The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-31

instant:-
HON. LEWIS oAss TO PRESIDENT BUCHANAN.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Dec. IL, 1860 -Sr:-
Tue alarming crisis IN our national affairs has
engageu your serious consideration, and in your
IeceGt sage you have expressed to Congress-
and through Congress TO the country, the views
haught with the most monentous consequences
which aie Low pTesented 10 the American peo-
pie tor solution. With the general principles
laid down in that message | fully concur, and
| apprt Ciaie with warm sympathy its
patriotic appeals and Suggestions. What
measures it is competent and proper for
The Executive 10 adopt under existing ctrcum-
stances is subject which has received your
most careful attention, and with the anxious
nope, Hs know from having pariicipa' ed In the
dehbeTaliol s, that tranquility and good feeling
nay be speedily restored to this aeitate aud
divided Confederacy. In some poluts, which
deem OF vital impor aDce, 1t has been my mis-
fortune 10 differ from you. 1t has been my
decided opinion, which for some time past [
have urged at different meetings of the Cabinet,
that additional troops should be sent to rein
force the forts in the hafbor of Charleston, with
O view 10 their better defense, should they be
attacked, and that an armed vessel should like
wise be ordered there 10 aid, II necessary, in
he defense; and also, should 1t be required, in
the collection of the revenue and it lie yet my
opinion that these measures should be adopted
without The least-delay. / have likewise urged
the eNpedepoy of Immediately removing
the Custom House at Charleston to one of the
forts in port, and of making arrangements for
the collection oil the duties thereby having
collector and other officers ready to act when
necessary, so that when the office may become
vacant the proper authority may be there 10
collect the du'ies on the part of the United
States. / continue to think that these arrange.
ments should be Immediately made. While the
tight and responsibility OF deciding belong
to you it is very desirable that at this perilous
juncture there should be, as far as possible,
uDaDimiy in your councils, with a view to safe
and efficient action. / have, therefore, felt it
my duty to tender you my resignation of the
Offipp Of Secretary of State. and tn ask
permission to retire from that official association
with yourself and the members of your Cabinet
which have enjoyed during almost four years
without the occurrence OF single incident to
interrupt the personal intercourse which has so
happily existed. | cannot close my letter with
out bearing my testimony to the jealous and
earnest devotion to the best interests Of the
country with which, during a term Of unexam-
pied trials and tronbles,. you have sought to
discharge the duties of your high station.
Thanking you for the kindness and confidence
and with the express on of my warmest regard
both for yourself and the gentlemen of your
Cabinet, l am, sir, with great respect. your
obedent servant, LEWIS CAss.
10 the President of the United States.
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN TO MR.. oAss.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1S60.-sir:-I have re.
ceived your resignation OF the office of Secretary
ol state with surprise anu regret, alter We had
passed through nearly the whole term of the
administration with mutual and cordial friend-
ship and regard. l cherished the earnest hope
that olhing might occur to disturb our official
relations until its end. You have decided
differently, and have no right to complain. l
must express my gran6catlon al your concur
renee with the general principles laid down in
my late message, and your appreciation with
warm sympathy of its patriotic appeals and
suggestions. This l value very highly, and I
rejoice that we concur in the opinion that
Congress does not possess the power un.
der the Constitution to coerce State by
force of arms TO remain in the Confederacy.
| The question on which we occasionally differ is
| in ordering detachment of the army and navy
to Charleston, and is correctly stated in your
letter OF resignation. ] do not in tend TO argue
| this question; sufficient to say that your
| remarks upon the subject were heard by myself
| and the Cabinet with all the respect due to your
high position, your long experience, and your
vince us of the necessity and propiiety, under
| existing circumstances, of adopting such a
| measure. The Secretaries of War and the Navy
| through whom the orders must have issued lC
| reinforce the forts, did not concur in your
views. and whilst the whole re,
upon myself they were the members o.
the Cabinet more directly interested. You
may have Judged correctly on this important
| question, and your opinion is entitled to grave
copsidt ration, but under my convictions ofduty
| and believing, as do, that no present necessity
exists for resort to force for the protection o
| the public property, 1t was impossible for me tC
| have risked collision OF arms in the harbor o
Charleston, and thereby have defeated the reason
able hopes which cherish for the final triumph
| OF the Constitution and the Union. have only
| 10 aud that you will take with you into retire
ment my heartfelt wishes that the evening o
your days may be prosperous and happy. Ver'
| respectfully yours, JAMES BUCHANAN.
| To the Hon. Lewis Cass.