Notes of Justice J. A. Campbell, Copy “A,” March 15, 1861

No. 1.

I feel perfect confidence in the fact that Fort Sumter will be evacuated in the next five days, and that this is felt to be a measure imposing vast responsibility upon the administration.

I feel perfect confidence that no measure changing the existing status of things prejudicially to the Southern Confederate States is at present contemplated.

I feel entire confidence that any immediate demand for an answer to the communication of the Commissioners will be productive of evil and not of good. I do not believe that it should be pressed.

I earnestly ask for a delay until the effect of the evacuation of Fort Sumter can be ascertained — or at least for a few days, say ten days.

J. A. C.

15th of March, 1861.

SOURCE: Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 330