William H. Seward, Opinion on Fort Sumter, March 29, 1861

Sec. of State.

1st. 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 therefor precipitate the war -- and probably defeat the object.

I do not think it wise to provoke a civil war beginning at Charleston and in defence rescue of an untenable position.

Therefore I advise against the expedition in every view--

2d. I would call in Capt. M. C. Meigs1 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 possession and authority of the United States--

3d I would instruct Maj. Anderson to retire from Sumter, forthwith--

William H Seward

March 29th.

[ Endorsed by Lincoln:]

In cabinet

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From Winfield Scott to Abraham Lincoln, April 8, 1861

For the President.

The Secretary of War, will, no doubt, make the President acquainted with Major Anderson's1 report received today. There is nothing official from Ft. Pickens or the expeditions, out of New York.

For the defence of the government more troops are wanted. The steamer with the dismounted cavalry (six companies) from Texas, must be in N. York, today or tomorrow, to be followed by another steamer, with about the same number of troops, from Texas, in a week. There is a growing apprehension of danger, here, in the meantime. I rely on the presence of a third battery of flying Artillery (Sherman's) by Saturday next. It is coming from Minesota. Three other companies of artillery, on foot, serving as Infantry, will be, at New York from the same quarter, in 14 days. All these reinforcements, excepting Sherman's battery, may be too late for this place. For the interval, I have sent Col. Smith (the immediate commander of all the forces in the District of Columbia) to learn what number of reliable volunteers can be obtained in this city, & have also desired him to see whether the companies, already here, may not be advantageously concentrated near to the President's square.

I beg leave to suggest that a small War Steamer, to cruise between Alexandria & the Long Bridge, over the Potomac, would be of great importance to the system of defence that we are planning.

I ought to report that officers who, notwithstanding their oaths of fidelity to the U. S., ask to be excused from duty, in the South, lest they should come into conflict with the forces of the Montgomery Confederacy, are invariably refused & told to remember their oaths. Capt. Johns (born in this District) & Lieut. Smead (born in Georgia) -- the same who arrived, Saturday, with despatches from Captain Vogdes & Com. Adams -- have been so answered this morning.

Major Anderson -- an officer of the highest honor, valor, patriotism & morals -- showed some nervous irratability in his letter received this morning -- arising from partial sickness, long confinement & a sense of neglect, in respect to the denial of the brevets that he knows I had asked for him -- first, in the time of President Buchanan, & once, since. The last cause of soreness is wholly conjectural; for, no matter how deeply wounded, I know that he would sooner die than utter a word of complaint. A little nervousness will, I am sure, be, under the circumstances, excused in a noble soldier.

Respectfully submitted.

Winfield Scott.

Head Qrs. of the Army,

Washington, Apl. 8, 1861.

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From Winfield Scott to Abraham Lincoln, April 13, 1861

For the President.

Nothing of military importance has reached me to day except thro' the news-paper.

The two companies of dis-mounted Cavalry arrived last night as I had anticipated in my report of yesterday.

At my instance the Secretary of War has called for four other companies of District volunteers, which will make, in all, fifteen companies of this description for the defence of the Capital, besides six companies of regulars, the Marines at the Navy Yard, & (I hope very soon) the War steamer to cruise on the Potomak between the long bridge & a point little below Alexandria. The next regular reinforcements to be expected here, are: -- Sherman's battery of flying Artillery from Minesota, & the companies of foot artillery from the same quarter -- in five & seven days, & a portion of the troops expected in the next steamer from Texas. From the same steamer, I shall have the means of reinforcing Fort McHenry (at Baltimore) a most important point.

Respectfully submitted.

Winfield Scott.

Hd. Qrs. of the Army,

Washington, Apl. 13, 1861.

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Why all the prep work? Were they getting ready for what they were about to start?
David Upton