WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Danl Webster"), to John Woods, Boston, 10 May 1831. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, small closed tears on address leaf and near salutation .
WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Danl Webster"), to John Woods, Boston, 10 May 1831. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, small closed tears on address leaf and near salutation . THE CABINET SHAKE-UP AND AFTERSHOCKS OF THE PEGGY EATON SEX SCANDAL Webster tells Woods--a former Ohio Congressman now a Whig editor of the Hamilton Intelligencer in Ohio--that he is "anxious to learn what effect is produced in your quarter by the scattering at Washington." Namely, the mass resignations of Jackson's Cabinet under the weight of the Peggy Eaton affair. "Along the sea coast it has caused a strong sensation. I think it cannot fail to produce a great impression throughout the U. States. It is evident that the President's friends feel & fear its effects. In this State public opinion is very strong in favor of Mr Clay & it appears to us that the suitability of a change in the administration is daily increasing. Very much depends on the Western Elections this coming fall, especially on that of Kentucky. I should be very glad to hear from you & to learn what effects recent events have produced in your region." Secretary of War John Eaton married Peggy O'Neale--his long-time mistress--in 1828. The Cabinet wives, led by Floride Calhoun, were scandalized to have such a notorious woman thrust upon them as a presumed social equal, and they snubbed her. President Jackson, however, rallied to Peggy's defense. The attacks on her reminded him of the slanders hurled at his own deceased wife Rachel, and he became her inflexible champion. "She is," he declared, "as chaste as a virgin!" Jackson blamed Calhoun for failing to sway his wife, and the scandal became a paralyzing obsession for the administration. Only the widower Van Buren, eager to curry favor with his chief, agreed to sip tea with Peggy. It won him Jackson's undying loyalty, but even Van Buren realized that something had to be done to break free of "the Eaton malaria." He suggested a mass resignation, giving Jackson a clean slate. Webster thinks the episode spells certain victory for Clay or himself in the 1832 election. But Jackson bested Clay easily for another four-year term.
WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Danl Webster"), to John Woods, Boston, 10 May 1831. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, small closed tears on address leaf and near salutation .
WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Danl Webster"), to John Woods, Boston, 10 May 1831. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, small closed tears on address leaf and near salutation . THE CABINET SHAKE-UP AND AFTERSHOCKS OF THE PEGGY EATON SEX SCANDAL Webster tells Woods--a former Ohio Congressman now a Whig editor of the Hamilton Intelligencer in Ohio--that he is "anxious to learn what effect is produced in your quarter by the scattering at Washington." Namely, the mass resignations of Jackson's Cabinet under the weight of the Peggy Eaton affair. "Along the sea coast it has caused a strong sensation. I think it cannot fail to produce a great impression throughout the U. States. It is evident that the President's friends feel & fear its effects. In this State public opinion is very strong in favor of Mr Clay & it appears to us that the suitability of a change in the administration is daily increasing. Very much depends on the Western Elections this coming fall, especially on that of Kentucky. I should be very glad to hear from you & to learn what effects recent events have produced in your region." Secretary of War John Eaton married Peggy O'Neale--his long-time mistress--in 1828. The Cabinet wives, led by Floride Calhoun, were scandalized to have such a notorious woman thrust upon them as a presumed social equal, and they snubbed her. President Jackson, however, rallied to Peggy's defense. The attacks on her reminded him of the slanders hurled at his own deceased wife Rachel, and he became her inflexible champion. "She is," he declared, "as chaste as a virgin!" Jackson blamed Calhoun for failing to sway his wife, and the scandal became a paralyzing obsession for the administration. Only the widower Van Buren, eager to curry favor with his chief, agreed to sip tea with Peggy. It won him Jackson's undying loyalty, but even Van Buren realized that something had to be done to break free of "the Eaton malaria." He suggested a mass resignation, giving Jackson a clean slate. Webster thinks the episode spells certain victory for Clay or himself in the 1832 election. But Jackson bested Clay easily for another four-year term.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
