Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-01-10
= - = 9 4 z e r r E
The Patriot Wool and the Traitor Floyd.

The Patriot Wool and the Traitor Floyd.
Among the articles laid over last week
for want of room, was the correspondence
between Mr. Floyd, late Secretary of War,
and Mr.. Buchanan, the latter having ac-
cepted the formers resignation with tast-
ness far more becoming a President than
his sorrowful parting with Cobb. This
correspondence reveals the fact that Mr.
Buchanan had been induced to tampcr with
the Southern tories engaged in the disun-
ion scheme, and it may yet be we'll with
him if he awakes from his lethargy in
time to avoid u civil war. No man of
common sense notc doubts that if the three
forts in Charleston harbor had been carris-
oned, even with few companies in each,
the rebellion in South Carolina would have
resulted as harmlessly as it did in 1872
But traitorous counsels prevailed, and up
to Q very recent period, the four great de-
partments Ct the government, which con-
troll its patronage and direct its most :sn pqx-
tant operations, the War, Navy, Treasury,
and Interior Departments, have been com
pletely under the control of men who fully
sympathized with the disunion movement,
and did all in their power to aid it. 1t
cannot be doubted now that Howell Cobb
and Secretary Floyd have Gone all they
could to help the ecessionists-indecd they
would rather glory iq than deny their af-
tiliation with them. NIr. Thompson, See
retary Of the Interior, has also warmly fay
ored their movement, and will probably
leave the cabilet, if Mr.. Buehaaaa sus-
tains Major Andersen, as soon as the cir
cumstances connected with the abstraction
Of the Indian trust bonds are investigated
Mr.. Thomas, the new Secretary of the T1eas-
ury, fully sympathizes with Mr. Thompson.
Mr.. Toucy has made such disposition of
the naval forces as tc reader them as use
less and unavailable as possible in any sud
den emergency upon our coast which NAV
arise. No government, says the Press, was
ever more completely betrayed in the hands
Of its foes. a parallel for such t:eachery
can only be found in some Of the plots and
countcrplots of ancient Rome Or the in
trigues of military leaders and political as
pirants in France during her revolutionary
struggles.
SECRETARY FLOYD To THE PRESIDENT.
WAR DEPARTMENT. Dec. %, 1850
SIR: On the morning Of the 9th inst, |
read the following paper to you in the pres
ence of the Cabinet:
COUNSEL CHAMBEB, EEECUTIvE MANSION.
SIR: 1t is evident now from the action of
the Commander of Fort Moultrie, chat the
solemn pledges of the Government have been
violated by Major Anderson, In my iudg-
ment but one remedy is now left us by which
to vindcate our honor and prevent civil war
1t is in vain now to hope for confidence on
the part of the people of South Carolina in
any further pledges as to the action of the mil
itary. One remedy is left, and that is to with
draw the garrison frog the harbor If Charles
ton altogether. hope the President will al
low me to make that order at once. This
order. in my judgement, can alone preyent
bloodshed and civil war
(Signed,l JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.
/ then considered the honor of the Admin.
istraton pledged to maintain the troops in
the position they occupied, for such had been
the assurances given to the gentlemen of
South Carolina. who had right to speak for
her. South Carolina, oa 4he other hand
gave reciprocal pledges that no force should
be brought by them against the troops or
against the property of the tnited States
The sole object of both parties in these recip
rocal pledges was to prevent a collision and
the efusion of blood, in the hope that some
means might be found for peaceful accom-
modation of the existing troubles, the two
houses of Congress having both raised Com.
mittees looking to that object.
Thus affairs stood till the action of Major
AndeEsan, taken unfortunately while the Com
missioners were on their way to this Canitol
on peaceful mission looking to the avoid
ance of bloodshed, has complicated matters
in the existing manner. Our refusal or even
delay to place affairs back as they stood un-
DER our agreement, Invites q collision, and
must inevitably inaueurate civil war. can
not consent to be the agent az such calamity.
l deeply regret that I feel myseE under the
necessity of rendering to you my resignation
as Secretary of Var, because T can no Ion.
ger hold it under my convictions of patriot
ism, nor with honor, subjected as | am to
violation of solemn pledges and plighted
faith. With the highest personal regard,
l am most truly yours.
JOHN B. FLOYD.
To His Excellency the President of the Uni
tad States.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
WAsHfNGFoN, Dec 81, 1866.
Ny DEAR SIR; have received and aeeep-
ted your resignation of the Office of Secretary
of War. and not wishing to impose upon you
the task of performing its mere routine du-
ties, which you have SO kindly offered TO do,