Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-29
The ESicBatsapaaea WIN
POLITICAL.
GOVERNOR BRANCH.


have for my opinion, and leave you TO Judge Of
them well i'll founded. Rcfora the Prcsi.
dent had nominated Mai Eaton for the War De
partnicnt, and while the sub joct Nigh, BE- sup
posed To be under consideration, took the liberty
of stating To Gen. Jackson candidly NV rousons
for believing the selection would be unpopulor
and unfortunate. l reminded tho President that
he know va the friend of SIajor Eaton and mr.
so'ihty preferred him TO either OF the others pro
posed for his cabinet, nui OF COARSE, ncthinz
should say OIL the subject ou@nt to be construed
into an intention ~ injure him, Isi Eaten, but
On the contrary 10 him from infinite yeS,
tion and annoyance, which il was too plain uor.
in store for him, II he took scat in the cabinc. I'M
der the circumstances in which hc was r,accd
The President admitted that charges had been
made against thc character of Mrs. Eaton, but
insisted On it they were sandcrs and that he ought
not la notice them. | did not perceive at the time
that he hurt by the frankness or na.;:-, of
my communication, though L afterwards learned
that he had become offended With and had dis
oardcd from his acquaintance, several of his old
and best friend, who had used tho like freedom, of
speech 90 tR;s .abjstt. Ny rononstranoas it is
known, were without eSsct, ard Maj. Eaton was
soon after formally appointed Secretary of War
Before this was dohe, however, / made al appeal
90 Mi. Eaton himself, and without reserve DIS
closed my approximations to him, pddng that I did
not pretend 30 intimate that thoro vas tho least
truth in these reports, hut if utterly false, they
would still have effect on the Presidents peace
and quiet, no must know what use the op
position would MIKE Of i:;-that I beloved it
Jackson 20 such :. stats Of thnrs-thut he could
not have forgotten how much Cen. Jaskson had
beon distressed by the ealumnics and III rcpo.:s
which had boon formerly circulated ars;nst nIr7
Jackson:-that sinse the death of that Lady these
reports had subsidized and would aoon be Heard of
no more:-.Sat Cen. Jackson brow the same
kind of reports and imputations had prevailed with
respect TO nirs Gaton:-ihat if nc, Major Eaton
entored into tho cabinet, the enemies OF the Presi
dent would not fail to make Il handle of it, and
titus revive in the Gcncr>l's bosom, rccocctiors
which could net but lie painful and distressing,
and which could not cil to disturb the TRANQUILITY e.
usefulness Of his administration. wv remarks were
received apparently with tie same kindhc33 81 cour-
tesy which characterised my manner but thew no
doubt laid the foundation Of that hostility which
afterwards became ucticc and Inertia G.tishab{e-
From the moment of Mai Eaton's appcintment
Gen. jackson began to Uea his utmost~ forts to
bring Mrs Eatoa in public favor and distinc ton
He frequently spoka of the neglect Mrs. Eaton
received when she attempted to appear at public
places. He did not fail TO intimate that it would
BIO n most acceptable. service rendered him, if the
members Of his cabinet would aid in prornctinr
this object. [ felt greatly embarrassed by such
such appeals 20 myself. 1t impossible fer me
to comply with his wishes on this point, but it was
nevertheless painful for TO say So In any
other matter which [ could with n proper respect
for myself and the feelings of my family have com
pied wIth- - intirlation of his dcsre would
haYc doue 20, more eheorfuy than myself By
way of direfting his mind, / several times spoke
- ~ -tnltJ he would experience in attempting
"eTo IN matters OK that kind, uncomfortable and
2hinipotonI; hat he would find less diiiicaiay III
agh'ing oVsf again the Battle OF New Orleans.
