without the firing of a gun by either party. The investment would nevertheless be an act of war. The movement of troops to take a better position in view of hostilities would be war. The order to move would be the first act of war. The official inauguration of war may be made by one party, and the first gun may be fired and the first blood may be drawn by the other. An assault with intent to murder may precede any blow. The defense by the assailed party may be the first blow struck. The justification is that the blow was struck against one who manifestly intended to kill. Anderson expressed the wish that "South Carolina will not attempt to take the forts by force but will resort to diplomacy to secure them. (Records I, 76.) He also asked for special instructions, "As my position here is rather a politico-military than a military one." The conclusion from all these occurrences is, that the State intended to secede peaceably, and "that the United States intended to make secession impossible.
The commissioners of South Carolina, having wholly failed in the negotiations with which they were intrusted, reported the entire correspondence between themselves and the United States executive, and the convention having concluded its work adjourned the 5th of January, 1861.
It is a noteworthy incident of the times that on the 21st of December, the day after the secession of South Carolina, and nearly a week before the occupation of any fort by South Carolina, Mr. Lincoln wrote the following letter to Mr. E. B. Washburne, marked Confidential but given to the public in 1885:
Hon. E. B. Washburne,
My Dear Sir:—Last night I received your letter giving an account of your interview with Gen. Scott, for which I thank you. Please present my respects to the General and tell him confidentially I shall be obliged to
