New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-08
A Woman Who Ruled.

Mrs. WestmorelaDd, in letter to the AT
!ansa Constitution, says:
Through DR.. Deems l learned that The
celebrated Mrs. Eaton, who did the honors
of the White House during General Jack
cons administration, still lived-was in
CHS city. and was one of his congregation.
Naturally l felt an interest in and some
curiosity to see person who had played 80
conspicuous q part in the affairs OF the ma
sion ut one tune, and, learning that she was
fond of company and would consider it no
Intrusion, 1 called. In doing SO was more
sorcibv reminded than ever before of what
slaves we are to the caprices OF fortune
what victims to the vicisstudes OF life.
ever which we have no control.
Here was woman who once held the
festines of the nation in her hand. To win
her approval augured successful arouse
Der anger meant defeat. HEALTH luxury,
Gattery, honors-everything this world
could give was laid at her feet Now an
old, feeble and faded woman, deserted by
friends. forgotten by the world, she ekes
one q bare existence in a retired boarding.
house, which overlOoks Washington square
Although in her seventy-sixth year, she
still bears the traces of having been a
beautiful woman, and though miserably
dressed, she received us with the grace and
elegance of queen.
sersation naturally turned upon events of
the past, and we were surprised TO find
every incident connected with her eveDtful
life as fresh in her memory 90 If they had
only just occurred. Her story varies some
what from the facts laid down in history,
and perhaps-whO knOwss-she may be
right, and the historian wrong Such things
have happened ~, for of all people who
profess to be entirely appropriated, we
h,v,vr In nf hiofnr
prejudiced than any other class of writers.
She spoke of Mrs. Randolph and the
Duchess de Fessendeck as her only chill.
slren, and, in the midst of many changes
and heavy losses, she said khe considered
herself blessed in being surrounded by her
grandchildren, who are very devoted to
Der, and console and comfort her in her old
hge. Mrs. Randolph has been dead many
years. and it is this family OF children she
has reared, and who now care tor her, the
youngest son making it his duty and pleas.
Vre to provide for his grandmother. whom
he seems to love with devotion bordeyiD.
On romance.
She mentioned in conversation that her
6on-in law, the Duke, had two titles. the
other one being the Duke de Sampayo, and
that their only child, daughter, was
married to one of the Rothschilds, the son
Of the elder CrGsus. SShe said her dough.
tus
and hated America 80 that she would not
allow her husband to accept position to
shis country which was offered him two
sears ago. asked her if she ..ever visited
Washington now
She said, mo; my recellections Of Wash.
lngton are so painful that do not like to
20 there any more;" then added, 81 very
:oolishly married third time. although
this marriage lost ali of my property: and
Il is not pleasant to go back and see other
people enjoying what rig htfully belongs to
ine. He married me for money. and it
took him ten years and sevsn months to
get it into his possession.
Then " hen he got it all he left me, taking
some woman whom he fancied, and left the
sUuntry. / was in complete ignorance of
Siis movements until letter reached me
which he had written from the steamer,
Daying he returned 20 me my honored
name. and left the country because ne was
hot worthy to be associated wit me and |
thy family, confessed himself villain and
Nm adventurer and assured me lie would. |
never trouble me again.
The name of this magnificent scoundrei
@as Antonio Buchignani, and, Mrs. Eaton
Bays, n very handsome and elegant man.
tnan who had served as librarian al Wash |
sngtOn, although he was an Italian adven- |
Surer of whom nothing was known. OF
course, she at once re sumed the name which |
Tad been so generously restored to her, and
Cor the distinguished honor of playing the |
,hort role OF Madame Buchiguani she paid
.he princely sum of nineteen houses and SIX
square blocks of real estate in Washing ton |
siiyo A few more years and tho sands OF
.'f. will cease to flow for this woman.
y sis.s.' career is sSithout a parallel.