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


cessary to hold me responsible for scenes. the
odium Of which he shows uncommon anxiety 70
shift to the shoulders of others, he errs, on tnat
point, in relation to two of his late associates IN
the administration. If, IN his anxiety to lmph-
cate me he mistakes the political relations between
Mr.. Branch and Mr.. Berrien, and myself, gen.
tlemen of whose sentiments one would suppose
ne could not be ignorant, we NAV reasonably sup
pose that he is equally mistaken IN the case under
consideration.
The inference he would draw from General
Green's course, in relation to myself. can scarce
" deserve more than passing notice ueherai
Green's course has been of hts own choosing
without an attempt on my part to influence hini'
Such an attempt would indeed have been perfect
~ idle. 1.-The should be supposed to b. governed
by base and selfish views. how could influence
him? had nothing to give. where he had much
to lose. Or the contrary suPpos'uon, that he
was governed by sense of truth and justice, an
attempt to influence him unnecessary. My
course, trust afforded ample motives OF that
description. Ii it had not, it would have been,
in vain in me, on the supposlton o! his honesty,
to have attempted to obtain his support; as 1t
clearly would have been. Oh the opposite. TO have
obtained it al all. As [ have been compelled to
speak of Gen. Green, it is due, in justice to him
to say, that believe Gen. Jackson had no friend
| more jealous and honest in his cause. Whatever
NAV be his present feelings, know from his own
| declarations, that he was early and decidedly
Iiste, in favor of has reelection. HIS own inte-
rest evidently lay in that direction, as believe
his views of public policy did. Ii he has since
| changed his opinion, many causes may be found,
in what has since t"anspred, without at'ibullng
| il to any imaginary influence over him, on my
part, when it must be apparent to all, with the
whole power and patronage of the government
against me, had nothing through which to cx-
| ercise 1t.
Having corrected the errors of Major Eaton's
statements and differences, wherever he has de--
cended into particulars, it only remains to repel
his general charges aud inslnua,ions, which do
by direct and positive contradiction. 1t is not
true, that attempted 10 exercise any control IN
the formation of the late cabinet or to influence
its patronage, or that made any attempt to en-
bariass the Administration in the Senate, or else
where. or am any way responsible for the disso-
luton of the late cabinet; unless, indeed. the re-
fusal If Mrs Calhoun TO visit Mrs. Eaton on
grounds exclusively connected with the dignity
and purity of her sex, or the vmdicatI0n Of my
| character against 40 unprovOked and unsOunded
attack, should be considered sufficient to render
me responsible. These are my only offence. In
truth, the reverse Of all these general charges and
insinuations is true. Gen. Jackson never con-
suited me. as TO the formation of lis cabinet -
He was even then, as it now appears, alienated
| from me- by means which have been explained
on former occasion. As he did not consult me,
| [ had too much selfrespect and regard for the
dignity of the Office held, to intrude my advice:
while the disn,erestedDess OF my particular
| friends freed me from all solictude on the score
of patronage AS body, they neither sought,
,tpEsh .,,,
those who had taken the most decided aud etiec
tive part in favor OF Gen Jackson's election, had
openly ayowed their determination not to take Of
| fee. In supporting him. thew were actuated 10y far
different. and much more elevated motives than
the low and surdid ambition that looks to power and
patronage. Their object was to maintain principles
| which they believed to be essential TO the liberty
and happiness OF the country, To restore the admin
istration of the General Gro, eminent to the true
principles of the Constitution, and to arrest that
course of events which was rapidly bringing the
great interests Of the country into the most dan
gerous conflict; so much higher did they huld
these considerations, than the elevation Of any
man to power that. as Is well known, pending
the election, whilst zcalousiy supporting General
Jackson, they refused to advance his interest by
the least abatement of their principles. Nor Is
the charge of embarrassing the administration less
| remote from truth. l was most ANXIOUS LOT Inc
success of General Jackson's administration; ami
though | saw much | could not approve. yet
continued tn give him my support, whenever
possibly could, consistently with duty. That
such was nv course. Iappeal with confidence to
all who were intimate with me, TO the members
of the body over which preside, and especially
to the two Senators from Tennessee. both devot-
ed friends of General Jackson, both men of great
sagacity. and both having ample opportunities of
forming correc, opinion of my course. In Tact.
every consideration, pubic and private, of ho-
nor. duty. and interest, led me to desire the sue
cess of General Jackson's administration. had
contributed all in INV power to the success Of his
election. and felt, to the full, the obligation which
it Imposed
Its with pain that have forced myseIfto touch
on the prominent subject of this communication.
The question involved in Mrs. Eaton's relation to
the society of Washington belonged, conceived,
exclusively to her sex, and could not be involved
in political considerations, or drawn into public
discussion, without painful consequences. act
cd on these views in my correspondence with
Cen lack SON I cnulu not b. uDOrant of the use