OPINIONS WRITTEN BY MEMBERS OP THE CABINET AT
THE VERBAL REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT, AT A CABINET MEETING HELD TO
DETERMINE THE QUESTION OF SENDING AN EXPEDITION TO RELIEVE FORT
SUMTER, March 29, 1861.
Mr. Bates, Attorney-General, wrote:
It is my decided opinion that Fort Pickens and Key West
ought to be reinforced and supplied, so as to look down opposition at
all hazards -- and this whether Fort Sumter be or be not
evacuated.
It is also my opinion that there ought to be a naval force
kept upon the southern coast sufficient to command it and, if need
be, actually close any port that practically ought to be closed,
whatever other station is left unoccupied.
It is also my opinion that there ought to be immediately
established a line of light, fast-running vessels, to pass as rapidly
as possible between New York or Norfolk at the North and Key West or
other point in the gulf at the South.
As to Fort Sumter, I think the time is come either to
evacuate or relieve it.
