Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-08
RICHMOND, DEC. Q

Commodore Decatur and General Jackson.
The Misrepresentation which most nearly touches
the character of Gen Jackson next to the honor of
his wife, is the one which has been circulated late
". This charge has been repeated over and over
again-it has been spread from one end of the
Union TO the o,her-it has been republished, we
believe, in every administi alton print in the u. S.
with appropriate notes and commentaries 1t has
recently formed the subject of many haming des
nunciatsn in the resolutions OF the Adams Meet
ings, and in the harangues of their oratore.- The
charge substantially is, that Gen jackson repaired
to the Anti-Chamber of the Senate Of the United
States. with determination TO commit an OUT
RAGE upon the person Of Senstor unparalleled
ia the history of this country and that he sy.s
solely prevented from its execution by the timely
inierposition of the gallant Decatur. This charge
has been embodied and embellished in the follow.
ing article in the Philadelphia Democratic Press:
GEN. JACKSON AND COM. DECATUR
Allusion has been frequently made In the public
prints, TO an Interesting interview which occurred
between these gentlemen, some years ago, near
the door Of the United States Senate Chamber
AS have derived the particulars from an authen
tic source, / sball ,ke the liberty of submitting
them TO the consideration of the public.
The extraordinary of Gen. jackson
during the continuance OF the Seminole war, not
only ELECTED deep and loud complaints from The
public, but attracted the notice of Congress. The
subject was brought before the House of Repre-
sentatives by Mr.. Clay, the presen, distinguished
Secretary OF Slate. lie anmadverted on the Gem
erals disregard of orders well as of legal and
constitutional restraint, with a degree of boldness
and eloquence, which even surpassed all his PIE
vious efforts.
The Generals conduct was also made subiec,
OF enquiry IN the Senate. In this investigation
Mr.. Lacock and Roberts of this State and Mr.
Eppes OF Virginia, took active part. The Cen
eral complained with much bitterness of the
course pursued by all these gentlemen snd threat
nod tta.r
MIR. Eppes, the son-in law of the patriot Jefrer-
son, as che particular object of his vengeance and
swoIe, with his usual profanity, that he would
chasise him In tie midst Of the body in which his
injurious remarks hsd been made This repdrt
reached the ears of the gallant Decatur He con-
sldered however as one of those idle declarations
which men Of intempeiate passions not unfte
quently make, without any intention of putting
them into execution.
The last day OF the session, the Senate had an
evening sitting tor the purpose Of receiving mes
sases from the President On this occasion. The
Commodore conducted Mrs. Decatur to the brick
capitol, TO witness the ceremony of the adjourn
ment OF the Senate. AS they passed through n
small anti room 10 the door of the Senate Cham
oer about nine O'Clock at night they saw with SUR
prise zen. jackson, with his two ais dercamp
walking backwards and forwards appearing under
the influence OF great excitement. So soon as he
conducted Mrs. Decatur TO seat in the lobby he
returned and asked of the aids whether or not
It was true, that Gen. Jackson intended 10 attack
MIR. EPpes in the Senate Chamber The reply was.
such Is the Generals intention, and such is the
object oil his visit to the capitol at this hour He
ADDED further thar it altogether impossible for
any one TO alter bis determination
Decatur then turned 10 General Jackson and
observed, with that grave and firm tone for which
he was so remarkable have jus, learned sir.
WIN oeep regret that the object of your visit to
the capitol, at this late hour is TO clas:ise Mr.
tppes In the Senate Chamber
Inc General replying with voice lalterinp with
passion, yes sir, The d-mn'J rascal has iniur ed
my reputation, end will be revenged Of him this
evening; wIi cane him in the Senate Chamber;
VIII teach the scoundrel to impeach ma con-
uuct' or to call In question the pfopriety OF aly
measures
Then replied the g liant Commodore, YOU
are an undone u'an; your fame will be shipwreck-
ed and ihe nation di-sraced Tor Gods sake be
diverted non your purposes; the persons of our
senators are sacred, when engaged In their deibe-
talons, ana II Is our duty to protect, and no, 10
Whilst Decatur was thus earnestly rendering his
ADVICE, jackson hastily interrupted him with the
ioIswinS remark: II have made it rule in life
sir, TO be evenged of all insults, and am not IA
be diverted from my purposes BY the eternal
id rascal
Decatur slapped his hands together in his own
peculiar MANNER and tiercely observed, ''you shall
moi enter nat door, sir, niess IL be over ma dead
body"
jackson stepped back; his lips compressed and
ms lace pallid With anger; he eyed IN silence the
gallant spirit opposed bin for The space of half
minute. lie remarked, "Decatur, [ regard
you as friend, and respect you as gallant OH.
ceI' GU! you must not, charge you, interfere in
Inc Commodore replied, Il reclprocats your
oDilsng expressions, but my friendship for YOU. or
my admiration OF your gallant esploas cannot be
compared WIN The estimation in which hold nv
country She shall er be disgraced :, hile il Is
IN my power 10 prevent ~
Witnessing the inneAible determinations If he
esioT, The General lowered his tone If violence
ana ln'ieated IN his turu that there should be no
interference with his purposes. "CeneraI Jack
son SAID Decatur, al respect the feeling. of
soldier, but the course which Won bave.tsksn in
'his ahair, cannot receive the sanction OF any one
whose Judgment is free from the influence 81 pas-
son must, therefore, again entfeat YOU TO
abandon yorT present rash and inconsdera;e in
tenons." -
jackson gave Decatur fsmilis, Sian on ,be
shoulder and observed, ''you are a gallant eol,ie,
WIZ take your advice; know sou yyouId no, adj.
wise me 10 any course which is Incompatible with
tue honor Of a soldier"
TIE truth OF the above aneclote can lie su.taio,
90 " me most positive and unimueachable tssti-
mony' Inc gallant, the patriotic, the high mind
Deea'er himself, has detailed the ercufnsfsn.
ss 70 several highly respectable gentlemen in this
,a'e. ne Detail was made al time when no
"e ~ l's senses ever supposed General Jackson
I DC brought forward as candidate for The
esiushey' The sDecdoie was related with no
o'her view than TO illustrate his vi,,iont s,d bsoi.