238 ANDREW JACKSON 



ington seriously risked his popularity by averting a 

 quarrel with England in 1794; Adams sacrificed his 

 chances for reelection by refusing to go to war with 

 France in 1 799. The effect of all this must be borne 

 in mind if we would appreciate the immense and well- 

 earned popularity which Jackson acquired when the 

 time had come to strike back. 



In April, 1798, Jackson resigned his seat in the 

 Senate, and was appointed judge in the Supreme Court 

 of Tennessee. He retained this position for six years, 

 but nothing is known of his decisions, as the practice 

 of recording decisions began only with his successor, 

 Judge Overton. During this period he was much 

 harassed by business troubles arising from the decline 

 in the value of land consequent upon the financial 

 crisis of 1798. At length, in 1804, he resigned his 

 judgeship in order to devote his attention exclusively 

 to his private affairs. He paid up all his debts and 

 engaged extensively both in planting and in trade. 

 He was noted for fair and honourable dealing, his 

 credit was always excellent, and a note with his name 

 on it was considered as good as gold. He had a clear 

 head for business, and was never led astray by the 

 delusions about paper money by which American 

 communities have so often been infested. His planta- 

 tion was well managed, and his slaves were always 

 kindly and considerately treated. 



But while genial and kind in disposition, he was by 

 no means a person with whom it was safe to take 

 liberties. In 1795 he fought a duel with Avery, an 

 opposing counsel, over some hasty words that had 

 passed in the court-room. Next year he quarrelled 

 with John Sevier, the famous governor of Tennessee, 



