The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-05
Mr.. Van Buren, and Mrs. Eaton
From the wor ester sry

Mr.. Van buren ana mrs. EATON
From the wor. ester sry
The episode in which these once famous
names became associated is one Of the
most interesting in the history Of Gen.
Jackson's administration, and more than
any other single 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 sometime hang.
Mrs Eaton was the daughter Of Will
lain 0'Neal, who kept at Washington, for
many years, large old fashioned tavern,
which was a kind Of headquarters for
members Of Congress during its sessions
She was lively handsome girl, free in her
conversation, aud general favoriie with
her fathers guests. There we're gOssips
and busy bodies enough, who for want
Of other victims, seized upon poor Peg
ONcal, and made sad work with her
reputation. She married in the course
events, puTser Timberlake, of the United
| States navy, who came 10 melancholy
| end two or three years later, while on
| duty in the Mediterranean, In Jknu-
| ary, 1924 year later, and scarcely
| two months before the first inauguration
Of Gen. Jackson-Major John Ii. Eaton,
| than a Senator from tennessee, and an
! intimate and trusted friend of the Presi-
dent elect, became attached to the still at
! tractive Mrs Timberlake. Shadows were
still resting on the good name of the
young widow, touching even her rala-
tions with Major Eaton before Dir. Tim
berlakc's untimely death.
1t is said that Gen. Jackson coming up
TO Washington fresh from Tennessee, was
consulted by bis friend as to the wisdom
of this marriage: Why yes, Major
said the General, "if you love the woman,
and she will have you, marry her by all
means" Major Eaton suggested that her
reputation had not escaped reproach, and
that his name had suffered with hers.
"Well," said the old hero "your marry
ing her will disprOye these charges, and
restore Pegs good name" They were
married. Time passed. Major Eaton
was called TO the cabinet. President
Jackson as head of the War Department.
Imagine the horror of Washington soci-
ETY. The tavern keepers daughter. The
| HIObGIlubu WAuOH VI u ItChlt61 llu v Olll-
Ger, 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 anything
improper Forbid it Gen. Jackson ~
But the old hero wouldn't do anything
of the kind. The recollections of asper-
sions once cast npon his own wife, whose
beloved spirit had just passed away, con-
tributed to the flaming indignation with
which he rejected the scandal against the
wife of his friend. Believing her TO be
unjustly aspesed he espoused her cause
with the zeal of knight Grant and the
impetuous energy of-Gen. Jackson.
The result was a fierce and long con
tinued social war. The ladies Of Other
cabinet ministers ruled that Mrs. EatOr
could not be admitted to their circle
The ladies of the foreign ministers fol.
lowed their example. Mrs. Donelson, rht
ncice Of the President, and, mistress o
the White House, though compelled L
receive her would not visit her. "Any'
thing else uncle" said she, "but | can
not call on Mrs. Eaton" "Very well,
said the indexible Gene al; "then e
back TO Tennessee, my dear; and sh,
went. Poor Mrs. Eaton was all the time
resting in silence under this mCrciles
social despOtism. Mr., Van Buren, wal
Secretary Of State, and a widower. He
, called upon Mrs, Eaton made parties fol
T her, persuaded his friends 10 treat he
with respect due to her position no lest
than to lady who had been greatly
wrOnged. His conduct naturally touch
. ed the heart Of the old General which
, was set on the lady's yiudicatiOn.
also won for Mr. Van Buren, the affection
of the Presidents counsel Ors who wer
then aud for eight years following, IN
President makers of the Republic. "In
| deed" says one of the biOgrapbers o
Andrew Jackson, "the political histOr,
Of the United States the last thirty year
dates from the moment when the sol
r hand of Mr.. Van Buren, touched Mrs Ea
| tIn's knOcker."
, The rest of the story is soon told. Tn
cabinet was from the beginning dividet
on the question Of Mrs. Eatons charac
Z ter. For Mrs. Eaton - the President
r Mr.. Van Buren, Major Eaton, Mr.. Barry
q Against hcr--the Vice President Mr.
Bcrrien, Mr.. Ingham, Mr.. Branch. Tn
cabinet could not hold together and wa
Z dissolved Mr.. Van Buren, first resigned
and the President gratefully sent him a
!. Minister TO the court of ST. ames. Ma
=. Eaton followed his example, and was I
= be well provided for. These resignation
rendered the reconstruction Of the cabi
e net necessity, and the rest of the mem
o bers who thwarted the Presidents darl
, ing purpose TO restore an injured lady I
her rights, were cautiously relieve
from duty. From that hour, Mr.. Va
Buren's fortunes were made. Mrs. Ia
ton soon ceased to be an issue in the 3,
= cial and political circles at the capita
where the lady long outlived the rcig
and almost the memory Of those WI
m ,de sad havoc with her fame