Year: 1869

SECRETARY CAsS's LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
WASHINGTON, March 30.-The President sent
to the Senate to-day compliance with resolution Of
that body the following letter of Secretary Cass giving
his for resignng member Of President Bu-
chanan's Cabinet:


DEPARTMENT or STATE, Dec. IL, 1860
SIR The alarming crlss in N9onal affairs has
gagged your serious considerations and In your recent
message you have expressed TO Congress and through
Congress the country the views fraught with the most
momentons consequences which are now presented 10
the American people for solution win the general prlhI
cples laid down In that message 1uy concur, ana
appreciate with warm sympathy It's patriotic appeals and
suggestions. What measures is competent ana proper
for the Executive adopt under existing circumstances
Is subject which has received your most careful atten-
ton, and with the anxious hope, as wel know from
having participated In the deliberations that tranquility
and good feeling may be iEpeedly restored 70 this
agitated aud divided confederacy. In some
Il has been my misfortune to differ from you. 1t has
been my decided opinion, which for some time past l
have urged at various meetings Of the Cabinet that adj
donal troops should Oe sent oeenforce the forts IN the
harbor OF Charleston with view to their better de
should they be attacked and that armed vessel should


likewise be ordered there 10 aid II necessary In the de.
ense and also. should II be required In the collection OF
the Revenues and ~ yet my opinion that these meas
ures should be adopted without the least delay. have


likewise urged the expcdency Of Immediately removing
port and also OF making for the collection
Of duties there, by having Collector and other officers
ready 10 act when necessary that when the oce may
become the proper authority may be there 10 col
lcct the duties tho part Of the United state. con


nue 20 think tnat these arrangements shoud De mme-
diaely made. While the right and responsibility OF de-
Gliding belong TO you II Is very desirable at this perous
juncture there should be- As far possible. unanlmy IN
your councils with view 10 safe and efficient action.


have therefore. felt II my duty 70 tender my resignation
OF the office OF Secretary OF State, and 70 ask
your permission 20 ret ro from that Official asso-
ciaon with yourself and the members OF your Cabinet
which enjoyed during almost four years, without
the occurrence Of single incident interrupt tho per-
sonal which has happily existed cannot
Jealous devotion TO the best interests Of the
country with which, during term OF uneHampled trials
and troubles you have sought 10 discharge the duties OF
your high station. Thanking you for the Kindness and
confidence you have not ceased to manifest toward me.
and with the expression OF my warmet regards both Tor
yourself and the gentlemen Of your Cabinet am, Sir
with great respect your obedient servant .. ~.


To the President OF the United states.


The following is the reply OF President Buchanan;


WASHINGTON, ID. c. Dec. H. 1860.


SIR have received your resignation Of the Office OF
Secretary OF State with surprise and regret After we
had passed through nearly the whole term OF the admin
lstaton win mutual ana eorda anu tegaru 6cn
To disturb official relations until It's end You nave
must express NV qualification at your concurrence with
the general principles laid down III my late message and
your appreciation with sympathy OF is patriotic
appeals and suggestions This value very highly, and


rejoice that concur In the opinion that Congress
does not possess the power under the Constitution 10
eoerce State by force of arms to remain In the coned
eracy. The question which we unfortunately dluer ia
that OF ordering detachment Of the navy TO Charleston
and is correctly stared In your letter OF resignation do
not intend argue this question Sufficient TO say that
and the Cabinet with all the respect due to
your high position, your long experience ana your
unblemished character But tnty ialeu 10 conNcc us
OF the necessity and propricy under existing orcum
OF adopting such measure The secretaries or
war nuu tue NAVY, through wnon the orders must
have reinforce the ports did concur in your
views; and while the whole responsibility FOR refusal
rested upon myself they the members OF the Cabinet
more directly Interested You have judged correctly
on this important question: and your opinion Is entitled
to grave considerations but under my convictions OF duty
and believing do that no present necessity exists Tor


resort for the protection OF the public property
IL was impossible for to have risked collision OF
arms the harbor Of Charleston, and thereby have de,
feated reasonable hopes which cherish OF the final
triumph the Constitution and the Union. have only
10 add that you will take with into retirement my
heartfelt wishes that the evening OF days may be
prosperous aud happy Very respectfully yours.


To the Hon. LEWIS CASs. JAMES BUCHANAN