Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-08-04
WHOLE NO. 70.

original selection Of his Cabinet; & with
a perfect sense of the delicacy ofmy own
situation, l would have been at all times
a reluctant witness in the investig CATION Of
the causes which led to the recent events.
1t was not, however, enough that
should submit myselfto his will, although
the principle by which it was avowedly
regulated, could have no application to-
me; for tins have unhe hesitatIngiy done.
But have been required silently to wit
ness the entire Misrepresentation Of oc-
currcnces which the public were well a.
ware must have come under my OBSERVE
ton; nay, to be publicly vouched as au-
thority for that which was directly in
: conflict with my convictions of truth
and finally to be called to vindicate my
own claim to veracity, assaied as it is un-
der the alledged authority of the Presi-
dent of the United States, or to submit to-
an imputation which no honorable man
may bear. | mistake the character OF
the American People, if they would re-
qure this. | am totally ignorant of my
own, IT, under any circumstances,
could yield to il. If, in the face of this
great community, the cause of truth can
be prostrated by the arm of power, at
least the privilege of vindicating it, shall
not be tamcly surrendered in my person.
l will bow to the decision of my country
men--but whatever that decision may be,
the high consolation of having faithfully
! discharged my duty to them, and to my
/ SELF shall not be taken from me-
ha a,,1
gestlon Of my desire to remain in the
/ Cabinet OF General Jackson, notwitll~
standing the occurrences which produced
my retirement, will be my apology for
( adverting briefly to,the origin ofmy con
| nexion with it, and to the circumstances
which induced its continuance.
/ 1t was without any solicitation on my
/ part, or, so far as know or believe, OH
the part of any Of my friends, that | was
General of the United States. There
were circumstances, temporary in their
nature, but still strongly operative, which
rendered it not desirable to me. | felt,
however, that was called to decide up
} on the question Of my acceptance, not
merely as an individual, but as a citizen,
! and especially as citizen of Georgia
On certain prime pies of general policy,
, some of which were particularly inter-
esting to the Vpeople of that State, the
: views communicated to me by the Pres
ident, were in accordance with my own:
and felt it to be my duty, not to with
hold any assistance which could give
to carry them into effect. The annunci-
alton OF the names of the intended Cabi
net seemed to me, however, to present
an rnsuperable bar to my acceptance OF
the Office which was rendered to me. |
thought foresaw clearly the evils which
have too obviously resulted from this Sc
lection. A stranger to General Jack
son, could not with propriety discuss
these objections with him. | knew,
moreover, that some of his confidential
friends had faithfully discharged their du-
ty to hun, and to the country, by frank
communication Of them. In this state of
things, l sought the counsel Of those IL
round me. To a gentleman high in tho
confidence of the President, and to
distinguished citizen of my own State
submitted the inquiry, whether with this
view of the Cabinet which the President
had selected, l could with propriety be-
come a member of it. The former ex-
pressed bis decided conviction, founded
on IA long and intimate knowledge Of the
Presidents character, that he would him.
self speedily see, and correct the evil
The latter urged the peculiar relations Of
/ Georgia with the General Government,
as presenting strong claim upon me not
u refuse the invitation which had been
] given to me. Iyiclded to these sugges-
tons, and took my place in the Cabinet,
with u firm determination to avoid the
controversies which feared might oc-
cur. To that determination I have
steadily adhered. Associating on terms
OF courtesy with my colleagues, my Of
ticial intercourse with them was never
interrupted by discord.
If there were any combinations grow
ing out of the supposed conflict between
the interests Of MIR. Calhoun and MIR.
Van Buren,, had no part in them-and
as little in the supposed measures Of
that character, having for their object
to coerce Major Eaton to retire from
the Cabinet-or to exclude his family
from the society Of Washington. With
NINE they did not associate; but no ad-
vance had been made on either side,
and their actual relation seemed there
fore to furnish no Just ground OF offence
to either party. In this posture OF things,
and shortly after had given an even
ing party to which Mrs. Eaton had not
been invited, received and heard with
infinite surprise the message Of Col.
johnson.