American lawyer, born in Spottsylvania County, VA, on the 3rd of May 1798. He served in the War of 1812 when but fourteen years of age, and while on the march to Mobile witnessed the execution, by the order of General Jackson, of a poor youth for the offense of straggling. This made a deep impression upon him, and made him a bitter political opponent of General Jackson in after years. He was admitted to the bar in 1822, and in 1831 was elected to Congress, and became famous for the assault (which he successfully resisted) made upon him by Major Morgan Heard, a friend of Senator Houston, whom he had denounced in a speech in the House. In 1836 he was made brigadier-general of Tennessee militia, and from 1841 to 1843 he again served in Congress. He died in Jonesboro, TN, on the 26th of May 1870.
