Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-08
President Buchanan and Mr. Cass, His
Secretary sf stats--Intere,tins Cores
the Pittsburgh Gazette

President Buc hanan ana Mr. Cass, Hi
Secretary Of Stats--Intere,tins Cores
pondence.
by Telegraph the Pittsburgh GazeIte.l
" WASHINGTON, March 80, 1868
The following correspondence was
transmitted TO the Senate to-day in com,
pliance with the resolution adopted by
that body on the 18th inst. .-....
CAss Te BUCHANAN.
Department of State, December Il, 1860.
Sir: The alarming crisis in our ma
tional affairs has engaged your serious
consideration, and in your recent mes
sage you have expressed to Congress
and through Congress TO the counsty
the views fraught with the most momen-
tous consequences which are now pre-
sented to the American people for solu-
tion.. With the general principles laid
down ia that message l fully concur,
and appreciate with warm sympathy
its patriotic appeals and suggestions
What measures it is competent and pro-
per for the Executive to adopt, under
existing circumstances, is subject
which has received your most careful
attention, and with the anxious hope,
as well know from having participa-
tion in the deliberation, that tranquility
and good feeling may speedily restored
to thisagitated and divided Confederacy.
In some points, which L deem of vital
importance, it has been my misfortune
to differ from you. 1t has been my de-
cided opinion which for some time past
1 have urged at various meetings of the
Cabinet, that additional troops should
be sent to reinforce the forts in the har-
hAp Of n vi ofy,n xxyith t,, 3 ,Ai
better defense, should they be attacked,
and that an armed vessel should be or
dered there, to aid if necessary, in
the defense, and also, should it be re-
quired, in the collection of the revenue.
And it is yet my opinion that these
measures should be adopted without the
least delay. [ have likewise urged the
of Immediately removing
the custom house zt Charleston to one
of the forts in the port, and also making
for the collection of duties
thereby, having a collector and other
officers ready 10 act when necessary, SO
that when the office may become vacant
the proper authority may be there to
collect the duties on the. part of the
United States. / continue to think
these arrangements should be aimmedi-
ately made. While the right and re-
sponsibility of deciding belong to you,
it is very desirable, at this perilous
juncture, there should be, as far as pos
sible, ,unanimity in your councils, with
view to safe and efficient action. 1 have,
felt it my duty to tender my
of the Office of Secretary of
State, and ask your permisson toretire
from that official association. with your
self, and the members of your Cabinet,
which 1 have enjoyed during about four
years without single occurrance 70 q
which has so happily exist
ed. s.e.,., ....-.s. -,lll =isar
I cannot close this letter without bear
ing my testimony of the zelousr and
devotion to the best interests of
the country with which, during term
of unexampled trials and troubles, you
have sought to discharge the duties of
your high station. Thanking you for
the kindness and confidence you have
not ceased to manifest toward me, and
the expression of my awarmest regards,
both for yourself and the gentlemen of
your Cabinet, am, sir, with great re-
spect, Your obedient servant,
: 80 -'''0 - LEWIS CAss.sss
( PRESIDENT TBUCHANANT TO MR.. CASS.
: Washi,egtor, d. C. Dec. 18th 1850. SIR:
Z have received your resignation of
The office of Secretary of State With sur
prise and regret. After we had passed
through nearly the whole term of the
my mutual and cordial
and regard, / cherished the
hope that nothing might occur
to disturb our official. relation, until its
End. You have decided differently and
have no right to conlplain.I must ex-
press my qualification lath your concur
renee with the general principles laid
fown III my late message, and your APP
probation with warm sympathy of its
patriotic appeals and suggestions. This |
value very highly, and L rejoice that |
we concur in the opinion that Congress |
ioes not possess the power, under the |
to coerce State by force |
of arms to remain ins the Confederacy. |
rhe question on which we unfortunately
1iffer Is that of ordering detachment |
of the navy to Charleston. and is cor |
-ectly stated in your letter of resigna
ion. do not intend to argue this !
question. 1t is sufficient to say that your |
'emarks upon the subject were heard by |
myself aud the Cabinet with all the re- /
|pect due to your high Position. your
Dhg experience and your unblemished |
character. But they failed to convince +
IS of the necessity and propriety, under
.xfsting circumstances, of adopting such /
measure. The Secretaries of War and 7
# the Navy, through whom the orders
must have issued to reinforce the forts,
lid not concur,in yOur vie ws, and whilst
he whole responsibility. for the refusal I
'ested upon myself, they were the MEM
,ers OF the, Cabinet more directly inter-
,sted. You may have judged correctly
IN this important question: and your
opinion is entitled to grave considera-
ions, but under my convictions of duty,
md believing, as do, that no present
necessity exists for resort to force for
he protection of the pubifc property, it
vas impossible for me to have risked
collision of arms in the ,harbor of Char
eston, and thereby have defeated the
hopes which cherish of the
inal triumph of the Constitution and
have only to add that you will take
With you into retirement my heartfelt
wishes that the evening of your days
nay be prosperous and happy. .ra
[Signed] sblaual JAMES BUCHANAN.
81 e. -liS Bisnarck on Grant. I
!. The following rsutbe words in which
count Bismarck proposed Gen. Grants
leafth on.the 4th of March: HF 'rs
Permit me, gentlemen. to interrupt
'our conversation for a moment while 1
ay word about the eccasien that has
,rought US together. This is the day |!
which on the other side OF the Atlantic
he victorious commander in the service
# the United States enters ON his office
That event. inasinuch as
b tdeeplyiinterests the United States has