Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-12-14
FROM WASHINGTON,


WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
A messenger from South Carolina arrived
to-day, bringing the vote of that State for
President for the ensuing four years. He
delivered the vote and drew the pay for his
services. Much surprise is expressed by
those who know this, as the Secession Rep
resentatives from that State have frequently
! declared that South Carolina was virtually
out Of the Union, and would not transmit
/ the vote for President. Some went so far as
/ to say the Electoral Colleges Of the Cotton
/ States would not even meet, and thew have
refused TO vote on certain occasions IN the
! House on the same ground. The vote trans
mitted was for Breckenridge. This act
strengthens the belief, men have, that the
South does not actually wish to secede, and
is only playing an immense game Of bluff.
Despatch to the Commercial Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
Events have transpired which point to an
| indefinite pOstpOnement of the secession OF
South Carolina and other cotton States.
They now propose instead Of going incon-
tinently out Of our Union to appoint Commits
sioners who shall endeavor to persuade Con-
gress to consent TO an amicable severance Of
the Union, with a fair division of the federal
assets and liabilities.
Meanwhile, and until these Commissioners
have effected the object of their mission, the
disafected states. influenced either by patri-
otism or prudence, will continue to pay rev
enues TO the United States government, and
enjoy the benefits Of the general post Office
and its operations.
The reason assigned for this course is two
fold First, their anxiety to avoid collision
with the general government, which the re-
dec,ing men see 10 be inevitable il secession
is consumm4ted, and for which coniessedly
10 Southern state is at present prepared.
Secondly, that such p0stpOnement Will
give the border states an opportunity to
reconcile the difficulties between themselves
and the cotton states, which they propose to
Go and must do before they can form q
Southern cOnfederacy.
The latter Is the Ostensible motive for the
proposed delay. Not a few here, however,
regard this further and indefinite postpone
ment as a virtual admission that whether the
cotton states ever seriously meant secession or !
not, returning reason tells them that it is /
alike lmpOlitic and impracticable.
Vice President Breckenridge has himself /
attended the caucus Of Southern Senators,
and strongly advocated an adjustment Of all
difficulties within the Union and without a
resort to secession.
Upon the whole the feeling in favor of con-
citation has made rapid strides since Satur-
day and at least the danger Of immediate Sc
oassi5n may be considered as passed.
despatch to the World.I
WAsHIyG1oy, Dec 10.
The republican members seem TO have de-
tarmined upon the policy Of attending
strictly to business, without adverting TO the
rJu5l0us state of affairs. This policy Is
considered commendable under the circum-
stances, and cannot fail Of effect upon the
most ultra Of the secessiOnIsts.
RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY COBB.
Secretary Cobb personally rendered his
written resignation to-day to the President,
though the fact was intimated To him two {
weeks since. Thursday afternoon he VIII
leave for Georgia, where he viii be a candi-
late for the State Convention which assem- ,
-ies On the It'll January. lie did not a.
tend the last three cabinet councils.
Il seems well credited that Postmaster
General Hol, viii be transferred to the treas
1ry. and Mr.. King, now first assistant, VIII
De made Postmaster General.
Mr.. Prescott, assistant Secretary of State. 7
eturned to-day from South Carolina, and :
avs that there Is no disposition 70 resist any
ederal law. The State viii resist no func-
ion Of the federal government. but by the
ordnance Of secession viii declare no ale T
glance. This Is commented upon here as L
-ery novel, ard seems TO strengthen the fact Z
hat secession does not make civil war inev-
table