Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-25

" Nsu:N..SS, 23L June, 1891.
SIX: Your note OF yesterday was received in tho
course of the day. too much indisposed,
however, to reply to IL ut the moment, and do 80
now merely TO prevent misconceptions
In your note of the 18th instant, you called upon
me to sanction or disavow the statement contained
i'm publication in the Telegraph of that date. l
could no, recognize your right TO make this de-
lnand, but for the reasons mentioned Ill my reply,
thought it was proper TO state to you what had
done, in relation to this alter to do this tho
only object Of that note.
You are quite right, however, in believing that
I had no agency III procuring the publication of
the statement referred to. And adverting to the
shirt of your last note, have no hesitation in
confirming the conviction which you have express
ed i am, respectfully,
in. MACPHERSON BBRRIEN.
To JOHN III. Eaton, Esq.
Shortly after this, 1 received letter from Col
Johnson, which. with my reply, feel myself bound
now to give to the public. L have anSiously desi-
red to delay this until could receive Col. John
sons answer. Perhaps have waited long enough;
for my reply, according to the memorandum
which have of it, was dated on the 7th instant.
But il is not this circumstances which has deter
mined me. Col. johnson has furnished to tho Ed
itor of tho Globe statement full or otherwise, of
what passed between Mcssrs. Branch and Ingham
and myself and himself, on the occasion so often
referred to. Extracts from this statement are use
to do me injustice. This is done, to be sure, with
out the authority of Col. Johnson, but he has fur
nished the means which thus improperly used
and have no alternative but to give the correspon
dcncc, submit to continued misre presentation.
publish Col Johnsons letter, act of Justice to
him. that the public may be in full possession of his
statement. My reply follows; and after this the
letter and statement of Mr. Ingham to whom, as
we'll as to MIR. Branch, forwarded copy of Col.
Johnson's letter. From Mr.. Branch have receiv-
ed no rcply-owing. as suppose, to his absence
from home.
Col. r. W. johnson to Messrs. Berrien and Ingham.
GREAT CROSSING, 30th June, 1881.
Gentlemen: The Telegraph has alluded to some
communication made to you by member of Con-
gress, authorized by the President-tho substance
of which is, that the President wished to coerce a
social intercourse between your families and Mrs.
Eaton. L see the Globe denies it. have thought
it barely possible that the allusion could be made
to me, because if had ever communicated such
idea, l should have done the most palpable,
gross, and wanton injustice to the President; for
he disclaimed, on all occasions right, or desire
or intention, to regulate the private or social inter
course of his Cabinet. The President had been in
duced to believe that part of his Cabinet had en-
tered into deep laid scheme to drive Major Eaton
from his Cabinet, and of this he complained
did not believe it, and, the mutual friend of all
concerned, proposed that l should have the 3D.
portunity to converse with that portion of his Cabi
net before he had an interview with them, and he
| acquiesced-and the interview which had with
you, resulted, as understood in z better under
standing, and in fact / considered it a reconcilia
| ton. Whatever came from me, upon the subiec,
of u social intercourse, was the suggestion of m,
solicitude to restore harmony among friends. nv
object peace and friendship. | have never
considered myself at liberty to say any thing about
this interview except to discreet and confidential
friend. l certainly should not think any of the par
ties justified in representing for publication OF
newspapers, what any of the other parties said
without submitting such statement for mutual ex
animation; for the plain reason that such converse
tons are easily misunderstood. / may we'll re
member what l have said myself, but may not s,
easily represent what you have said or intended t
say. have not myself seen the necessity or pro
priety of any alusion in newspapers, to our inter
view, which was among intimate and bosom friends
where the conversation free and unreseryed
and for the object of peace and friendship. Blu
if any should consider it necessary, then the prea
object should be, to state the conversation correct
ly; for there be motive to misunde rstand tn,
facts For fear that allusion should have beer
made to myself, as the member of Congress an,
believing it barely possible that 1 may have bee,
nlsun derstood on the particular point alluded 10
l have felt it my duty, and due to that perfec
| friendship which has existed between U.S. t.
make known these views, that the proper correc
ton may be made, misunderstanding, withou
the necessity of any formal publication from eithe
OF us, and without even disclosure as to wha
member of Congress allusion was made
Sincerely and truly your friend,
RICHARD NJ JOHNSON.
| NJ essrs. INGuAM s. BERR1EN
CITY Of Washington.
| The absence of Gov Branch has been tina onl,
! cause why this letter was not also addressed I,
| him