WHEN the memoirs of a benefactor to his country appear before the public, curiosity is excited relative to his birth and connexions, and the various circumstances of his early life, which have given a tone to his character, or an impulse to his conduct. This curiosity, though often ill defined, is laudable, and ought to be gratified. Its gratification frequently tends to that examination into the connexion between causes and effects, which is essentially requisite in the important inquiry, What is man?

The subject of the present memoir was placed in circumstances peculiarly favourable to the development of those traits of character, and that line of conduct, which have made him the favourite, not merely of his own state, but of the Union.

His father, Col. Robert Johnson, a native of Virginia, had emigrated to that part of the state, which now forms Kentucky, during the revolutionary struggle. Exposed, as this portion of country then was, to the incursions of the aborigines, such was his known courage, discretion, and valorous conduct, that he was frequently found in the most conspicuous situations, jeopardizing his life for the safety of his country. His commanding influence, the ef fect of just principles and unshrinking integrity, was duly appreciated by his fellow citizens, who repeatedly returned him a member of the state legislature. When Kentucky was admitted into the union, he was a member of the convention which framed the constitution, and assisted in the revisal of that instrument. These, and several other offices, all emanating from the people, he filled with that honour which ensured him the thanks of a grateful public.

Under the tuition of such a father, and equally taught by precept and example, much might rationally be expected, and expectation has not been disappointed. He now occupies the station of candidate for the presidential chair, an office which his whole life vouches that he is fully ca

pable of filling with honour to himself and to the nation. He had an elder brother, Colonel James Johnson, of whom the most honourable mention has been made, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the mounted volunteers, whom we shall again have occasion to notice.

The subject of this memoir was born in Kentucky, in the latter part of the year 1781. The rudiments of an education he received at a country school. But, having resolved to qualify himself for one of the learned professions, at fifteen years of age, he entered a grammar school, and afterwards joined the Transylvania University, at Lexington, where he acquired a sufficiency of classical and scientific lore, to fit him, with his untiring industry, for the profession of the law. In this study he commenced his career under the teaching of the celebrated counsellor, Colonel Nicholas, of whose services he was soon deprived by death. He then placed himself under the pupilage of the Honourable James Brown, distinguished no less for his eloquence, than for his suavity of manners, legal acquirements, and gentlemanly conduct. With this gentleman he closed his studies, fitted for practice in the profession he had chosen.

He was now less than twenty years old, and though labouring under disadvantages as to the time and opportu nities for a strictly classical education, his natural strength of mind, industry, and perseverance, overcame every impediment, and his incipient success excelled the warmest expectations of his most strenuous admirers.

But if his brilliant attainments gained him partisans and admirers, the amiable and generous traits of character, proceeding from a benevolent heart, secured him the affection of friends, and the gratitude of the enlightened and virtuous members of society. In a newly settled country, the conflicting claims to landed titles, often expose to embarrassment, and sometimes to ruin, the honest and the industrious settlers. As a friend to the poor, the industrious, he could not, he would not witness in silence, injustice and oppression. Without inquiring the prospect of a recompense, he plead the cause of the poor against the exactions of the rich and unprincipled, and hence

gained, without attempting it, the esteem, the well merited approbation, of the most worthy citizens of the community of which he was a member.

To the study of law, he added that of political economy, and the details of a free government, which early introduced him into life as a legislator. He was elected to the legislature by the citizens of Scott county, and gave perfect satisfaction to his constituents in his representative character. After serving in this capacity two years, he was elected to act a more conspicuous part, in the councils of the nation. The time was one of highly excited feelings; and the debates in which he engaged, and his manner of conducting them, evinced the greatness of his mind, and his firm attachment to principle. By distinguishing mea sures from men—by retaining the most honourable self respect, and proffering the hand of friendship to the nobleminded of both parties, he gained their confidence, and cemented their friendship.

During the first term of his service, he was made chairman of the committee of claims. While acting in this capacity, a case came before the committee which gave full scope to his patriotic feelings, and his conduct clearly evinced how much his sentiments were exalted above the mere grovelling of party spirit. It is well known that General Alexander Hamilton received no emolument for his services during the revolutionary struggle. His sudden death left the amiable and accomplished widow, and several children, with very inadequate means of support. She presented a claim to congress for a partial act of jus tice. Colonel Johnson rendered an able report, favourable to the petitioner, which he advocated in a most able and feeling speech. This adds much to the honour of his name, as the General was the heart and soul of the federal party, then ranged among the antagonists of Colonel, Johnson.

When congress met in the autumn of 1811, he was a member. In the succeeding summer, war was declared by the United States against Great Britain. This event opened to his active mind new scenes of usefulness. Naturally dauntless, having been early trained to toils and

dangers, his mind was disciplined to endure hardships, and meet perils. Believing, however, that courage may be as useful in the cabinet as in the field, and knowing that to assume a military command under the United States, would be the virtual resignation of his seat in congress, he determined to act only in the capacity of a volunteer.

The session of congress closed soon after the declaration of war, and our hero returned to Kentucky. He saw the clouds rising which portended evil to the country. General Hull, after invading Canada, planting the American standard at Sandwich, and publishing a flaming proclamation, exhibited strong marks of indecision and imbecility. His needless delays, and temporizing expedients, lost him the confidence of his army. Under these evil omens, Colonel Johnson could ill brook his feelings, and he determined to repair to the scene of danger, with the number of volunteers which he could induce to join him. Governor Shelby, of Kentucky, called a council of war, to deliberate on the measures to be taken in this eventful crisis, of which the colonel was a member. His services were tendered to General Harrison, as aid, with the privi lege of raising a regiment of mounted volunteers. Colonel Johnson made an immediate call on the patriotic citizens of Kentucky, and soon a large battalion enlisted under his banner. The corps was organized under three sepa rate commands. One to be under the command of his brother, Colonel James Johnson, already mentioned; another under Major John Arnold, and a third under Captain Charles Ward; all distinguished no less for their bravery, than for their skill in the mode of Indian warfare, a most important requisite in the contemplated expedition. The mutual confidence which existed between the men and the officers they had chosen, made them what they were called, a Spartan band, a host of invincibles, which augured truly the anticipated result.

The volunteers marched in time to reach St. Mary's, the head-quarters of the North-Western army, on the 8th of September, while the army was on the eve of marching to the relief of Fort Wayne, then threatened by a large