Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-14


received many tenders of personal service
for the night, one of which accepted, and
the gentleman slept in the house. Sometime
between 10 aud III, as highly respectable
inhaAitant of the city informed me that he
setVir. Eaton and siA or seven other per-
sons, walking near the presidents gate,
whence IT was concluded they had retired for
the night, in company with some others who
had been prlvy 10 the scenes Of the day, tho
perhaps not actors in them. A part oil their
conversation was overheard. which may here
after be impaired.
On the following day finished my visits,
IN order to leave the city on Wednesday
morning. as had appointed, in answer TO a
letter written by your committee week be-
fore. Sometime on Tuesday evening, the
same men, viz: Eaton and Randolph, kand
It Is believed 0verton was also with theml
passed and re passed 10y door frequently,
looking impertinently into the windows, and
exhibiting other signs Of the gasconade they
had been practising. found high degree
OF excitement prevailing in the city, and inlor-
nation was communicated to me that some
appearance OF preparation had been disco
vered TO waylay me on the road to Baltimore:
therefore prepared for that event, but met
with no molestation. 1t occurred to me in
The evening, that could not with prepriety
leave the city without bringing the object
distinctly before the notice of the President,
and addressed him letter to that effect
My engagements were such that could not
remain TO be present at the investigation he
might direct, nor was it necessary, was not
witness 10 he acts stated to him, though
believed them, and still believe them to be
true. Ii there had been any difficulty in pro-
cming testimony as to the facts, would have
furnished the names of witnesses to any fact
stated. This, however, is not now necessa-
ny. The president has thought proper to call
on the three officers of the treasury depart
ment, whom represented as having been in
the company of the principals on that day,
aud these officers, though they deny the truth
OF my statement, in general terms, have each
admitted its truth in every material particu-
lar, as far as If affected themselves. have
stated that Eaton and Randolph alternately
occupied the treasury building in the treasu-
rer and registers rooms, with view to a
personal assault upon me, which have term
ed assassination; for, although had receiv-
ed notice of Eaton's designs, did not believe
that either he or Randolph would attack me,
unless they could get behind my back, or
take some other advantage. Therefore con-
sidered the threat as a cover for dastardly
attempt 10 assassinate. have not said that
the treasurer, register and second auditor
were privy to the design of Eaton; have
only said that the rooms Of the two former
were occupied by him while lying in wait,
and that each oil them was in bis company.
Now is admitted by Mr.. Eaton that he was
"a hat
day-and the exculpatory statements of tho
officers named without even the aid of cross
examination, leave the mind irresistibly to
infer even more than have stated.
/. l.. Smith, the register, says he did not
give aid or succor to Eaton, but does not de-
ny knowing Eaton's object in coming to the
treasury department. VIM. Is. Lewis, the
% auditor. says he knew of no conspiracy
he does not say he knew nothing of Eaton's
design. Mr.. Campbell, u. 5. Treasurer, says
he did know that conflict was expected,
but he did not believe it would take place
that day, perhaps he thought would not
come to the treasury after such parade Of
menaced rencontre, or that Mr.. Eaton would
contriye TO keep out Of the way, as actually
happened. AS to Mr.. Randolph, he does not
deny being in the treasury department on the
same day, and says he only saw MIR. Eaton
ten minutes al a time between nine and three.
With such equivocation and admission in pre-
pared statements, what might not be expect
ed from cross examination of all those per.
sons, and Of all the persons about the build
lng?-I have only to add, that complain of
no injury inflicted on mel do not, there
fore, present myself as prosecutor.
believed that a department Of the gov
eminent which ought to have been regarded
as sanctuary, at least against the lawless
violence of u. ). officers, had been violated
for purposes of blood, and that the majesty
of the law had been oGended under the eve
Of the chief magistrate. In this aspect I
communicated to the president a sketch of
what had occurred; knowing that the means !
at had were ample, for thorough investiga- |
ten by regular examination Of witnesses .
On oath. had another reason for making I
that communication to the president Mr.. I
Evans, clerk in the registers office, who is /
a brother in law Of Mr.. Eaton's declared pub I
iicly in the bearing of number of persons, /
that if he "were In Mr.. Eatens place he
would assasslnate nae, and the president
would turn every clerk out of Office who !
took my part in this business Mr. Barry
had expressed himself in terms Of the great
est bitterness towards me. These and other
facts, was very credihly informed, satisfied
Iae that state Of feeling existed among
those who sympathized with Mr. Eaton,
which was not only deeply discreditable to
the government, but threatened much ndivi-
dual in irrv tn some very tynrthy fnen I