John Binhack > Recent Status Updates

This is nearly a 1000 page book. Am looking forward to getting further into it. The detail the author goes into about Truman and his family's upbringing in Independence, Missouri is impressive.

"The trail of tears was the forced removal of Cherokees to the West. The military could be brutal, and an estimated 4000 of the 16000 Cherokees who were forced out died along the way. "I fought through the Civil War and have seen men shot to pieces and slaughtered by the thousands, but the Cherokee removal was the cruelest work I ever knew," said one Georgia volunteer.

Jacksons and slavery; Jackson could be a harsh [slave] master.  In an 1804 "advertisement for runaway slave," he offered a $50 reward "and ten dollars extra, for every hundred lashes any person will give him, to the amount of three hundred." He owned about 150 slaves; he freed none in his will. Jackson agreed with the principles of individual liberty stated by the Founders, but solely by Whites.

From his 2nd inauguration: Jackson longed to "foster with our brethren in all parts of the country a spirit of liberal concession and compromise, and by reconciling our fellow citizens to those partial sacrifices which they must unavoidably make for the preservation of a greater good, to recommend our invaluable government and Union to the confidence and affections of the American people."

Jackson on Indian removal "the policy of concentrating our southern tribes to a point west of the Mississippi and thereby strengthening our southern border with the white population which will occupy their lands is one of much importance"

Furthermore as a people Indians were neither autonomous nor independent but were to be manipulated and managed in the context of what most benefitted Jacksons America-White America

Learning more about the Eaton/Petticoat (Jacksons Sec. of War) affair and how John Eaton's wife (Margaret) past promiscuity is taking center stage in Washington news and gossip circles. Interesting to view how a cabinet member and their past actions are having an influence on Jackson and how it takes him away from focusing on the upcoming Tariff Nullification crisis with John Calhoun and the state of South Carolina.

Great read so far. Grant just captured Fort Donelson and was reflecting on how continuing this offensive to Chattanooga, Corinth, Memphis and Vicksburg with their troop level and proper reinforcements couldve resulted in quicker victories in the Western theater. But as he said 'Providence ruled differently 'as time was given to the enemy to collect armies and fortify new positions.

Pretty great read so far. It has enough details to satisfy the racing fan and curious (not so much a racing fan perhaps) reader alike. Lots of history provided about players in the racing industry and IMS which is always fun to review.