Who is this person?

[Gene C]

To whom did President Lincoln address these words: "[B]efore I could have any power whatever, I had to take the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and execute the laws as I found them."

And, what were the circumstances of the statement?

No Googling, please.

Lincoln was ahead of his time
It's depends on what the meaning of the word "execute" is.
Similar principle to - "“It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is"

If you don't like the law as you find it, you can "execute" it, like in putting it to death.

Getting back to David's question, did the circumstance have to do with sending supplies to Fr. Sumter?