Carolina Convention, assembled at Columbia. The proceedings of this Convention had been watched with intense interest by the people of the United States, and when the deliberations resulted in the plainly avowed threat of Nullification, conjecture was busy in imagining the course which would be pursued by the President, at so alarming a crisis. No sooner was his proclamation issued, denouncing the measures of the Convention, than it was met by the most cheering responses from all parts of the Union. This document may be ranked among the ablest and most popular state papers ever promulgated. Few, perhaps, have been more read and applauded. A counter proclamation from Governor Hayne soon followed, warning the good people of South Carolina against "the insidious attempts of the President of the United States to seduce them from their allegiance." Fortunately the excitement has been allayed without bloodshed, by the removal of the most prominent causes for complaint.

On the 13th of February, 1833, the two Houses of Congress met in the Representatives' chamber, to count the votes for a President and Vice-President of the United States for four years from the 4th of March ensuing. The ballots were opened by the President of the Senate, when they were examined, and the certificate of the vote read by the tellers. The official result was as follows:

219

CLAY,

49

49

For President, JACKSON, For Vice-President, VAN BUREN, 189 SERGEANT, The majority for General Jackson was declared to be 145. His inauguration took place with the usual ceremonies on the 4th of March.

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On the 6th of May, General Jackson, with the members of his Cabinet, and his private secretary, left Washington in compliance with the invitation of the "Monumental Committee" at Fredericksburg, to lay the corner-stone of the pillar, to be erected in honor of the mother of Washington. The President and his party embarked in the large and commodious steamer Cygnet. "The day," says a correspondent of the N. Y. Mirror, was mild, and the air soft and refreshing. After the company had assembled on board, they paid their respects to the Executive, which that venerable patriot received with the ease and grace of the most finished gentleman of the old school. They then separated; some of the party went upon the upper deck, to admire the picturesque and beautiful scenery of the surrounding country, whence, from the north round to the south, lay a line of high grounds, forming within their interior an extensive amphitheatre. On the south, the broad and peaceful Potomac, stretching as far as the eye could reach. On the eastern branch of the river was to be seen the navy yard, and several of the public armed vessels lying in the stream, with our flag floating on the breeze; and, on the western branch, we had a distant but beautiful view of Georgetown, as it slopes from the high grounds to the river; and between that and the navy yard, was to be seen the city of Washington, whence we had just taken our departure; and from our situation we had, at one glance, a view of the bridge crossing the river, which exceeds a mile in extent, the Chief Magistrate's house, and the capitol, with its splendid dome, rearing its head over every other object Among

those who went upon the upper deck were the heads of department. A group of ladies, with their attendants, were seated in the after part of the boat; and an excellent band of music was playing several national airs, as the steamer glided on her way, and shortly arrived at the city of Alexandria. General Jackson had, just previous to the boat's reaching the wharf, retired to the cabin, and had taken his seat at a long table, which had been set preparatory for dinner; he was seated on the west side, and next to the berths, there being barely room enough left between the berths and table for a person to pass, by_moving sideways. Upon his left sat Mrs. Thruston, the wife of Judge Thruston, of Washington; and on the opposite side of the table sat Major Donaldson, the General's private secretary; Mr. Potter, a clerk in one of the departments at Washington; and Captain Broome, of the marine corps. The President was reading a newspaper. While in this situation, (there being no other person in the cabin or near him,) a large number of citizens came on board, as it was supposed, to pay their respects to him. Among the number was Randolph, late a lieutenant in the navy. He made his way into the cabin, and after speaking to Captain Broome, who had long been acquainted with him, he immediately advanced between the table and the berths toward the President, as if to address him. The President did not know him, and it seems that Captain Broome did not mention his name, because, he said, he believed that the object of his visit was to present a petition, praying to be restored to the navy again; still, as the captain did not know that that was the object of his visit, and fearing, as he said, that he might intend to commit some act of violence, he stepped quickly to the same side of the table, and advanced up to and near Randolph, who had by this time come so near General Jackson as to be observed by him, who, supposing it was some person about to salute him, said that he was afflicted with a severe pain in his side, and begged to be excused for not rising; and, seeing that Randolph had some difficulty in pulling off his glove, he stretched out his hand toward him, saying, at the same time, "Never mind your glove, sir." Upon this, Randolph thrust one hand violently into the President's face; but, before he could make use of the other, or repeat his blow, Captain Broome seized and drew him off toward the door. A part of the table was broken down in the scuffle. Mr. Potter thrust his umbrella at Randolph across the table, at the moment Captain Broome seized him; whereupon Randolph's friends clenched him, hurried him out of the cabin, and off from the boat, leaving his hat behind. This was done so quickly, that the few persons who were near the President were not aware of it, as they had all turned around after pushing Randolph away, to inquire whether or not the Chief Magistrate was much hurt. He was so confined behind the table, that he could not rise with ease, nor could he seize his cane in time to defend himself. The news of this outrage was soon circulated around the boat, and at first it seemed so incredible that no one could be found to believe it; all, however, immediately repaired to the cabin, and heard the President relate the story himself.

