Friday, May 30, 2008

Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson (1767-1845) postcard




This is the last life portrait of Andrew Jackson, 1845, by George Peter Alexander Healy. Old Hickory was the 7th U.S. President.

He looks like a hateful old fart doesn’t he?

He loved to race horses for high stakes and his opponents often became his enemies. If you said something about his wife being married to someone else he would probably challenge you to a duel… and for other reasons he might challenge you to a duel.

He was also instrumental in having the Cherokee and Creek Indians removed from their homelands in the east and march on “The Trail of Tears” to Oklahoma – which defied the Supreme Court’s ruling.

I’m sure he had some good qualities as well.

2 comments:

Deborah Wilson said...

He was hateful.

His administration was responsible for the exile/removal of around 46,000 native Americans to the west.

I can't remember what episode it was, but on the History Channel, a native American woman was talking about Jackson and the 20 dollar bill. She said that most native Americans to this day refuse 20 dollar bills, insisting on other currency instead. The reason is because of Jackson's face on the bill and what his image/administration represents to the Native peoples.

Eddie said...

Deborah,
I believe it. He was not a friend to the Native Americans, even though I read, but forgot the details, of one saving his life one time.