Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-25

tratlon had nothing TO do with il, more than
with that Of any other individual, and political
power could not be properly excrted over their
social nterco urse, and it was important to his
reputation TO have 1t understood that he did no,
interfere IN such matters. That [ was not n
ware of any want Of harmony in ,he cabinet:
had not seen me slightest symptom of such feel
ing in It's deliber atons and was pertec,lx Ger
tam thal my othcial conduct had never been i'm
huenced IN the slightest degree bv f,ei,ng of
that nature. l saw ground, therefore E.,
the least change on nv part in this r-spect -
10 which The trcsidcn, replied, il changed
tone, IN" he had the most entire corfdeocc IN
my integrity and capn' il rxecu ing he duties
oil inc department aud expressed his pericc'
satisfaction. IN Tint respect, with my whole con-
duct; he had never supposed for moment that
my ofhclai acts had been influenced in the less
degree by any unkind feeling towards Mai
Eaton; and he did not mean to insist OH our
families visiting Mrs. Eaton He had been mucA
excited. tor some time past, by the combination
against her, end he wished us to aid lin in pu,-
ting down their ISLANDERS, adding that she wa.
excluded isom most OF the invitations to parties.
and, when invited, she was insuted; that the
iaoy pf foreign minister befnre referred to had
i'sultcd her at Baron Krudencis party. I re-
marked, that some H. justice might b, dore t.
that lady on that occasion although she NIGH
not choose To associate with Mrs. Eaton dix,
not THINK she lntended To insult her; she might
nave supposed that there some design, not
al ogether respectful tn herself in the IF
ief OF the attendance to supper OF the Secretary
or war, whose wife she did not Vi it. instead of
that ct the Secretary of State, which, acco, riding
to The usual practce she probably considered
hcrsEH ch'ltled 10 L was present, end saw
mpst of what hid happened. She evidently
thought herself aggrieved at something, 6ut
acted with much dignity OH the occasion. spw
no appearance OF insult offered to Mrs Ea on
de replied that he had been fully informed and
Knew ell about ii; and but for certain reasons
which he mentioned, he would have sent the
foreign NJ nster before referred tn. and HE wife,
home immediately. After some further CONVEX
saton on this and other matters, in which ron
sidercd the President as having entirely waived
the demand made through Col. johnson that INV
family must visit Mrs. Eaton, as the condition
ior my remaining in Office, and in Which he en-
pressed hmselfin terms of personal kindness to-
wards me- took my leave. lie did not show
me, or read. any paper on the subject"
The public will now, think. be at no loss TO
determine upon the true state of the facts of this
case. MIR. highlands very full statement is taken
from notes made at the time, and which were
shown to me shortly after they were made. In
repeated conversations with Mr.. Branch, our re.
corrections were Il und to cGncur. The transac
ton was of a nature calculated to awaken all Inv
attention. and to impress itself indefinitely upon my
memory. claim no bene6i, therefore, from any
supposed imperfcction Of this faculty, and expec,
to be believed, because speak the truth,
=" iSiu'ioh u tHe statement mat the paper
drawn up in the hand writing Of the Presiden,
was shown to me. the denial Of which most en-
Pllcitiy repeat, ifcharity is tn perform her holy
once In reconciling these conflicting assertions
Nls much more easy TO believe that the memory
OF the President may have failed on this occasion
he saw and oonversed with various persons on
this subject. and has 10 rely upon his memory for
the tact OF having shown this paper to diff rent
individuals. Each ofthose in ivi,iuals is reoured
only 10 speak fer himself The ure oi the
TRANSACTION was such that il could not have cs
capped the recollection OF either of Them,
1t was impossible if such paper had been
shewD, not to have demanded, and to have per.
severed IN the demand to have the names of the
persons, on whose information the requistiun wa.
made No wonld have consented to have
the conditions on which he should continue in
office prescribed 10 him, on the ground of a com
binati'n, The evidence of which rested on mere
tuEnor. An inquiry must have been The conse
qheDce, and the tran action could not ONLY No.
have been forgotten by the parties. but would
thus have become kRowD TO hers. | would
not myself have re- amcd my Office mome
aher such q p pR- - cyi uitcd So NE wili
not question he Intention of the Presdrn; /,
have shewn this paper to m. nor his b.iief tba
u" dId so; Dui that he did de- 80, j. certain
Those I" h" know me Will net doubt The sinceri,
of this declaret on, and impartial ccnmunity
Will, trust, perceive no sufficient motive To b.
deduced, either from my ch4rac err. or the CIR
cnmstances of this transaction, for the belief of
Intentional misrepresentation my part.
AT any rute, have discharged nv duty by
bearing THIS testimony to the truth. | know TO
whaI 1t subjects M but rely upon the discern
mint aud he integrity of my coanrymen, and
:,vIll abide the result.
JOHN MACPHERSON BERRIEN
Washington, July %, 1881.