Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-08-04

states. There were circumstances.
temporary IN their nature. but still
strongly operative. which rendered IL
not desirable to me. felt, however,
that was called 10 decide upon the
question OF my acceptance, nor merely
as an individual, bur as citizen. and
especially as \ citizen Of Georgia.
On certain principles of general policy.
some ct which were particularly in
terc~ling tn the people Of that State.
the views communicated 10 the bv the
PRESIDENT. were in accordance with
my own: and felt il my duty, no, To-
withhold any assistance which could
give TO carry them into effect. Tie
annnn'iati"n of the names of the in
tended Cabinet seemed TO me ,howevrr.
to present an insupcrable bar,o The &C.
oeptance OF the office which was tender.
ell to me. I thought forcsaw clearly
the evils which have too obviously re-
suited from this selection. 4 stranger
To Gen. Jackson. I could not with pro.
pfiety discuss these objections with
him. l knew. moreover. that some Of
! his confidential friends had faithfully
discharged their duty 10 him, and 10
the country, by frank communication
of them. in this state of things, |
sought the counsel Of those around me.
10 - gentleman high IN the confidence
oi The President, and tn distinguish
ed citizen Of NV own State. I submit.
ted the inquiry, whether. with this
view OF the Cabinet which the Presi
dent had selected, could with pro.
prietv become a member of il. The
former expressed his decided convic.
ton. founded on 4 long and intimate
knowledge of the Presidents charac-
ter. tina, he would himself speedily see
and correct the evil. The latter urged
the peculiar relations Of Georgia with
the General Government, as presenting
4 strong claim upon me not to refuse
he invitation which had been given 10
me. Welded to these suggestions.
and took my place in the Cabinet.
with firm determination TO avoid the
controversies which | feared might
occur. To that determination have
steadily adhered. Associatingo on terms
OF courtesy with my colleagues, my
official intercourse with themwas never
interrupted nv di,cord.
III there were any combinations grow
ing out OF the supposed conflict. be
tween the interests of MIR Calhoun
and MIR. Van Buren,. had no part in
them-and as little in the supposed
measures OF that character. having for
their object To coerce Major Eaton 10
retire from the Cabinet-or 10 exclude
his family from tho society Of WASH
Ington. With mine they did not as
sociate but no advance had been
made on either side. aud their actual
relation seemed therefore To furnish no
JUST ground Of offence TO either party.
In this pasture of things. and shortly
alter had given an evening party to
which Mrs. Eaton had not been invited.
received and heard with infinite sur
prise the message of Col. Johnson.
could make no mistake as to It's
character. for there was a direct and
repeated reference TO the large parties,
which bad been then recently given by
Nessrs. Branch and Ingham, and my.
self. Such mistake, if IL had been
one, would have been instantly cor
rected. from the nature of nv reply.
II the complaint had been Of com
bination TO cricf Major Eaton from
office, and not to erciUde his (aniiy
from 50riefy, the reference 10 these
evening parties would have been idle
and my declaration that | would not
permit the President 10 control the 10
cal intercourse of myself and family.
would have been instantly met by an
explanation, which would have removed
the impression from the minds 81
Messr. Branch and Ingham. and my
self Vet we all parted with Colonel
Johnson, with a clear conviction that
such proposition had been made, aud
feeling as we all did. that an indignitv
had been offered 90 ~. thcrc wns. n I
believe. Bo difference Of opinion be
tween a. ss Co the course We ought 20
pursue, II this proposition should be
vowed and expressed by the President.
This conversation took place on
Wednesday evening. and the rumor
0f opf intended removal speedily be
cane general. On tic succeeding dav,
the personal friends 81 Cen Jark sou
in,erposed. and he was awakened ~ =
sense Of the improperly Of h's projected
course. il was then. according ~
Cot. Johnson's statement TO MIR Ing
ham. that the paper spoken ~ rs toe
Editor 81 the Globe Was prepared -
My two colleagues had their interview
with the President on the succeeding
i day. Friday and A. Nr Inghan' +
! statement. male from nm NOTE, i0keT
n ne time. proves. No paper was sh0irn
~ him ca Naf OCCASION Owing 10 a
mistake 10 tie com munication 81 ths