Worcester daily spy., 1862-07-26
Mr.. Van Buren and Mrs. Eaton

-HEs ' an hbhEeh ana MIS- EnIOh'
The episode in which these once famous
names became associated is one of the most
interesting in the history of Gen. Jackson's
administrations and more than any other sin
gle influence controlled the rising fortunes of
Mr.. Van Buren, himself. The story, which
may be told in brief shows upon what slight
influences the fortunes of great men aud the
destinies of great nation may sometimes
hang.
Mrs Eaton was the daughter Of William
O'Neal, who kept at Washington, for many
years, large old-fashioned tavern, which was
a kind of headquarters for members of con-
gress during its sessions. She was a lively,
handsome girl, free in her conversation, and
a general tavorte with her fathers guests.
There were gossips and busybodies enough,
who, for want of other victims, seized upon
poor Peg O'Neal, and made sad work with her
reputation. She married, in the course of
events, purser Timberlake, Of the United
States navy, who came to a melancholy end
two or three years later, while on duty in the
:
later, and scarcely two months before the first
Inauguration of Gen. ,Jackson-Major John
H. Eaton, then a senator from Tennessee,
and an intimate and trusted friend Of the pres
ident elect, became attached to the still attrac-
tive Mrs. Timberlake. Shadows were still
resting on the good name of the young widow,
touching even her relations with Major Eaton
before Mr.. Undertakes untimely death.
1t is said that Gen. jackson coming up TO
Washington fresh from Tennessee, was con-
suited by his friend as to the wisdom of this
marriage. "Why yes, major" said the gen
eral, eff you love the woman, and she will
have you, marry her by all means" Major
Eaton suggested that Mrs. Undertakes rep
utation had not escaped reproach, and that
his own name had suffered with hers. "Well,"
said the old hero, ''your marrying her will
disproye these charges, and restore Pegs good
name" They were married, Time passed.
Major Eaton was called to the cabinet of
president jackson as head of the war depart
ment. Imagine the horror of Washington So
ciety! The tavern-keeper's daughter, the
prescribed widow of reckless navy officer,
pierced with the shafts of all sorts of scandal,
the wife of a cabinet minister, and entitled to
admission to the drawing rooms of those who
never did any thing improper! ''Forbid it,
Gen. Jackson!' But the old hero wouldn't
do any thing of the kind The recollection
of aSpersions once cast upon his own wife,
whose beloved spirit had just passed away,
contributed to the flaming Indignation witt
which he rejected the scandal against the wife
of his friend. Believing her to be unjussivi
aspersed he espoused her cause with II,
of a knight errant and the impetuous .tvrgy
of-Gen. jackson.
The result was fierce and ong-continuef
social war. The ladies of other cabinet min
listers ruled that Mrs. Eaton could not be ad-
mitted to their circle. The ladies of the for
eign ministers followed their example. Mrs.
Donelson, the niece of the president, and
mistress of the white house, though compell-
ed to receive her, would not visit her. ''Any
thing else, uncle said she, ''but l cannot
S'AiA NAA %AAS' 1@tRAOlt' Nly NNlii odlu lIlS
infiexible general; ''then go back to Tennes-
see, my dear, and she went. Poor Mrs.
Eaton was all this time resting in silence
under this merciless social despotism. Mr.
Van Buren, was secretary Of state, and wild
over. He called upon Mrs. Eaton, made
parties for her, persuaded his friends to treat
her with respect due to her position no less
than to a lady who had been greatly wronged.
His conduct naturally touched the heart of
the old general, which was set on the lady's
vindication. 1t also won for Mr.. Van Buren,
the affection of the presidents confidential
counsellors, who were then and for eight
years following, the president-makers of the
republic. 'Indeed," says one of the biogra-
pliers of Andrew jackson, ''the political his
tory of the United States the last thirty years
dates from the moment when the soft hand of
Mr.. Van Buren touched Mrs. Eaton's
knocker"
The rest of the story is soon told. The
cabinet was from the beginning divided on
the question of Mrs. Eaton's character. For
Mrs. Eaton-the president, Mr.. Van Buren,
Major Eaton, Mr.. Barry. Against her-the
vice president, Mr.. Berrien, Mr.. Ineham, Mr..
Branch. The cabinet could not hold togeth-
er and was dissolved. Mr.. Van Buren first
resigned, and the president gratefully sent him
as minister to the court of St. james, Major
Eaton followed his example, and was to be
well provided for. These designations rem
dered the reconstruction of the cabinet ne
cessity, and the rest of the members, who had
tEwarted the presidents darling purpose to
restore an injured lady to her rights, were
courteously relieved from duty. From that
hour Mr. Van Buren's fortunes were made.
Mrs. Eaton soon ceased to be an issue in the
social and political circles at the capital, where
the lady long outlived the reign and almost
the memory Of those who made such havoc
with her fame.
The TwENTY-FIRsT REGmENT.-The fol-
lowing changes and promotions have taken
place in the 2lst Massachusetts regiment.
subject to the approval of the governor of the
commonwealth =
Second Lieut.. Fred. NJ. Sanderson of Phil
lipston to be first lieutenant, vice Lieut.. John
| Brooks Jr. of Tempeton rpsigned