Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-27

,h,se who were both the political and personal
fr;eods If the President had made the effort and
failed. The only question for me to decide was
ybetber. constituted as it was, II was my DUTY 10
.ccent the Office which was rendered to me, and
I have stated, in my former address, upon what
advice. and under the influence OF what motives
I had determined to do 80.
The suggestion which we are considerins de-
r,,nds. however,, a different consideration. Gen
I.cLson T. represented by Mr.. Eaton as my
:. friend and benefactor," and my conduct is de-
,onnced for an alleged violation of the duties
which he had right to claim from me in that
character. Now, as had no acquaintance with
General Jackson, other than that which occurred
during a few days service with him IN the Senate
in 1855. and had never held any intercourse with
him. except during that short period, his claim 10
the title of nv friend and benetactor must have
heen derived solely from the fact OF his having
called me ia the Office OF Attorney General OF the
United States; and this is no doubt the idea wh'ch
Mr.. Eaton intended to convey. confess l ,ooS
a different view of this matter, and nope Ueh
Jackson did so. I am not disposed to oeie'e
that he would MAINTAIN any such fretehslo''' a'
that which is pu: forth by Mr.. Eaton, nor 10 con-
slider him in fact liable to the serious Imputat'o"
which it implies. In the selection OF his CaSnet
he was bound to consult the public interest IL
he did so, however much might be battered by
his good opinion, could NOT consider myself as
mourning debt Of gratitude. do not doubt
that there were others who were entitled to his
preference. butt he believed this, and, believing
it, conferred the office upon me IN the spirit Of
favori,ism, he failed to discharge his duty to the
public, and Mr.. Eaton is his accuser. | entered
upon the duties of that Office with feelings of re-
spectfuI good will to Gen. Jackson, for the Ia
yorabIe opinion which he had indicated by the
selection, and with deep sense Of my obligation
to the jealous and faithful discharge Of my duty.
which have endeavored honestly TO fulfil, but
certainly without any idea that had been distin.
guished AS a fayorIte, or that had incurred a
debt of gratitude. r
The wishes of General Jackson, in relation to
the Office of Attorney General, were communl'
Gated to me, almost simultaneously, by MIR.
Branch and Mr.. Eaton, in each case without any
annunciation of the names of my intended assocI'
ates, or Of the proposed policy OF the Adminlstra.
ton The fact, which will not be denied, that
asked an interview with General Jackson, which
was accorded to me, for the purpose Of ascertain
ing these particulars as preliminary to my decl-
sion, furnishes distinct negative OF MIR. Eaton's
dSSeTltOU, tldt 1 dnIOuuCcu " hi"3 WI INV Wy
succeeding that on which he delivered his mes,
sage, my readiness to accept the Office which was
rendered to me. l did not, in fact, accept II
until some time after nv interview with General
Jackson, and recoIlecting that interview. he.
am sure, will not verify this assertion Of Mr. Ea-
ton.
must be permitted also to deny the authorship
of certain paragraphs, extracted from the Tele-
graph, which Mr.. Eaton imputes to Inc. Even
while write, similar and equally unfounded
imputation by the Editor Of the Globe, has fur.
uished new pretence for the rbaldry Of which
am the object, and am admonished that Mr.
Eaton, although he has retired from the city,
since began to write these remark ks, holds
himself in readiness TO return. They have been
sketched hastily, and at intervals of exemption
from various other claims upon my time, but !
trust it will be found that have written under
the influence Of this salNtary caution. In regard
to the principal charge, desire to say that what
have written, bears my signature-and 1t Is
true, also, that have written whatever Is thus
verified.
rejoice to believe that may now be permitted
to bring this address to close. Its publication
will doubt not be followed by reiteration Of
the .calumnies, with which | have been heretofore
assailed; but my reliance is that these will be rem
dered harmless by the intelligence ofmy country
men. in. MACPHERSON BERRIEN.
Washington, Esd Sept. 1881.