Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-02-11
Hon. SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary Of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan. IL, 1862.

W deUtStOuy Jau- IL, i-O.-
Ny DEAR SIR | have the honor to
acknowledge your favor of this date, and
to thank you, with profound respect, for
its kind and generous tone.
When you were elected President
result TO which | contributed my best
ezer,ious-I had no thought Of leaving
the Senate Of the United States, or of
accepting any position within your gift.
But when you invited me to Springfield,
Illinois, ana presented me the choice Of
one Of Two named places in the lis, of your
constitutional advisers, | could not, for
grave public reasons, aud after great refiec-
ton, refuse q trust SO trying and laborlOus.
Ny .lfe had been one OF constant labor
and excitement. | looked to the Senate
as the best field, after such life, in " tich
to serve my country and my State. IL
was only when | realized that l might be
Of service to the general cause iu the dark
ly f0resha1oxed future, that ventured to
undertake the manifold aud various respou-
.ibili.ies of the War Department. l felt,
when | saw the traitors leaving their seats
in Congress, and when the Star Of the
West was fired upon in Charleston harbo:,
that bloody coufict was inevitable.
have devoted myself without iuterrup-
ton to my official duties, and have given
to them all my energies. l have done my
best. 1t was impossible, in the direction
of operations SO extensive, but that some
mistakes should have happened, aud some
complications aud complaints should have
arisen. Ia view Of such considerations, |
thank you for the expression of your con
fieoee IN my ability, patriotism, aud hdei-
ity to the public trust. Thus my own
conscientious sense of doing my duty BY
the Executive and by my country, is ap-
proved by the acknowledged head Of tue
government himself.
When | became a member of your ad-
ministra,ion, | avOwed my purpose to
retire from the Cabine, as soon as my duty
to my country would allow me to do so.
In your letter Of this days date, SO illus
trauve Of your just aud upright character,
you revive tue fact that | some time ago
expressed the same purpose to you, aud IN
ItmiuuiuE uS VI tuis Sou FiOHSA AS' ~
acceptance one Of the highest diplomatic
positions at your 5estowal, as an addition
al mark of your confidence and esteem.
Ia retiring from tie War Department,
| feel tina; tue mighty army OF the United
States is ready to do battle for the Constl-
tuition; that it is marshalled by gallant
and experienced leaders; that it is aulma-
ted with the greatest enthusiasm for the
good cause aud also, that my successor IN
this Department, is my personal friend,
who unites, to wonderful intellect and Wig
or, the grand essential Of being 10 earnes.
in the present struggle, and Of being re.
solved upon a speedy aud overwhelming
triumph of our arms therefore frankly
accept the new distinction you have ten
dered me, and as soon as impOrtan, and
long neglected private business can be ar
ranged, will enter upon the important
duties Of the mission which you have as.
signed me.
l have the honor to be, ny dear sir,
Your obedient and humble servant,
SIMON CAMERON.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President.