, 1862-01-22
Chr GrihuttG.
The New Secretary Of war-A Chan,
ter In His History,

4 year ago, when General Cass-ericyed and
indignant-left mr. Buchanau's Cabinet, Mn
Attorney General Black was transferred to the
portfolio q State, and Mr.. Stanton, then ab-
sent rom washington, WIS fixed upon as At
late hour, and learned from Els family Of his
appointment. Knowing the character Of the
bold, bad men then in the ascendancv of fhe
Cabinet. he determined at once to decline: but
when, the next day, he announced his resolu-
ton at the White House, the entrcaties Of the
distressed and helpless President, and the ar
accept.
At the first meeting Of the Cabinet which be
attended, lhe condition ofthe scccded states and
the course to be pursued with the garrison at
Fort Sumter was discussed, Floyd and Thomp-
Southern heart and the fo1ly Of acontinnins In me-
auseless garrtson to increase the irritation. n
No one formally proposed any course Of action,
but the designs OF the con6pirators were p1ain
to thc new Attorney General. He went home
troubled. He lad intended, coming in at so
iatc das, to remain quiet member Of this
tuEe to sit quiet longer, under such utterances,
me next meeting was long and stony one.
Mr.. Holt, fecbly seconded By the President'
urging the Immediate reinforcement of Sumter
while Thompson, Floyd and Thomas contend
ed that qualsi treaty had been made hY the
aAAeN47 " LILY 0ohCAuH1cut Will Inc le3QGf5 OF
inc rebellion, to offer no resistance to their
violations Of law and seizures Of Government
property; Floyd especially blazed with indig-
nntion at what he termed the "yio}ation 6f
honor" At last a1r. Thompson formally
moved that IN imperative order be issued Ia
Major Anderson to retire from Sumter to Fort
Notwithstanding Sumter to the enemy
and proceeding to a post where llc must at
Once surrender.
Stanton con1d sit still no longer, and rising.
lie said, with ull tic earncstncss that could Re-
expressed 10 his bold and reso1ute features,
:" ar. President, it is my duty, as your legal
adviser, 10 say that you have no right to gfye
up the property Of the Government, or aban-
don the soldiers Of the United States to its Gu
cmles; and the course proposed by the Sccrc-
tary Of the Interior, if followed, is treason, and
will involve you and all concerned in treason,
such language had never before been heard in
Buchanan s Cabinet, and the men who ind SO
long ruled and bullicd the President, were sur
Rrised and enragcd to be thus rebukcd.
Floyd and Thompson eprang to their feet with
assault Stanton Mr. Holt took step forward
to the side Of the Attorney General. The im-
oeeile President implorcd them piteously to
take their seats. After few more hitter
WORDS the meeting broke up. That was the
last Cabinet meeting on that exciting question
in Which Floyd participated. Before another
Was called all Washington WIS startled with a
rumor Of those gigantic frauds which have
made his name SO Infamous. At first lie tried
10 brazcn it out with his customary clustering
manner; but the next day the Cabinet waited
long for his appearance. At last lc came; the
door opcned, bis resignation was thrust into
the room, and Floyd disappeared from WASH.
ipgton. Such was the end Of Floyd and The
beginning Of Stanton