Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-11-08
From The democratic Pres,.


From The democratic Press.
CEN JACKSON AND CON DECATUR.
Aliusion has been frequently made in
the public prints, to an interesting inter-
view which occurred between these gen.
tlemen, some years ago, near the door
OF the United States Senate Chamber.
As have derived the particulars from
an authentic source, | shall take the
liberty of submitting them to the con-
sidera'ion of the public.
The extraordinary measures of Gen.
jackson during the continuance Of the
Sen;inole war, not only elected deep
and loud complaints from the public but
attracted the notice OF Congress The
subject was brough. before the House
of Representatives by Mr.. Clay, the
present distinguished Secretary Of State.
He snimadverted on the Generals dis
regard Of orders, as well as Of legal
and constitutional restraint, with a de-
gree of boldness and ~eloquence which
even surpassed all bis previous efforts,
The Generals conduct was also made
a subject of inquiry i'll the Senate. In
this investigations Messrs Lscock x Ro
berts, of this State, and Mr. Eppes of
Virginia took an active part. The Gen.
eral complained with much bitterness of
the course pursued by all these gentle
men and threatened to cut off their
ears. He selected, however, Eppes,
the son. in-law Of the patriot jefferson,
as the particular object of his vengeance,
and swore, with his usual profanity,
that he would chastise him in the midst
nf the body in which his injurious re-
marks had been made. The report
reached the ears of the gallant Decatur.
He considered it, however, as one of
those idle declarations which men Of in
temperate passions not unfrequentIy
make, without any intention Of putting
il into execution.
The last day Of the session, the Sc
nate have an evening sitting for the pur,
pose Of receiving messages from the
President. 90 this occasion the Com
modore conducted Ars. Decatur to the
brick capitol, to witness The
of the adjournment of the Senate. AS
they passed through a small anti.roop
to the Senate Chamber, about nine o.
clock at night, they saw with surprise,
General jackson, with his two aids de.
camp walking backwards and forwards
appearing under the influence of great
excitement. So soon as he conducted
Mrs. Decatur to a seat in the lobby be
returned and asked one of the aids
whether or not it was true, that Gen.
Jackson intended to attack Mr.. Eppes
in the Senate Chamber. The reply
was, such is the Generals intention,
and such is the object of his visit to the
capitol at this hour. He added further
thatit was altogether impossible for any
n 10 alter his determination.
Decatur then turned to Gen. jackson,
and observed, with that grave and firm
tone for which be was remarkable,
II have just learned, sir, with deep re.
''gret, that the object OF your visit to
'the capitol, at this late hour, is to
"chastise Mr.. Eppes in the Senate cham
"ber."
The General replied with a voice faul-
tering with passion, yes, sir, the d-mn'd
rascal has injured my reputation, and
II will be revenged of him this evening
~ will cane him in the senate cham,
''ber-I will teach the scoundrel. to i'm.
"peach myconduct, or TO call in question
"'the propriety OF my measures"
"Then," replied the gallant Commo-
dore "you are an undone man-your
fame will be shipwrecked, and the ma
'tion disgraced. For God sake be d.
"verted from your purpose-the per-
"sons of our Senators ore sacred,
when engaged in their deliberations,
"and it is our duty to protect, and not to
''assail them"
Whilst Decatur was thus earnestly.
rendering his advice, jackson hastily
! interrupted him with the following re-