To the contrary. The Lincoln's message to Pickens pledged no troops and asked that peaceful access be given for only that purpose. Nowhere did it say "if you don't comply, we'll fight our way in." The orders given to the yankee ships did say that latter part though. They contained explicit instructions on how to fight their way in over the inevitable confederate refusal to allow them entry.
This was the message delivered to Pickens per the Library of Congress:
"I am directed by the President of the United States to notify you to expect an attempt will be made to supply Fort-Sumpter with provisions only; and that, if such attempt be not resisted, no effort to throw in men, arms, or amunition will be made, without further notice, or in case of an attack upon the Fort--"
Here is Bruce Catton's account:
"A special messenger, said Lincoln, was going down to give Governor Pickens due notice, and to tell him that no troops would be landed if the delivery of the provisions be not opposed; the messenger, said the president, would reach Charlston long before Fox could get there...Table stakes in other words. Sending the outrider down to Governor Pickens, Lincoln was shooting the works. He was not forcing a war, but he was serving notice that he would fight rather than back down; more, he was setting the stage in such a way that Jefferson Davis, if he in his turn preferred to fight rather than to back down, would have to shoot first....
On April 8 a War Department clerk named Robert S. Chew showed up in Charleston bearing instructions writen by President Lincoln which read thus:"You will proceed directly to Charleston, South Carolina; and if, on your arrival there, the flag of the United States shall be flying over over Fort Sumter, and the Fort shall not have been attacked, you will procure an interview with Governor Pickens, and read to him as follows:"I am directed by the president of the United States to notify you to expect an attempt will be made to supply Fort Sumter with provisions only; and that, if such attempt be not resisted, no effort to throw in men, arms or ammunition will be made without further notice, or in case of attack upon the fort.
Chew delivered his message that evening".
--"The Coming Fury" pp. 299-303 by Bruce Catton
You've seen this before.
President Lincoln's method made sure the rebels would have to fire the first shot, which they maladroitly wasted no time in doing.
Walt
Lincoln's message to Pickens stated that the resupply attempt would be food only, and if no resistence was made then arms and reinforcements would not be landed without prior notice so long as the fort was not attacked. Obviously if the attempt to land food was resisted then that was an attack on the fort and the reinforcements would be landed. No deception, no lies, everything was laid out for Pickens beforehand. Likewise the message that Wells gave the fleet commander which was posted in reply 432. The primary mission of the expedition was resupply with arms and men to be landed in the event of southern opposition. The same message was sent to Major Anderson, supplies only with reinforcements landed if the supply mission was opposed. The intention was clear.
They contained explicit instructions on how to fight their way in over the inevitable confederate refusal to allow them entry.
So what you are saying is that war was inevitable since Davis was looking for an excuse to begin it?