"Had I been apprised," said he, "that Randolph stood before me, 1 should have been prepared for him, and I could have defended myself.

No villain," said he, "has ever escaped me before; and he would not, had it not been for my confined situation."

Some blood was seen on his face, and he was asked whether he had been much injured?

"No," said he, "I am not much hurt; but, in endeavoring to rise, I have wounded my side, which now pains me more than it did."

About this time, one of the citizens of Alexandria, who had heard of the outrage, addressed the General, and said: "Sir, if you will pardon me, in case I am tried and convicted, I will kill Randolph, for this insult to you, in fifteen minutes ?"*

"No, Sir," said the President, "I cannot do that. I want no man to stand between me and my assailants, and none to take revenge on my account. Had I been prepared for this cowardly villain's approach, I can assure you all, that he would never have the temerity to undertake such a thing again."

"The spirits of the whole party had been much affected by this outrage; no one could think or talk of any thing else; and it seemed that the sacred errand which the President was proceeding upon would be defeated. But, after the steamer had got under way from the fort, and after the report of the last cannon, fired as a salute in honor of the Chief Magistrate, had died away, some one exclaimed, "We are approaching, and shall soon be at Mount Vernon." Upon this the pulse of every heart on board was quickened, and every eye was turned toward the beautiful promontory, which projects into the river; and upon the sacred mansion (which is situated upon the highest part of it) where once dwelt the father of his country. The band played a funeral dirge as we passed his tomb, and then the steamer lay to for some time, and a small boat was seen gliding to the shore, bearing two gentlemen of the party, who landed on the plantation, and ascended the hill to the mansion. But few on board knew the object of the delay. In a few moments, however, they returned to the boat with three ladies, the descendants of Washington, and the residents of Mount Vernon, who had agreed to honor the occasion with their company. Upon reaching the deck of the steamer, they were introduced to General Jackson, when each presented him with a bunch of flowers culled from the garden which had been cultivated by the hands of the immortal Washington. This incident dispelled the gloom occasioned by the outrage already related, and the remainder of the passage was pleasant and agreeable.

"The President was met at Potomac creek, nine miles from Fredericksburgh, by the Monument committee, and a long concourse of gentlemen on horseback, who escorted him to the heights north of Fredericksburgh, from whence was an extensive view of the beautiful and fertile valley of the Rappahannock, of the city itself, which is delightfully situated upon the south bank of the river, and likewise of the numerous and splendid country seats in the vicinity of the city. The view from this spot was grand and imposing beyond description. Here the President was me! by several companies in uniform, under the command of Major Patten,

*It has been well remarked, that this proposal was more insulting than the assault.

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and conducted in an elegant open carriage, through the principal streets in the city, to Doctor Wallace's, whose hospitable mansion was thrown open to him, as were the dwellings of all the members of the committee, and of the citizens, to the invited guests and numerous strangers then assembled. The kind, hospitable manner in which the citizens received and entertained their guests and friends, made an indelible impression upon all, and will long be remembered with gratitude."

