re the Governor; with an affidavit
to the effect that the papers were fraudulent. Both the Governor and
Jackson believed the charges. When we consider what system or lack
of system of land laws and land entries obtained in Watauga and such:
primitive communities--when a patch of corn sealed a right and claims
were made by notching trees with tomahawks--we may imagine that a file
from the land office might appear easily enough to smirch a landholder's
integrity. The scandal was, of course, used in an attempt to ruin
Sevier's candidacy for a fourth term as Governor and to make certain
Roane's reflection. To this end Jackson bent all his energies but
without success. Nolichucky Jack was elected, for the fourth time, as
Governor of Tennessee.

Not long after his inauguration, Sevier met Jackson in Knoxville, where
Jackson was holding court. The charges against Sevier were then being
made the subject of legislative investigation instituted by Tipton, and
Jackson had published a letter in the Knoxville "Gazette" supporting
them. At the sight of Jackson, Sevier flew into a rage, and a fiery
altercation ensued. The two men were only restrained from leaping on
each other by the intervention of friends. The next day Jackson sent
Sevier a challenge which Sevier accepted, but with the stipulation that
the duel take place outside the State. Jackson insisted on fighting in
Knoxville, where the insult had been offered. Sevier refused. "I have
some respect," he wrote, "for the laws of the State over which I have
the honor to preside, although you, a judge, appear to have none." No
duel followed; but, after some further billets-doux, Jackson published
Sevier as "a base coward and poltroon. He will basely insult but has
not the courage to repair the wound." Again they met, by accident, and
Jackson rushed upon Sevier with his cane. Sevier dismounted and drew
his pistol but made no move to fire. Jackson, thereupon, also drew his
weapon. Once more friends interfered. It is presumable that neither
really desired the duel. By killing Nolichucky Jack, Jackson would have
ended his own career in Tennessee--if Sevier's tribe of sons had not, by
a swifter means, ended it for him. At this date Jackson was thirty-six.
Sevier was fifty-eight; and he had seventeen children.

The charges against Sevier, though pressed with all the force that his
enemies could bring to bear, came to nothing. He remained the Governor
of Tennessee for another six years--