The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-11
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
-~~~>~~~~~~~->~>~>~~-~->~~--
Resignation Of the Secretary of
the Treasury.
Debates in Both Houses Of Congress on
the Secession Question.
~~--~-~~~~--~~~~~~~>~~
The Position Of the Great North
west Defined.
MT. Hawkins, Of Florida, Refuses to Act with
the Committee Of Thirty-three.
Passage Of the Ten Million Treasury Note
Bill in the House.
MR. cOBB'S LETTER TO TINE PEOPLE Of GEORGIA,
&C., &C., &c.
Passage Of the Ten Million Treasury Note
Bill in the House.
Mr.. coBB's LETTER TO TINE PEOPLE Of GEORGIA,
OUR DISPATCHES FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1860.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1860
special Cabinet meeting called by the President
this morning at which Mr. Cobb, the Secretary Of the
Treasury, gned, and the resignation accepted.
This is longer rumor, but positive fact, obtained
from the highest authority OF specuations
plenty to who win succeed Mr.. Cobb Mr.. Alexander
H. stephens, Of Georgia. named most likely to be the
man. but his friends span the idea of his mixing in the
complications Of the present administration Collector
ScheI, Of New York. think will succeed Mr. Cobb.
MI Cobb leaves here Thursday evening, and takes
the steamer from Baltimore on Friday for Charleston,
c. with the intention Of visiting the secession Conyen-
tion in that State at Columbia, on the nth inst.
No successor to Secretary Cobb has yet been designated
The Of several have been suggested among them
Mr. Guthrie, of Kentucky, and Mr.. Corning
Of New York. 1t is barely possible that
the President will arrange without going outside of his
Cabinet putting Mr. Holt in the Treasury, and allowing
Horaon King, frsssistant to perform the duties
OF Postmaster General.
Mr. Hawkins, of Florida, to-day excused himself for
not serving the Committee of hirtythree elabo
rate speech defending the South and the right OF
sion 1t is rumored that he will resign his seat if the
House refuses TO excuse him. The galleries were
crowded and the House gave the utmost attention
what he said
This has been busy day for speeches in both houses
and the galleries have been ed with truly attentive
audience
In the Senate Mr. Foster OF Connecticut delivered
republican speech, and charging upon the democratic
party the Of all the trouble overwhelming the
country
Judge Douglas responded and rebuked the senator for
his assigning such a reason for existing difficulties.
Senator Davis, Of Mississippi, took ground that
promises for the salvation Of the Union
from the North, not the South, the minds Of the
pla ada To nd dandn
tam fher constitutional rights or leave the Union.
Senator Green of Missouri hoped the South would
proceed rashly 30 extremites without exhausting all
OF reconciliation The North had not been called
upon to express its mind the subject Of dsunon since
the election Of Lincoln. In the event Of separation he
was with his Southern friends
In the House, after Mr. Hawkins, of Florida, had
spoken his hour but exhausted his subject the young
and active Northwest took the arena and Mr. yallandg
ham OF Ohio, and Mr.. McClernand Of Illinois, delivered
powerful appeals to the North for justice the South
md showing the injustice and parality the Speaker cx
hbitcd in the construction Of the committee Of thirty
three, IL nearly If not entirely, ignored the
existence Of million six hundred thou
sand democrats. Mr. vallandigham was particularly
happy and glowing n bis remarks, defining the
position OF the great West tho present crisis and closed
By declaring that shc would submit placing the
Mississippi river in the hands Of foreign Power If she
had ceave her way the Gulf Of Mexico with the
sword
Mr.. Sckes, OF New York, followed and declared that
n separation occurred the Imperial City would sub
nit to becoming the appendage Of Puritan government
but would declare her own independence, and become
free city for commerce with the whole world. Mr. ;.
upon the republicans of the for infct
ing the oppressive they had upon the city q
New York referring particularly TO the standing army II
policemen, who patrolled the city night and day sup
pressing the outburs OF the indignant feelings OF the pco
pie at this crisis.
Before the debate ended, Mr.. John Sherman, OF tie
Committee Of Ways and Means by general CONSENT inter
posed the Treasury Note BILL authorizing the fresh s
OF ten millions, stating that unless the bill pass'd
there would be deaci, Of fifteen 70 twenty millions 4
dollars. lie urged the passage Of the bill, among 9th
reasons act OF relief 70 the members Of Coa
gress who could get their wages because Of tie
poverty Of the Treasury.
The introduction, by Nr. Caldwell, OF Georgia, Of IN
amendment to the bin, devotng the proceeds of
sales az public lands to the liquidation Of tie
national debt gave rise another discussion natou
topics the republicans appearing TO regard the propo
ton as in the meal z calculated to give the Souh
advantage settling the question q the division Of the
public debt when separation occurs
Gen Houston Of Alabama took The position that TIC
government was much impaired, and that collateral -
curity like the public lands would facilitate the ope
ons Of the government procuring money. It spct l.
caiy pledged land FOR the redemption q the debt.
Mr. Grow or Pennsylvania, declared his views IN oppo
sltion 10 the proposition.
The amendment lost BY heavy vote.
Mr. Hawkins of Florida, did not resign his seat a. il
was rumored he vas likely % do after finishing ls
speech to-day, is il probable he will 10 % a. ths
stage Of the proceedings The House, IS thoasat.
will excuse Nr. II. when the proper time arrives. a
the republicans DO not desire 10 force any menber. r
ticuIarly souherncr 10 anything unpslaiabe at 'is
time: but L the House should insi=' Nr Hawkins
serving there Is reason believe bc vii resign hi - a.
and In that manner settle the business.
II Is understood that Two thirds of tne republican men
bers ot the Crisis Committee have sgnlacd .eir Wilt
cooperate with the democrats 70 report al orc
amendment 10 the constitution guaranteeing cfci e
modes Of returning fugitive slaves They pofoee t''u
70 take up tho other propositions OF adpGen ard e
port at an early day This independent movement n re-
gard TO fugitive slaves s done with view of strengthen
ing the hands Of the conservative men 10 Alabama aid
Georgia
The President has been assured from high and as,hea
tc sources that south Carona viii not obsruct tho exc
cuton the laws for the collection OF the revenue or
interfere with government property during his admins
fratiou The south Carolina delegation had mect ~
fhs morning, and "a IL understood approved this course
Ihave just arrived from flying WRIT II couple Of
hundred miles among the border counties Of Virgins
The feeling nearly everywhere prevails that dIssol1
son Of the Union Inevitable and that Virginia win join
her Southern sisters unless the north comedies the right
property in slaves and coequsI power in the Territories
Amidst the prevailing gloom, however there exists
smondering feeling IN favor Of the Union, which WI
doubtless burst perfect blaze upon the first forni
Gable concession ty the North couciliaory manifesto
from Nir loccp would doubtless be q immense service