But I acted in the same manner I would have done had I entered into a
positive and formal agreement with parties capable of contracting,
although such an agreement would have been, on my part, from the nature
of my official duties, impossible.
The world knows that I have never sent any reenforcements to the forts
in Charleston Harbor, and I have certainly never authorized any change
to be made "in their relative military _status_."
Bearing upon this subject, I refer you to an order issued by the
Secretary of War, on the 11th instant, to Major Anderson, but not
brought to my notice until the 21st instant. It is as follows:
"_Memorandum of verbal instructions to Major_ Anderson, _First
Artillery, commanding Fort Moultrie, South Carolina_:
"You are aware of the great anxiety of the Secretary of War that a
collision of the troops with the people of this State shall be avoided,
and of his studied determination to pursue a course, with reference to
the military force and forts in this harbor, which shall guard against
such a collision. He has, therefore, carefully abstained from increasing
the force at this point, or taking any measures which might add to the
present excited state of the public mind, or which would throw any doubt
on the confidence he feels that South Carolina will not attempt by
violence to obtain possession of the public works, or to interfere with
their occupancy.
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