Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-06-30

a strange letter u Mr.. Jngham i,
published in your paper this MOI ming.
Ii charges me with . lesisn 20 assassi-
nate him; and ia having organized
conspiracy to accomplish il. Why did
not organize this band from the War,
rather than the Treasury Depart
ment, most Of the gentiemena
charged are Of the iatter7 The public
will not, presume. give credit to such
al accusation, coming from such u
source. WantonIy insulted by Mr..
lngham, with aview. as I believed, to
provoke an adjustment g our differ
encc in an honorable way, I adopted
the course which evidently seemed 10
be invited by. my adversary; and
which appeared To be the only alter
native that WAS left 10 me.
Iplead not guilty 10 this charge Of
conspiracy and meditaied assassina-
ton. From the moment I perceived
that Mr. lpgham was incapable Of ac-
ting rs became q man, l resolved to
pursue that course, which was suited 10
the character Of one Who had sought
difficulties, and Stunned all honorable
accountability. lharbored no design
upon the heart Of one who had shown
himself so heariiess. Having ascertain.
ell that his sensibilities were to be found
only upon the surface, meant to
make the proper application.
On the 10Th I notified him. that
unless the call had made upon him,
was promptly and properly answered,
he might expect such treatment rs /
thought his conduct deserved. NV
note Of the Goth also advised him Of
my intention. Accordingly it appeared
matter OF duty for me. to dissolve all
connexion with the administration Of
the Government. How then can Mr..
insham suppose, that ! would involve
those gentlemen in a disgraceful con-
spiracy against him; one in which, as
public officers, they could not engage
even IL inclination had sanctioned (?
Their own characters are a sufficient
answer to the accusation, uuaidcd by
their positive denial Of the truth. /
did endeavor to meet Nr.IIngham, and
to settle Jour difference. Unattended
by any one, sought after, and aw aited
has appearance. during the accustomed
hours tor business, openly and at places
where he daily passed to his Office.
lie was not TO be found l passed by,
but at no time stopped at, or attempted
to enter his house, nor to besiege il by
day or by night. / offer no staiemen,
mere that Is not susceptible of the
clcarest proof.
My note of the Goth was written with
Indignant feelings, and under strong
excitement hence the reason why an
reference was made to a female. 1
regret it, although the letter was a
mere private notice to MIR. Iugham,
and was 60 intended. BY me, it ne
yer was designed to meet, nor ever
would have met. the public eye.
Respectfully, &c. J. II. EATON.
RESIGNATION OF MIR. BERRIEN.
WAsHrNGToN, 18th June, 1851.
I SIR: herewith tender to you nv
resignation of the Office of Attorney
General of the United States. Two
considerations restrained me from ia
king this step at the moment when
your communication 10 the Secretary
of the Treasury, announcing your de-
termination 10 reorganiZe your cabinet,
hrst met my eye. There was nothing
in the retirement of the Secretaries or
State and Of War, or in the distinct
and personal considerations which thew
had assigned for this measure, which
made II obligatory upon, or even pro-
per Tor me TO adopt 4 similar course.
Such step, with any reference to that
Occurrence, could only become so, on
my part, rs an act Of conformity 10
ynur will. Ysu had felt this, and had
announced your wishes TO the Secre.
tarics Of the Treasury and of the Navy.
respectively. l had a right 10 expect
4 similar communication of them, and
conformed to The wishes and opinions
OF my fellow citizens Of Georgia when
] determined TO await IL. An addi.
tional consideration was presented by
the fact that had been CHARGED, al
the moment Of my departure from this
place, with the performance Of certain
public duties which were yet unGnish.
ell. and my report concerning which
you did not expect to receive until nv
return. ] was gratified TO learn from
Yourself that you had taken the same
view Of this subject, having post poned
the communication Of your wishes to
me until my arrival at this place, with.
out expecting in the mean time any
communication from me. II is due 20
myself further to state, that, from the
moment when saw the communica.
ton referred TO, have considered my
official relation 60 you as terminated,
or as subsisting only until my return
TO the city should enable me TO con
form to your wishes by the formal sur
render Of my Office, which It is the
purpose Of this note TO make.