The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-09-07
MR. BRANCH'S EXPOSITION.
From The Rnnnoke .4drecate.

entertained n doubt. i will briefly state the
reasons | have for my opinion, and leave you
TO Judge of them as well or ilfi"unded. Before
the President had nominated Major Eaton for
the War Department, and while the subject
might be supposed to be under considerations |
took the liberty OF stating to Gen. Jackson can.
dldiy my reasons for believing the selection
would be unpopular and unfortunate. | re.
minded the President that he knew | was the
friend of Major Eaton, and personally preferred
him to either of the others proposed for his cab
met, and, of course, nothing | should say on
the subject ought to be construed into an in
tentlon TO injure him, major Eaton) but, on
the contrary, to save him from infinite vexa-
ton and annoyance which, it was too plain
were IN store for him, if he took Il seat in the
cabinet under the circumstances in which lie
was placed The President admitted that charg
es mad been made against the chara cter OF
MRS Eaton but insisted on it they we're SLAM
ders, and that he ought not TO notice them |
did not perceive at tho time, that he was hurt
by the irankness or nature of my communIca
ton though | Afterwards learned that he had
become offended with and had discarded from
his acquaintance, several of his old and hest
friends who had used the like freedom Of speech
on this subject. My circumstances it is known,
were without effect, and Major Eaton was soon
after formally appointed Secretary of War.
Before this was done, however, | made an APP
peal to Major Eaton himself and without re
serve disclosed my apprehensinns TO him, adj
ding that ! did not pretend to intimate that
I there was the least tr4th in these reports, but,
/ 1t utterly false, they would still lave an effect
; on The Presidents peace and quiet, as he must
Know what use the opposition would make of it:
that l believed it was impossible he could be
( wiling to subject General Jackson to such a
state OF things that he could not have forgot
la hol hnat, Il
ed by the caIumnes and i'll reports WHICH had
been formerly circulated against Mrs jackson :
that, since the death of that lady, those re-
ports had subsidized, and would soon be heard
OF no more that Gen. Jackson knew the same
Kind of reports and imputa,ions had prevailed
with respect 10 Mrs Eaton that If he (Maj.
Eaton) entered into the cabinet, the enemies
OF the President would not fail to make han
die OF 1t, and thus revive, in the Generals oo-
som, recollections which could not but be pain
iul and distressing, and which could not fail 10
disturb the tranquility and usefulness of his
administration. My remarks were received
apparently with the same kindness and courLe-
/ sy when characterised my manner but they
no doubt laid the foundation of that hOsttEtu
winch afterwards became aetioe and unerhn-
gHlShabte From the moment of Mai Eaton
appointment, Gen. Jackson began to use his
utmost efforts to bring Mrs. Eaton into public
laVor and distinction. He frequently spoke of
the neglect Mrs Eaton received when she at
tempted TO appear at public places. He did
not IAN TO ntImate that it would be most ar.
SPt"bIo 80 rvrINl~r ii iIIrn II the members
OF his cabinet would aid IN promoting this OBJ
Ject. felt greatly embarrassed by such APP
peals 10 myself. 1t was impossible for me to
comply with his wishes on this point, but il
Is nevertheless painful for me to say so. In any
other matter i'm which could, with proper
tArEr i al. r - r
ny, have complied with an ntimation of his de-
sire, no one would have done so more cheerfnly
than myself. By way of Iiverting his mind, |
several times spoke of the difficulty he would
experience In attempting to regulate the inter
course OF the ladies; that they were, in matters
OF that kind, uncomfortable and onnipotcnt
that he would find less difficulty in fighting
over again the battle of New Orieans Soor
alter 1t was ascertained that Mrs Eaton coulo
not DC received INTO the society Of the families
OF tne members OF the cabinet, Major Eaton.
conouct 10 mo discovered an evident change
IN his friendly feelings, and became cold, for
NAL and repulsve. repeated; threw mysel
INTO his company, and cndeavered to assure hin
that i still had the most sincere desire to be on
lrlennly terms with him, and wished for oppor
tuntIes to convince HIM Of the sincerity of my
professions. In this course there was no guile
no view but that which my words fairly i'm
ported. most sincerely regretted the state o
pubic feeling towards Mrs Eaton, but it wa,
not within my power to control or soften it
II was sentiment resting in the breast of the
female community of Washington City anc
tho nation, which was not 10 be stInprsssed nj
obliterated. After this Major Eaton's emit,
to myself became every day more and more
apparent | could hear frequently of declara
TONS to this effect, and of his determination tt
: De reVenged. 1t is true these reports came tC
nc clrculousy and indirectly, but | could not
from circumstances, doubt their truth
AT length caE1e the mission bv Col. johnson
the substance OF which has already been giver
to the pnblic by Messrs ingham and Berrien
| VIII only add to their statements, that dis
lnctiy onderSt GOD Col johnson to say, that he
came to us from tho President of the limited
States, authorized by him to hold The in,erv;o,y
and unless our difficulties in reference 10 Mrs
| Eaton could be adjusted, that Mr.. Ingb,p
Judge Bcrrlen, and myself must exnect IN re-.
tire. When he closed his remarks. I we'll roc.
OBJECT rising from M seat, and with IN eorneS,.
! ness OF manner which the extraordinary char.
actor OF the communication was SO wen oolcu.
| lated TO produce, observed, among other thine
that no man had right to dictate 10 me md
! my la,niIy IN thelr domestic relations, and that
would submit to no control of the kind The
! Colonel undertook to reason the rnot,or With ~,
! I'M
practicable to establish intimate and soc;oJ 70.
| latIons between our families and Mrs Eaton Lo
! could see no reason why she should no, ba in.
Vlted to our large part,oS, to which evcrv bodv
was usually invited, Tom. Dick, Harry. a.
with this concession. he said, the Presidcnt
would be satisfied. We protested ago;nsI nv
interference of The Presiden, in anv manncr or
form whatever, as it was matter which did
not belong to our official connection with hin,
Soon after which, Col. johnson expresscd hi.
deep regret at the failure of his mission, and we
separated. "''N w
! waited until Friday, day having in,erven.
Cd, IN expectation of hearing ION the Presi
dent, but, receiving no message, ] walked over.
N hopes that an opportunity would offer to nut
an end TO my unpleasant state of Ceelino
found the President alone. He received mn
with his wonted courtesy, though evidently bnt
i'll at case. In few minutes the altnbsoybing
subject was introduced. Among other things
ne ne spoke IN strong language Of the purity of
mrs Eatons character and'the basenes. of bor
s'anderers' and presently mentioned rumor
which no Sid had been in circulation, of com.