The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-10-11
POLITICAL.
From the Nashville, (Ten) Republican, Sep.
tember 18TH
MR.. EATON TO THE PUBLIC.

thcm Mr. Clay's dinner speech, delivered
at Lexington in July last, with the referen-
ces that have been made To me, both by
General Jackson and Mr.. Buchanan Thus
Situated, it is neither ncedfu nor proper to
remain silent: ] shall therefore speak the
things that know, from conviction that
the references that have been made render
1t proper for me to do So
First, 10 an adjustment on my own ac-
count with Mr.. Clay; who, in his speech
delivered at Lexington, uses towards INC
this language
Before the election, an attempt was
made, by an abusive letter published in the
Columbian Observer, nj Philadelphia, pa
per which, as has since transplred, was sus-
tanned by mr.. Senator Eaton, the col
league. the friend, and the biographer Of
Gen Jac k5on, to assail my motives, and
TO deter nc in the exercise of my duty"
The language employed in this sentence
is arranged with so great art and caution
as to make IL susceptible of doubtful inten.
tlon. The meaning which the speaker in
tended should attach, and which, with nine
readers out of ton, will Obtain, is, that the
Columbian Observer was sustained by mr..
Senator Eaton, the colleague, the friend of
General Jackson, 10 assnil his (mr. Clay's)
motives. and to deter him in the exercise
ofhs duty. With this construction, take
leave to say, it is misrepresentation is
untrue. This paper was assisted, though
not Sustn a'ed by me, for any purpose, and
fnr less with view to dSSdH m0tiUeS, or To
deter any one in the exercise of his duty.
The return made Of me, by the editors
OF the Columbian Observer, az one Of thcfr
creditors, has been faithful theme Of OK
ulting remark to mr.. Clay's editors and
friends ] little expected 10 see him at so
small business and still less, that he
would have hazardGd an assertion before
the public, when he was wanting in proof
u support that assertion. A single paper, |
to he sure at Philadelphia, the Democrat.
ic Press, has asserted it but mr.. Clay
should have recollccted, that, rs he was
dccrying the force ofnewspapor testimony,
as authority applicable TO his own case,
delicacy and regard for consistency,
should have restrained his willingness to
insist on it as n rule conclusive towards
others. Like himself though, ! can now
express my satisfaction at having the mat
ter presented in some tangible form, and
by a responsible accuser;" and that hc
may be spared all further disquetudc on
the subject, he shall be offered the history
Of the transactions precise and accurate as
it took place, with leave to make oft here.
after whatever use he can.
To tho editors of that paper, and at their
request, did lend sum of money, at that
time, before, nor afte,, was there an agree
ment, or understanding. expressed oth-
erwise, as to any political course which
ley should pursue. More than a year
preceding this circumstance, and before
ever knew Mcssrs. Simpson g. Conrad, the
editors, had that paper been warmly and
zealously in the cause Of Gen. Jackson. 1t
was my own money >, not the publIc's; and
have yet TO learn, wherein there is either
culpnblty or crimnality in lending money
10 the respectable editor Of newspaper,
greater THAI TO any other individual IN So
ciety, unless as q stipend TO induce To Il
course not sanctioned by his preference or
Judgment. The character of those edit
ors is sufficient to turn aside the imputation
of opinions thus controlled; while u recol-
lection that for eighteen months or more
they had laborel -in support of Andrew |
Jackson, altogether forbils IT,
Bat again: In a1vcrtng to this transac I
tion--to my mind very innocent and un q
Offending onc-why was it necessary for $
mr.. Clay TO throw around me, for descrip 3
ton sake, so many far fetched and high X
sounding cxplctives ? Mr. Eaton, Of the $
Senate, Uhcre being in that body none q
other bearing the same, or even similar q
name,) would, as II appears to me, be alto 5
gether sufficient, if description Of person a
was alone the end and object designed TO |
be obtained; but this was not the object, and o
hence the lofty addenda, the colleague 5
the friend and the biograghcr of General !
Jackson" What, then, was it ? An at q
tempt at deceptlon--a matter of special !
pleading, by which IT was expected, con q
cluson in the public mind would he arrived I
at, that Gen. Jackson was the sheterer of {
this paper, intended and sustained for the a
nvowed purpose 10 GSSGH .Hr. Clay'S mo- c
tireS, and 10 deter him IN he erercise Of his a
duty. TO this obviously designed intend o
mcnt, apply positive denial Of its truth r
General Jackson was in Tennessee, and b
knew no more of the loan made TO those b
gentlemen than mr.. Clay did, nor did he n
know of IT until during last winter, when, u
ON the supposlion, suppose, that it might S
be used as good set or to the changes 5
and brelkmgs of the Secretary, in his BY Z
AUTHORITY corps. IL became matter ofre- c
mark and ccnsurc ~ those columns which c
were trendlyto mr.. Clay an mr.. Adams. /
Before this period, | had mn spoken of u
1t; nor until this time detailed the particu. I
lars. do so now, lest, under tae authori t
" Of the name which brings forward the q
accusation, suspicious may arise, and a
character and consequence be given TO /
the transaction, greater than II merits. la !
presenting myself before the public on n |
subject which so lately has produced some '
excitement, and much inquiry and remark,