[Bull Snipe]

The official orders were that force was not to be used if the Charleston authorities did not interfere with supplying the Fort with provisions. This is also what Lincoln told Governor Pickens in the letter sent to him by Seward.

[DiogenesLamp]

The official orders were that force was not to be used if the Charleston authorities did not interfere with supplying the Fort with provisions.

Nobody believe that would happen. As rustbucket has so kindly posted much of the dialogue going on in Lincoln's cabinet, it is clear that everyone expected Lincoln's fleet to start a war.