Seeing very early that this question of
property was a difficult and delicate one, you manifested a desire to
settle it without collision. You did not reenforce the garrisons in the
harbor of Charleston. You removed a distinguished and veteran officer
from the command of Fort Moultrie, because he attempted to increase his
supply of ammunition. You refused to send additional troops to the same
garrison when applied for by the officer appointed to succeed him. You
accepted the resignation of the oldest and most eminent member of your
Cabinet, rather than allow these garrisons to be strengthened. You
compelled an officer stationed at Fort Sumter to return immediately to
the arsenal forty muskets which he had taken to arm his men. You
expressed, not to one, but to many, of the most distinguished of our
public characters, whose testimony will be placed upon the record
whenever it is necessary, your anxiety for a peaceful termination of
this controversy, and your willingness not to disturb the military
_status_ of the forts, if commissioners should be sent to the
Government, whose communications you promised to submit to Congress. You
received and acted on assurances from the highest official authorities
of South Carolina, that no attempt would be made to disturb your
possession of the forts and property of the United States, if you would
not disturb their existing condition until commissioners had been sent,
and the attempt to negotiate had failed.
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