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. Blair, Postmaster-General, wrote:
First. as regards General Scott, I have no confidence in his
judgment on the questions of the day. His political views control his
judgment, and his course as remarked on by the President shows that
whilst no one will question his patriotism, the results are the same
as if he was in fact traitorous.
Second. It is acknowledged to be possible to relieve Fort
Sumter. It ought to be relieved without reference to Pickens or any
other possession. South Carolina is the head and front of this
rebellion, and when that State is safely delivered from the authority
of the United Stares it will strike a blow against our authority from
which it will take us years of bloody strife to recover.
Third. For my own part, I am unwilling to share in the
responsibility of such a policy.
