The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-11


lima authorities and avert collision with those of the
TAo%Psop Learning on Tuesday morning that the Star
and supplies for Fort and believing that his
sps mi b. as he Ssd
an es his % The South Carolina
adcnee rendered his resignation to the President which has
There has been rupture Of the
President and the Secretary.
nation of Mr. Thompson were put in type, we received
for insertion copy Of the annexed correspondence
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1851.
SR-It is with extreme regret have just learned
that additional troops have been ordered to Charleston
This subject has been frequently discussed la Cabinet
Council; and when, on Monday night, 3ist Dece nber
uitimo, the orders for achievements TO Fort Sumter
countermandcd distinctly understood from you
that order of the kind would be made without being
previously considered and decided in Cabinet II is true
that on Wednesday, January this subject again
reached, and the War Department not justified in
ordering renforcemcnts without something more than
rs, time, that the of the West sailed from
New York last Saturday night with two hundred aud
fifty men, under Lieutenant Bartlett, bound for Fort
sumter. lnder these circumstances feel myself bound
10 resign my commission, one of constitutional
advisers, into your hands With high respect, your
His Excelency JAMES BrcuANAs, President Of the
unitcd States.
WASHINGTON Jan o. 1861
SR-l have received and accepted your resignation
yesterday Of the office Of Secretary OF the Interior
On Monday evening 31st December, 1860, suspended
Departments TO send the Brooklyn with rcnforcements to
Fort sumter OF this | informed you the same even.
ing. stated TO you my reason FOR this suspension,
which you knew, From its nature would be speedily
moved. In consequence of your request, however, /
promised that these orders should be renewed with
out being previously considered and decided Cabinet
This promise was faithfully observed ON my part. In
order TO carry IL into effect called special C,hinet
meeting Wednesday, ID January, 1851 in which the
question OF sending reinforcements TO Foi Sumter
Amply discussed both by yourself and others The de-
ctded majority OF opinions against you, At this
ment the Of the south Carolina
70 my communication TO them OF 3fst December
was received and read. II produced much indigna-
ton among the members of the Cabinet After
further brief conversation employed the following
language at Is now all over, and rcnforcements be
sent Judge Black said at the moment OF my decision
that after this letter the Cabinet would be unanimous
tone Of the letter left doubt on my mind that Fort
Sumter would be Immediately attacked aud hence the
necessity OF sending renforccmens there without DELAY
Whist you admit 'that Wednesday January q this
subject was again discussed in Cabinet you say shut
certainly no conclusion reached and the War Depart
ment was not justified In ordering rcnforcements without
something than then said You are certainly
mistaken In alleging that 'sno conclusion reached
In this your recollection entirely different from that
your four oldest colleagues the Cabinet Indeed my
language unmstakeabe that the Secretaries or
War and the Navy proceeded TO upon without any
further intercourse with myself than what you heard or
might have heard me You had been emphatic in
opposing these reinforcenents that thought you would
resign In consequence Of my decision. deeply regret
that you have been mistaken In point Of fact though
firmly believe honestly mistaken. Stl IL Is certain
you have not the less been mistaken Yours, very re.
spcctfuily, JAMES BUCHANAN
EoN JArpp TuoNpsox