The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-04-08
SAtsce11menms.
ANDREW JAcKsoN's VOW.

Shortly after the occupation of Pensa.
cola and the expulsion Of the Spanish
authorities from Florida, by General
Jackson, Mr.. Edward Palfrey, an old
citizen of New Orleans, now dead, was
wont to relate that while standing be-.
hind 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 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, Major General of the United
States Army commanding the forces now
occupying Pensacola. My soldiers are
suffering greatly for want of provisions,
clothing and medicine. Immediate re-
lief is required, and must have $2O 900
to purchase them supplies Here is my
draft on the Government, / desire to
have it cashed."
The cashier was appalled, by this de.
mand. There was no authority to honor
this check. The courteous but firm
manner and the prestige of the chief.
tain, however res rained any such init.
nation from the cashier. Requesting
the general and his staff to be seated, he
retired to the rear Office Of the President
and communicated the appalling demand
of the conquerer of Florida. The Presi.
dent " as equally alarmed and despatch
ed amessenger to convoke the Directory.
They quickly assembled and the subject
was referred to them
1t should be borne in mind that at
that time General Jackson was regarded
with a great deal of bitterness and dis
trust by large political party in the
country. He was looked upon as dan.
gerOus and assuring military chieftain
who meDaced the integrity and freedom
of our civil institutions, and espcCi
ally of such institutions as the great Ma.
tional Bank. The directors of the branch
bank here we're doubtless somewhat psr.
Vaded with this sentiment. Still the |
rules of the bank justified them in de. |
clining to advance the fund demanded |
by General Jackson, and the President |
was instructed to communicate this con.
Clusion of the Board.
He did 80 with all the suavity usual on
such occasions. ..
Then rising from his seat and advanc.
ing to the counter, behind which the
polite President stood, the old chief
asked: ..r. ..
"DJ l understand you, sir, to say that
this bank, having the money of the
United States in its vaults, declines to
advance sum sufficient to supply the
immediate needs of two thousand patri.
otic soldiers whom | left in the swamps
of Florida exposed to feVers and starya'
tion2"
"With profound regret the rules must
be observed"
Whereupon, with flashing eye and
that terrible aspect never to be forgotten
by any one who ever beheld Old HiCko.
ry in a rage, the General, raising high
his gauntleted hand brought it down
with great force upon the counter, ex
claiming: "By the Eternal | will live to
serve your rascally bank as have the
Spaniards in Florida, as equal enemies
of the people and of liberty"
With this fearful menace and VOW he
strobe with his staff out of the bank.
As he emerged from the bank the Gen
eral encountered two Irish born citizens
and merchants of New Orleans who had
fastened to join the General with offers
to cash his draft and furnish all that he
needed for his army.