Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-18

assumed mono except that which l have stated
nor did ever mako of such an expression to
YOU that he had changed his ground 1t is true
that informed you that the President was very
much excited, but do not now recolect the pre-
else language used to convey my idea OF that ex-
element.
presume you had the advantage ofyour private
memoranda, when you say compared him to
roaring Lion.
You attribute to me another declaration which i
never made-that on our way to Mr. Berrien's L
stated that the President had informed mo that he
would invite MIR. Branch, Mr.. Berren, and your
self to meet him the next Friday, when he would
inform you of his determination in the presence of
DR.. Ely. L never received or communicated such
idea.
The paragraph is substantially correct when that
part in reference to DIR. Ely is expungcd
1t is true, in some of our various conversations,
the name of DR.. Ely was mentioned, but III con-
necton with another part of the subject. The
President informed me that when the rumors agans,
Mai. Eaton and his family had boon opened to
him by DIR. Ely, he had invited the accusers to
make good their charges, and that they had failed
this is the substance of that part of CONVEX
saton in which DIR. Ely's name was mentioned.
Again, you say / called ut your house obout
o'clock, when VIC walked to MIR. Berrien's Tie
fact is that you called for at my lodgings about
that time, by previous appointment. This is
mistake i'll matter Of fact of no great Importance,
except to show how easily VIC forget If we thus
differ in matters of fact, how much more liable are
to differ to words: and still more as to the
IL
words have been introduced, and still more to
the precise meaning the speaker wishes to convey
to the nearer.
Having thought it important to memorandum
our conversation, would it not have given addition
al proof of your friendship and confidence, and
would it not have been act of Justice to me, to
have furnished me with it, $50 far as am concern
cdD that might have corrected, if necessary, any
erroneous impressions which my conversations may
have made upon you? The witness in court is of
tan misunderstood by lawyers and jury, and as of
ten called upon to correct the mistake and to
plain his meanings and you have gained little, in
your desire to be accurate, far rs am
ed by failing to present me with your private me-
moranda, and if now furnished L dare think that
might put different construction upon your own
notes.
Again: you incorrect in supposing that in
formed you that the President requested me to con-
verse with you and your colleagues. II was my
own proposition; and in this you will find am sup
ported by MIR. Bcrrien. Nor did | ever say that
your families had not returned the call of Mrs. Ea
TOM and that if they would leave the first card and
open formal intercourse in that way, the Pres-
dent would be satisfied Such an idea never enter
ed my mind; for nsver did know the precise man.
ner IN which the social non-ntercourse existed be-
tween your families, whether cards had ever pas
sed from either not; and am that the Pre-
sident 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 being successful. have never claimed
any merit for what did: felt happy, however,
that was in any way instrumental in prolongng
the political relations which have since been
severed, in which l have had no agency, and
which deeply regretted. Having thus ac-
ted 10 my great modification l find myself
dragged before the public to vindicate myself
against sentiments and conversations imputed
to me by part of those friends, without the
opportunity of explaining to them their misappre-
hension of what did say.
Without adverting to any farther inaccuracies of
your letter and statement, L have the honor to be
very respectfully. your ob't serv't
RII. NJ. JOHNSON.
Hon. SAMUEL ID. INGnAM.