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. Smith, Secretary of the Interior, wrote:
Viewing the question whether Fort Sumter shall be evacuated
as a political one, I remark that the effect of its evacuation upon
the public mind will depend upon the concurrent and subsequent action
of the government. If it shall be understood that by its evacuation
we intend to acknowledge our inability to enforce the laws, and our
intention to allow treason and rebellion to run their course, the
measure will be extremely disastrous and the administration will
become very unpopular. If, however, the country can be made to
understand that the fort is abandoned from necessity, and at the same
time Fort Pickens and other forts in our possession shall be
defended, and the power of the government vindicated, the measure
will be popular and the country will sustain the
administration.
Believing that Fort Sumter cannot be successfully defended,
I regard its evacuation as a necessity, and I advise that Major
Anderson's command shall be unconditionally withdrawn.
At the same time I would adopt the most vigorous measures
for the defense of the other forts, and if we have the power I would
blockade the Southern ports, and enforce the collection of the
revenue with all the power of the government.
