Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-05-11

i By MAJOR LEWIS AT MY HOUSE" " ny
was it read by MAJOR LEWIS;-
We will soon see. General Jackson
had entered on the discharge of his
official duties with fixed purpose ol
devoting himself to his country. lie
had just buried the pious partner Of his
bosom. The recollection of the manner
in which Mr.. lngham had defended her
character against the rude attacks OF
Jonathan Roberts, and the services OF
this press, in her behalf, were then
fresh in his recollection, and associated
with her memory. Never will | forget
his feeling or his manner when CON
versing with him on this subject in CON
neXion with the circumstances of
l829," set forth by Mr.. Kendall, and
the attempt to make an impression upon
his mind that the Secretary of War held
the same relation TO society that he had
done. She, whom he had left ut the
Hermitage, and whose death was ma
tons loss, was not gay, thoug gh,less,
lndlscreet woman, fond of admiration,
and thirsting for fashionable life; resol-
we'd to use all the means within her
reach to force herself on society; boast
ing Of her influence, and threatening
the refractory with her vengeance. No,
she was plous, and, for thirty years,
had been an exemplary wife, shrinking
from the gaze of the world, taking re-
iugc from its evils in the endcarmcnts of
domestic virtue, and her christian chari-
ties; beloved and respected most by
those who knew her best. lie then saw
and tcA the contrast; and to doubt it,
was not sufficient TO separate him from
his earl ly and long tried friend. But, by
a series of arttul insinuations, his feelings
and sympathies became enlisted, and he
was induced to believe that Mr.. Cal
houn and his friends had conspred a.
gainst the peace and character of the
Secretary of War. That elevated re-
iinement and delicate sensiblity, which
he, but for the circumstance around
him, would have priced as the excel
lence of our society, was tortured into a
political intrigue of which he was taught
to believe MIR. Calhoun to be the impulse
Then Major Lewis, knowing his jeal-
Gus regard for his military fame, sought
Mr.. Forsyth's letter to Mr.. Hamilton, as
the means of ercusing the alienation be-
tween Gen. Jackson and Mr. Calhoun.
Yet, it will be seen that, although Major
Lewis visited New York in the autumn
of 1899, and there saw the letter, copy
of it was not given to Gen. Jackson un
til the 10Th of May, 1880. The reason
for delay will presently appear. Gcner-
al Jackson's confidence in MIR. Calhoun
had not then been sufficiently impaired
He had not then condemned MIR. Calhoun. .
How that condemnation was produced
is easy of explanation. 1t will be rccol-
lccted that, before the meeting of Con
gress, in Il conversation with Mr.. Van
Buren, upon the subject, he expressed to
me doubt Of Gen. Jackson's being
candidate for reelection On the 10th
Of December, an article appeared in the
New York Courier and Enquirer, nomi-
mating Mr.. Van Burcn as contingent
candidate for the Presidency.
This publication produced much con-
vcrsation in and out of Congress, on the
subject ofthe Presidential election. No
leve that Mr.. Van Buren, was organiz-
ing a party to push his fortunes then; but
it was soon ascertancd that among the
supporters Gen. Jackson, in both lIou-
ses Of Congress, he stood in a meagrc
minority. His first alternative was to
throw himsclfon the opposition, believing
that MIR. Clay could not maintain himself
a. candidate. Accordingly, when mr..
Webster and the concentrated force of
the opposition press were laboring to de-
stroy the Telegraph, the New York Cou
ricr poured in its traitorous broadsidc, at
the moment that was grapplcd with mr.
Webster, and fighting for my existence.
Finding that he would not take with
Congress, MIR. Van Buren, resolved upon
a war with that body, and to insist upon
the reelection ofGeneral Jackson. Ac
cordingly, an article, unauthorized by
General Jackson, was prepared for the
Courier and Enquirer, positively announ-
cling him as a candidate. When this
came called on the President, and hav-
ing prepared reply in accordance with
his suggestions, read it to him before It's
publication. (Scc my letter to mr.. Dun
lap, Of the 18th of March, and the article
rcpubllshed in the daily paper of ycstcr-
day. lie approved Of SO much as rcla-
ted to himself, but admonishcd me thai
the criticism upon the Courier would pro-
woke reply; and, he feared, lead to an
cry discussion. This article, (Which is
the only one that | ever submitted to
him. written upon his suggestion, adopt
ing his own ideas, and nearly his own
words, upon the subject of his being
L. L.