Beacon Lights of History, Volume 12 | Page 9

Waterloo, when Jackson was
called to put an end to the Seminole war in Florida, which Spanish
territory he occupied on the ground of self-defence. The
Indians--Seminoles and Creeks--with many runaway negroes, had been
pillaging the border of Georgia. Jackson drove them off, seized the
Spanish fort on Appalachee Bay, and again took possession of
Pensacola on the plea that the Spanish officials were aiding the Indians.
It required all the skill of the government at Washington to defend his
despotic acts, for he was as complete an autocrat in his limited sphere
as Caesar or Napoleon. The only limits he regarded were the limits to

his power. But in whatever he did, he had a firm conviction that he was
right. Even John Quincy Adams justified his acts in Florida, when his
enemies were loud in their complaints of his needless executions,
especially of two British traders, Arbuthnot and Ambruter, whom he
had court-martialled and shot as abettors of the Indians. He had invaded
the territory of a neutral power and driven off its representatives; but
everything was condoned. And when, shortly after, Florida became
United States territory by purchase from Spain, he was made its first
governor,--a new field for him, but an appointment which President
Monroe felt it necessary to make.
In April, 1821, having resigned his commission in the army, Jackson
left Nashville with his family to take up his residence in Pensacola,
enchanted with its climate and fruits and flowers, its refreshing
sea-breezes, and its beautiful situation, in spite of hot weather. As
governor of Florida he was invested with extraordinary powers. Indeed,
there was scarcely any limit to them, except that he had no power to
levy and collect taxes, and seize the property of the mixed races who
dwelt in the land of oranges and flowers. It would appear that, aside
from arbitrary acts, he did all he could for the good of the territory,
under the influence of his wife, a Christian woman, whom he indulged
in all things, especially in shutting up grog-shops, putting a stop to
play-going, and securing an outward respect for the Sabbath. His term
of office, however, was brief, and as his health was poor, for he was
never vigorous, in November of the same year he gladly returned to
Nashville, and about this time built his well-known residence, the
"Hermitage." As a farmer he was unusually successful, making
agriculture lucrative even with slave-labor.
Jackson had now become a prominent candidate for the presidency, and
as a part of the political plan, he was, in 1823, made senator from
Tennessee in Congress, where he served parts of two terms, without,
however, distinguishing himself as a legislator. He made but few
speeches, and these were short, but cast his vote on occasions of
importance, voting against a reduction of duty on iron and woollen and
cotton goods, against imprisonment for debt, and favoring some
internal improvements. In 1824 he wrote a letter advocating a "careful

tariff," so far as it should afford revenues for the national defence, and
to pay off the national debt, and "give a proper distribution of our
labor;" but a tariff to enrich capitalists at the expense of the laboring
classes, he always abhorred.
The administration of James Monroe, in two full terms, from 1817 to
1825, had not been marked by any great events or popular movements
of especial historical interest. It was "the era of good feeling." The
times were placid, and party animosities had nearly subsided. The
opening of the slavery discussions resulted in the Missouri
Compromise of 1820, and the irritations of that great topic were allayed
for the time. Like all his predecessors after Washington, Monroe had
been successively a diplomatist and Secretary of State, and the
presidency seemed to fall to him as a matter of course. He was a most
respectable man, although not of commanding abilities, and discharged
his duties creditably in the absence of exciting questions. The only
event of his administration which had a marked influence on the
destinies of the United States was the announcement that the future
colonization of the country by any European State would not be
permitted. This is called the "Monroe doctrine," and had the warm
support of Webster and other leading statesmen. It not only proclaimed
the idea of complete American independence of all foreign powers, but
opposed all interference of European States in American affairs. The
ultimate influence of the application of this doctrine cannot be
exaggerated in importance, whether it originated with the President or
not. Monroe was educated for the bar, but was neither a good speaker
nor a ready writer. Nor was he a man of extensive culture or
attainments. The one great idea attributed to him was: "America for the
Americans." He was succeeded, however,