Sec. Seward sends President document headed: "Some thoughts for the President's consideration." It contains thoughts relating to office seekers, relief of forts, blockade, martial law, foreign affairs, war with European powers, and Lincoln's responsibilities. Lincoln insists: "I remark that if this must be done, I must do it." Frederick W. Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 149; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:316-18.

Seward, Capt. Meigs, and Lt. David D. Porter (USN) hasten to White House with plans prepared by them, without knowledge of Sec. Welles, for reinforcing Fort Pickens, Fla. President signs papers, directing that plans be approved by Gen. Scott, and USS Powhatan is withheld from Sumter expedition against President's wishes. West, Welles, 101-2; Monaghan, Diplomat, 54-58; Abraham Lincoln to Andrew H. Foote, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:313-14; Abraham Lincoln to Andrew H. Foote, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:314; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Mercer, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:314; Abraham Lincoln to Officers of the Army and Navy, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:315; Abraham Lincoln to David D. Porter, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:315; Abraham Lincoln to David D. Porter, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:315.

Sec. Welles goes to White House to protest recent instructions for expedition to Vera Cruz, Mexico and Pensacola, Fla. Welles, Diary; Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:318-19.

President writes: "Would it impose too much labor on General Scott to make short, comprehensive daily reports to me of what occurs in his Department?" Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 1 April 1861, CW, 4:316.