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THE RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY COBB. THE CORRESPONDENCE.

THE RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY COBB. THE CORRESPONDENCE.
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December 14, 1860, Page 2Buy Reprints
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WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 8, 1860.

MY DEAR SIR: A sense of duty to the State of Georgia requires me to take a step which makes it proper that I should no longer continue to be a member of your Cabinet.

In the troubles of the country consequent upon the late Presidential election, the honor and safety of my State are involved. Her people so regard it, and in their opinion I fully concur. They are engaged in a struggle where the issue is life or death. My friends ask for my views and counsel. Not to respond would be degrading to myself and unjust to them. I have accordingly prepared, and must now issue to them, an address which contains the calm and solemn convictions of my heart and judgment.

The views which sincerely entertain, and which therefore I am bound 10 express, differ in some respects from your own. The existence of this difference would expose me, if I should remain in my present place, to unjust suspicions, and put you in a false position. The first of these consequences I could bear well enough, but I will not subject you to the last.

My withdrawal has not been occasioned by anything you have said or done. Whilst differing from your Message upon some of its theoretical doctrines, as well as from the hope so earnestly expressed that the Union can yet be preserved, there was no practical result likely to follow, which required me to retire from your Administration. That necessity is created by what I feel it my duty to do; and the responsibility of the act, therefore, rests alone upon myself.

To say that I regret, -- deeply regret, -- this necessity, but feebly expresses the feeling with which I pen this communication. For nearly four years I have been associated, with you as one of your Cabinet officers, and during that period nothing has occurred to mar, even for a moment, our personal and official relations. In the policy and measures of your Administration I have cordially, concurred, and shall ever feel proud of the humble place which my name may occupy in its history. If your wise counsels and patriotic warnings had been heeled by your countrymen, the fourth of March next would have found our country happy, prosperous and united. That it will not be so, is no fault of yours.

The evil has now passed beyond control, and must be met by each and all of us under our responsibility to God and our country. If. as I believe, history will have, to record yours as the last administration of our present Union, it will also place it side by side with the purest and ablest of those that preceded it.

With the kindest regards for yourself and the members of your Cabinet, with whom I have been so pleasantly associated,

I am most truly and sincerely, your friend,

To the PRESIDENT. HOWELL COBB.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1860.

MY DEAR SIR: I have received your communication of Saturday evening, resigning the position of Secretary of the Treasury, which you have held since the commencement of my administration. While I deeply regret that you have determined to separate yourself from us at the present critical moment, yet I admit that the question was one for your own decision, I could have wished you had arrived at a different conclusion, because our relations, both official and personal, have ever been of the most friendly and confidential character. I may add that I have been entirely satisfied with the ability and zeal which you have displayed in performing the duties of your important office.

Cordially reciprocating your sentiments of personal regard, I remain, very respectfully, your friend.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Hon. HOWELL COBB.

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