Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-08-04

| some RECOMMENDATION " tnls matter. tie,
! Col johnson, was the friend OF us all. and
had now come at the request Of the presi-
| dent 10 see whether any thing could be done:
whs thought that when our ladies gave par
ties they ought to invite Mrs. Eaton, and as
they had never returned her call, il they
would leave the first card. and open formal
| intercourse in that way, the President would
be satisfied, but unless something was dsne
| of this nature, he had no doubt, indeed he
knew, that the President was resolved to have
harmony, and would probably remove MIR.
Branch, Mr.. Bcrrien. and myself replied
to Col. Johnson, that in all matters Of eiliciaI
Business, or having any connection Herewith,
| considered myself bound 10 maintain, an
open, frank, aud harmonious intercourse with
the gentlemen was associated with. That
| The President had right 10 expect the excf<
| ton OF my best faculties, and the employ
ment of my time, in the public service. 40
10 the family Of Mr. Eaton, felt an oblisa-
ton on me not TO say any thing to aggravate
The difficulties which he labercd under, but
to observe total silence and neutrality in
| relation TO the reports about his wife, and to
inculcate the same course as to my family;
and If any other representations bad been
made to the President they we're false. Hav-
ing prescribed to myself this rule, and al
ways acted upon it, | had done all that the
Presideat had right to expect. That tho
society OF Washington was literally organi-
zcd; there was but one circle, into which eve.
| ry persoa Of respectable character, disposed
10 be social, was readily admitted. without
reference to the Circumstance Of birth, for
| tine, or station. which operated in many ..
Their places. That we had 40 right to exert
| oiiicialpoweric regulate its social intercourse.
That Mrs Eaten had never been received
by the society here, and ii did not become
US TO force her upon il, that my family had
therefore not associated with her, and they
mao done SO with my appreciation; and that
the President ought not. for the sake of his
own Character, to interfere in such matters.
But II he chose 10 exert his power to force
my family TO visit any body they did not
choose to visit, ne was interfering with that
winch belonged TO me. and no human power
should regulate the social intercourse OF nv
family, by means of official or any other .
power which could resist Ii could sub
mil 10 such control | should be unworthy Of
my station, and would dcspise myself. That
4 was emlnenty due to the character of the
President to have il known that he did not
interfere IN such matters, and that The course
we had pursued was preservatiye OF his honor
and political stand. ifIhad taken my ground.
on mature reflection, as TO what was due 10
my family, to my friends, and to the Admin
istrat'on, without any prejudice against Ma
Jor Eaton or his wife, and had fully dctcrmin-
cd not TO change it, whatever might be tho
consequence
Col. J. said that he had been requested bv
| me President to have conversation with the
| secretary OF the Navy and Attorney General
also; but, from what had said. he surpassed
i would be Of no avail The President had
expressed hope that cur families would
have been willing to invite Mrs. Eaton to
their large parties, 10 give the appearance az
an ostensibis intercourse, adding that be was
SO much excited that he was like roar;or
hon he bad heard that the lady Of "a.
reign minister had joined in the conspiracy
against Mrs. Eaton. and he had swors that
he would send her and her husband home IL
he could not put an end TO such doiscs.
replied, that il could hardly be possible that
the President contemplated such step. Col.
D. replied that he certainly did; and again rs-
marked that il seemed to be useless for him
10 see Mr.. Branch and Mr. Berricn. told
INN that each Of US bad taken our course.
upon our views Of propricty, without con-
cert; and that be ought not to consider me
as answering for any but myself He them
| proposed that | should meet him a M
| branch's, and invite Mr. BeIrien. that eve
nlng at o'clock; which wa, agreed to-. Gel.
y came 10 my house about 6, and we went
up TO Mr.. Berrien's, having first sent for Mr..
Branch On our way TO DIR. Bsrien's. Col.
>. remarked that the President had informed
HIM that be would invite Mr. Branch. Mr..
Beriien, and myself to meet on the next Fri
| day, when he would inform us. in the Dre-
sence 81 DIR. Ely, Of his determination: and
u We did not agree TO comply with his wish
Is, he would expect US t. serd in our resir-
nations. Upon Der arrival at Mr.. Berrien's
Col :. renewed the subject 10 presence of
him and Gov Branch. and repeated substan-
tally, though, thought rather more oualif.
ediy, what he has said to me. He did NOT
go 50 much into detail, nor do recellect wbe-
Their he mentioned the Presidents remarks
as to the lady above mentioned and DR.. EIv
those gentlemen viii better recollsct. Mr.
Branch and MIR Beirien replied, as unecui-
vocaiiy as had done, that they would never
consent TO have the social relations Of their
families controlled by any power whatever
but their own Mr.. Branch. Mr.. Rerrien.
and nlyself, went the same evening TO par
| " at Col. ioWson's, where a report was cur
rent that we were to be renewed forthwith.
Of Which had no doubt at the fine. The
next nsornlng, Col j. came 20 NV house, and
said that he ought perhaps to have been more