The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-19
AvDREW JAoxsox,s DUEL.
HIis H.Ire spared by tho NIaEnanImity or HHis
AntnEonist on tho Field.

hnthgontat ON Nuo Fletu'
From the Youth, Companion.
Mono of Gen. Jackson's bioRraphers give the
details OF his first duel, and ho himself never
cared to speak OF the matter in later years. but
some years ago a granddaughter Of Col. Walt
still Avery told mo the full story.
Waitstill Avery was q Massachusetts, man
who went to North Carolina, carrying vita him
a letter OF recommendation from no less q per-
sonage than Jonathan Edwards. He soon nc.
quirad reputation and influence. and In u me
became Attorney. General Of the State. 1t was
his custom to take students Of law into his
family. who became tutors OF his children.
In 1884. when Andrew jackson was but II
years old, and ambitious tn become q lawyer,
no applied for this situation. The tradition 10
that ho was refused because q daughter Of
Avery's took q dislike to his appearance.
Young jackson next applied to Spruce Nc
Cay, a lawyer in Salisbury. N. c., In whose
office he was fitted for the bar. and he shortly
made his appearance In the courts. When Jack
son was 81 years OF ago he and Avery met In
the trial Of q case at Jonesboro. Tenn.
It was Jackson,s habit to carry in his saddle
mako frequent appeals to It in his cases. This
precious book was always carefully done ND In
SSHs't the orG neat paper paper f SSas 81 81 F sSe prs1 ssSa day GSI
were invented. The u%nwrapping Of this much
RR Function g0 as pert Ssf1rS Z be- court ,yssS ToS " very solemn
Now, Avery had by this time dropped What
ever OF Puritan sedateness had commended him
to Jonathan Edwards, and was uncommonly
just the size Of tho book, and while Jackson
was addressing the court he slipped out the
bacon.
At length Jackson had occasion 10 appeal to
Lord Bacon. 1t was an important case and he
would not trust to his memory. He would con-
it"DTf h MS 0}RVpO ssfI1 t b reading IN Erd from The The book book
skin flap Of his saddle bags, Grew out the brown
paper, package, carefully united the string, un-
priest handling, the holy things Of the altar and
then, without looking at what he held in his
see what Bacon seysl"
vu Tns 'S %Iss' laughter SsE; B5sy s saS sD'Sf seg.on sT ssS o tho
blank leaf Of q law book wrote a pOremptOry
He asked for no ~apoloEy.nothing but blood
would do: He commanded Avery to select .
Avery, made no answer to this peremptory dc.
inaT6' r tatihnEiffss a hif ir Rss9pF as Se G TTs% oooI.r wG Bat
grew hotter instead OF cooler. Next morning
he sent this note, which was full Of bad spell.
oorthosFaphy; but these are The exact SS?$s;
"SrR: When q mans feelings and char
s act are H Injured rsc. he ought IT, to r seek a speedy
me. Ny character you have injured, and fur:
the court and a large audience. / therefore
call upon you. as q gentleman. to give mt salts.
faction for the same. And l further call upon
equivocation, and 1 hone you can do without
dinner until the business is done, for It 10 con-
%sistent with the character Of "A gentleman when
he injuros another to make a speedy reparation.
Therefore, l hope you. Will not fail in meeting
mo this day From your GSs; St; :,.cKsou.
"P. S.-This evening after court ed Journs."
Avery concluded to accept this challenge,
duel came off in a hollow north Of JoneIboro,
In the presence Of tho same crowd that had
laughed at Jackson's predicament. When the
word was given Jackson fred quickly. and his
ball fickcd Avery's car. scratching 1t slightly.
Now was Avery's chance to change the later
history Of his country, but his Puritan blood as
serted itself. He fired In the air, then advanced
and offered jackson his hand, which was 40
cepted,