Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-09-08
GOVERNOR BRANCH.

aEfthLp, VIHguN ia. 1881.
DEAR Or; vi the causes which led to the
dissolution of fhe late Cabinet. have n,y "r
entertained doubt will briefly state the
reasons have for NV opinion. and le,ve r ~.
to judge Of them as well or IN founJed Re
lore The Presiden; had nominated Ma; IA
ton for the War Department. and while ,ho
subject might be supposed 10 be under con.
slderation, took the liberty of ,iat;no 20
Gen. Jackson candidly nv reasons for bgI;ev,
ing The selection would te unpopnl,r and mn
fortunate. reminded the President that no
knew was The frier3 of Major Eaton. and
personally preferred him to either of The q
'hers proposei Tor his cabinet and OF course
nothing should say ON the subject. oucht
10 be construed into an intention to iniure
MN, MAJ Eaton, but on the contrary TO save
hin from infinite yexaton and ANNOYANCE
which II was too plain were in store for him.
II nc took seat in the cabinet under tbe cir
camstahces IN which he was placed. The
PRESIDENT admitted that charges had been
MAIZE against the character of Mrs Eafno
unt INSISTED on they were SANDERS. and
mat nc ought not 10 notice them. | did M,
perceive at the time that be was hurt bv the
tFahkness or nature OF my communication
though J afterwards learned TIA; he had he
come offended with, and has discarded from
MS acquaintance, several OF his old and best
trends Who had used the like freedom Of
speech en- this subject My circumstances.
II IS known, were without effect, and Mai
Eaton 'sas soon after formally appointed
Secretary Of War Before this was done
however, made an appeal to Mai Eaton
himself, and without reserve disclosed my
arprchensons to him, adding tiatI did moi
pretend TO intimate that there was the least
truth 10 these reports, but if utterly false.
they would st!l have an effect on the Pres,d
ents peace and quiet, as he must know what
use the opposition would make Of it:-sbat
believed It was impossible. he could be vii
ling TO subject Gen jackson to sach n state
OF things; that he could not have forgotten
bow much Gen. Jackson had been distressed
by the calannies and i'll reports which had
been formerly circulated against sirs. Jack
SOM that since the death of that Lady.
these reports had subsidized and would soon
he heard OF no more: that Gen jackson
knew the same kind of reports and imputa-
tons had prevailed with respect 10 Mrs Ea.
on:-tha' If he, M ajor Eaton entered into
TIC CABINET. The enemies Of the President
would not fail TO make a handle Of it. and
mus revive IN the Generals bosom, rrcollec
iohs ~hIch could not but be painful and dis
tressing, and Which could not fail to disturb
the tranquility & usefulness Of his admins
tfahoh. nay remarks were received appa-
rently wsth the same kindness & courtesy
winch Characterised my manner; but they
no doubt Lard the foundation Of that hostility
which afterwards became aciice and iaea,in'
gashabie. -Ftom the moment of Mai Ea
ton appointment, Gen Jackson began TO
use his utmost efforts TO bring Mrs. Eaton
IN public favor and distinction. =. He freauent
~ spoke OF the neglect Mrs Eaten received
when she attempted to appear al public pia-
ces he lid not fail 10 intimate that II
would be most acceptable service rendered
him, IT the members of his cabinet would aid
IN promoting this object | felt greatly EN-
barfassed by such appeals TO myself II was
hapossibic Tor ne to comply with bis wishes
on TINS polnt but II was nevertheless pain
ial Tor me TO say So In any other matter
WHICH could with proSer respect for my
sell and the feelings Of my family have CON
pied with an animation OF his desire; no one
would have done SO, more cheerluliy than
myself by way of direriing bis mind, Sc
veral times spoke OF the difficulty lie would
experience an attempting TO regulate the in
tcrcourse of the Ladies. that they were in
matters of that kind. uncomfortable and ON
nipotent; that he would find less difficulty in
lighting over again the Battle Of New Or
leans Soon after it was ascertained that
Mrs Eaton could not be received into the
society of the families OF the members of the
cabinet, Maj Eaton's conduct to me discov
cred an evident change 10 his friendly feel
ings, and became cold, formal and fepulsiye
| repeatedly threw myself iuto his company,
and epdeavored to assure him that still bad
the most sincere desire to be on fiendly
terms with him. and wished for opportunities
to convince him OF the sincerity Of my pro
LESSONS. In this course there was no guile
no view bat that which my words fairly
imported | most sincerely regret the state
of public feeling towards Mrs. Il. but it was
not within my power 10 coatTol or soften it..
1t was sentiment resting 40 the breast Of
the female community of Washington City
land the nation which was not to be suppress
led or oblitcgated. After this, Mai Eatons
lenmity to myself became every day more
and more apparent could hear frequent
ly of declamalioas to this effect, and OF his
determination TO be reYenged. II is true
these reports came 70 me eircgiiously and
Indirectly. but could not from circumstan
Ices, doubt their truth
At length came the mission By Colonel
Johnson. the Substance Of which has alread,
been given TO the Pablo by Messrs. Iugham
land Berrien will only add TO their stale
Iments that distinctly understood Col John
son to saw, that he came to US from the Pres
:, ident of the u. States. authorised by him to
hold the interview, and unless our difficulties
IN reference to Mrs. Eaton could be adjust
Cd. that Mr. ingham, Judge BcTrIen and my
self must expect 10 retire. When he closes