[Non-Sequitur]

When it didn't, not after assertion by South Carolina of her sovereign rights over her own territory. No title deed on earth can stand up to an assertion of sovereign power, I don't care whose legal system you're talking about.

What you're saying is that no rule of law supports South Carolina's claim to the property so you're making up stuff.

Lincoln resorted for continued control of the forts to ius belli, an appeal to the sword. He no longer had the Constitution and the Supremacy Clause to work with. South Carolina was no longer a member of the Union.

It was Davis who appealed to the sword when he chose war over peace.

[lentulusgracchus]

[Me] Lincoln resorted for continued control of the forts to ius belli, an appeal to the sword. He no longer had the Constitution and the Supremacy Clause to work with. South Carolina was no longer a member of the Union.

[You, persisting] It was Davis who appealed to the sword when he chose war over peace.

That isn't what Lincoln's secretary said, who laid the purpose of war at Lincoln's feet, even as he praised Lincoln's cleverness.