Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-12-23
Andrew JacksOn's First Duel.
Outcome ola Massachusetts, Mans Prac-
teal Joke.
From the Youth 5 Companion

| From the Youths Companion
None of Gen. Jackson's biographers give
the details Of his first duel. and he him
self never cared to speak of the matter in
later years, but some years ago a grand
daughter of Col Waitstil Avery told me
the full story. Waitstil Avery was a Mas
sachusetts man who went TO North Caro-
lima, carrying with him letter of recon-
mendation from no less a parsonage than
! Jonathan Edwards. lie soon acquired rep
utation and influence, and in time 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 1854, when Andrew Jackson was but
II years old, and ambitious to become a
lawyer, he applied for this situation. The
tradition is that he was refused because
daughter of Averys took A dislike to his
appearance. Young jackson next applied
TO Spruce Mckay, lawyer in Salisbury,
n c., in whose Office he was fitted for the
bar, and he shortly made his appearance
in the courts. when Jackson was u years
of age he and Avery met in the trial Of a
case at Jonesboro, Tenn. 1t was Jackson's
habit to carry in his saddle-b1gs a copy of
"Bacon's Abridgement,' and to make fire.
quent appeal TO it in his cases. This pre-
cious book was always carefully done up
in coarse brown paper, such as grocers used
before this neat paper bags Of the present
day were invented The unwrapping of
this much priced Volume before a court was
a very solemn function as performed by
Jackson.
Now, Avery had by this time dropped
whatever of Puritan sedateness had com
mended him to Jonathan Edwards, and
was uncommonly fond of joke. He pro-
cured piece of bacon just the SIZE of the
book, and while Jackson was addressing
the court he slipped out the volume from
its wrapping aud substituted the bacon.
AT length jackson had occasion TO appeal
to Lord Bacon. 1t was an important case
and he would not rust to his memory.
He would confound his opponent by read
ing from the book itself. While still talk
ing he raised the bearskin flap Of his sad
die bags, drew out the brown paper pack
age, carefully united the string, unfolded
the paper with the decorous gravity Of
priest handling the holy things of the
altar, and then, without looking at what
he held in his hand, exclaimed triumph
antly, 1--WE will nov see what Bacon
says"
The court, bar, jury and spectators were
convulsed with laughter before Jackson
saw the trick that had been played on him.
OF course he was furious. He snatched
pen and on the blank leaf Of law book
wrote a peremptory challenge, which he
delivered then and there. He asked for
no apology-nothing but blood would do
He commanded Avery to select a friend
and arrange for the meeting at once.
Avery made no answer TO this peremptory
demand, thinking his peppery antagonist
would laugh rather than fight, as he grew
cooler. But he did not know the young
man. jackson grew hotter instead of
cooler. Next morning he sent this note,
which was full of bad spelling. My North
Carolina friend had seen the original and
in copying it had corrected the Orthogra-
ply; but these are the exact words;
August ~ l7Ss
Sir: when mans feelings and character are
injured he ought To seek speedy redress You
receive. few lines from me yesterday, and
doubtedly you understand me. My character
you have injured and further, you have insulted
me in the presence of the court and a large
audience. | therefore call upon you, as a gentle
man, TO give me satisfaction for the same. And
| further call upon you to give me an answer i'm
mediately without 20 ivocRtion and hope you
can do without dinner until the business is done,
for II IL consistent ith the character Of gentle
man when he injuries another to make speedy
reparaiion. TIL refore hope Won will not fail in
ANDREW Jackson.
| p. 5. This evening after court adjourns
Avery concluded to accept the challenge,
and so in the dusk of the summer evening
the duel came off in a hollow north of
| JonesborO, in the presence of the same
crowd that had laughed at Jackson's pre-
dicament. When the word was given
Jackson fired quickly, and his ball flicked
Avery's ear, scratching it slightly. Now
was Avery's chance to change the later
history of his country, but his Puritan
blood asserted itself. He fired in the air,
then advanced and offered jackson his
| hand which was accented