-the Bank yielding as its apology for the widespread dismay and ruin it was thus occasioning throughout the nation that the general had withdrawn from its voracious maw the United States deposits, and that he and Biddle were already in battle array against each other, the one a candidate for a reëlection to the presidency, the other doing desperate battle for a recharter of the Bank for twenty years the final issue to be determined the next year at the ballot-box. President Jackson had declared to the people in his messages his determined and uncompromising hostility to that institution, setting forth its dangerous corruptions and controlling power, and thus bringing the issue definitely before the people for their determination-either to approve or condemn the general's views and doings-and upon the result of the election, it was well understood, was suspended the fate of the Bank. And in the council of war held by the commander-inchief of the bank party, Nick Biddle, and his subordinates, it was doubtless resolved that coercive measures should be resorted to, by which their power should be felt by the people on whom devolved the decision of the strife, and thus to demonstrate that the Bank had the power as well as the disposition either to rule or ruin the country. Therefore every country bank, as well as every cotton, iron, or other manufacturing establishment, indebted to the Bank, it was decreed, should be required forthwith to pay all their dues, unless the Bank sliculd

be rechartered. Consequently almost every country bank was soon forced to suspend specie-payments, to cease to discount, and to gather in their debts as soon as possible-all trembling in fear of the exasperated monster. In regard to Pennsylvania, it was most likely resolved in the same council that her business enterprises should be reduced to starvation, well knowing that her citizens were nearly two to one in favour of Jackson. She was most especially to be "held in durance vile,"—and so it proved; for she was not able to borrow a single dollar till after the election to pay off her thousands of suffering contractors and labourers; consequently the man that had the most business on hand was the greatest sufferer.

But I was like a teamster that gets stalled with his load in the deep mud-hole, where he finds it easier to haul it through by main force than to back out; so I applied all my energies, and forced my job through on my own credit and the credit of my friends, who nobly stood by me in this trying time. About the time the work was completed the money came, but not quite enough to meet every demand; for after the money had failed my business commanded me, and I had to do as I could and not as I would. Many pressed their claims so eagerly, that my farm and houses were at length sold by the sheriff at a great sacrifice, although they were bought in by a friend at something less than $9,000. I will not detain the reader by detailing the miseries

that pervaded the whole line to a greater or less extent. Suffice it to say, that perplexities multiplied on every hand.

But, as I was about remarking, my estimate fell short about $3,000 of paying my debts; and here I found myself again in my old position down at the foot of the hill, with a burden of debt of about three thousand dollars upon my back-a woful load to attempt to climb with. And here again I beset the Pennsylvania Legislature by petition for a claim, well backed up, of ten thousand dollars. I spent the following winter in importuning the legislature. I succeeded in obtaining on my lumber bill about $2,700-the other and principal part of my bill was postponed to the next session. Here I made a great mistake in the disposition I made of that money. Instead of squaring up all my debts and quitting the place, I undertook to redeem my favourite place, which had been sacrificed under a forced sale: this I did, hoping to receive the other portion of my claim now in the hands of the legislature. So I got the place back into my hands, with the understanding with my creditors that their debts should be secured by the farm. I now built in this place a large and splendid tavern, and fitted it up with every needful accommodation; I arranged also a capacious and beautiful garden, with swings and various other things to amuse and attract company. I was soon doing a smacking business, and daily breakfasted from fifty to a hundred passengers, who were cross

I had now made

ing the mountains in the cars. quite a spirited and business-like village at the foot of the Alleghany Mountains, four miles west of Holidaysburgh, Huntington County, Pa., on which was conferred my name, and it was called Henrysburgh, and of which I was the postmaster.

But a mighty change came over the political face of the legislature, which soon cast a corresponding change "over the spirit of my dreams." The Jackson, or democratic ranks, which had not been broken in that State for twenty years, were now divided among themselves, not as to principle, but as to a candidate for governor. Taking advantage of this distraction in the democratic party, the whigs and anti-masons united and elected Joseph Ritner, on anti-masonic principles. The Board of Canal Commissioners, who were my friends, and who doubtless would have assisted me in obtaining my claim, were turned out, to give place to another Board, of whom I could expect anything in the world but favours; and the same was true of the legislature. Indeed, the State was, at this time, so involved, that it was difficult to realize an undisputed account. So I lost my principal bill, and, consequently, was obliged, after all, to assign everything I had for the use of my creditors. I was now once more entirely freed from the encumbrance of money and business, and I cast one long, lingering look upon my favourite place, and sought for a fortune elsewhere, not in the least discouraged, promising myself great success in

my next undertaking. In view of all this panting of ambition, unsuccessful panting after wealth and greatness, who would not acknowledge that—

"He that holds fast the golden mean,

And walks contentedly between

The little and the great,

Feels not the wants that pinch the poor,
Nor cares that haunt the rich man's door,
Corrupting all his state."

CHAPTER VII.

THE reader was informed, in the last chapter, that the democratic ranks, for the first time in twenty years, had been broken and routed, and that the whigs and anti-masons held the power, having at their head an automaton governor and a majority in the House of Assembly; but the democrats had a majority of two in the Senate, on which the democracy relied as a guardian of their cherished rights. It has been said that every man has his price set upon himself, and, that being offered, he is bought. Whether this is so or not, I will not take it upon myself to say; but of this I am sure, that there is too much of that spirit amongst politicians, if not amongst others, that prompted Judas to say to the Jews: "What will you give me and I will deliver him unto you?" As soon as this legislature had become fairly organized, a bill was matured for a