Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-28

Gated, but strongly, and vet vainly, urged
upon the President by his own persGnal
] friends had no claim TO that relation, and
k such communication on my part would
therefore have been merely migratory.
could have no hope of changing the cast Of
the Cabinet, when those who we're both the
political and personal friends ofthc President
had made the effort and failed The ONLY
question for me TO decide was, whether, con
stiuied as ii was, it was my duty TO accept
the office which was rendered TO me, and !
have stated, in my former address upon what
advice, and under tue influence of what mo-
tlyes, had determined TO do so.
The suggestion which we are considering,
demands, however, different consideration.
Zen. jackson is represented by MIR. Eaton
as my '.fr!end and denefictor,' and nv CON
duct is denounced for an alleged violation of
the duties which he had right to claim from
me IN that character. Now. as had noac-
quaintance with Gen. Jackson, other than
that which occurred during few DAYS ser
vice with him in the Senate in 1925, and had
never held any intercourse with him, cXCcut
during that short period, his claim TO the title
OF my friend and bencfactor must have been
derived solely from the fact OF his havinr
called me TO The Office of Attorney General
OF the United States; and this i no doubtthe
idea which Mr Eaton intended 10 convey. [
confess took different view OF this matter,
and hope Gen. jackson did so. [ am not
disposed 10 believe that he would maintain
any such pretcnsion, as that which is pu,
forth by Mr. Eaton, nor TO consider him in
tact liable 10 the serious imputation which il
implies. In the selection Of his Cabinet h.
was bound 10 consult the public interest. If
he did SO, however much might be battered
by his coed opinion, | could not consider my
sell as mourning a debt of gratitude. | DO
not doubt that there were others who were
entitled 10 his preference, but he believed
tins, and believing it, conferred the Office
upon me IN The spirit OF iavoritiSm, he failed
10 discharge his duty TO the public, and Mr.
Eaton IS his accuser. | entered upon the du-
ties OF that Office with feelings OF respectful
good will 10 Gen jackson, for the favorable
opinion which he had indicated by the selec-
ton, and with deep sense of my obligation
TO the Jealous and faithful discharge OF my
duty, which have endeavored honestly to
fulfil, but certainly without any idea that |
had been distinguished as a fayorlte, or that
had incurred debt Of gratitude
The wishes of Gen. jackson in relation TO
tie Office OF Attorney General, were com
munlcated TO me almost .sl,uy lian eavsl,, oby;
without any annunciation ofthe names OF my
intended associates, or Of the proposed policy
OF the administration. The fact, which viii
not be denied, that asked an interview with
! ten ackson, which was accorded to me
Tor the purpose OF asceTtnining these parti-
cuiarS as preliminary 10 my decision fur
nIshes distinct negative of Mr. Eaton's as
serilon, that announced to him, on the dav
I succeeding that on which he delivered his
message, my readiness TO accept the office
which was rendered TO me did not in fact
/ accept 1t until some time after my interview
with Gen. jackson, and recollecting that in
terview, he am sure will not verify this as
serton Of Mr.. Eaton.
must he permitted TO deny the author
ship Of certain paragraphs, extracted from
tho Telegraph, which Mr.. Eaton imputes to
me. Even while write, a similar and e
qualiY uniounded imputation by the Editor
OF The Globe, hiS furnished a new prctence
for the ribaldry Of which am the object and
l am admonIshed that Mir. Eaton, although
he has retired from the city, since began TO
write these remarks, holds himself IN readi-
ness 10 return. They haze been skotchcd
hastily, and at intervals Of exemption from
various other claims upon my time. but |
trust II will be found that have written ur-
der the influence Of this salutary caution. In
regard 10 the principal charge desire To- say.
that what have written bears my sigma
ture-and tits true also, that have written,
whatever is thus verified
rejoice to boiieye that may now be per
mtled 10 bring this address TO a close lis
publication will doubt not bo followed fv q
reiteration Of the calumnies, with which I
have been heretofore assaled but NV reIi-
ance IS that these will be rendered harmless
by The intelligence Of my countrymen.
in. MACPHERSON BERRIEN.
Washington, 22d Sept 1881.