President Buchanan sends Caleb Cushing to ask South Carolina to postpone its Secession Convention

President Buchanan, in a last effort to avoid South Carolina's secession, dispatched Caleb Cushing, a Democratic loyalist and chair of the Democratic National Convention in South Carolina during the summer, to ask the new governor to postpone the Secession Convention.  In a short interview, Governor Pickens told Cushing that it was too late and "very candidly, that there was no hope for the Union."  The Secession Convention was already underway - Cushing was invited to attend but refused - and South Carolina seceded within hours.  (By John Osborne)