Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-08

an expert personal poltician--a manager OF men
-adroit at deception, and restrained by princi-
Mo from the most atrocious acts of reckless and
ambitious aspirant, without talent to palliato proi
gacy, or knowledge and accomplishments to mitt
yate or excuse the evil means by which he sough.
to accomplish his ends. L had seen HIM track tho |
iIustrious Clinton through long life, like willy |
Indian, with n poisoned arrow-I had seen him
shed fcignod tears over his premature gravc--and
then snatch, the reward of his labors, and wear iau
rcls won by hunting his great victim to the tomb,
which he might we'll have wished to himself,
out of sheer envy of its glory As Governor OF
New York, Mr. Van Buren, had exposed his igno
rance of the principles of its commercial prosper
ity and his total want of knowledge of the science
of the political economist, and the financer. His
insinccrity of friendship towards Gen. jackson,
had been made manifest, by the long internal dn
ring ,chich he kept open the Grenuc 81 approach be-
tween himself and MIR. Adams; had that great and
Tpcrmt me to add as an act of Justice and atone
mont ! in urcd statesman, deemed him OF sufficient
Importance, to court concillate or win him over
But Mr.. Adams disdained to surround himself by
purchased enemies, to promote his recollection, by
imposing letters of great patronage upon antago-
mist leadcrs--choosng TO fall as he rose, by the
weight of his integrity; and MIR. Van Buren, was
left to make such contract and bargain with Gen.
Jackson, circumstances mighs warrant, or Major
Eaton suggest.
1t was also bruitcd, that JOHN III. EATON was to
be appointed Secretary of War; and here every
tcipaton of evil arose, which has been abun-
dainty realized, to his modification, and to the
shame of the country. HIS incompetency for the
station, was to me, us we'll to the public, mani
test-but to me in q peculiar manner, as had fire.
quent occasion to discern the shallowness of his
requirements, and tho mediocry ofhis talents, and
the Incidence of his disposition. AS writer, he
was tame, bungling and every way defcient-des-
titute of all beauty OF style, harmony of arrange
ment, and that last, most humble but most useful
quality of omposition-perspicuity of expression
The trouble and distress caused by his essays COM
municatcd to for publication; the labor of revi-
sion, and after all the inefficiency of his produc-
on this point. 1t impossible to conceive in
what his craftsmanship consisted. His career
Senator had been blank, dull and monotonous
progression from mute wisdom to eloquent aye;
and if he ever to the distinction of the chair
of committee, it confined to that of the dis
trict Of his adoption. We had reports from his
pen, and no speeches from his tongue. But his in
timacy with Gen. Jackson was well known to
whom he stood in the triple light of friend, touor-
rte and manager. To what extent this triple relation
was carried, will appear in the course of these let
tiers. Major Eaton arrived in Philadelphia during
the month of January and his presence was greeted
by the announcement of his marriage in the New
York newspapers, accompanied by the most often
sive comments; and prediction of all the discord
which his admission into the Cabinet would neces-
sarily produce the society at Washington 1t
was generally supposed by his friends, that he
would immediately assume attitude sellige-
rent, az to silence all future attacks of SO gross
character; but he remained passive and returned
Washington, to listen to the echoes of the same
structures, modulated by court complaisance or ag-
gravated by indignant envy, offended morals or
insulted religion.
The name of SAMUEL d. INGHAM was mentioned
as secretary of the treasury The selection ap-
peared to sinister and factious to secure gen.
| eral appreciation. To Mr.. Ingham had been DO
htically opposcd-somctimes from principle, and at
others from popularity O: position, the force OF
party movements. His talent did not appear to me
at that time, to justify the appointment;-but
have since seen ample cause to yield him praise
for his ability, vigor and industry 1t was chiefly
prominent leader of party opposed to Gen. Jack
at first that his appointment strc me as obiec
tionable-being one ofthose alliances with conhc-
ting candidate, without which n re-electioa could
not be secured, and which l have conclusive proof
would never have been entered into, if the single
minded intention of TERM had been faithfully
adhered to by the President: and if cabinet had
been chosen for the sole purpose of its ability to
oenct the country instead of its admiration to the
Interior object OF his reelection! Mr.. Ingham was
| represented as warm partisan-a devoted friend
and an unforgiving foc.-I have since learned to
appreciate him higher; and have proof under the
signature Of the President, that he never msused
ms ofncial power to the detrimcnt or prejudice OF
his original friends. | now respect him as states
man and a patriot. AS man. he has cxtorted nv
esteem; as citizen, | yield him my applause Ev.
cry father and husband of the country, must adj
mire, though they may fail to extol him, from the
force OF prejudice, or the rivalry of position .
The intention Of general Jackson to appoint Mr.
BALDWIN to this station is only important as it
proves the change of his mind to stand for second
washington, upon consultation with major Ea-
ton, and the adoption of his evil and sinister coun
sci. The fact of this intention to appoint Mr.
Baldwin, had from the lips of the President him
SELL as well as major Lewis and since from letters
! from Mr.. Baldwin, authorized by the president
At Pittsburg, general Jackson had resolved to an
poi 1t Mr. Baldwin; and invited him to Washington
for that ur1ose and thither that gentleman went to
reap disappoi trHent and modification, to feel the
warm friend ed into the CONCEALED presi-
dont-to meet the snecI;s OF The herd-the triumph
OF enemies and the regret an coincidence of
friends. The integrity ofgeneral Jackson had been
shaken by his favorite Eaton. Mr.. Van nuren and
his trends, together with Eaton and Lewis hal
poured the poisonous dstillaton of their political
chaIdron, into his greedy ears-thcy tainted the
once pure fountains of his heart, and awakened his
ambition, whose throes slcnced eyery throb of his
Patrlotlsm his honesty, and his faith Then came
the era of broken vows, false promises, violated
principles, unrodeemed pledges, and the whole
series oil contradictions, Inconsistencies and cross
purposes that show derclict mind; wayerino and
reluctant, even IN its alterations, and forced from
us natual recttude TO fcverish deviations and
complicated inirgucs, too intricate for the penetra
Ilon' and two unwoldy for the management of PC.
Wore OF thus IN its appropriate place.
Louis 4h'Lane, Esq. of Delaware, it was like.
Wise runored, had been designated for the treasu
Sury:-he also was member Of conpress-and ono
OF the private leaders of an adverse partv-wbo
after having uoted in the House apainst gsncroI
Jackson, had given in his adhension TO Mr. DANG.
until ull hope of prcforment from him had expired
came over at the last minute, at the I1th hour
to our support. As violent and an ultra federal
ist, ne had given objectionable offence in the de-
pate preceding the election in the House IN tte
democratic supporters of Jackson--Even TO sue
gest such politician as Mr.. M'Lane for as cat in