That makes sense. It does seem as if Lincoln was the one who would push the 'red' button no matter what. The events in Charleston were to his political advantage where it may not have been so in Pensacola. If the first shots were fired in Pensacola, wonder if there would have been a better chance that there could have been aid from England or maybe France. I assume probably not because they needed to keep a foot in both doors in case the South lost. It did and they did just that. Straddled the fence with words. We could have used ammunition though. Words don't win battles when there's guns involved. Once Spain turned over their property in the New World they pretty much cut any ties they may have had. I doubt they would have even thought of aiding anyone.

Pam