American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-10-12
MR.. EATON TO TIE PUBLIC.

Tx. EATON III TIE PUBLIC.
What | shall submit 20 the consideration of the
public, demands of me no apology Should any
think otherwise, tender to them Mr.. Claws din
ner Speech delivered at Lexington, in July last,
with the references that have been made TO me )
both by General Jackson and Mr.. Buchanan. Thus
situated. it is neither needul nor proper to remain
silent: | shall therefore speak the things that
know, from conviction that the references which
have been made. render il proper for me to do SO.
First, to an adjustment on my own account with
Mr.. Clay, who. in his speech delivered at Lexing.
ton, uses towards me this language:
" Before the election. an attempt was made b.
an abusive letter. published in the Columbian OBJ
server, at Philadelphia, paper which, as has
since TRANSFERRED. was sustained by Mr.. Senator
Eaton, the colleague, the friend, and the biogra
pher OF General JACKSON. to assa my motives, and
to deter me in the exercise Of my duty.'
The language employed in this sentence, is ar.
ranged with so great art and caution. as to make
it susceptible of doubtful intention. The meaning
which the speaker intended should attach, and
which, with ni1e readers out OF ten, will obtain,
is, that the Columbian Observer was sustained by
Mr.. Senator Eaton, the colleague the friend. and
the Bographer of General jackson, to assail his
(Mr. Cay's) motives. and to deter him in the ezS
ercise of his duty. With this construction, take
leave to say, it is misrepresentation-t is untrue.
me tor any purpose: and far less with view to
assail motires or to deter any one in the exercise
of his duty.
The return made of ME by the editors of tho
Columbian Observer, as one of their creditors. has
been Iraitful theme of exulting remark to Mr.
Clay's editors and friends. little expected tv
see him at small business; and still less that
he would have haZaided an assertion before the
public, when he was wanting in proof TO support
A - 49, ~
adelpha. the Democratic Press, had asserted it;
But Mr. Clay shonid have recollected, that as lie
was decrying the force Of newspaper testimony. as
authority applicable to his own case, deicacy, and
regard for consistency, should have restrained
his willingness to insist on it, as rule conclusive
towards others. Like himself, though, can now
express my satisfaction at having the matter pre-
sened in some tangible form, and by ga response
BILE accuser;' and that he may be spared all tur1
Their dsquietude on the subject, he shall be Afford
ed the history Of the tranaaction precise aud aci
curatc as it touk place, with leave 70 make OF e
hereafter whatever use he can.
TO tile editors of that paper, and at their
request, did lend a sum OF money: at that
time before, nor after, was there an agreement,
or understanding, expressed or otherwise, as to
ny political course which they shsud PURSUE
More than year preceding this circumstance, and
before | ever knew Messrs. Simpson & Conrad,
ousy in the cause Of General Jackson. 1t was
my own money, not the public's; and have yet
TO learn. wherein there is either culpabf!ty or
crminality III lending money to the respectable
editor OF newspaper greater than to any other
individual in society. unless n stipend to induce
to course not sanctioned by his preference OF
Judgment. The character of those editors is suf-
icicnt to turn aside the mputation of opinions
thus controlled -wlile a Recollection that for
n; n tlc hatl
port of Andrew Jackson. altogether iorbids it.
But, again In adverting to this transact.on-t0
my mind very innocent and unofcndins one
why was it necessary for Mr.. Clay to throw
around me, for description sake, so many far fetch
ed and high sounding explosives? Mr.. Eaton Of
the Senate, (there being in that body none other
bearing same. or even similar name.) would, as
it appears to me, be altogether sufficient, it de-
scripton Of person was alone the end and object
designed to be attained but this was not the OBJ
jcct and hence the lofty addenda, I" the colleague,
the fricni, and the biographer of General Jack
son.'' What, then, was it An attempt at de-
ception--a matter of special pleading. By which it
was expected conclusion in the public mind
would be arrived at, that General Jackson was
the sheterer Of this PAPER, intended ana sustained
for the avowed purpose 10 assait NY. Gags mos
tires. and to deter Him in the exercise Of his duty.
To this obviously designed intendment, apply IA
positive DENIAL Of its truth. General Jackson vas
| in Tennessee. and knew no more OF the loan made
to those gentlemen, than MIR. Clay did; nor did
he know of it, until during last winter, when, on
the supposon, suppose, that it mis ht be used as
good set IF to the changes and breakings Of
the Secretary, in his BY ArfHonirY corps--it
became matter Of remark aud censure IN those CO.
!un,ns that we've friendly to Mr.. Clay and Mr..
Adams Before this period had not spoken Of
It nor until this time, detailed the Particulars.
| do So now, lest, under the authority Of the name
which brings forward the accusation, suspicious
NAV arise, and character and consequences be