THE GREAT AGITATION: THE CABINET CHANGES; Editorial-Disunion in New-York; FORTIFICATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR (12/17/1860)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/17/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Dec. 16.

In my dispatch of Friday, I am made to say, in speaking of the rumors as to the cause of Secretary CASS' resignation, "all these rumors are untrue." It should have been, "two" of them are untrue. The other -- the refusal of the President to send troops to Charleston -- was the cause of the withdrawal of Gen. CASS from the Cabinet, as his letter to Mr. BUCHANAN proves. I understand that the President's reply is in course of preparation, and that it will be very severe upon the late Premier.

It appears that Gen. CASS resigned ten days ago, but Mr. BUCHANAN refused to accept the resignation unless reasons were assigned. When that portion of the Message referring to the want of power in Congress to make war upon a State was read by Mr. BUCHANAN to Gen. CASS, the latter is represented as taking the President by the hand and thanking him for his statesmanlike views. Since then Secretary CASS has urged the use of the Army and Navy to enforce a due execution of the Federal laws in South Carolina, and threatened to resign if it were not done. Secretary FLOYD joined issue, and promised his resignation if any forces were ordered to Charleston. In this extremity Gen. SCOTT was again telegraphed for, and consulted by the President. It appears that Capt. ANDERSON, commanding Fort Moultrie, first reported to Gen. SCOTT, but was referred by the General to the Secretary of War, as he (Gen. SCOTT) had no orders to give. On the General's arrival here, he insisted on not being complicated in the matter at issue between Secretaries CASS and FLOYD, but at the same time stated, unequivocally, that he approved of the views of the latter.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Agitation: The Cabinet Changes – 2-4
Editorial: Disunion in New-York – 4-5
Still Another Slaver Captured – 5
Editorial: A Business View of the Political Crisis-Corn and Cotton – 5-6
Editorial: The Crisis and Mob Law – 6
Editorial: Policy of the President-His Demands upon the North – 6-7
Tenterden Steeple in the Presidential Election – 7-8
Constitutional Amendment – 8
An Unfounded Charge – 8
The Irish and Disunion – 8
News from New-Mexico: Serious ‘Aspect’ of the Indian Troubles – 8
Fortifications in Charleston Harbor – 8
An Attack on Fort Moultrie Expected – 8-9
More Returned Passengers – 9
Brooklyn News – 9
The Livingstone African Expedition – 9