The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-04
d o QI3 ST1 Ga
Col. JOHNSON d Mn. SEATON.
[from The u 5 Telegraph, April III
BLuT sfRISG, scott cormiy, by. I
I'd Anril, 1927


ELuI sraSG scott coHity, ky I
I'd April. 1927
SIR In compliance with your request as far
as IN my power | viii now detail TO you the sub
stance OF conversation which took place be-
tween Mr.. Scatun, the junior editor Of the Ma
National lntclhgeArer and myself which he
has thought proper partially To disclnse--frst,
so individuals, aud lastly TO the puhlic aud N
both instances he Hscrbud 10 me language
which nrvcr used
You viii particularly attend TO the time of the
conversation, which was early IN the session of
Congress previous IN The last, and upon sub
feet personal TO himself, viz. the transfer o. the
printing OF the laws from the National lntelli-
gcnoer Ia the National Journal. The meeting
with MIR scaton IN the Senate Chamber, Al the
Close OF a daily session, wa, accidental, aud the
conversation uupfemedlatcd.
! had been in hpbits Of intimacy and friend.
ship with Nh seaian for " or h years. and the
convers uou, winch ~as casual, no doubt par
took Of that freedom Of remark which the ma
tue of the subject aud the most perfect conf.
denee and friendship would naturally inspire :;
not surprising thai II ever could or would be the
subject of private disclosure or public remark.
IN f.w days after. Notwithstanding this MI.
Scaton, either directly or indirectly, conmun-
Gated the conversation 10 Mr. Clay of whom he
had spoken with no little freedom and ms the
facts came 10 me they were SO misreprescntcd
that did not know that the ausion was made to
This conversation. until, on subsequent day, |
was Informed lhai Mr.. Sraion had made the com.
,nuuicaiion was represented a, having made
remarks personally olicnsvc aud abusive of the
administration. Having up 10 that period en-.
tortaned the very highest opinion OF the mtrgI.
" aud amiablr dep ,situn OF Mr. Scaton. was
.I hat
considered a wanion aud unnecessary attempt
20 destroy that harmony OF socla intercourse
Nhch had ever existed between the members
of the administration and myself and partlcu-
larly n make a breach of friendship between
MIR. Cl1, and myself As II was a conversation
that | Ind not illlnk any man of honour would
ever cond, scend 10 mention again, more espeCi.
ally To IA Ike mischief and recoll,cting the 10.
marks OF Ms ocaton himself, | was dnxious To
place MS disclosures TO want OF prudence aud
discretion On ,hs occasion, rathprthsn TO ascribr
them - mdbgnity OF heart and want OF piiuci-
pie; ln3 fell less disposed TO attribute them TO
via IN his pan 10 curry Juror with the admin.
istratiol at ny Apeuse, and IN visitation OF those
principles which govern honorable men IN PR
waite aud social intercourse with each other
principles winch have been coasecratcd by time,
aud by which all men are shielded from the ami
expression
Max, also, that up 10 this period had been
the personal, ! will say the devoted friend OF
Mr, aeatoU, aud his partner, Mr.. Gales Dur.
aug the recess, aud before the commencement OF
the last session oil Congress discovered that
some ot the public prints used the same language
(which VI. seatoa had ascrbed to me ; but, as
my name was not connected with the pnblica-
tion, remained silent Ia the course of the last
session Of Congress, detailed 10 several friends
the circumstances and manner OF that convorsa-
q "a. 4 mentioned II 10 one OF the members of
the administration vino told me mat he had been
Informed o. understood that Mr.. Scaton had not
intended TO make any part Of the conversation
public, and was mortified that il had become 80
This softencd my feelings on the occasion. and
had determined TO converse with Mr. Scaron
bat, upon reelection, thought that il vas his
duty 10 explain 10 me this eNuaurd,naly appur-
ent departure from the ru.cs Of houudl which
time had cansccrated, wish you distinctly 10
u 'letstand that my regret vt hls cour.c did not
arse from the least unwingncss that the whole
~u,id shgud lIno" the opinions | expressed on
thai eceaseu, aad the sentiments | uttered. Ii
I mad supposed tbey"ercto be made the subject
OF pubic investigation, | might have selected
diiiereat language 10 express them.
Bat To come to tle conversations Iexpressed
my deep reg'et nat The printing ol the laws
had oeen Transferred from tie intelgcnccr 10
thr journal, oh account OF my personal trientl.
ship 10 Alr Setoa and Mr. Gales and expressrd
my DOUBTS a. to .itc policy OF the measure in re
ference 10 he administration. In fact | stated
that did not believe 1t was a wise measure an,
that thought IT would do more harm than ,rooa
MI. sealon appeared deeply wounded. not 5,
inuch oh account ct any great pecrniarv disad
vantage Itch would result from the transfer a,
t!ic act itself, which he considered mark of dis
appfobauoh OF MS course, and an attempt to IN
jIre, IN small affair, " hich was unwortbv 90,
any administration. Learning from some of hi,
remarks that he considered Mr.. CLAW his epemS.
depressed surprise, aud told him was undel
an Impression that there existed between MIR
Clay aud himself the most perfect good will ant
friendship. recocct the very language of MIR
Seaton TO this remark, lie said Mr. Clay IN,
no friendly feelings towards him. and nevr
could have that he knew Mr.. Claw Too vol
and hr. Clay knew this facttoo well euer.ta h,
tk irlend. As did not desire TO hear any Nor
~sonal insnuatlons OF charges, | did not nsL q,
an explanation OF what he meant nor did
kno" at that time, nor do | ever wish 10 bnou,
to what facts he alluded | waived this MARI n
The conversation, by saying TO him, in familia
71'yh, thdt expected now 10 see him breal
ground aSdihst'ne administration. lie said tina
he cohdGotoppesethe measures Of the admin
istration, which he approved, on account of a,
injury done to'hinself personally by orc Of i,
members. This answer accorded with .,nv ou,
views of propricty, and stated that had az,
ed, aud should continue to act, upon that primo
pie; that would neither oppose what my. iudr
inent approved, nor advocate what disapnro1
ed on account of the Presidential question tina
considered tiny duty to give to the administra
sion every opportunity 10 be judged by the cor
fectness OF hs measures but, .as'I conscientious
v-ee.efed that Gen jackson was, al the tnc O