Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-07-27


injustice. This is done to be sure without the
thorty of Col Johnson but he has furnished the means
which are thus improperly used and have alterna
tive but to give the correspondence, submit TO
tinued misrepresentation. L publish Col Johnson s
letter of Justice him. that the public may DO
in full possess of his statement NV reply follows
and after this the letter and sta Of Rr fnghaIn
to whom well Us % Mr.. Branch, forwarded a copy
of Col. Johnson letter. From Mr.. Branch have re-
ceived no reply-owing as suppose, to his ABSENCE
from home.
Colonel r. NJ johnson to esSrs. Berrien and Iagka1.
GREAT CRossISo, Both June, 1881.
Gondemen,--Tha Telegraph has alluded to some cont
munication made 70 you by member OF Congress,
thorzed by the Presdent-tis substance of which is
that the President wished to social intercourse
between your families and Mrs Eaton zee the Globe
denies it, have thought it barely possible that the al
fusion could be made TO me- because if had COM
municated such idea, should have done the most
palpable gross and wonton injustice to the PRESIDENT
for he discaimed, on all occasions, any right desire
intention 10 regulate the private social
of his Cabinet The President had been induced to be-
eve that part Of his Cabinet had entered into dee
laid scheme TO drive Major Eaton from hs Cabinet and
of this he complained. did not believe it, and, the
mutual friend of all concerned proposed that should
have the opportunity to converse with that portion OF
his Cabinet before he had an interview with them, and
he acquiesced-and the interview which l had with
you, resulted, understood in u better understand
ing, and in fact considered it reconciliation. Whist
from me, upon the subject Of q social nter,
course, the suggestions of NM s0ctude restore
harmony among friends. lily object peace and
friendship. have never considered myself at liberty
to any thing about this interview, except to dis
Greet and confidential friend I certainly should not
think any OF the parties justified in representing for
publication newspapers, what any of the other par,
ties said, without submitting such statement for mutual
examination for the plain that such conversa<
tons are so easily misunderstood. may well remem-
Der what have said myself, but may not easily
present what you have said, intended to say have
not myself seen the necessity proprey OF any allu
sion in newspapers, 10 interview which among
intimate and bosom friends, where the conversation
free and unreserved, and for the object of peace
and friendship But if any should consider it necessa.
ry then the great object should be state the CONVEX
sation correctly for there be motive nlsun-
derstand the For fear that aluson should have
been made to myself as the member of Congress, and
believing it barely possible that may have been mis-
understood the particular point alluded to- have
eit my duty, and due to that perfect friendship which
has ever existed between us, to make known these
views, that the proper correction may be made, q
misunderstanding without the necessity of any formal
publication from either of us, and without even dis
closure to what member of Congress allusion was
made. Sincerely and truly your friend,
RICHARD III. JOHNSON.
Messrs. IEoHAM and BERRIEN,
City Of UGSh6ngtoR.
The absence of Governor Branch has been The only
why this letter also addressed 10 hitn
Hr. Berriee Col. Johnson
WAsniSGToN, 9Th July, 1881.
Dear Sr--Yours of the Both ut addressed Jointly ~
Mr. InghsIn and myself has been duly received. have
noted your view OF the 10 which il refers
with perfect disposition 10 meet you n the spirit OF
frankness and of good feeling, which is expressed in
your letter. 1t is an evidence of my reluctance
gage in controversy, that have absained from going
before the public, notwithstanding the multiplied mia.
representations with which the newspapers are teene
still desire to avoid tho necessty-but circuIn
stances beyond my control may render Indispensable
acquiesce with the less reluctance the change
of recolections which you propose
ann ospeah of what occurred at the interview which
took place between you, MeSsrs Branch and lnyham,
aud myself, at my house. You had, afterwards uu
derstood held previous conversations the same sub
jet with or both Of those gentlemen hat per-
fectly uDprepared Tor the interview, until the moment
when you announced its object at my house The ius
preston made by your annunciation such
be easily ehaced from my memory. You began by OK,
pressing the friendly regard which you felt for lhose
gentlemen and myself, and by stating that THE WIS Ire
motive for your interference You told DC ttat an M
precision had been made upon the Tnind Of the FreA.
dent that combination EXISTED between Maesrs Ing.
ham, azd Branch and myself to exclude Mrs Eaton
from the society OF WasbIngto he was excited
by this representation, considering il attempt To
wound him through Major Eaton--that the President
had with pain the want of harmony among the
members of his Cabinetthat he determined to have
harmony and that his determination would BIO an
nounced to in the of the week. You ADDED
that you had in the time sought this interview
with the appreciation of the PRECEDENT from motives OF
regard for all parties You mentioned as circumstances
which had contributed to produce this impression on
the mind of the President thut messrs Branch, and
lngham, and myself had successfully given large par
ties to which Mrs f. had not been nvited-and while
you dsclamed any disposition his part to require an
intimacy between families and that of Major Eaton
you added that he would in future expect that at least
such occasions that 10 which you had referred
Chat is to say, when large general parties gven
that Mrs. F. should be invited l replied to YOU that
not having been previously advised of the intention to
hold this MISUNDERSTANDING had conference with
the other gentlemen, must be considered solely re.
sponsibe for what about to say. then observed
that would not permit the President or any other man
TO regulate the social intercourse of myself or family
and that if such requison persevered in ] would
retire from Office You expressed your regret at The
terms Of this answerand remarked that il was indif.