A profound sensation has been produced in the outside world
by the resignation of Mr. Randolph; and most of the people and the press seem
inclined to denounce the President, for they know not what. In this matter the
President is not to blame; but the Secretary has acted either a very foolish or
a very desperate part. It appears that he wrote a note in reply to the last
letter of the President, stating that as no discretion was allowed him in such
matters as were referred to by the President, he begged respectfully to tender
his resignation. The President responded, briefly, that inasmuch as the
Secretary declined acting any longer as one of his constitutional advisers, and
also declined a personal conference, no alternative remained but to accept his
resignation.
Randolph's friends would make it appear that he resigned in
consequence of being restricted in his action; but he knows very well that the
latitude allowed him became less and less circumscribed; and that, hitherto, he
was well content to operate within the prescribed limits. Therefore, if it was
not a silly caprice, it was a deliberate purpose, to escape a cloud of odium he
knew must sooner or later burst around him.
A letter from Gen. Magruder, dated 10th inst., at Jackson,
Mississippi, intimates that we shall lose Holly Springs. He has also been in
Mobile, and doubts whether that city can be successfully defended by Gen.
Forney, whose liver is diseased, and memory impaired. He recommends that
Brig.-Gen. Whiting be promoted, and assigned to the command in place of Forney,
relieved.
A letter from Gen. Whiting, near Wilmington, dated 13th.
inst., expresses serious apprehensions whether that place can be held against a
determined attack, unless a supporting force of 10,000 men be sent there
immediately. It is in the command of Major-Gen. G. A. Smith.
More propositions to ship cotton in exchange for the
supplies needed by the country. The President has no objection to accepting
them all, provided the cotton don't go to any of the enemy's ports. How can it
be possible to avoid this liability, if the cotton be shipped from the
Mississippi River?
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 190-1
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