Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-25
Mr.. Ingham to Colonel johnson.

JOHN MACPHERSON BERRIEN.
Hon. r. NJ. JOHNSON.
Mr.. Ingham to Colonel Johnson.
New HOPE, July 18th, 1881.
Dear Sir-I have received copy of your let
ter of the 30th ult. to MIR. Berrien and mvseJf
forwarded by him from Washington, relating to
an allegation made in the newspapers that Genl
Jackson had required, through Member of Con.
gress, OF Messrs Branch, Berrien, and myself that
our families should associate with Mrs. Eaton. I
mad also noticed the publication in the telegram
to which you refer, and another of the same in,
port In Il New York paper of an earlier date and
supposing it probable, in the xstinp state of Tho
public mind, that the discussion would take sncb
range as TO involve all the parties to that trans
action In the necessity OF making explanations r
had commenced the preparations of comics 81.
statement of the conversation w hich YOU have re-
ferred to; well as that between Won and m. 40
that between General Jackson and myself on the
same subject, intending, soon as thew could he
completed, to send one to him and another to vour
self. Upon the receipt of your letter immcdi
ately wrote you note, expressing an intention tn
wait for the further comparison of our recollec-
tions before made any determination as tn the
disposition OF my statement. But two articles in
the Globe of the lth inst which you have no
doubt Seen reached me before my letter was mail
ed, and arrested its progress These articles. as
lar as they relate to this subject bear their face
the evidence of having been aut lorised by Gen
Jackson and yourself, and leave me no choice. as to
the publication of my statement. The article which
supposed to have been authorised by Won shows
that you have also taken different view of this
matter since your letter to me before referred to
was written / could not otherwise reconcile vo,r
remonstrance against publication of what Won
then deemeda confidential conversation, with the
authority ailedged by the Globe to publish your de-
MAJ Oh the statement alluded to; at least, without
previous interchange of recollections between all
the parties concerned. do not however, concur
with you In the opinion that there ever was anv
ooneali0n OF secrecy imposed on me, or those as
soclated with me, to be implied from the friend.
~ character OF the conversation referred to-
The communication made to me by Won that nv
continuance In Office would depend upon the CON
sent OF my family to visit Mrs. Eaton and invite
her to their large parties, considered at the time
though not so intended by you, as in its nature of
tensive. could not, therefore carry with Il III.
confidential obligation which belongs to the usual
intercourse of friendship. l regarded the prone
s'tion as wounding to my feelings and had deter
mined to resign my Office even after Won inGorn,ed
me that Cen Jackson had changed his ground.
from which l was only dissuaded by the earnest
remonstrances of the friends consulted who mr.
geo. among other considerations, that although nv
personal respect tor the President might be impair
ed' my services in the Department were for the
country, and while it faithfully served could
not be unfaithfu to the Administration. A nron,
osition thus disposed of could be regarded as anv
rather than imposing obligation of friendlv
confidence. But find an additional reason Far
publication growing out ofyour letter; it's
engagement from my statement, and its admoni
tory suggestions could not fail whenever the whole
matter shall be brought out, which is inevitable in
inc present state OF the public mind, to expose me
70 the lHputatlon of having shrunk from doing
what duty to my own character if not tn the corp
try, seemed to demand, cannot therefore accord
In your desire that publication shall he made
any moro than can in the views of the obligation
81 secresy which you have suggested I wonld
prefer, however, to accompany the publication
with that ofyour letter of the 30th ultino but NOT
having received any intimation of ycar wishes ON
that subject, 1t will require some deiiberation tn do
seilne what lS most proper to be done in this par
ucnlsr. can assure you that this determination
VIII DO e9clusiToly governed by desire to do what
"iheF al circumstances, may appear most likely to
meet your own wishes. l have now only to .dd
that IN making the statements of these conver.a-
uons, have relied not merely on the indelible i'm
Presslons made my memory but on Inen1or,r
ia put on paper at the time L haze not the s1;gbt
est recollection or any note of your having advsed
any iact or circumstance alleged by Cen Jackson
as evidence OF unkind feeling for, much
lSSs hostility to, or conspiracy against Mai Eaton
on tho part of Mr.. Branch Mr.. Berrien or n,vecIc
OF OF any want OF harmony in the Cabinet other
IMAM the simple and isolated fact that our families
not Visit MIS- u and invite her to their parties
ANor haYo any note recollection Of any nrono |
sitlon made by you or me indiyiduallv oT ioi1fin
WIN ', the other gentleman, as a means of Temoviny
tne aledged difficulties, ather than that chr FAM,
es should visit Mrs Eaton, and invite her to their
~ PalTeP: cannst bnt persuade myself that
Iy sIaternent VIII call to mind matters which many
nave escaped your yecollsction, and satifv vony
uugmept that, whatever may have been the pStnrc
81 your instructions ] could not have understood
hem diligently from what have.
! haze the honor to bo, very respectG,11,, 49,.
1bt seryt, N ISiUIIIy, your
Hon. RICHARD NJ JOHNSTON. -'''i'A"'
'''' 'Nc s1 statement, copy of1oAich yas en-.
- ctosed IN his letter TO Col Jou~so, ~
on wednesday, the 9th of Jannarv 1sa1 r.,
onhS son OF kentucky, waited on mo in the rsa
NY department. and after some r,reIiuinarv' co.,
eIsatlon IN which he expressed his great YegTs,
,cr,;sry JI and that of Mr. Branch and Mr..
'e5fIeh' did not visit Mrs. Eaton ne said that =
40 9een subject of great excitement vy,b az