Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-18

SecretarysCobb,s Letter OF defamation.
The following is Secretary CoIB's letter endors
ing his resignation. and TIC Presidents reply
WAsHIxGrox CRY, December s.
Ny DEAR SrE A sense Of duty to the State of
Georgia requires me to take step which makes it
proper that ] should no longer continue TO be a
member Of your Cabinet
In the troubles of the country consequent upon
the late Presidential election, the honor and safety
of MY State are involved. Her people regard it.,
and in their opinion | fully concur. They are en-
gagged ir struggle where the issue is Iife death.
Nv friends ask for nv views and counsel.
Not to respond would be degrading myself and un.
lust to them. have accordingly prepared and
must now issue to them address which contains
the calm and solemn convictions Of MY heart and
judgment.
therefore, am bound to express differ in some re-
spects from your The existence of the differ
ence would expose me. if, | should remain in my
present place. TO unjust suspicious and put you in
false position. The first of these consequences
could bear well enough, but I will not subject
you to the least
Ny withdrawal has not been occasioned by any
thing you have said or done. Whilst differing from
your message upon some of its theoretical doctrines,
well from the hope earnestly expressed that
the Union can vet be preserved there practi-
cal result likely to follow. which required me to
retire from your administration. That necessity IS
| created by what feel it my duty to do; and the
responsibility of the act therefore, rests alone upon
myself
| To say that Iregret-deeply regret-this necessi-
| tv but feebly expresses the facing with which !
| pen this communication For nearly four years
! have been associated with you one of your Cab
met officers and during that period nothing has oc
! CURED to mar. even for a moment our personal
and official relations. In the policy and measures Of
vOur administration I have cordially cOncurred
and shall ever feel proud of the humble place which
| my name may occupy in its history. If your wise
counsels and patriotic warnings had been Needed by
! your countrymen, the fourth Of March next would
/ have found our country happy, prosperous and
united That it will not be so, is fault of yours
| The evil has now passed beyond control and
| must be met by each and all of under our re
sponslbility to God and our country. If, as be
lieve history will have to record yours as the las
| administration of our present Union, it Will also
place it side by side with the purest and ablest o.
| those that proceed it.
With the kindest regard for yourself and the
| members of your Cabinet, with whom have beer
SO pleasantly associated most truly and sincere
| ly your friend HOWELL OoBB'
To the President
WASHINGTON Dec. TO- 1860.
Ny DEAR SIR: / have received your cOmmunica
ton of Saturday evening, resigning the positlon O
Secretary of the Treasury which you have held sine
the commencement of my administration. Whilst
deeply regret that you have determined to separate
yourself from us at the present critical moment We
| admit that the question was for your owl
decision. could have wished you had arrived a
a different conclusion, because our relations, boil
official and personal. have ever been of the mos
friendly and confidential character may add tina
have been entirely satisfied with the ability an
zeal which you have displayed in performing
the duties of your important Office.
Cordially recprocating your sentiments of per
sonal regard, l remain very respectfully you
friend, JAMES BUCHANAN.