Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-08-04

ton-that the President had seen with
pain the want of harmony among the
members of his Cabinet-~that he was
determined to have harmony, and that his
determination would be announced to US
in the course Of the week. You aided
that you had in the mean time sought this
interview with the appreciation Of the
President, from motives Of regard for all
parties. You mentioned, as circumstan-
ces which had contributed to produce
this impression on the mind of the Presi-
dent, that Messrs. Branch, and Ingham,
and myself, had successfully given large
parties to which Mrs. f. had not been in
vited-and while you disclaimed any dis
position on his part to require an intima-
cy between our families and that Of Ma
jor Eaton, you added, that he would in
future expect that at least on such occa-
sions as that to which you referred, (that
is to say, when large or general parties
were given that Mrs. f. should be in
vited. | Ireplied to you that not having
been previously advised Of the intention
to hold this interview-having had no
conference with the other gentlemen, |
must be considered solely responsible for
what | was about to say. | then OBJ
served that | would not permit the Pres-
dent or any other man to regulate the So
cial intercourse ofmyselfor family-and
that if such requisition was persevered
in, would retire from office. You ex-
pressed your regret at the terms of this
/ .lyal
different to me in what terms it was con-
veyed, provided the substance was re-
tained-but that from this | would not
depar. l understood you to disclaim a
ny intention on the part of the President
to require an intimate intercourse be-
tween the families of Messrs Branch, g.
Ingham, and myself, and that of Major
Eaton, but to express with equal clear
ness his expectation that when we gave
large or general parties Mrs. E. should
be invited-and it was my purpose to de-
ny altogether his right to interfere in this
matter. The replies of the other gen.
tlemen were, according to my recollec-
ton, substantially the same-but shall
enclose copies of your letter to them, and
leave them to speak for themselves.
The impression which this conversa-
ton made upon my mind is clear and dis
tinct; and it is not probable that it could
have been effaced from my memory
My own disposition was instantly to re-
sign my office. In consenting to retain
it, yielded to the opinions Of those in
whose judgment | had confidence, and
to my sense Of what was due to the in
terests Of Georgia, at that particular
juncture.
My remembrance Of this conversation
is moreover confirmed by recollection
of what occurred on my subse qucnt in
terview with the President, in which a
particular reference was made to it.
When he spoke of combination be-
tween Messrs. Ingham and Branch and
myself, to exclude Mrs E. from society,
| claimed, as matter ofright, to know the
names of the persons by whom such
had been made. He said
the impression had been derived from
the various rumors which had reached
him; spoke of the parties which had been
given by those gentlemen and myself, to
which Mrs. T.. had not been invited-&
added that the reports against her were
foul calumnies demonstrated against
his having adopted an opinion dishonor-
able to any member of his Cabinet on
mere rumor, but expressly declined to
discuss the question of the truth or false
hood of the reports to which he had re-
him, that, without under
taking to decide whether they were true
or false, it was my purpose merely to con-
form to the general sense of the commu-
nifty of which had become a member;
and that could not be induced to change
that determination. The decision of the
President not to pursue this matter fur
ther, l understood at the time to have
been produced by the representations
Of most some of his intimate personal
friends.
Such is my understanding of the con-
versation referred to in your letter. l
look to it as the origin and cont inung
cause of the distraction Of the party,
which has thus lost the means of doing
much good which it might have effected.
But am not desirous to bruit it to the
world If, without imputing 20 me the
alleged want of harmony in the Cabinet,
my retirement is placed on the ground Of
The Presidents mere will, so far as am
concerned, it is well. ! do not dispute
his right to exercise that as he thinks fit;
but, for the sake of my children, will
not submit to the continued represen-
ations of the public journals The best
cgacy ! have to bequeath them is the
reputation of their father. l
,aa easily conceive, also, that a state Of
hings may exist, in which a sense of du-
" to the nublic will compel mo IN sneak II