Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-07-15
From the Pennsylvania htelligencer.
Decatur. and jackson

While the examination OF Gen. Jaclsson's conduct
was in progress, he with pretty numerous suite, !
arrived at the city of Washington. He soon mani
tested his displcasure at the freedom with which
some members Of the legislature had thought pro-
per to anlmadvert upon his conduct. lie, howey
En- stald some weeks in the city. and during tins
time the members of his staff were called before,
and examined by, the committee of the senate. He
then took tour to the east, and received, every
where, the kind attentions and grateful thanks o his
COUNT ymen. This should have humbcd and soft
ened the temper OF truly good and great man but
it had a different effect upon General jackson.
w hen at the convivlal board, in Baltimore, on his
return, he first saw the report of the committee OF
the senate, pointing out and mildly ccnsurng his
errors, his rage was ungoVernable, and the lnvec-
tves and imprecatons on the committee awiully ic-
ry and profane.
He, however, lost no time until he arrived in the
city Of Washlngton--where his threats and menan-
| ces were repeated with increased violence ; and
General Jackson's threat of vengeance, and of cut
ting off the ears of members of congress, become
| topic of pretty general conversation. am very
confident that there was not belonging to
the government, holding any thing like conspic-
uous station from the president down, and few men,
bers of congress, but what heard and believed these
hngs-nor did ever hear of its being denied, I'M
til the present canvass With others, heard of
not believe he had any serious intention of carry
ing his threats into execution, until day or two
after the adjournment of congress, when heard OF
commodore Decatur having prevented him from en-
tering the senate chamber to attack Mr. Eppes Not
having personal knowledge Of the transaction,
cannot speak Of the fact, further, than that heard
it from several respectable persons in Washington
at the tinsc--and know, with perfect certainty
that the whole scene was thus related as it should
have happened that General Jackson went to the
capitol in carragethat as he passed from the car
riage, and near the door Of the senate, he was met
by commodore Decatur, who knowing off, or beins
then informed of General Jackson's intention to fall
upon Mr.. Eppes, the commodore by ntreates ant
strong expostulatons, induced the general to return
to his carriage. This told pubIickly, as coming
from the commodore personally. and from this au
thority it obtained credence as far as it was heard
: | believed it and still believe it-nor will den,
that felt some apprehensions for my own persona
safety. | could see no good reason why genera
: Jackson should have selected Mr.. Eppes as his vic
$ TIM who was. at that time, s0rely afflicted witt
disease, rather than the chairman of the committee
l. Impressed with this belief mentioned this crcum
t stance to Mr. Cyuyord, (hen secretary of the treas
q ury, a name | never mention but with feelings o
the strongest respect,) MI. Crawford told me tina
: he had heard and believed in the truth, of sene
At raj Jackson's contemplated attack on MIR. Eppes
and advised me to be on my guard. The same ad
T. vice received from several gentlemen, and took it
at far as to apply to Walter Jones, Esq U. s. at
al torney for the district of Columbia, who kindly fur
is nished me with the means of defence And as thi
was the first time in my life. when among cvize
he men, that had to resort to such for persons
safety sincerely hope it may be the last, in whic
H. representative of the people, for the honest di.
It's charge of his duty, will be subjected to like ns
sp cessity.
nd l am aware that general Jackson, in letter
ng Mr.. Grundy, has, by an eqaivoque, dislngenuou
and uncandid, attempted denial of the outrage d.
N. signed to have been committed upon Mr. Eppes
But this denial relates merely to the precise spo
OF and the manner in which he was interrupted ar
prevented by commodore Decatur. His previol
th threats of cutting off the ears and muiilating Il
lu members of congress- he never has deped. athous