Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-10-22
From The Hemocratic Press.
GENERAL JACKSON AND COM. DE.


CATUR.
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 U. 5.
Senate Chamber AS have derived the par
ticulars from an authentic source, shall take
the liberty Il submitting them to the conslde-
ration of the public.
| The extraordinary measures of Gen Jackson
during the continuance of the Seminole war,
not only ellie ted deep and loud complaints
from the public, but attracted the notice OF
Congress. The subject was br ,ught before
the House of Representatives by Mr.. Clay, the
present distinguished Secretary OF Stale. He
animadverled on the General disregard OF
orders, as well rs Of Legal and constitutional
restraint, with a degree Of bodness and e'o.
quenrc which even surpassed all his previous
efforts
The Generals conduct was also made a
| subject of enquiry in The Senate In this in
vesiigatou Mr.. Lacock and Roberts. of this
tive part The General complained with
much bitterness Of the course pursued by all
| these gentlemen and threatened to cut oil
their ears lie selected, however, Mr.. Epnes.
the son in Jaw Of the patriot Jefferson, as the
particular object Of his vengeance, and swore,
with his usual profanity, that he would chas-
tsc him in the midst of The body in which his
| injurious remarks had been made. This re-
port reached the ears Of the gallant Decatur.
| tie considered it however as one OF those idle
dec ,tons which men Of Incorporate pas
| si"ns not unfrequently make, without any "
tcutIon Of putting them into execution.
The last day of the session, the Senate have
an evening sitting for the purpose OF receiving
m ssages from the President. On this occa>
sion the Commodore conducted Mrs. Decatur
10 the brick capital, to witness the ceremony
OF The ad onrnmrnt of the Senate. As they
passed through a small antiroom to the door
| Of The Serate Chamber, about nine O'Clock at
night they saw with surprise Gen. Jackson.
with his two ids de-camp walking backwards
and forwards, Appearing under the influence
| of great excitement. So soon as he conduct.
ed Mrs Decatur 10 a seat in the lobby he re-
turned and asked one Of the aids whether or
not il was true that Gen Jackson intended to
attack Mr.. Eppes in the Senate Chamber.
] he reply was, such is the Genei ais inten-
ton, and such is the object Of his visit TO the
capitol at this hour He added further that it
was altogether impossible for any one, to alter
his determination.
Decatur then turned to Gen. Jackson, and
observed, with that grave and firm tone for
which he was remarkable 81 have Just
" learned, sir, with deep regret, tina, the objec,
" Of your visir to the capitol, at this late hour
4" is to chaslise Mr.. Eppes in the Senate
" Chamber"
The Gen. replying with a voice falleri1g
with passion, "yes sir the d-mn'd rascal has
" injured my repu alton and l will be rrveDg-
" ed of him this evening" will cane him in
4" the Senate Chambrr-f will teach the scoun
4" tlrel 10 impeach my conduct, or TO call in
" question the propriely Of my measures.
"rhen" replied the gallant Commodore,
e" you are an undone man-your fame will be
I" shipwrecked and the nation disgraccd.--
"For Gods sake be diverted from your pur-
poses the persons Of our Senators IRE sa-
cred, when engaged in their deliberations,
nd it is our duty to protect, and not to as
" sail them"
Wsis, Decaturc was thus earnestly tender
ing his advice, Jackson hastily interrupted him
with the following remark: 81 nave made il a
"rue in life sir to be revengrd Of all insults, &
~ am not now to be diverted from my 2urpo~
"se. BY the eternal Cd | will enter the Sc
"nate chamber and fog the id rascal"
Dec aur slapped his hands together in his
own peculiar manner, and fiercely observed
"you shall not enter that door, sir, unless il be
"ocer my dead body.
Jackson stepped back; his lips compressed,
and his face paid with anger; he eyed in ST.
lence the gallant spirit opposed TO him for the
space OF half minute. fe remarked, "Deca-
"tur, regard you as friend, and respect you
"as gallant officer, but you must not, charge
''you, interfere in my designs"
The commodore replied 81 reciprocatc your
"obligng expressions, but my friendship for
"you, or my admiration Of your gallant exploits
"cannot be compared with the estimation in
Switch hold my country. She shall never be
"disgraced while i: is in my power TO proven,
"it +"
Witnessing the inhexible determination Of
Decatur. the General lowered his tone Of vio-
ence and intreated in his turn, that there should
be no interference with his purposes" Gen
eral Jackson said Decatur, 81 respect the
feelings of soldier, but the course which you
have taken in this affair, cannot receive The
sanction of any one, whose judgment is free
rom the influence Of passion, must, there's
ore, again en,reat ofyou, TO abandon your pre-