He was a native of Kentucky, long a resident of Mississippi, always identified with the Democratic party, and affiliated with its extreme Southern wing.

Without a moment's hesitation he now broke all the associations of a lifetime, and stood by the Union without qualification or condition.

His learning, his firmness, and his ability, were invaluable to Mr.Buchanan in the closing days of his administration.
General John A.Dix of New York was called to the head of the Treasury.

He was a man of excellent ability, of wide experience in affairs, of spotless character, and a most zealous friend of the Union.

He found the Treasury bankrupt, the discipline of its officers in the South gone, its orders disregarded in the States which were preparing for secession.