Chapter 38 Summary and Analysis

"Justice Marshall for the Defense" describes a Jackson trip to New England and his reaction to two lawsuits brought by the Cherokees against the state of Georgia. Jackson accepts an invitation from Democrats seeking support against the Whigs in formerly-secessionist New England. During the trip, he becomes the first president to ride a "steam car," and is mobbed in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The famous quack, Dr. Physick, tells him to avoid coffee and tobacco to prevent his frequent, intense headaches. Enthusiasm drops as Jackson enters New England. Connecticut appreciates his stand against the nullifiers, but Harvard University only with great reluctance grants him the honorary degree it has routinely granted previous visiting presidents, ostensibly because he is poorly educated. John Quincy Adams grumbles about his successor's craving notoriety and sympathy by feigning sickness, and refuses to attend the convocation...