Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-02

plain of no nlury Inflicted on mel do not, there
fore, present myself as prosecutor
believed that the department OF the govern
n,ent. which ought to have been regarded as
sanctuary. at least against the iawless violence
of U. s. officers, had beer violated for purposes
of blood, and that the majesty Of the law had
been offended under the eye of the Chief Magis-
trate. In this aspect communicated to the
President sketch of what had occurred; Know
ing that the means at hand were ample Tor
thorough investigation, by regular exam'-
nation Of witnesses on oath. had anosher rea-
son for making that communication to the ffesi-
dent Mr.. Evans, a clerk IN the REGISTERS OF
flee, who is brother-in-!aw OF MI. Eaton s. ae
clared publicly, in the hearing OF MI mDer Of
persons, that If he were In MIR. Eaton's place.
he would assassinate me, and the President would
turn every clerk out Of office who took my part
in this business Mr.. Barry had expressed him
self in terms Of the greatest bitterness towards
me. These and other facts of which was very
credibly informed, satisfied me THAI state OF
feeling existed among those who sympsthized
with Mr.. Eaton, which was not only deeply dis
credi.abie to the government, but threatened
much individual injury 10 some very worthy men.
therefore determined to bring the subject to the
notice of the President and of the public at the
same time. have said nothing lightly which l
do not believe could be proved by witnesses OF
u0uuestionabe character-but after the menace
of Mr. Evans, they would require an assurance
of protection before they could be expected 20
give voluntary statements. All the means DOR
ascertaininy The truth are at the President COM
mand The statement communicated to INN,
was shewn to several persons who were on the
SPOT, and witnessed the excited feeling and great
anxiety which pervaded the most sober minded
people Of the civ. 1t was deemed by all who
saw it, temperate statement Ut the facts. am
aware that it will be difficult to believe that
person so closely connected in feeling with the
President of the United States, could have been
permitted to lie in wait, armed with sword care
aud pistols, in the rooms of one of the public
building. for the purpose of a rencontre with the
head of department. Such transaction is too
gross to be realized by the American people, and
hence they will disnclne to give it their belief;
but it is impossible to resist the force Of truth
| If an impartial investigation Of this transaction
shall ever be made. much more than have SAID
will be fully proved; and whenever such an IN
yesigation shall be instituted, if my presence
should be deemed necessary, | will, without he
station, attend at the seat OF government Tor tha
purpose.
| have remarked that the note OF Mr., Eaton
indicated predetermination for quarrel. Ihi:
is clearly proved by his seizing as pretext Tor Il
newspaper statement of fact which had beer
notorious in the City of Washington for two year:
past, viz. that my family had refused TO tisa As
This fact he well knew could not disavow He
did not even allege that had said any thing tt
the dsparagement of his family; and | could no
have disavowed the fact upon which he had predI
Gated his menace, unless would have consented
to be bullied into a statement which every body
knew to be false. My reply to his menace was
neither more nor less than an unequiyocaI reiusa
TO disavow the fact that my family had refused
to visit his. The guilt or innocence f his wife
never was in controversy between MIR. Eaton and
myself. He never even complained that hat
made any charges against her. She had beer
charged bv Others with offences AGAINST society
which had excluded her from it. long before
went to Washington; and the attempt was to
compel me and my family to associate with wo
man whom the respectable society Of that city
had deemed unworthy of such countenance.
RESISTED THIS ATTEMPT, and this is
the complaint of Mr.. Eaton, for which he sought
my life.