Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-06-28
Reco||ections Of the Timesof
GEN. ANDREW JACKSON.
NO. Three.
Dissolution of the Cabinet
Destruction of the
Treasury Building,

General Jackson was at times
exceedingly impetuous. If the at
fairs of the state worked well, he
was easy and happy, and could be
approached by any one, with the
same freedom that was extended
to a less distinguished parsonage,
or to any everyday, well-bred gen.
tleman. But, if the wheels of the
government rolled over rugged
pathway, he was not to be an
moved by ill:timed andimpertinent
visits from any one. His friend
ship was never withdrawn from
those who had served him; and,
if necessary, he always stood ready
to share his last shilling with
those who had at any period OF
his wonderful career, awarded to
him an act that he believed had
been prompted by disinterested
kindness. He was irritable,
Lofty and sour, to those that loved him not,
But TO those men that sought him, sweet as
summer"
With the members of his Cabl-
net he was familiar, yet disnlied,
and, when he called them to con-
suit with him, he endeavored to
relieve them from all restraint and
embarrassment, and obtain, if pos
sible their candid and unpreju-
diced opinions. If he conceded
with them, it was well; but it was
not well, if any one of his Minis
ters attempted to thwart his pur-
poses. This fact was abundantly
proved, in the year 1881, when he
dismissed his whole Ministry, be-
cause it had gone into a feud,
growing out of point of contro-
versy, which involved the happi-
ness of Mrs. John II. Eaton, orig
inally Miss O'Neal, afterwards,
prior to her marriage with Major
Eaton, the celebrated Mrs. Tim
berlake.
This celebrated lady, and she
was equally celebrated for her IN
telIectual endowments and per-
sonal beauty. had been subjected
to the scandal of the Sir Benja-
min Backbites and Mrs. Candors
of the Capitol; and an attempt had
been made, by Mrs. John Z. Cal
houn. to interdict her entrance TO
the refined circles of Washington.
Mai. Eaton, the husband OF the
lady, was Secretary of the War
Department at the time; ne had
been for many years the friend
and confidant of Gen. Jackson
he was the author of his biogra-
ply; and the venerable soldier en-
! tertained for him the most pro-
found respect, admiration, and
friendship.
The attempt to taboo Mrs. Eaton.
soon reached the ears of General
jackson, and like an honorable,
high-minded, and gallant man, he
espoused the cause of the lady
He knew that she had been foully
aspersed, and was determined that
she should not stand undefended
Without assuming the right OF In.
terfering with the domestic affairs
of any one, he introduced the sub
,ject informally to his Cabinet,
and urged the propriety, if not the
necessity, of its being on friendly
terms in its domestic associations;
and expressed an earnest hope
that the lady of the Secretary OF
War, would thereafter be regard
ed and received into the ministers
al circles.
Mr.. Calhoun, who was at that
time Vice President of the United
States, had been taken into the
Cabinet, contrary to previous
usage; and had succeeded IN lnlu
sing a spirit of discomfort into the
bosom of Mr.. Samuel D. Ingham
of Pennsylvania, who was Secre,
tary of the Treasury; and that
eminent man, regarding the dlspo'
sition the President bad manifest
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