the departments of Government were honeycombed with treason and shadowed with treachery and espionage.  Every step proposed or contemplated by the Government would be known to the so-called Government of the Confederate States almost as soon as thought of.  All means to thwart and delay the carrying out of the Government’s purposes that the excuses of routine and red tape admitted of would be used by the traitors within the camp to aid the traitors without.  No one knew all this better than Mr. Lincoln.  With no army, no navy, not even a revenue cutter left—­with forts and arsenals, ammunition and arms, in possession of the South, with no money in the National Treasury, and the National credit blasted—­the position must, even to his hopeful nature, have seemed desperate.  Yet even in this awful hour, he was sustained by confidence in the good effects of his conciliatory message to the South, and by his trust in the patriotism of the people and the Providence of God.”

Mr. Welles, the incoming Secretary of the Navy, in writing of the period immediately following the inauguration, says:  “A strange state of things existed at that time in Washington.  The atmosphere was thick with treason.  Party spirit and old party differences prevailed amidst the accumulating dangers.  Secession was considered by most persons as a political party question, not as rebellion.  Democrats to a large extent sympathized with the Rebels more than with the Administration.  The Republicans, on the other hand, were scarcely less partisan and unreasonable ... clamorous for the removal of all Democrats, indiscriminately, from office.”

The President’s first official act was the announcement of his Cabinet, which was composed of the following persons:  William H. Seward, Secretary of State; Simon Cameron, Secretary of War; Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy; Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Interior; Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General; and Edward Bates, Attorney General.  Lincoln had selected these counselors with grave deliberation.  In reply to the remonstrances urged, on political grounds, against the appointment of one or two of them, he had said:  “The times are too grave and perilous for ambitious schemes and personal rivalries.  I need the aid of all of these men.  They enjoy the confidence of their several States and sections, and they will strengthen the administration.”  On another occasion he remarked:  “It will require the utmost skill, influence, and sagacity of all of us, to save the country; let us forget ourselves, and join hands like brothers to save the Republic.  If we succeed, there will be glory enough for all.”