Soon after il vas Cscertainsd That Mrs. Eaton
could not be resolved into the society of tho families
OF the members ofthe cabinet Iaj. Eaton's conduct
TO me discovered an evident change in his friendly
feelings and became cold, formal Cnd rcpulsivc
repeatedly throw myself into his COMPANY and en-
dcayored 10 assure him t:!a: sin h-d tho moe,
sincere desire to be on friendly terms With hin,
and wished Tor opportunities TO convince him of
tho sincerity OF ElJ professions. In tits courso
thcro was no gJIle--no view but that which ~ :
words fairly imported most sincerely rerrct The
state ofpuDlic feeling towards Irs H. but Il vas
net within my power 10 control or soften It, II was
sentiment resting in the breast Of the female
community OF Washington City and tho nation
which was not to be suppressed or ohliteraf.d
Aftor this, Maj. Ea,on'j onmhy to myself became
every day more and more apparent [ could hear
frequently OF decations TO this effect and his de-
tcrmnGton 20 be T2ycn@ed. 1t Is true these reDors
came to me circuousy md Indirectly but couId
not from circumstances, doubt their TRUTH
At length came the mission Jy C2loreI Johnson
tho substance of Which has Arcade been rivcn to
the Public by Messrs. In chan and Rrrricn ,viu
only add TO their statements tict distinctly I'M
dcrstood Col Johnson 20 say, thaL he cana Ia rs
from tho President CT ths 81. States authorised h,
him to hold tho inCrviewi and unless oar difficult
ties in refcIc8Go 10 irs. EatCa could DC ad-ts.oj
that Mr. Ingb-fn, Judge Dcrr;sn snd myself must
expect to retire. Wkcn lie olossd his ro1o7l,e
we'll reeose., rising ironl ~ scat, and with al
edrnestneEB or manner which tie c-,Yaordjnarv
character OF tfic communication wa4so wolI caIca
lated 10 produce obecrVed among ether things that
man had right dist; to ,lo and ray family
in their domestic relations and tlal would sub
NIT to no control of The kind. The Colonel under
took to reason the matter with IN, by obseTviny
that although 1t might 10 Improbable to ostab1
lish infisTts and soca relations bo.ygc our flli
los and Mrs. Eatcl, he could soc no reason ghv
Shs should not b. invited - isrge pa5iiSs, to
which every bedy V2s usuaily ;n7itcI, Tom Dic;7
Harry, &c. viz this e5rees-on, nc sa;d tho
President would Ia SATISFIED. va ;.otsstod cf-iast
tive imtereorep=e ofts Freshest IN any ..ianr.5 OF
torn WhaicTcr, a. it Ess :aat;er witch did not
belong 20 our Official soT1o ton with binI Soon
attor which Col. Johnson expressed his deep re-
greet at !ho ;auro of Is mission, end r. separated
waited until FRIDAY u GaJ having i..toryened
IN expedition OF hcnr@g tro' Tic President, Bat
receiving no message, wal.4J over IA hopes shat
an opportunity would otcT 70 ytl III end 10 my IN
pleasant state Of feeling. / found thc President
alone lilo recai7sd nc 18th Lis Eouted courtesy, I
thougl evidently bat III # Jn f 4 minutes
tho all absorbing subject YVES introduced. AIEong
o'her thlngSs NC spoke In strong language Of .he
puEIty OF Mrs Eatons character aud Tho bascuces
OF her sandc-ors and presently mentioned q ru- /
NOR which be SAID had been il eirc alation Of q !
combination to exclude her from socicty. Several |
parties, he said, had boon rccsnli- rivyn; ainoug
others three by Mr.. Ia.ham Jut~c Bsrricn ard
myself. 10 which sic had no. bcen Invited aud
from this, Il strongly inferred that we had com,
bincd TO keep her out Of society. told him that
SO far us was concerned, / believed INV frmi1,
were doing more than tho mcmbcrs of Courress !
the citizens Of Washington and visitor 20 The Seat
Of Government lad right 10 expect from nc az a
member Of his cabirof. IL was certainly i'm accor /
dance with universal custom, and that 20 a cam