Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-18
Hon. SAMUEL d. INGnAM
From the National InteLligencer.
COL. JOHNSON TO MIR. BERRIEN.

The following copy of Letter from Col JoHN-
son to MIR. BESRIEN has been forwarded to US, for
publication by Col. JOHNSON:
OAKLAND, [Ky.l July Goth, 1881.
Dear Sir: Your favor of the 9TH instant has
been received. l find that you understood me to
say that the President would least expect the in
yitation of Mrs. Eaton when you gave large and
general parties. The President mover did directly
or indirectly express intimate such an expecta.
ton. He informed me that he had ben induced to
believe that part of his cabinet had entered into
combination to drive Maj. Eaton from it, by
excluding him and his family from society; that
he had been also informed that the successive par
ties to which you alude was link in the chain:
that attempts had been made even upon foreign
Ministers to exclude Maj. Eaton and his family
from their parties; that such n state of things
gave him great distress: that he was determined
at all hazards to have harmony in his cabinet.
lie then read n paper containing the principles
upon which he intended to act. In my CONVERSE
ton with you, referred TO this paper. No doubt
1t is now in existence 1t dsclaimed all Intentions
on the part of the President, to regulate, in any
manner whatever, the private or social intercourse
OF the members of his cabinet. AS Il mutual friend
called upon you, and, as peace maker my OBJ
Ject waste make the above communication III the
most delicate MANNER possible. During our con
versatlon, in the anxiety of my heart to serve nv
TREND and my country, it was [ alone, upon my
own responsibility, who made the suggestion or
proposition, or rather inquiry, whether you could
not, at those large and promiscuous parties invite
tercourse of the members ofthe cabinet the want of
harmony was inferred more than from any other cir
cumstancc; and my desire was to remedy that
evil by the suggestion or inquiry which 1 made.
would have been absolute, unqualified, and
tota misrepresentation of his views if / had re-
presented the President as making any such
demand. You will therefore perceive that YOU
have fallen into the mistake of supposinp
that attributed to him what was the spontanc-
Gus, sole, and Independent suggestion of my own
mind. have had agency in bringing any
pat of our conversation before the public. / am
happy III the recollection that my voluntary exer-
tons TO restore harmony to ancient friendship for
the time being, not unavailing, by converse.
tions and mutual explanations, between some of the
parties, and that have had agency in producing
the recent separation. Having now corrected yaur
misapprehension of what did say in my endeavors
to prevent the dsunion of my bosom friends, I
feel as if had performed another sacred duty I
have done it promptly, and in the same spirit of
peace end friendship. l have confined my remark 3
to an explanation of what said myself This is
done to avoid any unpleasant collision which too
frequently arises among the best of friends and
most honorable men when efforts are made to detail
private conversations.
am, dear sir, yours, respectfully,
II. VI. JOHNSON
Hon. ]. MAcPTIERsoN BrRRrrN