Sat writing journal till twelve o'clock, when we went to Mr. ----'s. Took him up, and thence proceeded to the Presidency to be presented in due form. His Excellency Andrew Jackson is very tall and thin, but erect and dignified in his carriage--a good specimen of a fine old well-battered soldier. His hair is very thick and grey: his manners are perfectly simple and quiet, therefore very good; so are those of his niece, Mrs. ----, who is a very pretty person, and lady of the house, Mrs. Jackson having been dead some time. He talked about South Carolina, and entered his protest against scribbling ladies, assuring us that the whole of the present southern disturbances had their origin in no larger a source than the nib of the pen of a lady. Truly, if this be true, the lady must have scribbled to some purpose. We sat a little more than a quarter of an hour; Mr. ---- was calling at the same time.[86] We afterwards adjourned to Mr. ----'s house. * * * * * * * * * * Appointed Mr. ---- to come down directly and ride with me. Drove with my father and Mr. ---- to leave cards on ----, and then walked home. The day was bright and fine, but very cold. Habited, and at about one o'clock Mr. ---- called for me. On going to the door, I found him and his horse, and a strange, tall, grey horse for me, and a young gentleman of the name of ----, to whom I understood it belonged, and whom Mr. ---- introduced to me as very anxious to join my party. I was a little startled at this, as I did not quite think Mr. ---- ought to have brought any body to ride with me without my leave. However, as I was riding his horse, I was just as well pleased that he was by, for I don't like having the responsibility of such valuable property as a private gentleman's horse to take care of. I told him this, alleging it as a reason for my preferring to ride an indifferent hack horse, about which I had no such anxiety. He replied that I need have none about his. I told him laughingly that I would give him two dollars for the hire of it, and then I should feel quite happy; all which nonsense passed as nonsense should, without a comment. He is a son of ----: I thought him tolerably pleasant and well informed. * * * * * * * * * *