In 1837 his second term as president expired and he retired from public life after having seen his good friend, Martin Van Buren of New York, made president.
Death at the Hermitage
Jackson returned to Tennessee, greatly beloved by the people. There, in his home, called the Hermitage, he spent the rest of his life. He died in 1845, at the age of seventy-eight.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
The Leading Facts. 1. Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts. 2. As a boy he was very much interested in tools, and worked in his father's shop with all kinds of mechanical contrivances. 3. He earned his way through college doing carpenter work. 4. After graduation he set out to teach in Savannah. 5. He failed to get the situation, and went to visit a friend who had taken much interest in him. 6. The South needed a machine to separate the cotton fiber from the seed. 7. Whitney set to work to make one, at the suggestion of his friend, Mrs. Greene. 8. The cotton gin revolutionized the South. 9. It made cotton raising the chief industry, and brought thousands of slaves into the country.
10. Thomas Jefferson, born in Virginia, loved books; while in college he met Patrick Henry. 11. Went to the Burgesses and planned the committees of correspondence. 12. Jefferson was sent to the Congress of 1776 and wrote the Declaration of Independence. 13. After the war Jefferson was sent as Minister to France. 14. Washington chose him as Secretary of State, and he founded the Democratic-Republican party. 15. Jefferson was popular as president. 16. He cut down expenses, and with his savings in running the government purchased Louisiana.
17. The Columbia River was discovered by Gray. 18. The way to the Oregon country was made known by Lewis and Clark. 19. The Indians received them with kindness along the route. 20. They followed the Columbia until they reached the Pacific; Clark made a map of the region they had gone through. 21. As a reward, Lewis was appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory and Clark of the Missouri Territory. 22. Fur traders and missionaries soon found their way to the Oregon country.
23. Perry went to serve against the pirates, was eager to fight the English when war broke out, and was appointed commandant at Lake Erie. 24. Perry built a fleet and won a famous victory over the English. 25. A gold medal was struck in his honor by Congress.
26. Andrew Jackson was born of poor parents; learned from the woods more than from books. 27. Jackson was captured by the British. 28. His mother died nursing American soldiers. 29. He studied law, went over the mountains to Nashville, and was elected to Congress. 30. He also served as United States senator. 31. Jackson defeated the Indians, captured Pensacola, and won a brilliant victory at New Orleans. 32. Jackson was elected president and was opposed in his policy by Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. 33. Threatened South Carolina over nullification. 34. Died at the Hermitage in 1845.
Study Questions. 1. What did Whitney like to do as a boy? 2. How did he help himself through college? 3. Why did he go to Savannah? 4. Whom did he meet on the way? 5. Describe how cotton was then separated from the seed. 6. Describe the action of the machine made by Whitney. 7. What was the effect of his invention? 8. How did the value of cotton shipped out of the country compare with other goods? 9. What effect did the invention have on negro slavery in the South?