On Tuesday the seventh, the day fixed upon for the ceremony, city, at an early hour, was crowded to overflowing. At 10 o'clock, a procession was formed by the marshals of the day, and moved to the site of the monument. On the arrival of the column on the ground where repose the remains of the mother of Washington, a detachment of caval ry wheeled to the left and formed outside of the green. The infantry were formed in line on the left, and the strangers and citizens formed a square, within which the President and heads of department, the Masonic societies, and the ladies and relatives of the Washington family, the architect, the committee, marshals, mayor and common council, occupied the space about the monument. The spectacle was grand and imposing; all seemed desirous of approaching as near as possible, in order to witness the ceremony. After an appropriate prayer from the Rev. E. C. M'Guire, an eloquent address was delivered by Mr. Bassett, one of the members of the monumental committee.

To this address, the President made a reply, distinguished for its chaste and appropriate character; a specimen of finished and touching eloquence that would have done honor to any statesman or orator that our country has produced. It was delivered with deep feeling, and lis tened to by all with proud attention. Upon concluding it, the President deposited a plate, with a suitable inscription, in the place intended for it, and then the stone was laid, and the procession returned in the same order to the town-hall.

"The day was concluded with a ball in the evening. The attention shown the venerable guest of Virginia by the citizens of the old dominion, furnished a striking illustration of the proverbial hospitality and generosity of that people. The deepest abhorrence was manifested and expressed by all at the attempt made at Alexandria to deprive them of the President's promised visit, to perform the patriotic and sacred rite which he had been invited to pay to the mother of Washington.

"On the day following, at noon, the procession was again formed, and the President was escorted to the high grounds north of the city, where he was first met by the procession. A line was formed by the military, and he reviewed the troops. From thence he was attended by the committee and marshals to the Potomac creek, where he embarked for Washington. On his return, and before the boat arrived at Mount Vernon, the ladies from that place gave a pressing and earnest invitation to nim, and the heads of department, and the others in his company, to land and pay a visit to the tomb of Washington, which he reluctantly declined for want of time, it being then near sundown. After landing the ladies, the boat soon reached Alexandria, where a national salute

was fired, and the citizens having assembled on the piers, welcomed the President's return by loud and repeated cheering.

"On reaching the city of Washington, a large concourse of citizens had assembled on the wharf. The mayor and common council waited upon the President in the cabin; and the mayor, General Van Ness, de livered a spirited and feeling address to the President, expressing his regret, as also that of the citizens of Washington generally, at the wanton and dastardly attack made on the person of the Chief Magistrate; to which, and to the resolutions of the citizens of Washington on the same subject, which had been read by Colonel Gardner, the President made a reply in his peculiarly happy style, and then left the boat with the mayor and common council; and on landing he was cheered by the citizens until he reached his house."

The war, which had long been waged along our western frontiers, having ended in the capture of many of the hostile Indians, it was thought advisable to retain the Chief Black Hawk and his son, together with the Prophet and his son, as hostages. On their arrival at Washington, they waited on the President to receive his orders. The interview was friendly and satisfactory.

The judicious plan, which has been recently carried into execution, of conveying to these sons of the forest an idea of the resources and population of our country, by means of showing to them some of the principal cities of the Union, has been justly commended.

On Thursday, the 6th day of June, 1833, President Jackson set out on his journey to New England, accompanied by the Hon. Martin Van Buren, the Vice-President; Mr. McLane, Secretary of State; Governor Cass, Secretary of War; and Major Donaldson, Private Secretary. The President was welcomed at Baltimore with every demonstration of respect, by a large concourse of citizens. He left Baltimore on Saturday in the Seam-boat Kentucky. On his passage, he stopped about twenty minutes at Chesapeake city, while the barges were preparing to proceed through the canal. At Delaware city, the President and suite were received into the Ohio, and at New-Castle they disembarked with military salutes, where the President was received by Governor Bennett of the State, and committees and delegates from Wilmington and all the towns in the vicinity. Again they embarked amid the salutes of the guns, "the streamers waving in the wind," and the shouts of the applauding multitudes. Long before his arrival, every convenient spot in and around the navy yard was densely thronged with anxious spectators. About five o'clock the President landed under a national salute, and was cheered with the oft repeated plaudits of the people. His onward progress was marked by the repeated congratulations of the citizens. When he had reached the hotel, he showed himself from one of the windows, and was again received with enthusiasm.

The public reception of the President at Philadelphia, took place on Monday. At an early hour the city was alive with the bustle of extensive preparation, and the streets through which the procession was to pass grew populous as he approached. From nine until twelve o'clock, the President remained at the State House to receive the compliments of