The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-05
Strange Development -siagulAr ooaduct OF Thom.s
Ewias, SECRETARY of the Intsraos
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Strange Development singular Conduct OF Thomas
| Ewias, seerstary % the Intssiss.
We have noticed the following paragraph in several
Of our northern and western exchanges
i heard good story this morning Of Secretary Ewing
and, from the source. cannot question its truth Mr. Ew.
ing wanted house Mr.. Douglas had house; Mr.. Ew-
ing went TO Mr. Douglas and proposed certain
improvements &c, and by way of inducemeni,
told Mr. Douglas that II he would let him have the
house at low rent make the improvements &c., he should
have an appointment Mr. Douglas asked what appoint
ment. Mr. Ewing told him he should have Jenny Ma
hers place as gardener and superintendent of the pub
lie grounds. The bargain made, the improvement
was made, and Secretary Ewing moved in. Jenny
Maher heard thar Douglas succeed him. Jenny
wrote TO Mr.. Clay. and Mr. Clay wrote Gen. Taylor
Jenny was appointed by Mr.. Adams. and had OF
eesmpe in the soil he could be removed Secretary
Ewing moved out of the house. and Douglas took posses
sion.
AS discreditable as the transaction is to Mr. Ewing,
believe the facts related in the above are sub
stantialy uue with the exception that Mr. Ewing did
not make in person the proposition to Mr. Douglas 10
appoint him public gardener. in place of Mr. Maher
in consideration that he would let him have his house
at low rent. We believe the circumstances are
as follows, we have them from the best authori-
ty. Mr.. Douglas, very skilfal and well-known gar
dener and florist in this city, has large, fine, COM
modious dwelling house in the neighborhood OF the pub
lie departments He has heretofore rented it at $500 per
annum Shortly after Mr.. Ewing was appointed Secre-
tary Of the Interior, he Mr Ewng) and another person
came to Mr. Douglass examined the house, and proposed
TO rent it. No agreement, we understand, was then
made. Afterwards, the same person who accompanied
Mr. Ewing when he first examined the house, came TO
Mr. Douglas and proposed that he should 60 with him to
Mr. Ewing in relation to the house They both went,
and the way, before they started this individual
marked TO Mr. Douglas that he should put the rent low,
because if he did he tood get the appointment Of public
gardener Mr. Douglass acting the hint thus thrown out
by Mr. Ewings friend, put the rent Of the house at $780,
and agreed to convert used for seedroom and
rage two commodous paors thus making the house
worth in fact $500 per annum. Mr.. EUing bargained
icithm for the house at the rent Of $500, ,0el knowng
that it not than half the amount the house
mould rent for and Of course knowing that something
else expected Of him to make up the balance. He
hen superintendent the repairs and additions, which, when
completed, Mr. Douglas nearly $500, and finally
tered and occupied the house. In the time he
stany assured Mr. Douglas gave him to understand,
that he should have the office of public gardener but
kept putting him off with excuse after another for
not making the appointment He advised Mr. Douglas
to get the recommendations of members of Congress- in
order to forty the appointment and to strengthen his
hands in making it. He wanted also the recommended
ton of Mr.. Abbott Lawrence; and the latter assured
friend OF Mr. Douglas that he did call on Mr.. Ewing,
and recommend his appointment. Mr.. Ewing also
gave to others the impression that Mr. Douglas
would be appointed; and one member Of Congress,
in letter to Mr.. Douglas, which we have be-
fore us, although he admits he in favor Of another
adds: " You will get the situation" Mr.
Ewing continued impress upon the mind of Mr. Doug
las that ha shoud raceye the hut do
ayed or was unable persuade General Taylor to con-
sent to it. The affair continued in this state until Mr..
Douglas suspecting that he had been trihed with and
cheated, would no longer submit to this neglect the
part of Mr. Ewing to fulfil his part Of the bargain, and
he addressed him indignant letter. intimating to him
at The close that he would have lease for the
house. Mr. Ewing had in the time, moved into it,
got his furniture matched and his carpets put down And
finally, considering the bargain broken the part of
Mr. Ewing, by his failing to give him the appointment
of public gardener Mr.. Douglas required Mr.. Ewing to
quit the premises AT this stage of the business Mr. Ewing
employed attorney of this city to procure lease from
Mr. Douglas; and accordingly with that view, he had
interview with Mr. Douglas then at work in his field,
in which he desired Mr. Douglas to sign lease that he
had with him. Mr.. ID. refused, the ground OF the
failure by Ewing 10 perform his part Of the contract
attorney lnfedleueu 10 compel Oy Dill In
for specific performance. Mr. D. treated his threats with
contempt He then wished to arrange it in other
way; but Mr.. d. told him that Ewing should leave his
house, and that he would allow him to remain for
any amount Of rent The agent. seeing there no
other alternative, made arrangement by which Mr..
Ewing vacate the house in certain number OF
days 1--WE believe fve) from that time; and he did pack
up and 60. "bag and baggage" being virtually turned
out Of the house by Mr.. Douglas.
Afterwards attempts made to hush up the matter,
and keep 1t from the public earl and, with that view,
Mr. Douglas approached by individuals, and among
others by respectable female acquaintance Of Mr.. Ew
ng's family, who had interview with Mr.. D., and adj
vsed him not TO say anything about the affair, but TO
hush il up, saying TO him that Mr. Ewing was high in
public Office, had great deal Of influence, and would in
ure him in his business. Mr.. d. replied, bidding def.
to all the threats to the power Of Mr.. Ewing.
And thus the matter stands.
The case is simply this. Ewing wanted Douglass
house, and went TO him with friend in order TO rent it,
Afterwards that friend came to Douglas, took him to
Ewing. and the way suggested to him that il he put
he rent iop, he wowd get The office Of public gardener,
tcor 81 200 per Douglas, desiring the Office,
agreed take 800 after making all required alterations,
and Mr. Ewing agreed 10 give il, knooing that cas
more than haIf tchat such house Mould rent for He
subsequently,, by numerous acts which have been de-
tailed us, but for which have not constantly