Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-07

y
know the facts connected with the attempt to as
sassinatc him before he loft Washington, and as
there was much anxiety to possess correct informa-
ton on the subject, he requested him to relate to
his friends assembled, such facts would enable
them 10 disseminate correct information this
interesting subject.
Mr.. Ingham, in reply, observed, that he could
not refuse to comply with the request, but - would
much rather, for the Character of the government
and the nation, that he had the power to bury the
whole transaction i'll oblivion. This not now
practicable, and he would state the material facts
as minutely and briefly as he could.
On Friday evening, the 18th, about ten O'Clock,
received u note rom Mr. Eaton, by the hands of
MIR. Randolph, then chief clerk in the war depart
mcnt, demanding avowal or disavowal of
publication in Il newspaper without any other con-
nection with the paper being suggested, than that
1t supposed to be friendly to me, and was
published in the city where resided. l could not
doubt that such demand Il prelude TO Il wan
ton and premeGitated, quarrel, and although did
not understand whether it was the fact Stated in
the paper, viz: that my family had refused
ciatc with his, or tho authority to publish, which.
was called on to dsavow, chose to avoid pro
longcd correspondence, and gave my answer in
each alternative. You have probably seen the cor
rcspondcncc, and need not be more particular.
On the same day that my note was delivered, re-
ceived challenge, viz about three O'clock by the
hands of Mr.. Randolph, the chief clerk now acting
secretary ofwur. Having company to dinner; and
until late III the evening, sent answer that
night. The next morning, Sunday, the same Mr.
Randolph intruded himself into my room, and
threatened personal violence if 1 did not answer
the note / informed him should take my time
to do it, and showed him the door. On the follow
ing morning i replied to Mr.. Eaton's note, & INVENT
out to take leave of some my friends in the city,
| which occupied me till after o'clock On my
| return TO my lodgings, learned that Mr. Eaton
had been ut the Treasury Department in the MORN
ming inquiring when would be at the office, and
that he also inquired for the trcasurer's room, and
went into it, and that he had spent part of his
| Ten O'Clock m low of
the Treasury Department, occupied by the register
and treasurer, and that he had been for the greater
part of the time stationed in grocery store, about
half square from my lodgings, during which he
was occasionally visited by MIR. Randolph, and by
n Mr. Vlanklceck, another clerk in the War Depart
mcnt, who appeared to act the part of videttes.
| From the information which | received of the
movements of Mr. Eaton and Mr.. Randolph
expected the assault to he made by them and pre-
pared myself for that purpose. Col n. Towson
had been invited 10 my lodgings, and went with
| he unarmcd witness, and to prevent a sur
| prize. Three other young men were in company
but directed to follow at some distance behind, to
prevent or resist an attack by superior numbers.
| My son, being the only person whose life had a
right to expose in such conflict was by nv side
both ofus well prepared for defence. 1 expected
the attack in the passage of the Treasury Depart
ment, Mr. Eaton had not long before entered that
building, and after having taken much pains to
obtain Il meeting, it was scarcely TO be expected
that he would then avoid it, and as nv approach
| could easily have bee: observed. We passed in
however unmoested. went into the second story
to the room occupied, finally left the office
which had been previously fixed for that dav.
| l learned, while Ill my room, that Mr.. Eaton and
Major Lewis, whose offices were in another build
ing, moro than quarter of a mile distant went
out OF the Treasury Department in direction to-
wards the Presidents house, where Major Lewis
lived l was also informed that they came
out OF one of the registers Nothing fur
Their occurred worthy of notice until evening
Soon after dark l was informed, by several per-
sons calling IN TO see mo, MIR. Eaton, Mr.. Ran
dolph, and Mr.. Overon, the latter a clerk in
| Major Lewis office, and near relative of Judge
Overton, of Tennessee, who were there on visit
to the president were seen, apparently armed pass
| ing to and fro the street, not far from nv
/ dwelling, and sometimes passing my door. On
one occasion, while thus passing, MIR. Eaton stop
ped at the door and looked into the passage: and
while standing there, prudently hesitating in his
purpose, gentleman in one of the lower rooms
(Mr --,) who resided in the house, stopped in.
to the passage in time to Mr.. Eaton standing
| at the door, and retire from it. l received MANY
tenders of personal service for the night, one of
| which accepted, and the gentleman slept in the
house Sometime between 10 and ii a highly
respectable nhabtant of the city informed me that
| he met MIR. Eaton and six seven other persona
walking near the presidents gate, whence it was
concluded they had retired for the night, in COM
pany with some Others who had been privy to the
| 2cenes OF the day, though perhaps not actors in
them. A part of their conversation was overheard
which may hereafter be impaired. On the follow
ing day finished my visits in order to leave the
city on Wednesday morning, 1 had appointed,
IN answer to letter written by your committee a
week before. Some time Tuesday evening the
| same men, viz; Eaton and Randolph, land it was
believed Overton also with them) passed and
rerassed my door frequently, looking impairment
| ly into the windows, and exhibiting other signs of
the gasconade they had been practising. l found
nigh degree of excitement prevailed in the CITY,
and information was communicated to me that some
| appearance appropriation had been discovered to
way-lay me on the road to Baltimore. / therefore
prepared for that event; but met with no molesta-
ton. 1t occurred to me in the evening that could
| not with propriety leave the city without bringing
the subject distinctly before the notice ofhe Pres
ident, and l addressed him a letter to that effect
| My engagements were such that | could not remain
TO be present at the investigation he might direct
nor was 1T necessary. l was not d witness to the
acts stated to him, though believed them and
still believe them to be true. If there had been any
| dlhculty IN procuring testimony as to the facts
would have furnished the names ofthe witnesses to
any fact stated This, however, is not now neccs.
sary. The president has thought proper to call on
the three officers ofthe Treasury Department whom
represented as having been in the company of the
principals on that day, and these officers thourh
they deny the truth ofmy statement in general
terms, have each admitted its truth in every nate
| rial particular, as far it affected themselves
| have stated that Eaton and Randolph alternately
occupied the treasury building in the treasurer and
registers rooms, with view to a personal assault
upon me, which have termed assassination; for
although had received notice of Eaton,s design I
did not believe that either he or Randolph would at
TACK me, unless they could get behind my back or
take some other advantage. I therefore considered
INC threat as cover for dastardly attempt TO as
sassnatc. | have not said that the treasurer re-
giS.er ana I'd auditor were Privy to the design Of