It most certainly is clear, very clear....................Ask Lincoln's cabinet.................
United States Secretary of State, William H. Seward:
“I reply, no.
I would not initiate war to regain a useless and unnecessary position on the soil of the seceding States.
I would not provoke war in any way now.”
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, pp. 192-201, Nicolay and Hay
United States Attorney General, Edward Bates:
“I am unwilling, "under all the circumstances," at this moment
to do any act which may have the semblance before the world
of beginning a civil war.”
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, pp. 217-220, Nicolay and Hay
United States Secretary of the Interior, Caleb B. Smith:
“
The commencement of a civil war would be a calamity greatly to be deplored and should be avoided if the just authority of the government may be maintained without it.” “it would not be wise under all the circumstances to attempt to provision Fort Sumter.”
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, pp. 210-214, Nicolay and Hay
United States Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles:
“By sending or attempting to send provisions into Sumter,
will not war be precipitated?” “I am not prepared to advise a course
that would provoke hostilities.” “I do not, therefore, under all the circumstances, think it wise to attempt to provision Fort Sumter.”
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, pp. 208-210, Nicolay and Hay
United States Secretary of War, Simon Cameron:
“The proposition presented by Mr. Fox, so sincerely entertained and ably advocated,
would be entitled to my favorable consideration if, with all the lights before me, and in the face of so many distinguished military authorities on the other side, I did not believe the attempt to carry it into effect
would initiate a bloody and protracted conflict.”
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, pp. 202-207, Nicolay and Hay
5 out of 7 of Lincoln’s own cabinet believed to attempt to resupply Fort Sumter would provoke a war.
BUT....................
I do understand your position and why you have to defend it.................
Respectfully,
William
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