David Crockett: His Life and Adventures

r to the North

iladelphia.-His First Speech.-Arrival in New York.-The Ovation there.-Visit to Boston.-Ca

le nation, he decided to take a short trip to the North and the East. His health had also begun to fail, and his physicians advised him to go. He was thoroughly acquainted with t

ern tour. He reached Baltimore that evening, where he was inv

where there are tens of thousands who would pass me by without knowing or caring who I was, who are all taken up with their own pleasures or their own business, made me feel sm

he is-all sorts of a man-bowing and scraping to the ladies, nodding to the gentlemen, cursing the crew, and his right eye

me. About a dozen big stages hung on to one machine. After a good deal of fuss we all got seated and moved slowly off; the engine wheezing as though she had the tizzi

st. Not knowing whether he intended to compliment me, or abash me among so many strangers, or have some fun at my expense, I concluded to go ahead, and give him and his like a blizzard. So our glasses being filled, the word went round, 'A toast from Colonel Crockett.' I give it as follows

oes that mean?' He replied, that he was under promise to the citizens of Philadelphia, if I wa

queer. It took me so uncommon unexpected, as I had no idea of attracting attention. But I had to meet it, and so I stepped on to the wharf, where the folks came crowding around me, saying, 'Give me the hand of an honest man.' I did not know what all this meant: but some gentleman took hold of me, and pressing through the crowd, put me into an elegant barouche, drawn by four fine horses; they then told me to bow to the peop

ds. I was conducted up stairs, and walked out on a platform, drew off my hat, and bowed ro

so I could be heard, I said

EN OF PHI

nable at this time to find language suitable to return my gratitude to the citizens of Philadelphia. However, I am almost induced to believe it flattery-perhaps a burlesque. This is new to me, yet I see nothing but friendship in your faces; and if your curiosi

nce to them, and ret

st course in Congress had secured much respect. But such developments of character as were shown in his rude and vulgar toast, before a party of gent

ch seal, representing two horses at full speed, with the words, "Go Ahead." The young men also made him a present of a truly magnificent rifle. From Philadelphia he went to

ommittee conducted him to the American Hotel, and treated him with the greatest distinction. Again he was feted, and loaded with the greatest attentions. He was invited to a very splendid

ating supporter of the Constitution and the

d every way, I wouldn't go after him; like the boy whose master ordered him to plough across the field to the red cow. Well, he began to plough, and she began to walk; and he ploughed all foren

t the distance of one hundred and twenty feet, he fired twice, striking very near the centre of the mark. Some one then put up a quarter of a dolla

st offensive to the New England people, he was feted with extraordinary enthusiasm. He dined and supped, made

title of LL.D. Jackson was no longer a favorite of Crockett. The new distinguished

ore they let me go; and I had no idea of changing 'Member of the House of Representatives of the United States,' for what stands for 'lazy, lounging dunce,' which I am sure my constituents would have translated my new title to be. Knowing th

; one dignitary was enough from Tennessee; that as far as my learning went, I would stand over it, and

arnestly invited Crockett to visit him

rt of the country, I hope

d where you live?" t

pi till you come to the Oberon River. Run a small stre

charmed by the aspect of wealth, industry, and comfort which met his eye. Upon his return to Boston, he spent the evening, with

charge to be paid by me, and that he was very much delighted that I had made his house my home. I forgot to mention that they treated me so in Lowell-but it is true. This was, to me, at all events, proof enough of Yankee liberality; and more than they generally get credit for. In fact, from the time I entered New England, I was treated with

n; and under the tuition of Congress had formed some very decided poli

very rapidly improved under the tuition of Congress; and in some degree awoke to the consciousness of his great intellec

ith my gratitude to you, and with a gratitude to all who have given a plain man, like me, so kind a reception. I come from a great way off. But I shall never repent of

all my life. And I confess, I consider myself a poor tyke to be here addressing the most intelligent people in the world. But I think it the

orrect idea of his trains of thought, and modes of expression. It also clearly shows the great questions which agitated the country at that time. It can easily be perceived t

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to look upon the people of New England as a selfish, cunning set of fellows, that was fed on fox-ears and thistle-tops; that cut their wisdom-teeth as soon as they were born; that made money by their wits, and held on to it by nature; that called cheatery mother-wit; that hung on to political power because they had numbers; tha

t spirits; your hanging on to the eternal principles of right and wrong; your liberality in prosperity, and your patience when you are ground down by legislation, which, instead of crushing you, whets your invent

was interrupted b

w; I have made my way to the place I now fill, without wealth, and against education; I was raised from obscurity, and placed in the high councils of the nation, by the kindness and liberality of the good peo

ts had made a man of me. I had marched and counter-marched with him: I had stood by him in the wars, and fought under his flag at the polls: I helped to heap the measure of glory that has crushed and smashed everything that has come in contact with it: I helped to give him the name of 'Hero,' which, like the lightn

other Presidents, and came to the conclusion that he did not of right possess any more power than those that had gone before him. When he transcended that power, I put down my foot. I knew his popularity; that he had come i

ablished constructions: and when I saw the Government administered on new principles, I objected, and was political

the end of two years, approving of my course, they sent me bac

penses, no part of which has yet been accounted for, as I have seen. I thought it extravagant as well as impolitic. I

ht the Intercourse Act of 1802; she trampled it under foot; she nullified it: and for this, she received the smiles and approbation of Andrew Jackson. And this induced South Carolina to nullify the Tariff. She had a righ

ould cement the States together, by giving them access the one to the other, was right. When he got into power, some of his friends had hard work to dodge, and follow, and s

in his expression that he was in favor of a judicious tariff. That was supposed to be a clincher,

eward or punishment; and could all have come into his notions, and bowed the knee to his image, I suppose it might have done very well, so far as he was concerned. Whether it would have been a

rations. No, gentlemen; the spoils belonged to the victor; and it would never do to lessen the teats when the litter was doubled. The treasury trough had to be extended, and the pap th

eat noise, hallooing and calling the dogs-and came back. By-and-by his master said, 'Jim, you ra

at they had found out a great deal of iniquity; or, what was more desirable, convinced the people that Andrew Jackson and his boys were the only fellows to mend shoes for nothing, and find their own candles. Everett and Sargeant, who made the minority report, were scouted at.

begun to huzza, has more wind to spare. General Jackson has turned out more men for opinion's sake, than all other Presidents put together, five times o

ft those principles which induced me to support him, I considered myself justified in opposing him. This thing of man-worship I am a stranger to; I don't like it; it ta

interests of my country. The time will and must come, when honesty will receive its reward, and when the people of this nation will be brought to a sense of their duty, and will pause and reflect how much i

ought whether it was possible that it was moistened with the sacred bloo

blotted out from the heads and hearts of the people's leaders: and their requests for relief are treated with scorn and contempt. They meet the same fate that they did before King George and his parliament. It has been decided by a majority of Congress, that Andrew Jackson shall be the Government, and that

. I will be no man's man, and no party's man, other than to be the people's faithful representative: and I am delighted to see the noble s

nded: allow me to conclude by thanking you for your att

mind, his anxiety to learn, and the progress his

ion I can't get, and nobody else, from book knowledge. I come, fellow-citizens, to get a knowledge of the manufacturing interest of New England. I was over-per

pinion of it. I saw I was opposing the best interest of the country: especially for the industrious poor man. I told my people who sent me to Congress, that I should oppose it no longer: that without it, we should be obliged to pay a tax to the British Government, and support them, instead of our own labor. And I am satisfied

s, and then set out for home. So much had been said of him in the public journa