Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-31

from my seat, and with an earnestness OF man
ner which the extraordinary character Of the COM
municatiun was so we'll calculated to produce,
observed, among other things, that no man had
right to dictate to me and my family in their do
mestic relations, and that would submit to no
control of the kind The Colonel undertook to
reason the matter with US. by observing that al
though it might be impracticabie to establish M
innate and social relations between our families
and Mrs. Eaton, lie could see no reason why
she should not be invited to our large parties, to
which every body was usually invited, Tom,
Dick, Harry, SC. With this concession, he said.
the President would be satisfied. We protested
against the interference of the President iii any
manner or form whatever, as 1t was a matter
which did not belong to our official conreXion
with him. Soon after which, Col. Johnson ex-
pressed his deep regret at the failure OF his mis-
sion, and we separated
waited until Friday, day having interviewed,
in expectation Of hearing from the President. but,
receiving no message, walked over, in hopes
that an opportunity would offer to put'an end to
my unpleasant state of feeling found the Pre-
si,lent alone. He received me with his won't
ed courtesy, though evidently i'll at case. In
few minutes the all absorbing subject was INTRO
duced. Among other things, he spoke IN strong
language of the purity of Mrs. Eaton's character
and the baseness Of her slanderers. aud present
y mentioned a rumOr which he SAID mad been I'D
circulation, of combination to exclude hebron SO
ciety. Several parties he said had been recently CIV
en-, among others. three by Mr.. lnSham'Juds Der
rien. and myself to which she had not been IN
yited: and from this it was strongly Inferred that
we had combined to keep her out of society
told him. that so far as was concerned, be-
leyed nv family were doing no more than the
members of Congress, the citizens of Washing
ton. and visitors to the seat OF government, had
rirht to expect from me as member OF MS caol-
net. IL was certainly in accordance with uni
yersal custom; aud that, as to a conbnafton. l
knew of none; that could never acknowledge
the right of any one to interfere in matters Affect
ing the private and social arrangements OF my
family: and that, before | would be dictated to
or controlled. in such matters, ,co"M abandon
his cabinet, and was realty TO do so whenever ne
desireth, and added several other strong re-
marks of a similar character. lie assured me.
in reply, that he did not desire IL; hm he toas
entirely satisfied tcith the manner IN ~hich 1 hat
discharged my official du'y, madMat he did not
claim the right 10 dictate TO as IN our social rela-
lions. but that he felt bound to protect the lami
" of Major Eaton, as he would mine under ST.
milar circumstances. then Informed him that
Col. Johnson had formally announced to Mr..
Ingham, Judge Berrien, and myself, that 1t was
his intention to remove us from office tor the
cause mentioned, and had learned from Mr.. |.
the evening before, who derived his information
from the Colonel, that he had gone SO far as to
make temporary arrangements tor The manage
ment of the Departments. viz: Mr.. Dicklns
for the Treasury, MIR. Kendall Tor the Navy
and some one else for Attorney General. This
the President denied, and said he would send FOR
Col Johnson, and for that purpose called for
servant When the servant came, l observed
it was unnecessary 70 send for Col. J.-his word
was sufficient We'll. said he, if YOU are satisfied.
| told him was We continued our converse
ton for some time. attempted on that occasion
as [ had done several times before. to convince
him Of the improperly of his interfering at all
in a question Of such DELICATE character, but
his feelings ,oere evidently too mach enlisted to
weigh ana reasons aohich might be altered.
| have already informed TIE public that no pa
per ,cas presen' Ell TO me- or read 20 me- or atfud-
edto. having reference to the future conduct oil
the members of the cabinet. Oh this head can
not be mistaken. | may add, that the President
constantly insisted on the necessity ct harmony
among the members of the cabinet Here can
not refrain from remark upon this injunction of
the President, that Major Eaton was the only
dissatisfied member of the cabin"t-'he emily one
who carried complaints to the President OF the
conduct Of ohers-the onlv one who employed
his Efforts to bring us into discredit with the Pub
lie or the President. Amons the others the ut
most cviity and scciabiIily prevailed. NO one
annoyed him. Major Eaton or made any effort
TO eu5arrass the operations of his department. or
IN any manner acted towards him as inimical, or
deficient in respect; and vet, we are to he punish
ed for the disturbances of the cabinet. Can any
decision be more arbitrary and unjust?
A few DAYS after this interview with the Presl-
dent, Colonel Johnson came into the Navy De-
partment, and as he entered rose toreceive him.
With his wonted cordiality of manner he express
sed his satisfaction at the pacific aspect OF ourre-
latons. observed to him, with smile. that
the President denied having authorized him to
make such communication as he had made
He spontaneously replied. "let it pass; repre-
scented it to you in the most pleasing lIght;' and,
as he was hurried. here the conversation ended.
About the same time had an interview with
Major Eaton, in the presence of Judge Berren
and Maj. Barry. This was brought about by
the President Maj. Eaton, it seems. had com