Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-13

previous expressed, that he had been inisnforG.-
ed as to the combination and conspiracy. l in.
formed him of your unequivocal and positive de-
NAL of the fact, and communicated every thing
which transpi,ed between Us calculated to salts
fy his mind on the subject. Ii was this report
Of mine that gave him satisfaction, and changed
his feelings and observation-disclosures has ground
as YOU have supposed; with me he had no ground
to change. tie had assumed none except that
which ihaye stated; nor did ever make use Of
such an expression to you that ne had changed
his GROUND. II is true that informed you that
tie President was very much excited, but do
not now recoIect the precise language used to con-
yey m, idea Of that excitement. presume you
had the. advantage of your private memoranda,
when you saw compared hun TO roaring Lion.
You attribute to me another declaration which
7 never madc-tiat on our way to MIR. Berrien's
stated that the President had Informed me that
he would invite Mr.. Branch, Mr.. Berrien, and
Yourself. to meet him on the next Friday, when
he would inform YOU IF his determination in the
presence of Dr. Ely. ! never received or com
municated such an idea.
The paragraph is substantially correct When
that part in reicrcntc TO DR.. Ely is eypunsed.
II IS true. in some OF our various conversations.
the name of DR.. Fly was mentioned, but in con.
nection with another part of the subject The
President Informed rue that when the rumo.s
AGAINST Mai Eaton and his family had been open
cd to him BY Doctor Ely, he had invited the &C
cusers to make good their charges, and that they
had faiIeJ--this is the substance Of that part Of
our conversation in which Doctor EIy's name was
mentioned. Again, you say I.called at your house
about o'clock, when we walked to Mr.. Ber,ien':
! hot all nI f,rp ,i lnIo
about that time, BY a previous appointment
This is a mistake 10 a matter OF fact OF no grea,
importance, except 70 show how easily we forget
II We thus differ in matters Of fact. how much
more liable to differ as to words: and still more as
TO the time, manner, and circumstances in which
these words have been introduced, and still more
as to the precise meaning the speaker wishes L.
convey TO the hearer!
Having thought it important to memorandum
our conversation, would it not have given add
tionaI proof of your friendship and confidence,
and would it not have been an act OF justice To M,
to have furnished me with it, $50 far as was cor.
cerned, that might have corrected, it necessary,
any erroneous impressions which my conversation
may have made upon you? The witness in cOur,
is often misunderstood by lawyers and jury and
as often called upon to correct the mistake and
to explain his meaning; aud you have gained
little, In your desire to be accurate, SO far as
am concerned, by failing TO present me with
your private memoranda; and il now furnished,
dare think that might put different construc.
tiOns upon your own notes.
Again: you are incorrect in supposing that
informed you that the President requested me to
converse with you and your colleagues. 1t was
my own proposition; and in this you will find |
am supper ted by Mr.. Berren. Nor did ever
say that YOUR families had not returned the call
of Mrs. Eaton; and that if they would leave the
first card. and open formal intercourse in that
way, the President would be satisfied. Such an
idea never entered my mind: for never did know
the precise manner in which the social nonin'
tercourse existed between your families, whether
cards had ever passed from either or not: and
sure am, that the President and myself never
had any conversation on the subject. From first
to last my efforts were put forth to reconcile the
parties concerned they were for the time BEN.
successful have never claimed any merit fN
what did: l felt happy, however, that ~asrl
any way instrumental in prolOnging the poInti!
relations which have since been severed, in whtl
have had no agency, and which | deeply regret.
ted.
. Having thus acted, 70 my great mortiicatlor.
/ Hnu my sell uIdSSScu ueioie TIC puoue W '"'
cate myself against sentiments and conversions
imputed to me by part of those friends, wthOui
the opportunity Of exp ainlng to them their mi'aP
prehension Of what did say.
Without advertng TO any farther naccuracIe'
Of your letter and statement, have the homo
to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant
R'H NJ. JOHNSON
Hon. SAMUEL ID. INGHAM.