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. Seward, Secretary of State, wrote:
First. The dispatch of an expedition to supply or reinforce
Sumter would provoke an attack, and so involve a war at that
point.
The fact of preparation for such an expedition would
inevitably transpire, and would therefore precipitate the war, and
probably defeat the object. I do not think it wise to provoke a civil
war beginning at Charleston, and in rescue of an untenable
position.
Therefore I advise against the expedition in every
view.
Second. I would call in Captain M. C. Meigs forthwith. Aided
by his counsel, I would at once, and at every cost, prepare for a war
at Pensacola and Texas: to be taken, however, only as a consequence
of maintaining the possessions and authority of the United
States.
Third. I would instruct Major Anderson to retire from Sumter
forthwith.
