Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-12-20
pr,votc and Political History.

Under TINS neaO Tic SouIIeE gives the
following history Of the affair between
Lieut.. Randolph and President Jackson,
the remembrance of which has been re-
vived BY the application Of the former to
be restored to the navy:
"Mr Randolph was Lieutenant in the
Navy in the early part Of Gen. Jackson's
administration, and by the death Of Purser
Timbetlake, was made Acting Purser ola
national vessel upon foreign cruise. 1t
was alleged against him that he defrauded
his predecessor, and robbed his widow of
her inheritance. In approving his sem
tence of dismissal from the navy, Presi-
dent Jackson dwelt upon the dishonor
which should attach 10 the man who had
taken advantage of the decease of broth
er officer to put money into his own pock-
ct. Mrs Timberlake, soon after the death
of her husband, married Mr. John H.
Eaton, who was Gen. Jackson's Secreta-
ry of War, and was understood to be a
great favorite of the President. Lieut..
Randolph and his friends always insisted
that he was not treated fairly by Gen.
jackson.
The episode in Mrs Eaton's history
the circumstances which broke up Presi-
dent Jackson's first Cabinet are we'll
known. The wife of Secretary Ingham,
ofthe Treasury Department, did not see
fit to associate with Mrs Eaton, upon the
ground that her conduct had not been en-
,irely exemplary in the absence Of her first
husband. This was mixed up with the
Calhoun and Van Buren, difficulties Of that
day. General Jackson took the part Of
his favorite lady, and also took the part Of
Mr. Van Buren,, in the difference which
existed between the latter and Mr. CAL
houn, who was then Vice President.
The consequence was the formation Of
new Cabinet, which the President aeclar-
ed should be 'unit, preceded by the re-
sienations Of Mr. Van Buren, and Mr.
Eaton, the unceremoniou. discharge Of
Mr. Branch, Secretary of the Navy, and Of
Mr. Berrien, Attorney General, and the
sullen retirement Of Mr. Ingham, who was
the only person who evinced any honora-
BILE indignation upon the occasion.
In 1888, President Jackson was pas
senger in steamer from Washington for
Mount Vernon, where monument was to
be raised to the memory of the mother Of
Washington, in which ceremony he was
to take some part. He was accompanied
by "guard of honor" composed Of ci,i-
zens and inhabitants Of Washington. The
steamer stopped at Alexandria to receive
additional passengers, where many peo-
pie took the opportunity Of going into the
cabin and pay their respects 10 the Presi-
dent. Lieut.. Randolph was among them
he graciously and politely drew oil his
glove, in approaching him, but instead OF
Offering his hand, seizen the drlr,al by
the nose, and inflicted upon him degra-
dation which he had never experienced
before, accompanied by words expressive
> OF the pent up, retaliatory rage OF the in
flictor. The attack was the work Of a
second, and the perpetra'or Immediately
fled, while the General, reaching for his
cane, darted after him, and If lie had reach
ed him at the moment, Notwithstanding the
disparity of years betweenth them, he would
have torn him to pieces, as the reports Of
the day said. A person who was on
board the steamer at the time, informed us
that he never saw more dreadful rage ex-
hibited, nor more fearful oaths uttered,
than were sent forth by the President upon
the occasion Of this disgraceiul encounter.
Lieut.. Randolph escaped to the shore,
where horse was ready 10 convey him
out of the reach Of danger. He had troops
of friends at the time, who justified his
proceeding, upon the ground that he had
| been badly used, and that he had taken
the only satisfaction that was left to him.
Alter so long an oblivion, he has turned
up again, with request for restoration,
| which must, of course, carry with it the
right of promotion to which be would have
been entitled had he remained in the navy
10 the disadvantage of every officer who
then stood upon the list behind him, and
who now stands fairly upon the books Of
the navy record. This should not count
against him If he has been wrongly treated
through Executive iavoritism and Execu'
tive prejudice, but his extraordinary de-
mand is not likely to be granted, without
full and sufficient reasons therefor. Hi:
demand is said.to be backed by Mr. Clay
and other eminent gentlemen, and it is sale
that the President and the Secretary ofth'
Navy, after examining the case, have ask
ed the opinion of the Attorney General, by
which they will be guided
new point in political History.
Calhoun AND JAcKsoN--Col. Bento,
in recent speech at Palmyra, Missouri
states that President Jackson had abso
lutely ISSUED warrant for the arrest Of tn
great nuliiier that Calhoun wa
aware of the affectionate intentions Of tn
| president He saws: