The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-16

solved 70 estaoiiSn dhotheI paper. am hoe
enabled to fix the precise day of this converse
ton; but it was late in the session of Congress-
and dates become very important IN developing
the motive which governed Mr. Van Buren,, as
well as general jackson, in the part which they
took in the conspiracy against MIR. Calhoun's
charcter. will bring out the facts more in de-
toll, but now refer to dates, to prepare the
reader for right understanding of the facts
when they are given.
1t is known that the marriage of Major Eaton
to lady of equivocal character, constituted one
of the objections to his appointment to the War
Department. Gen. Jackson's feelings became
warmly enlisted in the attempt to force her into
the society of Washington, and to give her coun-
tenance, was one of the means resorted to by
Mr.. Van Buren, to conciliate Gen. Jaclxson's good
will. Major Lewis, who was Eaton's brother
in-law, was in Gen. Jackson's family, and very
active in endeavoring to enlist his sympathy,
and very hostile to Mr.. Calhoun, because he, and
his family, had refused to recognise her.
We now go back TO the events of 1928, when
Mr.. James A. Hamilton was deputed by MIR.
Van Buren,, through Tammany hail. to accom-
pany Gen. jackson 10 New Orleans. Lewis
was one of the party. Mr.. Crawford's letter of
the 18th of December, 1927, had been addressed
to Mr.. Balch, Just in Tina to meet Mr. Hamil-
ton, lat Nashville, and, that we may understand the
use he made of it, we quote Mr.. Hamilton him
self. In his publication, in the New York Even
ing Post of February 4th, 1881, he says =
sEOn my voyage during the winter Of 1927 and
'2S, from Nashville to New Orleans, in company
with General Jackson and his suite, there was
much conversation among the Generals friends,
in which | participated, and particularly with
Major Lewis, in relation to the various charges
against General Jackson, which the Presidential
canvass had originated or renewed, and particu
larly as to the unfriendly course Mr.. Crawford
was supposed to have taken towards the Gen
eral in relation to the SeI2inole war. 1t being
understood that intended, on my return to New
York, to pass through Georgia, to avail myself
of that opportunity to visit Mr. Crawford, Major
Lewis desired me, or offered, to ascertain truly
what occurred in Mr.. Monroe's cabinet delibera-
tons in relation to a proposition supposed to
have been made to arrest General Jackson for
his conduct in the war, and to inform him of the
result, in order, as | understood, that he might
be prepared to repel an attack on Cen jackson
that was anticipated, connected with that subject,
but above all, if possible, to produce perfect
Cancellation between those gentlemen and their
respective friends.
''On my arrival at Sparta, (Georgia) where
hoped to see Mr.. Crawford, | ascertained that
he lived so far out of my way that to go to his
house would delay me in my journey eight or
ten days, and that it was probable would not
| find him at home when should arrive there
l therefore pushed on to Savannah, whence, on
| the 25th January, 1928, wrote to Mr.. Forsyth
the letter referred to by him in his letter to Mr..
Calhoun, dated May 31st, 1880. As l did not
retain copy of that letter, | must speak of its
contents from recollection. By it informed him
of my disappointment in not having been per-
mitted by my arrangements to visit MIR. Craw-
ford, the inquiry l wished to make 81 him as
above stated, and requested him when he should
meet MIR. Crawford, to show him my letter, and
communicate the result to me at New York;
The result of this application to Mr. Craw-
ford, was the following letter from Mr. Forsyth
to Mr.. Hamilton.
Copy of letter from MIR. Forsyth to ETr. Ham
ilton, dated
MILLEDGEyILLE, Feb Sth, 1928.
DEAR SIR:-Our friend, VIM. IT. Crawford,
was in this place few hours yesterday, pri-
vate business. l had very unexpectedly an OPP
portunity to comply with the request made in
| your letter dated Savannah, January 25th. l
! had long conversation with Mr.. c., and after
wards read to him your letter. He regretted that
your engagements did not permit you to pay him
4 a
| ply to your inquiry, that at meeting of MIR.
Monroe's cabinet to discuss the course pursued
| towards Spain in consequence of Gen. Jackson's
proceedings in Florida, during the Seminole war.
Mr.. Calhoun, the Secretary of the War Depart
ment, submitted to and urged upon the President
the propriety and necessity of arresting and try
ing General jackson. Mr.. Monroe was very
much annoyed byit; expressed belief that such
step would not meet the public appreciation;
that General j. had performed too much public
service to be treated as younger or a subaltern
officer might without shocking public opinion.
Mr. Adams spoke with great violence against
the proposed arrest, and justified the General
throughout, vehemently urging the President to
make the cause of the General that of the ad-
ministraton.
In consequence of the strong excitement pro-
duced by the Presidents obvious embarrassment.
Mr.. Crawford interposed in the discussion. and
| suggesting that there was no necessity for de-
Gliding upon the course to be pursued towards the
General, as the question for which the cabinet
was convened, did not require it. They were
called to determine how Spain was to be treated
in relation to the Florida affair; the conduct of
the General was matter exclusively between
the General and his own government, in which,
however Spain might feel interested, she had no
right to NEEDLE. The subject was then disposed
of, and was not renewed
Mr. Calhoun had previously communicated to |
MIR. Crawford his intention to present the oles- |
ton to MIR. Monroe; an intention Mr. Crawford |
approved, although not believing as he stated to |
Mr. Calhoun, that General j. would be either
arrested or censured by the President
With great respect, am, dear sir, yours,
JOHN FORSYTH
Maj. JAMES HAMILTON, New York
Let it be remembered, that Mr.. Hamilton
passed by Georgia, for the purpose of seeing Mr..
Crawford, at the request of Major Lewis; that
this letter from Mr. Forsyth, was the result of |
that inquiry and no one can believe that its pur-
port was not communicated to him. It is true,
that MIR. Hamilton says, in the publication in
the Post, that the letter remained in his posses
sion, and was not seen by any one until the au-
tulnn of 1929, when it was read by Major Lewis,
at his house, in New Yorsbut he is care fsst not