Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-09-08

I hesrd, very msch to my surprise,
that Msjor Eaten aad ssms OF his par.
tissns we're esraged with INC, and
threatened my destruction, because Mr..
Caapbell and DR.. Ely were st my
house - above stated.
could scarcely credit the report.
until Il was mentioned to me by the
President, whom ! emphatically asked
him, ~ho questioned my right to invite
~hom ] pleased 10 my house. lie ties.
tily observed, no person but ~ there
vas some undertaking between
Major Eaton, Mrs. K. aud Mr. Camp
bell. that he major Eaton thought it
evinced hostility 10 him. At the inter
view above alluded to, Setween Major
Eaton. Judge Berrien, Major Barry
and myself. Major Eaton mentioned
the circumstances Of Mr.. Campbell ADD
DR.. Ely being at my house on the oe-
casion referred tn. ! asked Major
Eaton, in the most frank and friendly
manner, If this vas the only complaint,
and asked him IL he would be satisfied
provided ] convinced him that he was
in error, assuring him at the same time
that he had no right to consider mo 40
being under the influence Of unfriend.
~ feelings towards him; that. on the
contrary, he ought to know my person
al attachment for him before the cabi-
net was formed and further, If he
would obtain the consent Of his brother
in-law, Major Lewis, to read a conf
dental correspondence which passed
between Major l.. and myself, in the
winter Of l82Y-'2s, on this disturbing
subject, he would be then convinced Of
the disinterestedncss and correctness
Of my course, and Of its entire con.
formity TO that friendship and good
will which had 90 long sabsisted be.
tween US. l might have gone further
and said, that Major Lewis, in the
winter Of l8ay-'2S, when there could
be no unworthy motive to mislesd US,
considered Mrs. Eaton an unsafe az.
sociate for his daughter, although he
was now endeavoring to induce the
President to drive me out of the eabi.
net because I would not compel nv
daughters to associate with her. Mai.
Eaton would not say whether he would
be satisfied or not, and the explanation
was withheld. Bot a. we were about TO
separate, he offered the his hand in q
more cordial manner than he had done
for some months previous. I have no
doubt that Maj. Eaton, 10 rendering
his resignation, stipulated for the dis.
missal of the three offensive members
OF the cabinet. Mr.. Van Buren,, also,
! have reason TO believe, urged the
adoption Of this measure. This gen.
tleman had discovered that the three
members of the cabinet, afterwards
elected disdained to become tools to
subserve to his ambitious aspirinps,
& he determined to leave them as little
power to defeat his machination A.
possible. It 10 said to be q part of his
character to tolerate politically, no one
~hs will not enter heart and soul into
measures for promoting his own az.
grandizement. He had become latter.
~ the almost sole confident and ad.
wiser Of the President. How he OBJ.
tanned this influence might be a sub
jeet Of curious and entertaining inqui.
~. But l shall not pursue il. Imay
add, however, that amongst the means
employed, were the most devoted and
asslduous attention to Mrs. Eaton. and
unceasing efforts to bring her into no.
tice. especially with the families Of the
foreign ministers.
Finally. when the President found
that his EFFORTS to introduce her into
society proved abortiye, he became.
every day, less communicative. and
more and more formal, in his hospital
tiles, until there could be no doubt.
that, as TO myself, an unfriendIy in.
huenee had obtained an cendansy in
his private councils, and the result
shows that he had determined to sacsi.
nee me crafty TO the feelings Of those
whom had offended as stated above.
/ may at some future time add 10
these views. At present I take my
leave, with assurances Of great re-
speet and esteem. Yours, &c.
JOHN BRANCH.
o Edmund u. Freeman, ESQ. Halifax Town.
p. ST. have not con sidered j, ne.
cessary 10 notice q charge, made in the
Globe, against Judge Berrisn, of sop.
pressing a material part Of q letter
which u wrote Vim, and my subs titutine
another in its stead. 1f any person
has been misled by this bold accuse.
ton Of the editor Of the Globe, end il
DESTROYS Of obtaining correct informa
ton. he has my permission to read the
whole letter, although il was not in.
tended 10 be made public.