tron, friend, and
relative, 'The Sage of the Hermitage.'

"In view of the advanced age of General Jackson, it is more
than probable that they may never meet again. A relationship
next to that of father and son, if, indeed, it be not equally
near and dear, will be severed perhaps for ever. And we feel
assured that nothing short of a sense of DUTY TO HIS COUNTRY
could have induced an acceptance of the mission. Nor, for this
patriotic reason, would the aged veteran advise him to decline
it.

"Major D. leaves a host of good and true friends, who will
continue to have an abiding solicitude for his health and
happiness, and for his early and complete success in 'extending
the area of freedom.'"

Mr. Clayton, Secretary of State under Gen. Taylor, wrote to Major
Donelson, announcing the expiration of the diplomatic relations between
the United States and Germany, (where the Major was stationed,) and
closed with the following complimentary expressions:

"I am directed by the President to express to you his entire
approbation of your conduct, and I cannot take leave of you in
your public character without adding my testimony to that of
the President to the ability and faithfulness with which you
have discharged the arduous and delicate duties which your
mission imposed upon you.

"JOHN M. CLAYTON."

The Democratic party having always boasted that Gen. Jackson was
unsurpassed in his keen and unerring insight into the characters of men,
we must be permitted to call their attention to a clause in the _Last
Will and Testament_ of Gen. Jackson, as recorded in the county of
Davidson. This clause sets forth the estimate placed upon Mr. Donelson
by the old General, after this fashion:

"HERMITAGE, June 7, 1843.

... "I bequeath to my well-beloved nephew, Andrew J. Donelson,
son of Samuel Donelson, deceased, the elegant sword presented
to me by the State of Tennessee, with this injunction, that he
fail not to use it when necessary in support and protection of
our glorious Union, and for the protection of the
constitutional rights of our beloved country, should they be
assailed by foreign enemies or _domestic traitors_. This, from
the great change in my worldly affairs of late, is, with my
blessing, all that I can bequea