Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-09-09
3aoltlteal.
GOVERNOR BRANCH.
ENrIELn, August I'd, ri

PlnjoD, and leave YOU to Judge OF them
as well or i'll founded. Before the Pre-
sident had nominated Mai. Eaton for the
War Department, and while the subject
might be supposed to be under considc.
ration, took the liberty OF stating to
Gen. Jackson candidly my reasons for
believing the selection would be unpop-
ular and unfortunate. | reminded the
President that he knew was the friend
Of Major Eaton and personally preferred
him 70 either Of the others proposed for
his cabinet, and of course, nothing
should say on the subject, ought to be
construed into an intention to injure him,
Mai. Eaton, but on the contrary to save
him infinite vexation and annoyance,
which it was too plain were in store for
him, If he took seat in the cabinet I'M
der the circumstances in which he was
placed. The President admitted that
charges had been made against the char
actcr Of Mrs. Eaton, but insisted on it
they were SANDERS, and that he ought
not to notice them. | did not perceive
at tic time that he was hurt by the frank
ness or nature ofmy communication, tho
] afterwards learned that he had become
his acquaintance, several Of his old and
best friends who had used the like free
dom ofspeech on this subject. My re-
monstTances, it is known, were without
effect, and Maj. Eaton was soon after
formally appointed Secretary of War
Before this was done, however, [ made
an appeal to Majo Eaton himself, and
without reserve disclosed my apprehen-
sions to him, adding that did not pre-
tend to intimate that there was the least
truth in these reports, but if utterly false,
they would still have an effect on the
Presidents peace and quiet, as he must
know what use the opposition would
make of it that | believed it was i'm
possible, he could be willing to subject
Gen. Jackson to such state Of things {:
that he could not have forgotten how
much Gen. Jackson had been distressed
by the calumnies and i'll reports which
had been formerly circulated againstAlrs.
jackson that since the death of that
Lady, these reports had subsidized and
would soon be heard of no more that
Gen. Jackson knew the same kind of re
ports and imputations had prevailed with
respect to Mrs. Eaton that ii he, Maj.
Eaton, entered into the cabinet the en-
cmies Of the President would not fail to
make handle oft, and thus revive in
the Generals bosom, recollections which
could not but be painful and distressing,
and which could not fail to disturb the
tranquility and usefulness of his admin
istration. My remarks were received
apparently with the same kindness and
courtesy which characterised my man
ner but they no doubt laid the founds-
ton Of that hostility which afterwards
became 6ctire and inertinguiShableT-
From the moment of Maj. EatoHs APP
pointment, Gen. Jackson began TO, use
his utmost efforts to bring Mrs. Eaton in
public favor and distinction.-He fire.
quently spoke of the neglect Mrs. Eaton
received when she attempted to appear
at public places. He did not fail to in
innate that it would be most acce ptable
service rendered him, if the members of
his cabinet would aid il promoting this
object. felt greatly embarrassed by
such appeals to myself. 1t was impos-
sible for me to comply with his wishes
on this point, but it was nevertheless
painful for me TO say so. In any other
matter which / could with proper res
pect for myself and the feelings of my
family have complied with an intimation
Of his desire; no one would have done
so more cheerfully than myself. BY way
of diverting his mind, several times
spoke of the difficulty he would expert
cnce in attempting to regulate the inter
course of the Ladies that they were in
matters ofthat kind uncomfortable and
omnipotent that he would find less diff
Guilty in fighting over again the Battle Of
Rev Orleans. Soon after it was ascer-
tanned that Mrs. Eaton could not be re-
ceived into the society of the families of
the members of the cabinet, Major Ia
tons conduct discovered TO me an evil
dent change in his friendly feelings, and
he became cold, formal and repulsive. /
y repeatedly threw myself into his compa-
ny and endeayored to assure him that ]
sSll had the most sincere desire to be on
frNndly terms with him, and wished for
Opportunities 70 convince him Of the sin
Gerry Of my professions. In this course
tAsrNwas 10 guile-no view but that
y whicAmy words fairly imported. most
Gnccray regret the state of public feel
Ing towVds Mrs j.. but il was not in my
power toeontrel or soften it. It was a
sentinentSesting in the breast Of the fc-
male community Of WASHINGTON CITY g.