JACKSON, ANDREW, eleventh president of the United States, was born March 15, 1767, at Waxhaw in South Carolina. His parents, who were of Scottish extraction, had emigrated two years before that date from the N. of Ireland. His father died early; but his mother, though left with very scanty means, gave her son an excellent education with the view of fitting him for the church. He was only fourteen years old when the war of independence broke out, but he joined the ranks of the patriots. He was taken prisoner, and his military career was thus cut short. When peace was restored he turned to the study of the law, took an active part in framing the constitution of the new state of Tennessee, and next entered Congress, first as a representative, and afterwards as a senator. Having no taste for political intrigue he resigned his seat in a year, and was made one of the judges in the Supreme Court of Tennessee. From this time till 1812 much of Jackson's time was spent in harassing and dangerous conflicts with the Indian tribes on the frontier, among whom his name became a watchword of terror. In that year war was declared between Britain and America. Jackson was appointed to command the forces allotted for the defence of the southern states, and signalized himself by the energy and decision of his movements. Finding that some dissatisfaction prevailed in the south, he suspended the Habeas Corpus Act on his own responsibility, and proclaimed martial law. These strong measures were peculiarly distasteful to his countrymen, and Jackson would probably have been brought to trial had he not changed the tide of public opinion by his decisive repulse of the English troops at the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. His military talent and his strong democratic leanings made him a great favourite with "the people" in America, whom he further pleased by always advocating territorial aggrandizement. The conservative party in the state regarded his principles and his conduct with equal dislike; and when he became a candidate for the presidency, in 1824, they contrived, though with great difficulty, to procure his defeat. In 1828, however, and again in 1832, he overcame all opposition, and was chosen president. During his tenure of office he more than once exhibited the same obstinate self-will and force of character which had marked his military career, and in the great discussion on the renewal of the charter of the United States he put his veto upon the decision of both the chambers of Congress. Had the constitution been less firmly established, it might have found in Jackson a very dangerous foe. His ambition, his disregard of the personal and civil rights of his countrymen, his fondness for war, and his habits of command, made it apprehended that, with a fitting occasion, he might make himself the Napoleon of the American republic. On resigning office, in 1836, Jackson retired to his farm, near Nashville, where he died, June 8, 1845.