Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-05-03
How Floyd, the Gun Thief vas Forced 10
ReSi4n

NV" AsSJSs ssS Sc~ AoSSs ~ - . SASSS ~
Thurlow Weed writes a letter to the Lon
don Star OF February 18th, in which he gives
the following account Of the manner in which
John Il. Floyd was brought TO resign his
place rs Secretary Of War under Buc, ahan,
| which he had used to further the ends Of trea-
son:
In February, Maj. Anderson, commanding
at Fort Moultrie. Charleston harbOr. finding
his position endangered. passed his garrison.
by prompt and brilliant movement, over to
the stronger fortress Of SUMTER whereupon.
Floyd, Secretary Of War. much excited. callsd
upon the President to say that Major Andcr-
son had violated express orders. and thereby
seriously compromised him (Floyd,) and that
unless the Major was Immediately remanded
to Fort Moultrie he should resign the War Of
fee.
The Cabinet was assembled directly. Bu-
chanan explaining the embarrassment Of the
Secretary of War, remarked that the act of
Major Anderson would occasion exasperation
in the South; he had told Floyd that as the
government was strong, forbearance towards
"erring brethren might win them back to their
allegiance" and that that officer might b. Or
dered back. After an ominous silence the
President enquired how the suggestion struck
his Cabinet?
Stanton, just now called to the War Office,
but then Attorney General, answered: "That
course, Mr.. President, ought certainly to be re-
garded as most liberal towards "erring breth-
REM" but while one member of your Cabinet
has fraudulent acceptances for millions of dol
lars .aAoat, and while the confidential clerk of
anoher-himself in Carolina teaching rebel
li0n-has Just stolen nine hundred thousand
dollars from the Indian Trust Fund, the ex-
pertinent of ordering Maj. Anderson back to
Fort Moultrie would BE- dangerous. But if
you intend to try it, before it is done, beg
that you will accept my resignation"
"And mine," added the Secretary Of State,
Black.
"And mine, also," said the Postmaster Gen-
eral. Holt.
"And mine, too" followed the Secretary Of
the Treasury, Dix.
This, Of course, opened the bleared eyes Of
the President, and the meeting resulted in the
acceptance of Floyd's resignation.
CoRINrH, MIss.-The town of Corinth,
Mississippi, where it is supposed the rebel
chiefs will make another desperate stand, is
thus described in a late issue of the S7rer
Age:
Corinth is situated on the line of the Mem
phis and Charleston railroad, about $50 miles
from Memphis, and about 22O miles from
Stephenson, the junction Of the Memphis and
Charleston railroad Corinth is n town of
from 300 to 500 Inhabitants in fact nothing
more than dining station on the railroad.
Its natural strength and strategic importance
may be thus enumerated. 1t is the centre of
flat country that affords no commanding
high grounds; is located on the head of
swamp shaped like horse shoe, that forms
an impenetrable barrier on three sides-north,
south and west. Six miles west of Corinth,
the railroad is built on piles through lake
or pond the water varying from few inches
to several feet in depth. For 30 miles out
and heavily timbered, i,npracticable except
the moment Memphis falls into the hands Of
the Federals. 10 the east of Corinth the
country is level, the soil rich, and is the finest
cotton district in the State. To-day Corinth
is in connection by railroad with New Or.
leans. Mobile. Charleston, Nashville, and a
vast number Of intermediate towns, and a
large scope Of productive country.
- The N. Y. Tribune publishes letter
from distinguished Englishman. formerly
member Of Parliament. which shows how
public opinion has been manufactured across
the water, and what extraordinary induce
ments have been held out by Davis 4 Co.,
to gain supporters; we append the following
extract:
"Long before Secession was an accom-.
plished fact. the press Of England had been
tampercd with BY the emissaries Of your dis
union party Men had been industriously ut
work to prepare the way for the speedy re-
cognition OF the independence Of the Cotton
States. The programme of Jefferson Davis
and his co-conspirators had been made known.
and arguments supplied whemwi,h it might
be supported. Men here were already with
their briefs and their retaining ifecs- The
simultaneous rising Of the Free States. and
the Improvisation Of an immense army Of
loyal men. greatly disconcested the machina-
tions Of Yancey. Mann. and their corrupt
tools, and necessitated the adoption Of . dif.
fereut course Of action but they arr still ac-
tive. and the plumber Of the Sub. Treasures
Of the South still holds out. and is freely
distributed among those who are buse enough
to bs the instruments Of the worst Of traitors
and vilest Of despots."
ANEW WosD.-Sincs the advent of Her.
man. the Prestidigitator,, and the Hnnlions,
with the great feat Of " piIlasrostration big