The weekly Butte record., 1862-12-20
Mr. Van Buren and Mrs. Eaton.

interesting II the ADMINISTRATION OF JenSfAl
jackson; and more than any other single
influence concerning the rising fortunes Of Mr.
Van Buren, himself The story which may
be told in brief, shows upon what slight iniu-
ences the fortunes Of great men and the des
TIMES of a great nation may sometimes hang.
Mrs. Eaton was the daughter of William
O'Neal, who kept at Washington, many years,
large old fashioned tavern, which was kind
of headquarters for members Of Congress du-
ring its sessions. She was lively, handsome
girl, free in her conversation, and a general
favorite with her fathers guests There were
gossips and busy bodies enough, who. for want
Of other victims, seized on poor Peg 0 Neal,
and made sad work with her reputation. She
married in the course of events, Purser Tim
berbiake, of the United States Navy, who
came to a melancholy end two O. three years
later, while on duty in the Mediterranean. In
January 1829-a year later, and scarcely two
months before the first Inauguration of General
Jackson-Major John H Eaton, then men,
Der from Tennessee and al intimate and trust
ed friend of the President elect, became
attached 10 the still attractive Mrs. Timber
lake. Shadows were still resting on the good
name of the young widow, touching even her
relations with Major Eaton before Mr.. TIM
berlake's untimely death
It is said that Gen. Jackson, coming up 10
Washington, fresh from Tennessee, was con
suited by his friend as to the wisdom of this
marriage. " Why, yes, Major" said the Gene
raj, if you love the woman, and she will have
you, marry her, by all means Major Eaton
suggested that Mrs. Undertakes reputation
had not escaped reproach, and that his own
name had suffered with hers. Wen,7 said
the old hero, your marrying her will disprove
those 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 Department.
Imagine the horror of Washington society !.
The tavern-keeper's daughter, and prescribed
widow Of a reckless navy officer, pierced with
the shafts of all sorts Of scandal, the wife of
Cabinet Minister, and entitled to admission to
the drawing-roOmS Of those who never did
anything improper. "Forbid it, General
Jackson" =" But the old hero wouldn't do
anything of the kind. The recollection of as
persions once cast on his own wife, whose
beloved spirit had just passed away, coutylbu-
ted to the flaming Indignation with which he
rejected the scandal against the wife OF his
friend. Believing her to be upjustly aspersed,
he espoused her cause with the zeal of knight
errant. and the impatuous energy Of General
jackson.
The result was fierce and long contested
social war. The ladies of other Cabinet Min
listers ruled that Mrs. Eaton could not be ad
mitted to their circle The ladies of foreign
Ministers followed their EXAMPLE Mrs Don
elson. the neice of the President and mistress
of the White House, though compelled to
receive her, would not visit her. "Anythiug
else uncle, said she, but cannot call on
Mrs. Eaton" Very well" said the inaexible
old General; then 90 back to Tennessee, my
dear, and she went. Poor Mrs. Eaton was
all this time resting in silence under this mer-
ciess despotism. Mr.. Van Buren was Secre-
tary Of State, and widower. He called upon
Mrs. Eaton, made parties for her, persuaded
his friends to treat her with the respect due to
her position, no less than to 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 Presi-
dents confidential counselors who were then,
and for eight years following, the President
makers of the Republic Indeed" said one
of the biographers of Andrew Jackson, &" the
political history of the United States for 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 very commencement
divided on the question of Mrs. Eatons char
acter For Mrs. Eaton-the President, Mr..
Van Buren, Major Eaton, Mr.. Barry. -
Against her-the Vice President, Mr.. Barrien,
Mr.. Ingham. Mr. Branch The Cabinet could
not hold together 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 ex-
ample, and was to be well provided for
These designations rendered the reconstruction
of the cabinet necessity and had thwarted
the Presidents darling purposes to restore an
injured lady to her rights. were courteoasly
relieved from duty. From that hour Mr. Van
Buren's fortunes were made Mrs. Eaton
soon ceased 10 be the issue in the social and
political circles at the Capital where the lady
long outhved the reign and almost the memo
" of those who made such havoc with her
fame
FAcETIR OF Tbs New York ELEcrIoy-
The following was the concluding portion of
one OF Sam Cox's speeches in New York 1t
was received with uproarious applause:
when the last Congress met, after prayers.
they ought to sing hymn which was publish