cided on the ground I have stated. I now have to beg that you will not do me the injustice to suppose for a moment that I remember anything against you in malice.

Yours very truly,

A. LINCOLN.

ORDER TO GENERAL SCOTT

Drafted by President Lincoln and Signed by the Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, March 9, 1861.

My dear Sir: I am directed by the President to say he desires you to exercise all possible vigilance for the maintenance of all the places within the military department of the United States, and to promptly call upon all the departments of the government for the means necessary to that end.

[SIMON CAMERON.]

LETTER TO GENERAL SCOTT

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 9, 1861. My dear Sir: On the 5th instant I received from the Hon. Joseph Holt, the then faithful and vigilant Secretary of War, a letter of that date, inclosing a letter and accompanying documents received by him on the 4th instant from Major Robert Anderson, commanding Fort Sumter, South Carolina; and copies of all which

I now transmit. Immediately on receipt of them by me, I transmitted the whole to you for your consideration; and the same day you returned the package to me with your opinion indorsed upon it, a copy of which opinion I now also transmit to you. Learning from you verbally that since then you have given the subject a more full and thorough consideration, you will much oblige me by giving answers, in writing, to the following interrogatories:

(1) To what point of time can Major Anderson maintain his position at Fort Sumter, without fresh supplies or reinforcement?

(2) Can you, with all the means now in your control, supply or reinforce Fort Sumter within that time?

(3) If not, what amount of means, and of what description, in addition to that already at your control, would enable you to supply and reinforce that fortress within the time?

Please answer these, adding such statements, information, and counsel as your great skill and experience may suggest.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO SECRETARY SEWARD

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 11, 1861.

My dear Sir: What think you of sending ministers at once as follows: Dayton to Eng

land; Frémont to France; Clay to Spain; Corwin to Mexico?

We need to have these points guarded as strongly and quickly as possible. This is suggestion merely, and not dictation.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

*LETTERS TO THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 12, 1861.

My dear Sir: I understand that the outgoing and incoming Representatives for the Cleveland District, unite in recommending Edwin Cowles for P. M. in that City; that Senator Wade has considered the case and declines to interfere; and that no other M. C. interferes. Under these circumstances, if correct, I think Mr. Cowles better be appointed.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 13, 1861.

HON. P. M. G.

Dear Sir: The bearer of this, Mr. C. T. Hempstow, is a Virginian who wishes to get, for his son, a small place in your Department. I think Virginia should be heard, in such cases.

LINCOLN.

LETTER TO

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 13, 1861. My dear Sir: You will start for Kansas before I see you again; and when I saw you a moment this morning I forgot to ask you about some of the Kansas appointments, which I intended to do. If you care much about them, you can write, as I think I shall not make the appointments just yet.

Yours in haste,

A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO SECRETARY SEWARD

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 13, 1861.

Dear Sir: General Cameron desires that Jacob S. Haldeman may be appointed Minister Resident at Sweden and Norway; and I am willing to oblige him, if you see no objection.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO SECRETARY SEWARD

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 14, 1861.

My dear Sir: Allow me to introduce Mr. F. Hassaurek, one of our best German Republican workers in America, residing at Cincinnati, and of whose character you cannot be ignorant. Please give him an interview.

Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.

NOTE ASKING CABINET OPINIONS ON FORT

M

SUMTER

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 15, 1861.

Y DEAR SIR: Assuming it to be possible to now provision Fort Sumter, under all the circumstances is it wise to attempt it? Please give me your opinion in writing on this question.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

[The above note written to all the members of the Cabinet.]

Opinion on Fort Sumter from the Secretary of State. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, 15th March, 1861. The President submits to me the following question - namely: Assuming it to be possible to now provision Fort Sumter, under all the circumstances is it wise to attempt it?"

If it were possible to peacefully provision Fort Sumter, of course I should answer that it would be both unwise and inhuman not to attempt it. But the facts of the case are known to be that the attempt must be made with the employment of military and marine force, which would provoke combat, and