Editing Andrew Jackson (section)

===Early public career===
[[File:Tennesee circa 1810.jpg|thumb|Tennessee {{circa}} 1810. The eastern counties shaded in blue, the [[Mero District]] in green, and Native American lands in red.  The [[Natchez Trace]] from its northern terminus to Chickasaw Crossing where it leaves the state is shaded in gray.|alt=Map of Tennessee]]

Jackson became a member of the [[Democratic-Republican Party]], the dominant party in Tennessee.{{sfn|Wilentz|2005|p=19}} He was elected as a delegate to the Tennessee [[Constituent assembly|constitutional convention]] in 1796.{{sfn|Wilentz|2005|pp=18–19}} When Tennessee achieved statehood that year, he was elected to be its [[U.S. representative]]. During his 10 months in Congress, Jackson argued against the [[Jay Treaty]], criticized [[George Washington]] for allegedly removing Democratic-Republicans from public office, and joined several other Democratic-Republican congressmen in voting against a resolution of thanks for Washington.{{sfn|Remini|1977|pp=92–94}} He advocated for the right of Tennesseans to militarily oppose Native American interests.{{sfn|Brands|2005|pp=79–81}} The state legislature elected him to be a [[U.S. senator]] in 1797, but he resigned after serving only six months.{{sfn|Remini|1977|p=112}}

In early 1798, Governor [[John Sevier]] appointed Jackson to be a judge of the [[Tennessee Superior Court]].{{sfn|Ely|1981|pp=144–145}} 
In 1802, he also became major general, or commander, of the [[Tennessee State Guard|Tennessee militia]], a position that was determined by a vote of the militia's officers. The vote was tied between Jackson and Sevier, a popular Revolutionary War veteran and former governor, but the governor, [[Archibald Roane]], broke the tie in Jackson's favor. Jackson later accused Sevier of fraud and bribery.{{sfn|Brands|2005|pp=104–105}} Sevier responded by impugning Rachel's honor, resulting in a shootout on a public street.{{sfn|Meacham|2008|p=25}} Soon afterwards, they met to duel, but parted without having fired at each other.{{sfn|Remini|1977|p=123}}