Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-16

fidentlallv, my views anu opinions; derl,s,
that they would have great Influence On HIM .a
his press. l told him that the sincere and 49,.
friends of Gen. Jackson had, from the FIRST '. -
tertained fears that the appointment Of Nv
Eaton, as member of the Cabinet, Womb
the fruitful source of danger. That, Know
that he would prove to be the weak point If w.
administration, and forseeing that the wors, ". We
ments Of both parties would throw then,ely..
upon lt-one for protection, and the other f.
promotion-I conceived it my duty to deal can
didIy with the President; that had waited NM,
|, him at an early period, and notified bin Of n.
dangers which apprehended, and from the SOUR.
from whence they would come; that toIt
him. that, although | conlided in his frieudsbiD
ard did not apprehend withdrawal of his COM
dence, yet there was cause to fear that could
not give to those around him, that support whib
l forsaw they would expect; and that | was wi.
linz to reIinquis this press, and the profits Of nv
appointment as printer to Congress. to any On.
whom he might select, upon condition tia,
should receive an indemnitication for the eyusr.
ses which | had incurred. That he replied. ,b,,
all he asked, for himself or his administrator
from the press, was the publication of truth; a,,
had Iabored for my position, and was enttt,
to its advantages; that he had appointed his c,
binet to administer the public affairs. and 'ha
he would not permit any thing in their private,.
Iations TO intetere in his or their discharge Of
official duties.
informed Mr.. Welles that Major Eaton was
and had been, my personal friend; that con.
ceiyed it due to him, aud TO the relation which
existed between US, to conceal from him nothDs
of what had passed in relation to himself and
therefore, told HIM all tina. had said; that b,
seemed fully sensible Of the causes Of objection
to his appointment, and expressed his determine.
ton TO do all in his power to obviate them, by
faithful discharge Of his public duty.
further told Mr.. Welles that Major Lewis.
the brother-in-law of the Secretary of War, b..
ing member of the Presidents household, had.
at an early day, proposed to become the organ Of
communication between the President aud nv
press; an offer for which politely thaaked him,
but of which | conceived it to be my duty to H..
form the President, and, at the same time tLa
declined communicating with him ,hrou.t
that channel, to say that it went far to justly
an impression, which had already obtained extet.
sive circulation, that Major Eaton and Mau
Lewis wished to become his confidential Organs.
and to intercept, as far as possible, all Inter
course with him but such as they desired to pro-
mote.
told him, also. that the the cause, from which
l had apprehended danger, had at an early day
produced discOrd, and that Major Eaton, with 4
view to cOerce those members of the cabinet who
had failed to CRAFTY his wishes, in certain par
ticular, had, on public occasion, refused bis
hand to the Secretary of the Navy; that, although
| it was distinctly understood that, in matters
which related to the transaction Of public bust
ness, there was no objection to either the Score
tary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Navy
m the Attorney General; yet Major Eaton and
Major Lewis soon began to arrange plans for
their removal, under the pretence that it was the
only means of restoring harmony in the sabnet
and that Major Lewis had made several unsuc
cessfui efforts to enlist me and my press in their
views. That Mr. Van Buren, had availed him.
self of his peculiar situation (he being widow
cry to use his influence with the diplomatic corps,
aud others, in such manner as to secure Maj. Ea
ton and Major Lewis as his political partisans
and that was informed, upon authority which
could not doubt, that they contemplated the es
tablishment of another press here to advocate
Mr.. Van Buren's interests; that Mr.. Van b.
rem had given the printing of the laws, and much
of the patronage Of his Department, to Mr. vii
liam A. Davis, Ct this city; and that, upon meet
ing with Mr.. Davis, and being told by him tina
he was about to establish press here, and hay
ing frequently heard that he had declared his III
tention to establish Van Buren, press, callet
on Mr.. Van Buren, and demonstrated against it
telling him that the effect of the establishment o
such press would be the distraction and dis
membernent Of the party, and that would con
slider it as declaration of his intention to be
candidate, and Of war upon me, because wa.
unwilling, at that time, To enter on anothe
electioneering canvass. and because was un
willing to advocate his pretensions; that | told
Mr.. Van Buren, that some of his political friend.
and particularly certain Senator, had spoken
in diparasing terms of me and my press; that
had not held him accountable for the conduct and
conversation of his friends, but that it was then
time that we should understand each other Dis.
tinct y.-that was in favor of the re. election Of
Gen. Jackson; that | was not committed, nor
did | intend to commit my press, at that earl
day, in favor Of his successor; but that any pub
lie man who chose to consider and treat me as
his political opponent, might take his own posi-
ton; and that when found had no other a.
tentative but war, never waited for the fe
blow; that he seemed much surprised, admittef
the impolicy OF establishing press by MIR. Davis;
gave me assurance that it should not be done thai
he approved Of my editorial career, and said tha!