New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-15
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TIE 6ONtI,NhtAJAL EMBhENASSMENIS
If Mr. Buchanan would resign and turn over
The Government to Mr. Breckinridge, thus throw
irg the responsibility upon Southern President,
the present enbarrnssreHts would BIO greatly re-
lieved. They sre now aggravated by an i'm
tecilty ard want Of courage to carry cut his
own convictions Of right. Tnnidity and vacila-
ton huve strengthened the hands of the disunlon-
sts throughout.
ILLNESS or SIR. HOLT.
Mr.. Holt is lying seriously sick with an attack
Of Pneumonia. Mr.. King is acting in his place.
TIE ASSISTANT sECRETARYsmP.
Although Dir. Trescott has resigned his place
as Assistant Secretary Of State he is still nd.
yising and attending to ts duties, and probably
will until the secession ordinance shall be passed.
TIE FORCE ar PORT MoULTRIE.
Secretary Floyd stated to-day, in reply to in.
guries concerning the suffciency of the force at
Fort M0ultrie, that the Government has no ap-
prehenson OF an attack.
ILLNESS OF Dir. DUNDAs.
Mr.. Dundas, Second Assistant Postmaster
General aud one Of the best officers in the SER
vice, is not expected to recover from tn, illness
Which has absepted him from the Dep Irtment
for two months.
THE TREASURY.
The condition of the Treasury is far worse
than is understood by the public, or disclosed in
the weekly statements. II has not been so bad
at any time siuce 1914, when Treasury notes
were sold at % per cent discount Over drafts
amounting TO S250,0C0 have been made on New
York, und orders have been dispatched to st.
Louis to transfer $40, 900 sent there to pay
army and other demands, TO New-YOrk TO satisfy
these drafts. There are only few hundred
thousand dollars i'll a the Repositories, scattered
in IN. all sums, and thus rendered unavailable at
any particular point. The Mot fund, which is
rarely touched for any other purpose, is ex-
baustcd, and there are warrants amounting to
81, OOO,C00 On the Secretarys table, which are
not signed, because they cannot be paid. Mr..
Thomas will take immediate steps to secure tho
payment of interest on the public debt, due on
the let of January, If all other demands have to
be temporarily postponed.
Soon after Mir Cobb into office he re
deemed the Government loan at premium of To-
per cent, to relieve tie plcthoric Treasury, and
tie day lie went out it sold at 10 per cent
ds cunt. SO much for Democratic ability and
economy.
KENTUCKY.
Tie Kentucky delegation have held meeting
and exchanged views fully and frankly. Mr..
Crittenden Will present the proposition published
in NY dispatch Il lew days ago, as the utimatum
of the South, and failing to obtain it, or some
equivalent from the North he will justify Ken
tucky in cooperating with the Secession move
ment. Pretent signs point to an approaching
clupx, uucss me mems be found for arrest
ing this dangerous drifting toward the lee shore.
RESIGNATION OF GEN. CAss.
Gen. Cass has resigned the Department of
State Tie immediate and moving cause was
tie decision Of the President not TO send addi-
tonal troops to strengthen the Charleston forts
This question has been up before the Cabinet on
several occasions during the last ten days, aud
discussed with much feeling. The President and
Secretary of War objected to reenforcements, on
the ground, and upon the authority of represent
atons that any such step would provoke COLI
sion. 1t is known that Messrs. Cas- aud Holt
decidedly opposed this view, contending that it
was the best mode Of insuring peace, and that
vhile the Government pretended to exercise au-
tlority at all, it was bound to protect the public
property, and with the means most efficient for
that purpose. This view was finally rejected by
| the President, aud Gen. Cass thought it incum-
| bent upon him to withdraw from cabinet which
failed to perform its duty according to his ideas
| of proper responsibility. While in Gen. jack
| sons administration hi rendered his resignation
twice, but the President declined to accept
either, though ackIow Lodging the dehcacy which
prompted both.
Ii il understood that the President holds Gen.
Cass's resignation under advisement, and will Gu
deavor to induce him to reconsider. But consid-
| erirp the radical causes of difference between
them, that would appear impracticable. lie did
not attend the Cabinet meeting to-day.
THE ASSISTANT TREAsURERsmP.
Mr.. Clayton, Assistant Secretary to Mr.. Cobb,
is expected to retire Immediately. The Presl-
dent cave him d broad hint to yacate in refusing
him the ordinary acting appointment after MIR.
Cotbs retirement and sending Mr. Toucey to
perform the ministerial service Of signing papers.
lie will soon have plenty Of leisure to aid in dis
terminating secession through The Constitution,
which was favored with the Presidents Message
confdentially, aud which now enjoys all the Gov
eminent advertising, under Mr. Buchanan's order,
not beug entitled to it by law, from lack OF
necessary circulation. The President may con-
yeniently repudiate it, but these facts speak
stronger tlan words. 1t is probable that Dir.
Thomas will designate one of the most expert
enced clerks OF the Treasury to act as his assist.