From Washington.
Washington, Dec. 10.
--The impression prevails here that the border States are about to advise the cotton States, in case they secede, to submit temporarily to the existing tariff and postal laws, and to send Commissioners to Washington to treat with the Federal Government, and thus avoid collision and bloodshed; and should the Federal Government refuse to recognize the Commissioners, or the negotiations fall to be consummated, then the border States will follow their sister Southern States in secession.
The Herald's rumor that Lincoln has addressed a conciliatory letter to Jeff. Davis, is discredited here.
Messrs. Miles, McQueen and Boyce, of S. C., had an interview with the President to-day.
Result unknown.
Secretary Cobb has certainly resigned, and will return home on Thursday.
The President, to-day, was assured from authentic sources that South Carolina will not oppose the collection of the revenue, nor the Federal retention of the forts during the remainder of his administration. 