BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. Ar the beginning of the present century there resided in Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, a couple who were pecuniarily in circumstances which excluded them from a social position with their more wealthy and aristocratic neighbors; yet within that humble abode the young wife gave birth to a son, who was destined to achieve the highest position by his commanding intellect and exalted moral worth. ANDREW JOHNSON was born on the 29th day of December, 1808. While still in his fifth year, his father lost his life by injuries received through magnanimous and successful efforts to save Col. Thomas Henderson, editor of the Raleigh Gazette, from drowning,-leaving his wife and young son dependent upon their own efforts for future support. The calamitous event of his father's death prevented the son from receiving even an ordinary education. The admirable system of com mon or free schools, which are now enjoyed by the poor children of the whole country, is a blessing which at that time had not been experienced by North Carolina, and consequently young Johnson was never enabled to receive an hour's instruction in a schoolroom. At the early age of ten years he was apprenticed to a tailor, in his native town, until he was seventeen. Applying himself steadily to his trade for his own and mother's support, he was left without any resource but in his own exertions, and he thus began life struggling with the rough business world, but with a heart that stoutly battled poverty and misfortune, and that soon won him the confidence and respect of even the most wealthy and respectable portion of the community in which he resided. In the company of his associates he felt the great want of the learning which fortune denied him, and at once resolved to remedy the deficiency by all the means which energy and time could command. A gentleman residing in town made frequent visits to the tailor's shop, who enlightened the minds and lightened the hours of toil by reading to the workmen. The book selected (a collection of speeches by British statesmen) so interested and aroused the ambition of young Johnson, that his mind was indoctrinated with principles and ideas which in after-years were developed in the halls of Congress. He devoted the hours after his day's work was done to learn |