What instructions ?" Thus, on April 1st, General Beauregard, at Charleston, telegraphed to Jefferson Davis.

They had all been hoping that Lincoln would give Fort Sumter to them and so save their having to take it.

Not at all.

The President of the United States was not going to give away property of the United States.
Instead, the Governor of South Caro-lina received a polite message that an attempt would be made to supply Fort Sumter with food only, and that if this were not interfered with, no arms or ammunition should be sent there without further notice, or in case the fort were attacked.
Lincoln was leaning backwards, you might say, in his patient effort to conciliate.

And accordingly our transports sailed from New York for Charleston with instructions to supply Sumter with food alone, unless they should be opposed in attempting to carry out their errand.