Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-21
THE PRESIDENT AND MR.. CAM
ERON.

The Harrisburgh Telegraph publishes the
correspondence between the President aud
the late Secretary of War, relative to the
withdrawal of the latter from his Office. 1t
is dated Jan. Il l362 The Pres. Lincoln
writes that though Mr.. Cameron had " long
since expressed desire to leave his place
in the Cabinet, the President had been un-
wiling to consent to such ii change till it
! could be made without liability TO miscou-
| struction. The desire Of Mr.. Clay, our
Minister to Russia, 10 return hume, TO take
active service in the field. made an occasion
when tho resignation Of Mr.. Cameron could
be accepted and the Presidents appreciation
Of his liability, patriotism and fidelity to
public trust. could be evincel. Offering
to Mr.. Cameron the post Of Minister to Rus
sia, If he still wished to resign bis Office ss
Secretary OF War, the President assures him
of his undiminished confdenee and esteem,
and his confidence that he can do his country
good service in his new position.
Mr.. Cameron in reply refers t. the hesIt4-
ton with which he accepted the great trust
rePosed in him as Secretary Of War-says
be doubts not that in the extensive opera.
tiOns OF the department some mistakes have
been made, that it was impossible that it
should he otherwise, and that complications
and complaints should not have arisen. lie
had aimed to 30 his duty consclcntiously, and
he thanks the President for his expression Of
approval and confidence When he became
a member Of the Cabinet he said he should
retire from 1t as soon as duty to his country
could allow him to do 50. lie accepts the
Office Of the Russian Mission, and refers to
his successor and the army as follows
In retiring from the War Department, feel
that the mighty army of tho United States is
ready to do battle for the Constitution; that il is
marshaled by gallant and experienced leaders;
that it is anima ted with the greatest enthusiasm
for the good cause, and also that my successor in
this Department is my personal friend, who unites
to wonderful intellect and vigor, the grand es-
senial of being in earnest in the present struggle
and Of being resolved upon a speedy and over
"--N----A-6 eN-N-- " Ne.A ---N'
Professor LOWS BALLooNIsG.-A cor
respondent OF the Boston 1raUelier, writing
from Camp Hooker, on the Potomac, says
have been very much interested for two
or three days past in watching the imitation
of Prof. loves war balloon which has been
going on in the vicinity of our camp.
The Professor has a boat drawn up to the
banks IN which are tanks, generators, &c,
and also a movable apparatus, which is
drawn around on land by horses. The infa-
ton was made on land, in large open space
artifcially screened from rebel observation by
trees and brush which had been collected for
that purpose. The balloon was new, had
capacity of 20, 600 feet, and would carry up
3 or persons easily.
In balloon riding every thing is planned,
everything is prepared for. The direction of
the wind Is considered, the temperature, the
humidity or dryness OF the atmosphere, &c ;
and Prof. Lowe asserts, consequently, that it
is safer than any other kind OF travelling
known.
His plans are, row that his balloon is all
ready, and as he freely told me, to start on
some fine day in an easterly current OF air,
and float over the rebel encampment right
opposite-Over Centreville and Manassas
near enough to get the exact location Of
every camp, number of men, nature of the
entrenchments, strength Of the fcrtifcauons,
&C., to be all jotted down on prepared map
as he sails along, and, in fine, to ascertain
everything birds eye can furnish; then to
throw over his sand bags, rising to a higher
current blowing right back again, return TO
his friends, and send on the result Of his Oh
servations TO Gen. Mcclellan.
The rebels, of course, will be ewlully eK-
asperated, and salute the intrepid voyaSer
with their fartherest reaching rif5d shot
but boy would as soon hit star with
snow ball. All they can do is to exhibit
tteir Impotent wrath, and wish they had a
balloon (Which they have not got, nor are
likely to have.)