Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-03-01
CONFESSION or TREASON.

The late Secretary of the Interior, Jacob r.
Thompson of Mississippi, made an address to his
friends and neighbors a few days ago, in which
he narrates in very frank, straightforward
manner the action of Mr. Buchanans Cabinet in
the beginning of the Secession outbreak There
was no serious trouble until it was known that
MIR. Lincoln was elected; then arose discussion
upon the rights and powers of the General aud
State Governments. On the right of a State TO
seoede the Cabinet split at once but on the
right Of the General Government to coeroe n
rebel, all agreed in the negative. Thompson
held strongly to the right to secede, but kept his
place in the hope, IS he says, ofpreserying peace
lie agreed with the President that it was his
duty to enforce the laws and hold public property;
but held that the army and navy could only be
used as n posse TO aid the civil authority, and
here his little dodge was that MS all the civil
executive officers in South Carolina had resigned
there could be no attempt 10 uphold the laws
"Without a magistrate" says he, in the joliest
mood "there could be no "process without a
process there could be no arragnment and
therefore no justification for calling in military
force; aud hence enforcing the laws was an i'm
possibility, iuasmucl as the machinery for its
accomplishment was wanting And having
conspiled to bring about this state OF affairs
having tied tho President hand aud foot, this
pink Of honor mngnanm0usly consented to re-
main 10 the Cabinet, though Of course without
any idea that he would thus the better carry out
his treason. But when il was proposed to re-
enforce Major Anderson, Thompson violently OPP
posed the movement; Gen. Cass ind gnantly re-
signed, the President got scared, first would and
then would not, and finally entered into secret
bargain with certain South Carolina traitors, Ia
leave Anderson to his fate; and even went 50 fan
as to hear "with chagrin aud modification Of
+ Anderson's brilliant movement from MOultrie Ia
Sumter. This event ''compromised the honor o
Gov, Floyd, the arch traitor and thief, who threw
up his commission because the President woult
not remove Anderson from his new quarters.
Nobody asked Thompson who should take Floyd
/ place, and when Holt was appointed, Thompson
drew up his resignation and called upon MIR
Buchanan. The Brooklyn had been put In readi
ness to re-enforce Anderson, but at the last mo
m0nt the President backed out, and assuret
Thompson that the orders had been counter
manded, and that no others would be given unit
after the Cabinet had given its APPROVAL
Thompson was satisfied, and the sun rose mex
morning as usual OF the doings about the tim
Of sending messenger to Anderson, Thompson
refrains from speaking, "because all Cabine
consultations are confidential" In the Star o
the West business, Thompson says he was de
ceyed and did not know that it had been decide
to send ro.enforcements. The moment he founl
that re endorsements were on tho way, he tele
graphed to a leading rebel in Charleston TO lool
our LOT lhe Nesseh Whereoy .the uoOps Mere pu
on their guard; mud when the Star of the Yves
arrived, she received warm welcome from
booming cannon, and soon beat retreat. wa
rcjoiced that the vessel was not sunk, but wa
stil more rejoiced that the concealed trick, frs
conceived by Gen Scott, and adopted by Seere
tary Holt, but countermAnded by the President
when too late proved failure"
, Such is the impudent confession and such The
boast of one of the Benedict ArnOlds of the Cab
inet-the periured villain who used his means .
, information US n confidential counselor of tn
President to warn the enemies of the country o
the preparations made for sustaining aud defend
ing the national flag, We dare say that ha
Andrew Jackson been in the White House, Mis-
sissippi would have lost the services of her IN
t, honorable and distinguished son, and human
=, nature been spared the disgrace of such in
famous confession us this OF Jacob Il. Thompson
: Tribune.