subsequent sessions, the removal of the deposits was discussed in Congress. Mr. Benton, of Missouri, at an early day, made a movement in favor of expunging the resolution of censure from the journals of the senate. After several ineffectual attempts, a vote to that effect was adopted in the Senate, in conformity with the expressions of several public meetings, and the instructions of the legislatures of different states. The resolution was ordered to be expunged, by drawing black lines across and around it. In his annual message on the 3d of December, 1833, General Jackson informed Congress that the French government had failed to pay the instalment required by the stipulations of the convention concluded on the 4th of July, 1831. At the next session he again called their attention to the continued delay in the payment of the money, and recommended the passage of a law authorizing reprisals upon French property, in case provision should not be made for it at the approaching session of the Chamber of Deputies. The prompt and decisive tone of the president's message startled the chivalric feelings of the French nation. The passports of the American minister were tendered to him, and a serious rupture was confidently anticipated. The unyielding firmness of General Jackson, and the sense of justice which soon prevailed in the French Chamber, averted the danger, and restored the peace and harmony previously existing between the two nations. Nothing of unusual interest occurred during the administration of General Jackson, after the amicable settlement of the difficulty with France. The severe panic which followed the derangement of the currency, consequent upon the efforts of the bank to procure a renewal of its charter, was followed by a season of unexampled prosperity. In 1835, the public debt was entirely liquidated; and on the final retirement of General Jackson to private life, in the spring of 1837, he issued a farewell address to the American people, setting forth the principles upon which he had conducted the affairs of government, and congratulating them on the peace and happiness which they enjoyed.* * See Appendix, note D. CHAPTER XII. 1837. Ill health of General Jackson-Arrival at the HermitageInfluence with his party-Friendly to the annexation of Texas His occupations-Embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs-Refunding of the fine imposed by Judge Hall-Failure of his health-His last illness-His Christian resignation and death-Honors paid to his memory-Remarks of Reverdy Johnson-Speech of Daniel Webster-Character of Jackson-His qualifications as a soldier and statesman-Attachment to his friends-His personal appearanceHis patriotism. 1845. A SHORT time previous to the termination of his official career, General Jackson was attacked with a severe hemorrhage of the lungs, which for some days incapacitated him from attending to business. He recovered, however, sufficiently to be present at the inauguration of his successor, and take part in the ceremonies of the day. On his arrival at the Hermitage he was quite weak and infirm, but the relaxation from mental labor, and the kind attentions of his adopted children, soon restored him to comparative strength and health, though he still suffered much from the diseased state of his lungs. The various questions of public policy which afterwards agitated the country, and the movements of the two great political parties in the nation, did not fail to excite his attention. His influence was silently exerted and felt in our national politics up to the day of his death. He was still regarded as the leader of the party which had so long looked up to him as its head, and on all important occasions was consulted with as much veneration as were the oracles of olden time. He was, from the first, the warm and steadfast friend of the annexation of Texas to the Union. In the settlement of the Oregon boundary question he took a deep interest, though he did not live to see the boundary finally adjusted. Most of General Jackson's time, in his retirement, was spent in ministering to the comforts of those who were dependent on him, and in overseeing the labor performed on his estate. He was a sincere and devout communicant of the Presbyterian church, and he erected a house of worship in the immediate vicinity of the Hermitage, for the convenience of his family and servants. Towards the close of his life he became involved in his circumstances, on account of some endorsements for a friend. When his condition was made known, several offers were made to extend him such pecuniary assistance as he might need. At the session of 1844-5, a law was passed by Congress, providing for the reimbursement of the fine of one thousand dollars paid by General Jackson at New Orleans, with interest from the time of its original payment. This act of justice, tardy as it was, was peculiarly grateful to the feelings of the general, and it served to sweeten the closing reflections of his life. For several months previous to his decease, the health of General Jackson began rapidly to fail. His constitution had been originally strong and vigorous, but exposure and privation during his Indian campaigns seriously impaired his physical vigor. A gentleman who visited him in the month of May, 1845, states that he had not, at that time, been in a condition to lie down for four months. His whole system was invaded with dropsy; he had not sufficient strength to stand; and his disease was attended with so much bodily pain, that he could obtain no sleep except by means of opiates. While in this dying condition, his portrait was taken by an artist employed for the purpose by Louis Phillippe, King of the French, who designed to place it by the side of Washington's in his gallery. He was constantly cheered by the visits of his old and attached personal friends; and the consolations of religion, to which he loved to resort, were a never-failing solace to his heart. On one occasion he remarked to a clergyman who called upon him, that he was "in the hands of a merciful God. I have full confidence," said he, "in his goodness and mercy. My lamp of life is nearly out, and the last glimmer is come. I am ready to depart when called. The |