The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-15
OUR DISPATCHES FROM WASHINGTON.
The Resignation sf Secretary Cass- Appoint
nent Of . Day Of National Fasting and
Prayer-Judge Douglas Views On
Secession The Proceedings OF
the Grlsis COmmittee,
&c. lie. &c.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1850.


ton similar action the part Of the Secretary of the
Treasury. lad resigned his in the Cabinet Of Pres
cent Buchanan ~ the report spread The menbsrs OF
tongross tho diplomatic corps and citizens generally by
heir conversation and private and gatherings
showed at event Of moment bad occurred in the
tons history In due Time the report fully confirmed
and The United states without head transact
the frnctions Of the most important department in
the government The Assistant Secretary, Mr.. Prescott,
having also resigned the discharge Of the material du
lice OF the office will dsyolvc upon Mr. VIM j. Hunter
Chief Clerk, who has einced great ability and uning
zeal In executing the nusn>ss o1 bis bureau
Gen. Cass was member of Gen Jacks on's Cabinet as
Secretary Of War and the CID eros course in the mat
ter Of Dullifcaton fully endorsed by Gen Case II Is
supposed that the views he then entertained regarding the
right state revolution have been changed nor
i'm paired by the lapse Of time and the President having
declined enforcing the federal power by succorng the
Notifications III Charleston harbor in this crisis he has
felt obliged 10 Withdraw from the chief council Of the
ton. His resignation will precipate events in the SOUTH
and il is believed in The highest quarters win render
certain matters OF & rovcutonar! tendency which
hitherto IN doubt
The President is deeply exercised aid gieyed at the
departure OF his cid and valued friend Gen csss from
among the cote " OF his intimate advisors But
has taken stand against coecrion in which he Is sus
tanned y. III" Secretaries Of the Army and Navy and
will ab de the issue Cen Cas- s preparing letter
the President in which 10 viii explain his reasons for
ioavng the Cabinet at this critical perior
II Il ve known THAI Cen. Cass has had il conempla
ton Tor time rsigning his seat in the Cabinet
owing difference Of opinion between himself and The
President in regard 20 the proprety II sending additional
forceto Fort Nouire. To-day his resignation was &c
copied by the President until The matter ~
difference had been iu and dcbc raciy agreed upon b.
ali the numbers Of tc Cabinet with The additional cou-
els OF that wise able and discreet patriot and soldier
Gen. scott, who is here and who attended tho Cabi-
he; meeting to-day.
The Cabinet are unanimous in tho opinion
that ii would be no, only unwise and lniulicious
IN tie present disturbed excited the southern
people send additional force Fort Moultric
il would certainly resist n collision between The State
and federal troops General scott il understood coin
eides with this opinion.
Ms Anderson wife q Major anderson in command at
Fort ,loplirie has called upon the President within few
days demanded that he force at that
place she will take he neglect do intention
al wicked sacrifice Of her husband life who she
declare VIII surrender the place. but rather fall
in lis defence
In the senate On Monday a Western republican viii
call by resolution upon the President Fer information
concerning tho foriifcaions South Corona aud the
Instructions lst have been given H. the cicors IN
mand.
The President in view of the alarming crisis in
national affairs, has determined 10 recommend the
OF day Of humiliation, fasting and prayer The
day appointed Is the sth of January, 1861. This il in
compliance with the urgeut request Of many associations
and private citizens.
The Governor Of Mississippi has appointed Secretary
Thompson Commissioner the part 81 that State 70
North Carolina. The President has given his
his acting in that capacity, and he viii leave at
The object OF this get the southern States 10
operate together.
Judge Douglas has been preparing FOR some days past
an elaborate and speech the pending crisis 1t II
he will take the position that secession
| war. and that IL is the duty OF the government
| to use its entire power, not only to execute the
avs and collect the revenue, but 10 hold the federal
property all hazards thus coercing the States into sub
mission This speech nil 1t is understood be delivered
Monday Tuesday next This position Of Judge y.
oils the friends Of the Union with the goomies appre
tensions the time, too, when every
effort Is being made to bring about adjustment
Greet sympathy expressed by the Southern and
members Of Congress for the suffering OF the
mercantile and working classes OF the North. Private
letters members from New York say that over one
hundred and sixty good firms and names went
TO protest during the last two days, and that
the starving point. Similar disastrous ntcgenoe
from the West, North and East mingled with fears
Of an outbreak from the masses which viii prove de-
s,ructive Of property and life.
The muterng 81 the is beginning Ia be heard from
New England. New England feel that they not
r.spons BILE for this of affairs They declare thom-
selves ready accept Of justice and equality Of
tn states Letters pouring from all paris Of New
England in praise Of senator Dixons manly
beers from New England in the Committee Of Thirty.
three. Ills vote has surprised alive here,
/ and will be denounced by New York, both city and
country. II wise in the city members TO insruc,
him, ard unwisc in him not to heed them. II hc con
tnues Ia subordinate the Union 10 his party, he viii b.
reprobated by all patriotic citizens, and may expect thu
dcnuncistioIs Of the entire State of New York. Lot
him look Il that his vote BE- found fc the Union.
The committee Of republicans who here from
New York a mission OF paciaoation, win probably
turn without encc,ifg any saatary change the
ing temper Of things. They would have gone to-day, but
the hope that something might b. done for the safely Of
the Union has induced them remain over until Mon.
day. But they say the demands q the south
cessive they have no hope Of reconciliation.
Al the session % the Committee of states o.
day, no business q importance was trans
acted. although The debates animated. The
seal Of secrecy placed upon the lips Of The members
bat no, unlikely d the proceedings win leak
out Governor Corwn, the Chairman i hopeful tina,
some mode of settlement may yet be conceived.
Meanwhile the work Of tho seceJers l. progressing
oording 10 the programme furnished the fIERnD last
night. In addition 10 the nance attached 10 the mani.
fsto which Il regarded declaration Of southern
Independence TO be mentioned those Of Wig
fell and Hcmphill, Of 1eSas, senator A. a. Brown, Of
Mississippi; Senator JEFF. Davis Of Nssisspp senator
slidcI Ioui- ana; Hon John II. Reagan of rexas;
Hon John VI. lsndrum, Of louisiana; Hons H. T. Bon
ham, W. r. Mies, John Mcqueen, and John y Ashmore,
Of south Carolina.
II should he Understood that tho manifesto was con
sructed without reference the action Of The Committee
Of States but entirely independent III ercof
Hon A. IT. Handy, Judge Of the supreme Court Of Mis-
sspp arrived to night, Commissioner 60 the state Of
aryand, respecting her cooperation Ia tho secession
movement lie leaves for Baltimore omorrow, and =
tonight 10 private consultation with leading seccs-
sicnisis
Col. ~ H. NcNi,kA Of Mississippi, also arrived 10