"Two Charlestonians who were down here today remarked to me that as soon as the State seceded she would demand the surrender of the forts, and that if not given up, they would be taken.
They say that anything which indicates a determination on the part of the General Government to act with an unusual degree of vigor in putting these works in a better state of defense will be regarded as an act of aggression, and will, as well as either of the other acts mentioned above, cause an attack to be made on this fort." (Letter written to Washington by Maj. Anderson)
"We commend the wisdom of South Carolina in not meddling with 'the forts' which stand 'within sight of Charleston.' We trust she will not find it necessary to disturb the Federal authorities now in possession of them. Let her do everything before she resolves upon that. For that is the act which the Federal Government cannot by any possibility suffer to pass without peremptory and decisive challenge. Anything else the Government may overlook; South Carolina will ponder well the consequences before she takes that final step which cannot be retraced." (New York Times Editorial, December 1, 1860)
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