Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-02

fer and treasurer. and that he had been seen in
company with those officers. and had been Tor
the greater part of the time stationed IN groce-
ry store about half square from my lodgings,
during which he was occasionally visited by Mr..
Randolph, and by Mr.. Vankleck, another clerk
in the war department.. who appeared to act the
part of videttes. From the information receiv-
ed of the movements of MIR. Eaton and Mr.. Ran
doph, expected the assault to be made by
them, and prepared myself for that purpose
Colonel N. Towson had been invited to my
lodgings, and went with me, unarmed, as wit
ness, and to prevent surprise. Three other
young men were in company, but directed 10
follow at some distance behind, to prevent or
resist an attack by superior numbers. My son,
being the only person whose LIE nau any riSht
to expose in such conflict, was by my s'de'
both of US well prepared for defence. | expect
ed an attack in the passage of the treasury de-
partment, as Mr.. Eaton had not long before en-
tered that building, and after having taken 50
much pains to obtain a meeting, it was scarcely
to be expected that he would then avoid it, and
as my approach could easily have been observed.
We passed IN, however, unmoleSted went
into the second story to the room occupied,
and finished what little business | had to close
before l finally left the Office, which had been
previously fixed for that day. learned, while
in nv room, that Mr.. Eaton and Major Lewis,
whose Offices were in another building. more
than quarter of "a mile distant, went out OF the
treasury department in direction towards the
Presidents house where Major Lewis lived.
was also informed that they came out OF one OF
the registers rooms-nothing further occurred
worthy of notice till evening.
Soon after dark was informed. by several
persons calling in to see me. that Mr.. Eaton;
Mr.. Randolph, and Mr.. Overton, the latter
clerk in Major Lewis's Office. and near relative
Of Judge Overton, of Tennessee, who was mere
ON visit to The President, were seen, apparently
armed, passing to and fro on the street, not lar
from my dwelling, and sometimes passing my
door. On one occasion, while thus passing, MI.
Eaton stopped at the door and looked into the
passage, and while standing there, prudentiy
hesitaiing in his purpose, gentleman IN one OF
the lower rooms. (Mr. -, who resided IN the
house. stepped into the passage in time to see
Mr.. Eaton standing at the door and retire from
it. received many tenders OF personal service
for the night; one Of which accepted, and the
gentleman slept in the house. Sometime De-
tween ten and eleven, highly respectable nina
bitant of the city informed me that he met Mr..
Eaton and six or seven other persons, walking
near the Presidents gate. whence 1t was conclud-
ed they had retired for the night, IN company
with some others who had been privy to the
scenes OF the day, though perhaps not actors IN
them A part of their conversation was over
heard. which NAV hereafter be impaired.
On the following day finished my visits, in
order to leave the city on Wednesday morning.
as | had appointed, in answer to letter written
by YOUR committee week before. Some time
on Tuesday evening. the same men, viz: Eaton
and Randolph, land it is believed OVerton was
also with them) passed and repassed my door Ire
ouently, looking impertincntly into the windows.
and exhibiting other signs of the gasconade they
had been practising. | found high degree Of
excitement prevailing in the city. and intorma-
ton was communicated to me that some appear.
ance of preparation had been discovered to way
Law me on the road to Baltimore: therefore pre-
pared for that event. but met with no molestatOn.
II occurred to me in the evening, that could not
with propriety leave the city without bringing the
object distinctly before the notice OF the Presi-
dent. and addressed him letter to that effect.
NV engagements were such that | could not re-
main to be present at the investigation he might
direct. nor was it necessary. | was not witness
10 the acts | stated to him, though | believed
them. and still believe them to be true. Ii there
had been anv difficulty in procuring testimony as
To the facts. would have furnished the names of
witnesses to any fact stated. This, however, IS
not now necessary. The President has thought
proper to call On the Three officers OF the treasu-
ry department, whom represented as having
been in the company of the principals on that day,
and these officers, though they deny the truth OF
my statement ia general terms, have each admit
ted its truth IN every material particular, as tar
as it affected themselves. have stated that Ea-
ton and Randolph alternately occupied Ike trea-
sury building in the registers rooms. with view
to personal assault upon me-, which have term
ed assassination; for, although had received
notice of Eaton's design, did not believe that
either he or Randolph would attack me, unless
they could get behind my back. or take some 9TH
er advantage. | therefore considered the threat
as cover for a dastardly attempt to assassinate:
I have not said that the treasurer, register and
Cd auditor were privy to the design of Eaton;
have only said that the rooms Of the former were
occupied by him while lying in wait, and that
each of them was in his company. Now II is adj
United by Mr. Eaton that he was seeking per-
sonal rencontre with me on that day-and the
exculpatory statements of the officers named,
without even the aid of cross examination. lead
the mind rresistably to infer even more than