was re-
garded with a great deal of bitter
ness and distrust by large political
party in the country. He was look
ed upon as dangerous and assuring
military chieftain who menaced the
integrity and freedom of our civil
institutions, and especially of such
institutions as the great National
bank. The directors of the branch
bank here We're doubtless somewhat
perVaded with this sentiment. Still
the rules of the bank justified them
in declining to advance the fund re-
quired by Gen. Jackson, and the
president was instructed to COM
municate this conclusion of the
board.
He did so with all the suavity
usual on such occasions.
Then rising from his seat and adj
vancing to the counter, behind
which the polite president stood, the
old chief asked;
"DO / understand you to say, sir,
that this bank, having the money
of the United States in its vaults,
| declines to advance sum sufficient
to supply the immediate needs of
1000 patriot soldiers whom / have
| left in the swamps of Florida ex-
posed to fevers and starvatiOn?"
With profound regret the rules must
| be observed.
WhereupOn, with flashing eye and
/ that terrible aspect never forgotten
by any one who ever beheld Old
Hickory in a rage, the general, rails
ing high his gauntleted hand,
! brought it down with great force
upon the counter, exclaiming, "By
| the Eternal! / willlive to serve your
rascally bank as have the
Spaniards in Florida, as equally the
enemies of the people and of liber-
ty."
With this fearful menace and vow
he strobe with his staff out of the
bank. The general encountered two
Irish born citizens and merchants Of
New Orleans, who had heard of the
action Of the bank, and had hasten
ed to join the general, with offers to
cash his draft and furnish all that he
needed for his army.