THE NATIONAL CRISIS: Resignation of the Secretary of War; SOUTH CAROLINA: DECLARATION OF IMMEDIATE CAUSES (12/31/1860)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/31/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

OUR WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Dec. 30.

Another prop of the Old Public Functionary has been knocked from under him. The resignation of Secretary FLOYD yesterday, after an excited Cabinet discussion, running through forty-eight hours, will surprise no one, after what is already known. Yet some details, from reliable authority, may be interesting.

It appears that Secretary FLOYD, with the full knowledge and consent of the President, pledged his honor that no change should be made in the position of affairs in Charleston harbor, -- South Carolina giving a pledge to respect all public property in the meantime, -- until the Commissioners could be received here, and the whole matter be referred to Congress. Under these circumstances, the Commissioners called on Secretary FLOYD, and charged the act of Major ANDERSON, in spiking the cannon, etc., as not only a violation of solemn pledges, but an act of hostility -- as much so as if he had charged and fired his guns. FLOYD disavowed ANDERSON's act, but the Commissioners claimed some tangible evidence, and demand the withdrawal of the troops from Fort Sumter. FLOYD considered the demand reasonable and proper, and on the Cabinet being summoned, he asked permission of the President to comply with the demand, not only as a matter of policy, but as called for by the pledge given South Carolina. His honor and the honor of the Administration being sacredly pledged, he insisted on recalling the troops, leaving the Government property to be protected as similar property is protected at Boston, New-York, or Mobile.

Secretaries THOMPSON and THOMAS backed FLOYD in this demand, and TOUCEY, HOLT, BLACK and STANTON sided with the President in refusing. The contest was warm and protracted.

[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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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The National Crisis: Resignation of the Secretary of War – 2-5
South Carolina; Declaration of Immediate Causes – 5-6
Progress of Secession – 6-8
Editorial: A Gleam of Hope! – 8
A Valuable Suggestion– 8
Ultimatum of the South – 8-9
Editorial: Flight of a Great Criminal – 9
Editorial: The Trouble with our Southern Brethren and What will Cure it – 9-10
Editorial: Judicial Salaries – 10

[littleharbour]

America could use a good Secretary of War right about now.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Fret not, Homer—be of good cheer! My fearless prediction for the New Year is that this unseemly brouhaha will soon blow over and be little noted nor long remembered.