Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-26

an allegation laaic in tac newspapers, that Gene
raj Jackson bad required. through member OF
Congress, Of Messrs Branch. Berrien and my
self. that our families shoud associate with
Mrs Eaton. had also noticed the publication
of the Telegraph to which yo, refer, anu another
of the same import in New York paper OF an
earlier date, and surprising il probable. IN the
existing state of the public Mid, that the DIS
cusssion would take such a range as to involve
all the parties to that transaction in the necessity
of making explanations. had commenced 'he
preparation Of copies Of a statement o, the con.
versation which you have referred to; as wen
that between you and me. as that between zen
Jackson and myself on the same SUBJECT 'ntehu,
ing, as soon as they could be completed, to SEND
one to him and another to yourself. Upon the
receipt Of your letter Immediately wrote you
note. expressing an intention 10 wait Tor the
further comparison Of our recollectlons before l
made any determination as to the disposition OF
my statement. But two articles in the GLOBE OF
the | tn inst, which you have no d0r6t seen.
reached me before my letter was mailed, and
arrested its progress These articles as far as
they relate to this subject bear Oh their face the
evidence Of having been authorized by General
JAG ksun and Yourself and leave me no choice as
to the publication of my statement. The article
which suppose to have been authorized by you,
shows that Won have also taken different view
of this matter since your letter to me before re-
terrei to was written. could not otherwise re-
concile your remonstrance against publication
of what YOU then deemed a confidential CONVEX
sation. WI the apthorty alleged by the Globe
to publish your denial of the statement alluded
to; at least without previous interchange OF
reco,,ections between all the parties concerned.
do not. however, concur with you in the OPT.
Mon that there even was any obligation OF secre-
CIV imposed OH me, or those associated with me,
to be implied from the friendly character OF the
conversation referred to.
The commune alton made TO me by you that nv
continuance in Office would depend upon the con-
sent of my family to visit Mrs. Eaton and invite
her to their large parties. considered at the
time. though not SO intended by you as in its ma
ture offensive. 1t could not, therefore, carry
with it the confidential obligation which belongs
to the usual intercourse of friendship. regard.
ed the proposition as wounding to my feelings,
and hal determined to resign my Office even at
ter YOU informed me that Gen. Jackson had
changed his ground from which was only dis
suaded by the earnest of the friehds
consulted, who urged, among other eons'dera-
tions. that although my personal respect i"F Inc
President might be impaired, my services IN the
| Department were for the country, and while 1t
it was faithfully served, could not be unfathfnl
to the Administration. A proposition thus dis
posed of could be regarded as any thing rather
than imposing an obligation Of friendly CONN
dence. Blu. find an additional reason Tor pub
LEGATION growing out of your letter; its apparent
disagreement from my statement, and Its adnio'
nitory suggestions could not fail, whenever the
whole matter shall be brought out, which IS lneVl'
table in TIE present state OF the public mud, to
expose me to the imputation OF having shrunk
from doing what duty to my own character, 1t
not to the country. seemed to demand. cannot
therefore accord in your desire that no publica.
ton shall be made. any moro than | can in the
views of the ob,is alton Of secresy which you
have su gsested. would prefer, however, to &C
company the publication with that OF your letter
of the Soth ultimo, but not having received any
intimation Of your wishes OH that subject, 1t will
require some deliberation to determine what IS
most proper to be done in this particular. can
assure YOU that this determination will be exclus-
lively governed by desire to do what, under all
circumstances, may appear most likely to meet
your own wishes. have now only to add that
in making the statement Of these converse
tions. I have relied not merely on the indie
ible impressions made on my memory. but
on memoranda put on paper at the time !! have
not the slightest recollection or any note OF your
having adverted to to any fact or circumstance
alleged BY Gen. Jackson or yourself, as evidence
of unkind feeling for. much less hostility to. or
conspiracy against Maj Eaton on the part OF Mr.
Branch, Mr. Bcrren. or myself, or OF any want
of harmony in the Cabinet other than the simple
and isolated fact. that our families did not visit
Mrs. Eaton and invite her TO their parties. Nor
have any note or recollection of any proposition
made by you to me individually, or jointly with
the other gentlemen, as means OF removing the
ales ed difficulties. other than that our families
should visit Mrs Eaton, and invite her to their
large parties. cannot but persuade myself that
nv statement will call to mind matters which
may have escaped your recollection. and satisfy
your Judgment that, whatever may have been the
nature cf your Instructions could not have un'
derstood them differently from what have.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obed't serv't, ;. u. lNuhAM.
Hon. R,cRARp NJ. JOHNSON.
Mr.. Inghnm's Statement, a copy Of aohich wns
enclosed in MS letter to Cot. johnson.