Buchanan ends negotiation on Fort Sumter

President James Buchanan

• In Washington, outgoing, lame duck President James Buchanan finally brings the negotiations with South Carolina regarding Fort Sumter to a conclusion by rejecting South Carolina's demand that he relinquish Sumter. He thereby ends the "truce" established by Anderson and the governor at Charleston. 

For the remainder of his term, however, the President will preserve the status quo. Although he will agree to have another Sumter relief expedition readied in New York, he will refuse to send it unless Anderson requests aid. 

With compromise efforts underway in both Congress and at the Peace Convention in Washington, and with the new Confederate government sending commissioners to negotiate with the federal government, Sumter appears temporarily secure. Anderson is instructed to act on the defensive and avoid conflict./1861