Year: 1861

ry Cameron, and had recalled from Inc
Philadelphia Postoffice the undelivered
copies of the War Department Report
which the latter had mailed yesterday for
the use of the newspaper press. The city
was filed with rumors OF breaking up of
the Cabinet, and the influence Of the revo-
luton we are passing through, in attach
ing men to principles while weakening
their hold on laws and forms, was every
where strikingly and most suggestively
conspicuous. Tie excitement occasicDei
by this Executive opposition to the neces-
sites OF the war and to the popular will,
to night sways the hotels and parlors of
the city. The history ofths difference be-
tween the President and the Secretary of
War has at last taken this shape. The
Secretary presented his report to Mr.
Lincoln on Saturday. On Sunday after
noon he mailed it to the principal papers
of the North and West, as is customary
on the day preceding the reading of the
message. On Sunday night the President,
having found time to read it, found it not
in his heart to agree with the Secretary's
doctrine of the right and the duty to make
a military use Of The slaves of rebels-to
arm them, if necessary-and in all ways to
use them As we would any other property
of the rebels to suppress this rebellion
He sent for Mr.. Cameron, and required
him to suppress this whole portion of his
report on the ground that its recommen,
dation was premature and ill-timed. The
Secretary promptly and resolulely refused
to suppress word of it. The discussion
between them was protrac ted. 1t ended as
it began, the President insisting upon the
alteration, and the Secretary respectfully
but firmly refusing to change a syllable Of
his recommendations. A subsequent in
terview in the afternoon had similar con-
clusion of debate, but new and strange
conclusion Of the Executive will. The
President announced his purpose to strike
out the entire passage about the emancipa-
ton and armiug Of the slaves before sem
ding in the report with his message to
Congress. Mr.. Cameron declared he
should not recall or suppress the docu-
ment in the hands Of northern and west
ern editors, and that the printers were at
liberty to do with his report what they
pleased. Which of the two copies will the
people read and the army plefer?''


From the same paper.


CAMERON'S REPORT.


After the original report had been prln-
ted iu one whole edition, the following
modification was made, viz the conclu-
ding portion. commencing at the words,
at has become grave question for de-
termination what shall be done with the
slaves was erased, and the subioined
passage was substituted


1t is already a grave question what
shall be done by the slaves who are aban-
doned by their owners on the advance of
our troops into southern territory. as at
Beaufort District, in South Carolina. The
number left within our control at that
point Is very considerable, and similar
cases will probably occur. What shall
bo done with them? Can we afford 10
send them forward to their masters, to be
by them armed against us, or used in in
Producing supplies to maintain the rebel
lion ? Their labor may be useful to us;
withheld from the enemy. it lessons his
military resources, and Withholding them
has no tendency to induce the horrors of
insur.ection even in the rebel communi
ties. They constitute a military resource,
and, being such, that they should not be
turned over to the enemy is too plain to
discuss. Why deprive him of supplies
by blockade, and voluntarily give him
men to produce supplies? The dispos.
ton 10 be made Of ;he slaves of rebels
after the close Of the war can be safely
left to the wisdom and patriotism Of Con-
gress. The representatives Of the people
will. unquestionably. secure to the loyal
Shareholders every right to which they
are entitled under the constitution of the
country.


SIMON CAMERON. Sec'y of War,


To the President of the United States"