OTD 165 YEARS AGO: President Lincoln sends special agents to Charleston, South Carolina, to assess the situation at Fort Sumter and to see if any Unionist sentiment can be found in the state. Lincoln receives disappointing news.
Tag: William H. Seward
Desiring a Peaceful Solution
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Three Confederate commissioners arrive in Washington to negotiate the peaceful transfer of Fort Sumter from U.S. to Confederate hands. Secretary of State William H. Seward takes it upon himself to discuss the situation with the commissioners despite President Abraham Lincoln’s instruction not to do so.
Lincoln Gets Acquainted with Washington
President-elect Abraham Lincoln engages in various meetings in Washington, visits the U.S. Capitol to hold discussions with key politicians, and finalizes his inaugural address. Lincoln also faces pressure to compromise on slavery, but he hold firm against allowing slavery to spread.
Lincoln Sneaks into Washington
President-elect Abraham Lincoln reaches the capital after traveling through Baltimore in the middle of the night to avoid a possible assassination attempt. The move sparks laughter from his opponents and embarrassment from his supporters.
I Will Suffer Death Before I Consent
President-elect Abraham Lincoln disregards rumors of assassination and continues to reject any compromise proposals that might expand slavery.
The Alarm is Appalling
Congress has just one last compromise proposal to consider, as more and more people are becoming convinced that disunion is inevitable.