Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-07

Iments of Mr.. Eaton and Mr.. RAN
doiph, expected the assault 10 he
made by them, and prepared myself
Tor tha, purpose. Colonel y. Towson
had been invited TO my lodgings. and
went with me unarmcd as a witness,
and 10 prevent "a surprise. Three O.
,acr young m-n were in company, but
directed tn follow at some distanee
behind. to prevent or resist an attack
by superior numbers. NV son. being
the only person whose life had any
right TO expose in such a conflict. vas
by my side, both at V- we'll prepared
for defence. ! expect ted the attack in
the passage Ct the Treasury Depart
ment, ~ MIR. Eaton had not long be
fore entered that building. and after
having taken SD much pains to obtain
n meeting. u Vas scarcely TO be ex-
pecte that he would then avoid IT,,
and ~ my approach could easily have
been observed. We passed in, how
ever, uDmoIesteh. ! went into the
second story To the room had occu-
pied, and finished what little business
had to close before finally left the
oaice, which had been previously fix
ell for that dav. l learned, while in
my room, that Mr.. Eaton and Maior
Lewis. whose Offices were in another
building, more than a quarter Of mile
distant. went OUT Of the Treasury De
psrtmcnt in n direction towards the
Presidents house, where Major Lewis
lived. was also informed that they
came out az one at the Registers rooms
Nothing further occurred worthy Of
notice I'LL evening.
soon after dark was informed by
several persons calling in 10 see ne.
shat Mr.. Eaton. Mr.. Randolph. and a
Mr.. OveTton. the latter a clers in Ma
jor Lewis office, and near relative of
Judge Overton, Of Tennessee. who
was there on visi, to The President.
were seen apparently armed, passing
10 and fro on the street. not far from
my dwelling. and sometimes passing
my door. On one occasion. while thus
passing. Mr.. Eaton stopped at the
door and looked into the passage; and
while standing there. prudrntly hest.
tating IN his purpose, a gentleman in
one oil the lower rooms. (Nr. y
whn resided in the house. stepped into
standing at the door and retire from
il received many tenders Of per
sonal service for the night, one Of
which l accepted, and the gentleman
slept in the house. Sometime between
ten and eleven highly re.pec table IN.
J habitant Of the cit. inio, med me that
he met MIR. Eaton and six or seven
other persons. walking near the Presi
dent. gate. whence IL was concluded
they had retired for tie night. in com
) pany with some Others who had been
privy to the scenes of the dav, though
perhaps not actors in them. \ part
OF their conversation was overheard.
which ma, hereafter ne impaired. On
the foIloain day finished my visits.
IN order 10 leave the city on We.ln~s-
day morning, as had appointed. in
answer tn letter written by your
committee a week before.
Sometime on Tuesday evening the
same men. viz: Eaton aud Randolph.
land u ~ believed Overton was a. 81
with them passed aud repassed my
door frequently. looking imper,inent.
w into the windows, aud exhibiting
other signs at the gasc onade they had
been practising. I found n high de-
gree OF excitement prevailing IN the
city, and Information was communi.
Gated TO me tina, some appearance OF
preparation had been discovered 20
way-lay ne on the road to Baltimore.
II thnrainrn
but met with no mol, station. IL &C
CURED 10 me 10 the evening that
could not with propficty leave the CITY
without bringing the subject distinctly
before The notice Of the President, and
] addressed bim letter to that effect.
My engagements were such that could
not remain to bc Pre- sent AT The inves
tgatIon he might direct. nor was IL
necessary. vas not witness 90
the acts stated to him. though I be.
lieved them. aud still believe them TO
be true. II there had been any diff
Guilty IN procuring testimony as 10 the
facts. ] would have furnished the
names OF witnesses 10 any fact stated.
This, however, ~ not now necessary.
lhe President has thought proper to
call on the three officers Of the Urea
sury Department, whom ! represented
a. having been IN the company Of the
) principals on that day. and these off
GERS, though they deny the truth IS NV
statement 10 general terms, have each
admitted its truth ia every material
particular. n far a. II affected them
. selves. have stated that Eaton and
Randolph alternately occupied the
Trrasufy building IN the Treasurer
and Register rooms, with view 20 a
personal assault upon me, which 1
have termed assassinailon; for. NJ
'h""sh ! hsd received notice Of Eaton.