Transcript (excerpt):
The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, S.C., Monday, March 11, 1861
Page 1, Upper Half
The Abolition Regime
Our Washington Correspondence.
Washington, March 7.
Douglas’ Opinion of the Inaugural – His Object in Interpreting it as a Peace Document – Crittenden nominated to the Supreme Court – Why Blair was made Postmaster General – Visits of the Delegations – Speeches working up the Feelings of the People to the War Point – Good bye to the Readers of The Mercury, etc., etc.
Every tongue is busy commenting on the inaugural. The papers are filled with quotations giving the opinions of the press in all directions. There is little agreement except in this – that all coincide as to the fact that it either means war or it does not mean war. The inference is that it was intended to mean both – the one and the other, according to circumstances. Mr. Douglas, in the Senate yesterday, expressed his belief, after a careful study of the mysterious document, that is was friendly and conciliatory. Now, it is known that Douglas was at first puzzled by it. He is still puzzled, his friends say, and had an object in putting a peaceful interpretation upon it, viz: to draw out a Republican translation.
Citation: Charleston Mercury. Charleston, S.C., 11 March 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .C477
March 11–The Confederate Congress adopts the Confederate Constitution.
General Scott tells President Lincoln that he does not know how long Maj. Anderson can hold out in Ft. Sumter. A relief expedition will take months to get ready and will require: a fleet of warships, transports, 5,000 regular (regular from the Latin regula–meaning well equipped/well trained) troops and 20,000 volunteer troops.
President Lincoln is still, much to his great annoyance and dislike, making political appointments to government jobs. He remarks, “There are too many pigs for the teats”.