Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-25

" nioh directl, in conAict with my convictions
of truth-and finally to be called to vindisatc INV
own claim to vcracitv, assacd 1t is under the
ollcdgci authority of the President of the United
states, or to subm to an impututou which 30 no.
norabo man may bear. | mistake the character of
inc American People, if they would require this
am totally ignorant OF my own, If under circuni-
stances could yield 10 it, Ii, in tho face of this
great community. tho cause ni truth can he pros
,ratcd by the of power at least the privilege OF
visdicatirg il, shal not be largely surrendered III
my person. | will bow TO the decision my coun-
trymcn-but whatever that decision may be. the
high consolation of having faithfully discharged
my duty TO them, and to myself shall not be- taken
from Ine.
The disin gcpuOuS and unmanly suggestion of my
desire to remain in the Cabinet of Gen. Jackson,
Notwithstanding tho occurrences which produced
my retirement will be my apology for adverting
briefly TO the origin of my connexion with 1t, and
to the circumstances which ind need its con;inu-
ance.
1t was without any solicitation on my part, or,
so far AS know or believe, on the part OF any of
my friends, that | was invited TO accept the office
of Attorney General of the United States. There
were circumstances temporary III their nature but
still strongly operative, which rendered it not dcsi-
rable to me. felt, however, that was called TO
decide upon the question of my acceptance, not
merely an individual, bus Il citizen and espc-
cially citizen of Georges. On certain prinei.
pies of general policy, some of which were particu-
larry interesting the People of that State, the
in accordance with my own: and felt it to be my
duty, not to withhold any assistance which / could
give TO carry them into effect. The annuncation
of the names of the intended Cabinet seemed to
me, however, to present an insupcrable bar to my
acceptance of the Office which was rendered to mo-
thought l foresaw clearly tho evils which have
too obviously resulted from this selection, A
stranger to Gen. jackson, could not with propriety
discuss these objections with him. knew, more
over, that of his confidential friends had
faithfully discharged their duty to him, and to the
country, by a frank communication of them. In
this state of things, sought the counsel of those
around me. To gentleman high in the conf
dcnce of the President and to distin oushcd cit.
izen of my own State. l submitted the inquiry
whether, with this view of the Cabinet which the
President had selected, could with propriety be-
come member of it. The former expressed his
decided conviction founded on long and intimate
knowledge of tho Presidents character that he
would himself speedily see, and correct tho evil
The latter urged the peculiar relations OF Georgia
with the General Government, as presenting a
strong claim upon not to refuse the invitation
which had been given TO me. | yielded to these
suggestions, and took my place in the Cabinet
with firm determination to avoid the controversies
which feared might occur. TO that determine
ton have adily adhered Associating on terms
OF courtesy with my colleagues, my official inter
course with them never interrupted by dis
cord.
Ii there were any combinations growing out of
the supposed conflict between tho interests of Mr.
Ndluouil anu MT van buren,, l had in
thcm-and as little Ill the supposed measures of
that character, having for their object to coerce
MAYOR Eaton to retire from the Cabinet-or to ex-
clude his family from the society of WASHINGTON
With mine they did not associate; but no advance
had been made either side, ana their actual rcl,
ton seemed therefore to furnish no lust rround NJ
offence to either party. In this posture of thinps
and shortly after had given an evening party TO
which Mrs. Eaton had not been invited / received
and heard with infinite surprise the message of
Col. Johnson.
l could make no mistake to it's character, for
there was direct and repeated reference to tho
large parties, which had been then recently given nv
Messrs. Branch & Ingham, and myself Such A mis-
take, II 1t had been one would have been instantly
corrected from the nature of my reply. If the com
plant had been ola combination to euict Mai Emo,
from Office and not 10 exclude his fdnly from socie,
the reference to these evening parties would have
been IDLE: and my declaration that " ould not per
mat the President TO control the local intcrcours
OF myself and family, would have been Instant,
met by an explanation, which would have removed
the Impression from the minds of Messrs Brancl
and lngham, and myself. Yet we all parted with
Col. Johnson, with clear convict on that sucb .
proposition had been made; and fccling as ,o 81
did, that an ndIgnity had been offered to MS Their,
was, as believe no difference of opinion between
us aS TO the course we ought pursue, if this promo
sltion should be ayowcd and pressed by the Pro
| sdent.
This conversation took place on Wednesday p.
vening, and the rumor of our intended removal
speedily became general. On the succeeding day
the personal friend, of General jackson internos
ed, and he was awakened to a sense of the imnro.
Prlety OF his projected course 1t was then ar
| cording to Col. Johnson's statement to NJ I
nam, than the paper spoken of by the Editor Of
The Globe was prepared My two ColIeapues h ID
their interview with the President on the succaaJ
| ing day. CfrIday) and as Mr.. Ingham's statement
MADE from fuH notes taken Mt the time nrovos 40
diaper oas shoion TO him on thnt occasion Owing 70
mistake IN the communication of the Presidents
WISHES to me, did not see him until the succeed
ing day. Saturday. and then the excitement of L;e
feelings had so entirely snbsided that he seemed
10 me to be anxious to dispose of the subject ms
o[!eHy as possible. lie spoke of the falsehood of
OF me reports against Mrs Eaton of which be so
he had sufficient proof; and upon nv dccIininrr -
discuss That question, he complained of The ipius
tlco OF excluding her from society: referred IN tL
large parties given by Messrs Ingham and Rranch
ana ySelt, and told me if he could have been con-
'l'CTu l"aC there was combination between those
gentlemen and mysefto exclude her from societ,,
that ne would have required our resisnatione ~
immediately added, that he was enttreIv satisfied
that there had been such combination and 49,;
rctcred to those large parties and to the rrr5or,
10 wiich thcy mad given rise, having produced
that impression. SO far from then suqGesting TIA
informltlon had been received from any member of
congress, when claimed the right Of bavin, ,be
Edhes OF any persons who had made fo hin, rorro
sehtatlons untavorabe to my conduct he still re
ierred to the thousand rumors which bad rooohoJ
nm as the origin Of such impression which ia
ocen made upon his mind. lie sho,1ed mo mn na
Per,SPoke to me ofnone-intimated 10 me NO tcr,ns
tchich ne tcouls hereafter require Bv his docIra
ZION mat he did not intead TO press the racis;,;
winch he had made thITlgh Col johnson. 7 cn,oi
aeFed tho object of the interview to be TO ernIon
to me the nOtires under toh1cb he 6ad ,c,J l'y
announce The change nj his defery,;,,tjon i,.u l"
conPnnlcd this with expressions of pnrson,I L;J
ness, which thought were intended 70 s,t .T