The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-09-27


mr.. Branch, feeling himself deeply Athlete,
at the communication made TO him by Col
Johnson, called, as he states, to see the Pre-
sident; and when, as he says, 'lhe PRESIDENT
feelings were too much enlisted to weigh an,
reasons which might be offered" And wber,
nr. Branch's feelings too much enlisted I,
"weigh any reasons:" Was he, as we ar,
told was the case with all three of the gen.
tlemen, indignant at the outrage? Let tn,
letter speak for ITSELF and show how deeply
and how like an insulted and wounded maj
no could write at this instant of excitement
when honor and feeling, through the instru-
mentality Of Colonel Johnson, had been rudel,
trodden under foot:
"Navy Department, January 90, $780,
"Dedr Sir have received your note of yes
terday's dato, and do most cheerfuly accept youl
friendly mediation: more, however, from a de
sire to give you an additional evidence of the
friendly feelings which have actuated nv bosom
towards YOURSELF than from a con sciousness OF
having given to Major Eaton Just cause for the
withdrawal of his friendship. As further man.
Hesitation ofthe frankness which trust will ever
characterize my conduct, agree to meet him
this day at two o'clock in the presence of Ma.
or Barry, at Mr.. Van Burens, and in his pre-.
sence also. Yours, truly,
John BRANCH.
"To the President the United States"
This letter, written directly after the
indignity complained of was offered,
bears no impress of insulted feeling on
the contrary, it breathes a spirit of kind
ness and friendship ptowardsthe President,
whom he recognizes as ''mediator,"
eeeking with almost parental solicitude,
to heal the division amongst the members
ofthe Cabinet, and anxious for the restor-
alton ofharmony. Surely in writing that
letter, which he concludes by signing
himself, "yours truly" he could not have
supposed that the President had just
offered him an indignity; or if SO, it only
proves how great hypocrite he is. AT
that time, we did not speak. As much
parade as he makes of his friendly feel
ings entertained towards me, he was the
very reverse Of all that the name of friend
conveys and knowing it as did, would
not permit him to seem to be what he
was not. / had refused to return his
salutations, and declined all intercourse,
except when we met at the Presidents.
never complained of Mr.. Branch, as he
asserts in his letter to the public. 1t was
he who complained, if at all complaint
were made. His letter to the President
thanks him for his offer to act as media
tor in our difference, speaks of his good
feelings towards me, and willingness to
meet me at two o'clock that day. lhave
no doubt it was his professions of friend
ship and kindness towards me, made to
. Ian .cl, ..,In m IXo-
come Mr.. Branch's mediator in this busi-
ness. On receiving the letter, he enclos-
ed it to me, and expressed wish that
good feelings could he restored between
US. An interview took place, at the room
of the Attorney General, at which Major
Barry and Mr.. Berrien were present.
1t was here that Mr.. Branch, in the
friendship for me, and in the strongest
terms declared, that he did not entertain
an unkind feeling towards me, and wished
he had glass in his bosom, through which
his every thought could be read. He
spoke of the non-intercourse between our
families, and said, he had not the slight
est objection to free association; but
that he could not control his. Ipromptly
answered, that did not desire his or any
other family to visit mine, except with
their own free consent and that it was
my desire our families should, in that re-
spect, pursue such course as they thought
fit and proper We shook hands and
parted as friends. Mr.. Berren affected
much satisfaction at this reconciliation,
and pretended to hail it as the harbinger
of future harmony and good will. say
pretended, because, under all the circum-
stances of recent disclosure, he felt not
what he said he did. 1t was only adding
another and another fold, to that cloak
of hypocrisy in which he had wrapped
himself, from the first formation of the
Cabinet.
Such were the incidents of Friday the
Goth of January, 1880, the moment when,
as their communications to the public
disclose, they were writing under sense
of deep and lasting "indignity and out
rage" at the threats of Col. Johnson,
borne to them from the President.
Where then was the lofty dignity of Mr..
Berrien and Mr.. Branch, that the one
could declare how pleased he was at the
reconciliation made, and the other pro-
test the good feelings which he entertain
ed for me! To be continued.l