ry. He therefore cheerfully entered again into the
General's family, and travelled with him to Washington City
after the elections in 1824. Those elections devolved the
choice of President upon the House of Representatives. Mr.
Adams was the successful candidate, although Gen. Jackson had a
much larger popular vote, and was evidently the favorite of the
people.

"As is well known to the country, the result of that election
gave increased force to the sentiment which had placed Gen.
Jackson in nomination. The efforts of his friends throughout
the Union became more active, and were never abated until the
decision of the House of Representatives in 1824 was reversed,
and Gen. Jackson placed in the Presidential chair. During these
four years, Mr. Donelson, who had married in 1824, settled upon
his plantation adjoining the Hermitage, and continued there to
promote the cause he had espoused so warmly in the beginning.

"When the elections of 1828 were over, Gen. Jackson insisted
upon the acceptance by Mr. Donelson of the post of private
Secretary. Mr. D. accordingly set out with him in the winter of
1828 for the city of Washington, taking with him his wife, whom
he had married in 1824. This lady was the youngest daughter of
Capt. John Donelson, and was invited by Gen. Jackson to do the
honors of the White House--a position which she held throughout
the greater portion of his Presidency.

"It was in this capacity that Mr. Donelson endeared himself
still more than ever to the Hero of the Hermitage. He spent the
prime of his life, from 1828 to 1836, in his service, and he
felt himself amply rewarded by the knowledge he thus acquired
of public men and measures.

"At the close of Gen. Jackson's Presidency, Mr. Donelson
declined to take office under Mr. Van Buren, being anxious for
a respite from public affairs, and to enjoy the pleasures of
his farm; upon which he remained until he was called
unexpectedly to take a part in the negotiation which brought
Texas into our Union. It was upon this theatre that he
displayed the judgment and tact which brought him prominently
before the country as a man that understood the public
interests, and knew how to take care of them.

"The commission appointing Mr. Donelson Minister to Texas is
dated