Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

navy yard, Washington, April 22, 1861.
His Excellency, the President:

sir: I respectfully resign my commission as a Captain in the United States Navy.

Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

Frank Buchanan.

Commandant's office, navy yard, Washington, April 22, 1861.

sir: As I have this day resigned my commission as a Captain in the Navy, and consider myself only temporarily in command here, you will carry out all the instructions you have received in preparing the steamers for war service, as directed by my order to you this morning, and superintend the defence of the Yard, when necessary.

I shall not take any part in the defence of this Yard from this date

Respectfully, &c.,

F. Buchanan. Coin. J. A. Dahlgren, &c., &c.

The Rest, near Easton, Md., May 4, 1861.

sir: If his Excellency, the President, has not accepted my resignation as a Captain in the Navy of the United States, I respectfully ask to recall it. The circumstances which induced me, very reluctantly, to tender my resignation, no longer exist, and I cannot voluntarily withdraw from a service in which I have passed nearly forty-seven years of my life, in the faithful performance of duty — as the records of the Navy Department will prove. I am ready for service.

Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

Franklin Buchanan. The Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.