Yes, Lincoln deliberately tried to start the war there also. Judging by the actions of Lieutenant David Porter, acting under secret orders directly from Lincoln, we can only conclude that it was Lincoln's intent that Porter start a war in Pensacola. But for the intervention of Captain Meigs, that is exactly what would have happened.
My opinion is, at some point, Davis would have moved against Pickens. What do you think?
I don't think Pensacola was quite so important at the time as was Charleston. If I am mistaken about this, then Davis might have eventually demanded the garrison leave, but I think they would have had a great more difficulty forcing them out of it if they didn't want to leave.
I have read commentary from Lincoln's cabinet on Sumter, and one of the things they were most afraid of happening was for the Confederates to simply ignore the presence of Union troops there, and continue carrying on their business. They lamented that if that happened, they would have to again resupply the useless and pointless effort six months later, and eventually the public would call for it to stop.
Yes, they actually expressed concern that the Confederates would have done nothing. Clearly that is what they should have done. They could have left a skeleton force securing the cannons around Sumter, and then just let everyone else go home. If Anderson decided to attack something, they could rally quickly to respond, but it would have ratcheted down the tension and probably would have resulted in them keeping their independence.
Lincoln needed a war. They didn't. They shouldn't have helped him start one.
acting under secret orders directly from Lincoln, we can only conclude that it was Lincoln’s intent that Porter start a war in Pensacola.
Cite a credible source for your “secret orders directly from Lincoln” claim?
Forget Sumter, it surrendered.
What would have Davis done with Pensacola. It was fully manned, equipped, and armed.
He could Let a Foreign power occupy a portion of the Confederate States of America or take action to eliminate that situation.