The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-04

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 1861.
First Lieutenant Underwood second in command Of the
revenue cutter Aiken, seized by the secessonists at
Charleston here this morning, and reported TO
the Secretary Of tho Treasury. Lieutenant Underwood
states Captain Coste the commander of the cutter
was an avoNcd seccssionis before south Caro-
lima decided go out and agreed when the declared
herself ont of the Union to resign and turn the
vessel him, Lieut. Underwood, but instead OF do
ING so he visited Fort sumter before Major Anderson took
possession Of it, and examined il for several hours and
finally placed the cutter in such position as TO leave
her low water high and dry on land. While
she was thus situated the secessionists took
possession Of her Captain Cose being st in command,
and Lieutenant Underwood being his subordinate, was
of course powercss TO act Captain Coste then informed
Lieutenant Underwood that his services would not be
required there any longer, and he proceeded mmc-
datey to this city and to-day reported the above facts
TO secretary Thomas
The constant rumors that Secretary Thomas intends TO
resign Is based upon the undenicd that he is
strongly in favor the right OF secession, and that his
assistant sr. Clayton, is also secessionist The
latter said be the author Of the secession editorials
in the C0asUhdion newspaper.
The secessiouists denounce Senator Bakers maiden
speech as d failure while the Union men, without regard
to party unite in pronouncing II brilliant and success
fu answer 10 Senator Bcnamus speech in favor of the
right OF a state to secedc
Mr. Douglas speech oday confirmed my despatch to
the HeRlID weeks since that he would support Mr
Crtenden plan for an adjustment
learn by private letters that effort Is making by
the merchants of Boston to raise twenty thousand
dollars 10 be presented Governor n Y Bank, % In
iuce him fcrego hs engagement with The Illinois Cen
trail Raroad and continue in politics mis- Is said 70 be
part Of programme induce him 10 take pace IN
Mr Isn olns Cabinet which there doubt Ii could
have II he would take II.
should this PROJECT not succeed, stl OF the opinion
tat Gideon Wells oi Connecticut will rcproGcnt New
England in thrs department Of the government Among
others urged up,n Mr. Idncclu from New Eazapd for
place in hs cabinet il Charles Francis Adams
vse leterspolr IN here froa, Illinois, urs0g certain
prominent republicans their influence to procure
place in the tabine, for y Judd % Illinois Fow
responded to. - To- republican delegation Aom fDos,
with exception prefer not 20 interfere with the
position ~ ncons Cabinet unless they are consulted
II repsted that See.cr 1fumbuli II urging Mr. Judds
Chains co. place in tss Cabinet while it s fact that
nearly an te other prcsain,n lnoas hcrc and home
are opposos to the selection Of cabinet cacnr from
rlnols.
Mr. Toomb@ will reply t. Mr.. Baker in the senate on
Monday and IL expected by the republicans that Nj
Testeudcn viii answer Mr. Toombs.
The House Conai,tce Of THIRTY three Ia session
position adjourned without coming to any conclusion
nss positive fac, that Nr. Bsncoln, IN a lctts to
senator Cameron informed him thas he should scnd his
fCaneron'si name to The senate tte &th of March
next e place the Cabinet; ba did act ssgse postire