[rockrr]

The slavers had no desire to negotiate - they were all about making belligerent demands. There was no reason why Lincoln should be compelled to negotiate - but he did try anyway. His attempts were rebuffed by the belligerents.

[SampleMan]

What is belligerent about asking to be left alone?

[central_va]

In Lincoln’s second inaugural he talked about Southern peace agents. The South sent many to DC and all were ignored.