![LINCOLN, Abraham. Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln"), as President, TO SECRETARY OF STATE [WILLIAM H. SEWARD], Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C. 10 March 1861. 1 page, 8vo, slight remnant of tipping on blank integral, otherwise FINE.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/NYR/2006_NYR_01720_0071_000(010312).jpg?w=1)
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LINCOLN, Abraham. Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln"), as President, TO SECRETARY OF STATE [WILLIAM H. SEWARD], Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C. 10 March 1861. 1 page, 8vo, slight remnant of tipping on blank integral, otherwise FINE.
UNDER THE CLOUD OF FORT SUMTER: LINCOLN'S FIRST (WORKING) SUNDAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE: A CONFERENCE WITH SEWARD, SIX DAYS AFTER THE NEW PRESIDENT'S INAUGURATION
On Sunday, March 10, Lincoln and his family had attended church at the Reverend Phineas T. Gurley's York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Then, evidently, Lincoln returned to his new office to tackle pressing business: "Will the Hon. Sec. of State please call and see me at once?" Lincoln writes. "I shall detain him but a few moments."
Many issues preoccupied Lincoln that first week in office. The most serious, of course, was the secession crisis and what to do about the garrison at Fort Sumter, menaced by rebel cannon and rapidly running short of supplies. In fact, the whole cabinet was slated to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, to consider important reports on Sumter requested by Lincoln from General in Chief Winfield Scott. It is likely that Lincoln felt a need to confer with the Secretary of State in advance of that crucial meeting.
Scott's reports, it turned out, painted a grim picture: the old veteran pronounced the fort impossible to hold, reinforcing a conviction already held by the Secretary of State. But Lincoln was not prepared to concede the point without additional information and discussion. For the rest of the week Lincoln studied the question of the relief or abandonment of Sumter, and on 15 March, asked the cabinet to give written answers to the paramount question: "Assuming it possible to now provision Fort-Sumter, under all circumstances, is it wise to attempt it?" Seward said no: "I would not provoke war in any way now..." (Basler, 4:280, 284-285). Time, of course, was beginning to run out. But Lincoln resisted attempts to pressure him into a hasty decision and in the end authorized a relief vessel to carry supplies only--not munitions--to the fort. As Mark Neely observes, "ignoring much advice Lincoln had taken control and pursued an independant course" (Neely, Lincoln Encyclopedia). But the Confederates moved first, and the first shells fell on the fort long before the relief vessel reached Charleston.
(Published in Basler, Supplement 11:23.
Provenance: Roy P. Crocker (sale, Sotheby's, 28 November 1979, lot 180).
UNDER THE CLOUD OF FORT SUMTER: LINCOLN'S FIRST (WORKING) SUNDAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE: A CONFERENCE WITH SEWARD, SIX DAYS AFTER THE NEW PRESIDENT'S INAUGURATION
On Sunday, March 10, Lincoln and his family had attended church at the Reverend Phineas T. Gurley's York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Then, evidently, Lincoln returned to his new office to tackle pressing business: "Will the Hon. Sec. of State please call and see me at once?" Lincoln writes. "I shall detain him but a few moments."
Many issues preoccupied Lincoln that first week in office. The most serious, of course, was the secession crisis and what to do about the garrison at Fort Sumter, menaced by rebel cannon and rapidly running short of supplies. In fact, the whole cabinet was slated to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, to consider important reports on Sumter requested by Lincoln from General in Chief Winfield Scott. It is likely that Lincoln felt a need to confer with the Secretary of State in advance of that crucial meeting.
Scott's reports, it turned out, painted a grim picture: the old veteran pronounced the fort impossible to hold, reinforcing a conviction already held by the Secretary of State. But Lincoln was not prepared to concede the point without additional information and discussion. For the rest of the week Lincoln studied the question of the relief or abandonment of Sumter, and on 15 March, asked the cabinet to give written answers to the paramount question: "Assuming it possible to now provision Fort-Sumter, under all circumstances, is it wise to attempt it?" Seward said no: "I would not provoke war in any way now..." (Basler, 4:280, 284-285). Time, of course, was beginning to run out. But Lincoln resisted attempts to pressure him into a hasty decision and in the end authorized a relief vessel to carry supplies only--not munitions--to the fort. As Mark Neely observes, "ignoring much advice Lincoln had taken control and pursued an independant course" (Neely, Lincoln Encyclopedia). But the Confederates moved first, and the first shells fell on the fort long before the relief vessel reached Charleston.
(Published in Basler, Supplement 11:23.
Provenance: Roy P. Crocker (sale, Sotheby's, 28 November 1979, lot 180).