Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-09-30

itIauhi, POLITICAL, ana long tried trends, -
aye, even those whom he had selected as
members of his Cabinet, viewed my selec-
ton as an evil, and intended 10 use il TO dis
tract his councils, cmbarrass his adminiStra-
ton, and provide for successor? Had MIR.
Berrien frankly informed me, that be and his
associates considered my appointment ''au
inSuperable bar" 10 their acceptance, an is
sue would at once have been rendered |
should have desired the President TO excuse
me, and given him my reasons, and then, for
the sake of harmony, he would have dis
( charged me or them. But all was concealed
from me, * only against the probable course
OF the opposition, the enemies of the PrcSi-
dent, was advised and warned Twas not
taught 10 eNpect, that in lngham, Branch and
berrlen, should find these very enemies,
who were smiling upon him and me, with
unqualified professions Of devotion * friend
snip. Against their assaults, it was hence
I impossible 10 guard. Again, | ask, was it
just or honorable in Mr. Berrien, entertain
ing the views which he has recently avowed,
10 conceal them from me, and thus lead me
Dllndly forward upon mine which he knew
was prepared for my destruction
However he may excuse himself for his
practised concealment towards me, vet was
he bound in duty TO the President and TO the
country, to communicate his views frankly
and fully 10 him. He knew the importance,
nay absolute necessity, ofcntre harmony in
the Cabinet, and that the views of the Presi-
dent, III relation TO the reformation of the 60
vernment, and home interests of the country,
could not be accomplished without il. MIR
Berrien knew, that the President had right
TO expect unity of feeling and action amongst
those whom he had selected as his counsel
lors and that in justice 10 himself, and 10
tine people who had elected him, he would net
knowingly constitute Cabinet ofdiscordant
materials. Yet "cleGrly toreseeing all lie
feelings and his views, and suffered Cabinet
10 be formed, between whose friendly asso-
cIation, and cordial cooperation, there was
an "inSapera6ie bar" which he clearly saw;
but which the President did not. BY this
concealmcnt, and want of candor, he suffered
his friend and bcncfactor TO be led into error,
In the very first step of his administration,
and which, in common with other enemies,
he is now attempting 10 WELD TO his dcStruc-
ton. On whom ought the responsibility of
organizing such Cabinet TO rest ?? On the
cotyid'nS friend, who, Judging Of men by
their professions, selected those as IFS mem
I bers whom he believed TO be friendly TO each
other, and devoted to the success of his adj
minIStration or 10 those Gecetftl indiyidu-
ais, who, foreseeing all the evils which have
resulted, kept them concealed from the Pre-
sident, and entered lis Cabinet only because
they expected such discord and division TO a
rise, that "puJlic sentiment 1v0itld concen-
trdte" upon one Of their colleagues, & force
his removal:
The question 81 gravcly raisc,l and dis
cussed in the public newspapers about visit
lng-leaving a card and invitations TO "large
( parties" OF small ones, in this city, cannot
( but appear matters of dcrison TO the Ameri-
can people. Who calls upon his neighbor,
or invites him 10 eat and drink with him, and
who does not, Is Il matter Of no concern TO
The people and 10 them IL must appear Iidic-
uious, that statesmen and Cabinet COUNSEL
/ Tors, have thought it necessary 10 disturb
them with matters so irihing. But even
these have been rendered of some impor-
lance, as developing the motives of men,
and accounting for events of higher impor-
lance. And in this view is il that am about
10 Introduce such topic, and beg 10 be par
doned for doing so.
| After my marriage in January 1929, my
wife and myself visited Philadelphia, aud
were absent from Washington two weeks.
| Amongst those who had called in our alb
sencc TO visit and pay us The customary con-
! gratulal!ons, were MIR. and Mrs Calhoun
! their cards had been left In cities, leaving
at a nciglbor's house, card-a small piece
OF paslcboard with the name upon it, is call
cd visit Not long afterwards, we called
at hIr. Calhoun's lodging TO return the civil
| ity. After sending in our names, we were
invited up 10 the Vice Presidents parlor,
/ where Mrs. Calhoun was alone, and received
US with much politeness.-We spent short
time, quite agrceably, and took our leave.
! AftcrW ards, these calls were not repeated on
either side. This was short time before Il
was understood who would compose the Cab
/ met Of Gen. jackson.
| Another triiling incident isworthy ofnotc
! w hen ii was asccrtaincd certainly that I
would be Secretary of War, Mr. Calhoun
requested The appointment of one OF his
: friends as my chief Clerk To another zen
/ tlcman who made the same request, | made
a promise 20 comply with Mr.. Calhoun
wishes. Considerations not thought of al
/ tic time, induced me 10 change my dctermi-
nation; in consequence of which, I declined
! 10 make the appointment, and sent an eyula-
nation othe gentleman, 10 whom had Giy-
en- the promise None was offered 10 sir.
! Calhoun, for none was asked, and TO him no
| promise had been made. From that time he
! broke offall intercourse with Inc, official as
! well as private.
! Soon after the Cabinet was organized, in
| dicatiOns Of those secret views, which MIR.
BeTicn now openly avows, began TO mani
/ fest themselves. The motive was not appa-
rent, yet it was sufficiently evident, that
there was a settled design 10 put ban on
! my family, and rendering position at Wash
| ington disagrccable 10 me. This was TO be
| promoted by all the influence and importance