Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-31

80 far from political motives having any inHu-
ence in the course adopted, could they have been
permitted To have any weight in the question, the
very reverse course would have been pursued
The road to favor and patronage lay directly &c.
fore me, could have been base enough to tread |
it. The intimate relation between Gen. Jackson
and Maj. Eaton was well known, as we'll as the
interest that the former took in Mrs. Eaton's case;
but, as degraded as would have felt myself had
sought power in that direction. would not have
considered the infamy less had we adopted the
course Ue did from any other motive, than high
and sacred regard to duty. 1t was not, IN Tact,
a question of the exclusion of one already admit
ted into society, but TIE admission OF one a!rea-
DIV excluded. Before the marriage while she was
Mrs. Undertake, she had not been admitted IN
to the society of Washington; and the real qnes-
ton was, whether her marriage with Maj. Eaton,
should open the door already closed on her; or,
in other words, whether official rank and patron
aye should, or should not, prove paramount to that
censorship, which the sex exercises over ltsell,
ard on which, all must acknowledge, the purity
and dignity Of the female character mainly de-
pend Had the case been different; had scheme
been formed to exclude Mrs. Eaton, with political
views, as is insinuated, the folly would have
been equaled only BY its protligacy. Happily
for our country, this important censorship Is too
hieh and pure to be influenced by any political
considerations whatever. 1t is equally beyond
the scope of power, or influence. to exclude the
virtuous and unsupported female from society, as
experience has found it is to raise the suspected
to that elevation. This point may now be CON
sidered settled. unless, indeed, the public should
hermit the fruits of the great victory that has
been achieved. in favor of the morals of the coun
try, by the high minded independence &virtue OF
the ladies of Washington, to be lost by pervert-
ed and false representations OF the real question
at issue,
With the same view, and not much less err
roneousy, Major Eaton has given a statement OF
my application TO him IN favor OF Trend Tor the
place of Chief Clerk in the War Department -
He has 50 drawn up his statement, as to make an
impression, that | suspended all official inter
course with him, because he refused to comply
with my application. The fact is far otherwise.
II is true that, at the request of my friend, who
was also warm and devoted friend Of General
Jackson. and had suffered from his Attachment to
him, did present his name to Major Eaton. and
that had no official intercourse with him after
wards; but for very different reason from what
he alleges--a reason which every individual, who
who has even a moderate share Of selr-respect,
must deem amply sufficient, as a brief statement
of the facts will prove. The application was
made. not at the early period he states, (Which
was necessary to make the impression he ntends)
when it was known he was to be appointed Sc
cretary of War, but after he was appointed and
took possession of his Office, and it II be materl-
al, after Mrs. Calhoun had declined to return
Mrs. Eaton's visit. | called at his Office day
or two before | left the city; | informed him
that called at the request of nv friend, SIMPLY
to state CIV impression OF his, qualifications. and
not to urge his claim. After | had stated my
impression in my friends favor. he told ,re he
was well satisfied with his qualifications, but that
he had offered the place to another gentleman,
whom he named, but informing me, AT the same
time, if he should decline. my friend would re-
cpive the appointment. | remarked, that the
person to whom he had offered the place was per-
fect,y qualified. and that | could not say word
to weaken his claim. Besides his qualifications.
his relation with me was at least as intimate and
friendly an his whose name had presented. and
as between then. it could not possibly be source
Of offence that the former was selected; which.
all who know me, will admit, when say the
gentleman selected was Col. Gadsden. The next
day received letter from Governor Hamilton,
then member Of Congress, to whom Major Ea-
ton alludes as my friend, stating that he had
made application to Major Eaton in favor Of the
person for whom had applied, with the favor
tDic EeSu'tot MS VII thS Stehs' VI
this, as well as his promise to me, wrote to my
friend, enclosing Governor llamilon's letter, and
informed him he might expect the appointment
with confidence, as felt almost certain that Col
Galsdcn would decline the office. He did de-
cline; but. contrary TO promise, another person
was appointed, without giving me any expiana-
ton, then, or since, II was this breach OF pro-
mise. remaining still unexplained. which inter
posed barrier Oh my part to farther official IN
tercourse between US; and, not as Major Eaton
represents, the mere refusal to grant the appnlnt-
ment, which, of itself, would never have had the
least effect with me. If there should be any
doubt as to the promise, or the time OF the april
cation, the letter of Governor Hamilton to me.
and mine to my friend, both of which | suppose
to be in existence, will establish the correctness
OF my statement.
But it seems that am to be held responsible
for the supposed feuds uf the late Cabinet and IFS
dissolution, because, as Maj. Eaton states, an ar
dent friend of the Vice President said ~ 1929,
that Mai Eaton is not the friend OF MIR. Calhoun.
1t would have been much more satisfactory. if
Mai. Eaton had given the name Of this supposed