Ft. Sumter: Can of Worms

[hawglips]

To treat with those who proclaim themselves to be official representatives of a gov't is to accept the existence of that gov't, else, why talk with them if they did not represent anybody?

"The truth of history requires that it distinctly appear upon the record that the undersigned did not ask the Government of the United States to recognize the independence of the Confederate States. They only asked audience to adjust, in a spirit of amity and peace, the new relations springing from a manifest and accomplished revolution in the Government of the late Federal Union. Your refusal to entertain these overtures for a peaceful solution, the active naval and military preparations of this Government, and a formal notice to the commanding General of the Confederate forces in the harbor of Charleston that the President intends to provision Fort Sumter by forcible means, if necessary, are viewed by the undersigned, and can only be received by the world, as a declaration of war against the Confederate States..."

It is clear who wanted to discuss peace, and who did not.

Hal

[nicolo]

The very act of talking to them in their capacities as representatives of a foreign gov't IS accepting the fact of its existence, otherwise why would the gov't of the U.S. be talking to them about anything?
The discussion involved the turning over property of the Federal Gov't to another governing entity outside the Constitution of the United States. Only two independent gov't could legitimately, discuss such a matter. The Confederate Gov't did not exist, it had no standing in law or Constitution. There was no one for Seward to speak to in an official capacity.

[hawglips]

It is clear who wanted to discuss peace, and who did not.

Hal

(Message edited by hawglips on February 23, 2004)

[nicolo]

Indeed it is.