Washington, December 15, 1860.
Sir:
I 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 administration with mutual and cordial friendship and regard, I had
cherished the earnest hope that nothing might occur to disturb our official
relations until its end. You have decided differently; and I have no right to
complain.
I must express my gratification at your concurrence with the
general principles laid down in my late message, and your appreciation, “with
warm sympathy, of its patriotic appeals and suggestions.” This I value very
highly; and I rejoice that we concur in the opinion that Congress does not
possess the power under the Constitution to coerce a State by force of arms to
remain in the Confederacy.
The question on which we unfortunately differ is that of
ordering a detachment of the army and navy to Charleston, and is correctly
stated in your letter of resignation. I do not intend to argue this question.
Suffice it 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 unblemished character; but they failed to convince us of
the necessity and propriety, under existing circumstances, of adopting such a
measure. The Secretaries of War and of the Navy, through whom the orders must
have issued to reinforce the forts, did not concur in your views; and whilst
the whole responsibility for the refusal rested upon myself, they were the
members of the Cabinet more directly interested. You may have judged correctly
on this important question, and your opinion is entitled to grave
consideration; but, under my convictions of duty, and believing as I do that no
present necessity exists for a resort to force for the protection of the public
property, it was impossible for me to have risked a collision of arms in the
harbor of Charleston, and thereby defeated the reasonable hopes which I cherish
of the final triumph of the Constitution and the Union.
I have only to add that you will take with you into
retirement my heartfelt wishes that the evening of your days may be prosperous
and happy.
Very respectfully
yours,
James Buchanan.
Hon. Lewis Cass.
_______________
* Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; S.
Ex. Doc. 7, 41 Cong. 1 Sess. 2; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 398.
SOURCES: John Bassett More, Editor, The Works of James Buchanan, Volume 11, p. 60-1; Cass Canfield, General Lewis Cass 1782-1866, p. 37-41
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