Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-09-29
WHOLE NO. 10.

rs ne rose, by the weight OF hls Integri-
ty; and Mr.. Van Buren, was left to mako
such contract and bargain with Gen.
Jackson, as circumstances might war
rant, or Major Eaton suggest.
1t was also bruitcd, that JoHN III .EA-
TON WIS to be appointed secretary ofwar,
and here every anticipation OF evil arose;
which has been so abundantly realized,
to his modification, and to the shame of
the country. His iacompetency for the
staten, was to me, as well as to the pub
lie, manlfrst--but To me in peculiar
manner, as | had frequent occasion to
discern the shall ,wness of his acquire
ments, the mediocrity of his talents, and
the Incidence Of his disposition. As
writer, he was tame, bungling, and eve-
ry way detic ient--desttute OF all beauty
of style, harmony Of arrangement, and
quality of composition--perspicuhy Of
expression. The trouble and distress
caused by his essays communicated to
me for publica alton; the labor of revision,
aud after all the ineiliciency of his pro-
ductons, enable me TO pronounce no
dubious opinion on this point. 1t was
impossible to conceive in what his states
manship consisted His career as
Senator had been blank dull and Mono
tonous progression from mute wisdom TO
an eloquent age; and if lie ever rose to
the distinction of the char of n commit
tee, it was confined to that of the district
ofhis adoption. We had no reports from
his pen, and no speeches from his tongue.
But his intimacy with Gen. Jackson was
wei! known, to whom he stood in tho
triple light offiend, farorite and man0-
ger. To what extent this triple relation
was carried, will appear in the course Of
these letters. Major Eaton arrived III
Philadelphia during the month of Janua
ry, and his presence was greeted by the
announcement oihis marriage in the New
York newspapers, accompanied by the
most offensive comments, and a predlc-
tion of all the discord which his admls-
sion into the cabinet, would necessarilr
produce in the society at Washington,
1t was generally supposed by his friends,
that he would Immediately assume al
attitude so belligerent, as to silence all
future attacks of so gross a character;
but he remained passive, and returned to
Washington, to listen to the echoes OF
the same structures, modulated by court
oomplaisance, or aggravated by mdig>
nant envy, offended morals, of insulted
religion.
4 The name of SAMUEL d. INGHAM was
mentioned as secretary of the treasury,
The selection appeared to me too sinis-
ter and factIous to secure general aprro-
baton. To Mr.. lngham | had been
politically opposed-sometime from prin-
clple, and at others from peculiarly OF
position, or the force ofparty movements.
His talents did not appear to me, at that
time, to justify the appointment;- |
him praise for his ability, visour aud ih~
dustry. 1t was chiefly az prominent
leader of party opposed TO General
Jackson, at first, that his appointment
struck me as obi bjectionable-bcing one
of those alliances with a conflicting cans
didate, without which recollection could
not be secured, and which have con-
elusive proof would never have been en-
tered into, if the single-minded intention
of ONE TERM had been faithfully adhered
to by the President: and if cabinet had
been chosen for the sole purpose Of is a.
b'Hty 10 benefit The country, instead of its
adaptation 10 the ulierior object Of his re,
election! Mr.. Ingham was represented
as warm partisan-a devoted friend,
and an unforgiving loe,-I have since
learned to appreciate him higher; and
have proof, under the signature Of tho
President, that he never misused his ofli>
cial power to the detriment or prejudice
of his original friends. | now respect
him as u statesman and patriot. As a
man he has cXtorted my esteem; as cit~
izen, yield him my applause, Every
father and husband of the country, must
admire, though they may fail to extol
him, from the force of prejudice, or the
rivalry of position.
The intention of Gen Jackson to ap-
point Mr. Baldwin to this station, is now
only important, as it proves the change
of his mind to stand for second term, to
have been wrought after his arrival AT
Washington, upon u consultation with
Major Eaton, and the adoption of his slns
lister counsel. The fact of this intention
to appoint Mr.. Baldwin, | had from tina
lips of the President himself, as well as
Major Lewis, s. since from letters from
Mr.. Baldwin, authorised by the Prcsi-
dent. AT Piusburg, General Jackson
had resolved to appoint Mr.. Baldwin; s.
invited him to Washington for that pur-
pose; and thither that gentleman went TO
reap disappointmen and modification, to
feel the warm friend transformed into tho
congcalcd President-to meet the sneers
ofthe hcrd-the triumph of enemies, and