Lincoln and Ft. Sumter

[JMadonna]

Laurie,
Thought your grandson would like to know this.

Governor Pickens of South Carolina had offered to purchase Fort Sumter from the United States. A representative, Isaac Hayne, had delivered a letter to that effect to President Buchanan. Buchanan was now ready with his reply.

After talking it over with Secretary of War Holt, Buchanan thought it best that Holt respond to the request. It would be taken as a bit of a snub.

Holt asserted that buying a fort, particularly this one, was unusual. What South Carolina was really claiming was eminent domain over Sumter. This, said Holt, was not any more possible than Maryland claiming eminent domain over Washington DC. Both were Federal property.

So, no, the fort was not for sale and attacking it would bring about Civil War with the blood being on the hands of South Carolina.

http://civilwardailygazette.com/2011/02/...-for-sale/