his message on secession, 188, 189;
wishes to shirk responsibility, 189;
declares coercion unconstitutional, 189;
ridiculed by Republicans, 190;
excuse for his position, 190, 195;
declines to receive Southern commissioners, 199;
virtually abdicates power to cabinet, 200;
denounced by South, 200;
forced to appoint Dix to Treasury Department, 200, 201;
calls extra session of Senate to aid Lincoln, 234;