Daily national Democrat., 1861-03-12
Secretary Floyd Tells Cabinet Secrets.


Mr. Secretary Floyd made speech in Rich
mond, Virginia, few days ago in which he
said.
Mr. Attorney Black said we must execute
the laws. |, said Mr.. Floyd, could not quite
bow TO that. Mr.. Buchanan said, This 1aes-
ton Of the forts is a question Of property" /
agreed to that. | said more. said, Il ain
yo"r Secretary, and have in my hands this
property OF the forts | will turn over to my
successor that property inviolate l know
these people OF South Carolina | went tc
school among them. | know they are not
thieves. Isaac Hayne, Manigault and Frank
Pickens are good men they are great men
and | will back their honesty and integrity,
if necessary, with my blood But | cannot
consent that you place among them a mill
tary power that would choke them to the
ground. AT a subsequent interview with
the President he said to me, "Alr Floyd, what
about sending recruits to Charleston u | said
nothing about sending recruits" Don't
you intend to strengthen the forts at Charles
ton, he asked. | replied, 81 do not" Said
he 81 would rather Ue at the bottom of the
Potomac Tomorrow than that these fort.
should be in the hands of those who intend tc
take them. 1t will destroy met will cover
your name, which is an honored one, with in
fanny, for you will never be able to show that
You had not some completely in it," | said
Mr. President trust me-there is no danger
| will stake my reputation and will stake
my life that the forts at Charleston will not
be touched" | said this because felt it. The
President then said "But, Mr.. Floyd, does
that secure the iortsY "No, sir said "bu,
it is the best guarantee | can give YOU that
they will not be touched" lie replied, am
not satisfied" Said |, "It is yours to com
mand, and you will be oheyed You can
strengthen the forts. but it will lead to the
ctlusion of blood. You can, however, put an
orderly sergeant there--a man with orst-
ed epaulette and a stripe on his pantaloons
lie is ii representative mani (lAughter-th
representatives of the stars and stripes, and
Of Hail Columbia' and Yankee Doodle IlC
can stand there and so proclaim himself and
his authority will be respected. Why not
submit to Congress the question of the soces-
sion of South CarolinaY Congress may say
Il State has right to withdraw, or may say
we repudiate the right of secession-we will
send down our armies 60 coerce you TO sub
mission. Do this, and will wait the issue.
Mr.. Floyd then proceeded to state that he
called TO his aid jefferson Davis, "that bright
Saladin Of the South :" Mason and Iiugtcr
with other patriots, Nouhen as well as
Southern, and talked with the President. lie
then said II am content with your policy
we will send no more troops TO the harbor of
Charleston 1t delighted me- and | now
thought the question capable Of a peaceful
solution
Mr.. Floyd next spoke of General Cass, to
whom he paid glowing tribute. Gen. Cass
said, "These forts must bc strengthened.
demand it." This, gentlemen, is the North
ern sentiment. The President replied, 81 am
sorry TO differ with the Secretary of the State
but the interests of the country do not de-
mand a reinforcement Of the forts at Charles
ton. ! cannot do it. | take the responsibili-
ty.' The next day Gen. Cass resigned. Thus
matters stood when there was a proposition
to send for Gen. Scott Mr. Floyd who had
long known and admired him as Virginia
soldier, gladly acquiesced. Gen. Scott came
lie had other ideas lie was a soldier. lie
had programme to sllay dsun;on and bring
peace to the country. lie laid this pro-
granme before the Secretary of War, who
told him he did not like it, He then laid il
before the President and the President did
not much like it at that time.
L ne programme bt Nrtn. scout was rs Ibl-
lows: TO take Fort Sumner and Castle Pinck
uey, strengthen Fort Moultre, occupy and
hold the forts Of Georgia, Florida, Alabama
and Louisiana, ana to send ships of war and
revenue cutters to the waters Of South Caro-
lima No northern forts were to be occupied
but troops were to be taken from them and
sent to southern forts Mr. Floyd looked up
on this as trampling on the political rights o
the South. Next came Major Anderson's un-
fortunate move. lie was not authorized 10y
the ~ecretarys instructions TO change his po-
stion Major Anderson wrote to the Secre-
tary and said he could change his position il
he had authority to do SO. But Mr.. Floyd
had pledged his word to South Carolina, and
he is confident the President had also. South
Carolina, with twenty men, could have taken
the fort at any time, but she respected her
pledge. Major Anderson changed his posi-
ton. South Carolina said to Mr.. Floyd, "Y on
have violated your pledge" lie replied. 81
have not. All can do is to resign l did,
and here | am