Yes... I do... are we quibbling now? Are we about to about to debate the meaning of is...
Not unless you want to. The information you posted talked of the dangers of reinforcing the fort. Re-inforce means to strengthen or increase your positon, as in adding additional forces. Resupply means to restock, as in food and supplies. I think all can agree that had Lincoln announced his intention to reinforce the garrison then that would have been an escalation of the issue and could be seen as nothing but what it would have been, a provocative act. But Lincoln was faced with a garrison rapidly running out of food. He wanted nothing more than to maintain the status quo. Not to reinforce Sumter. Not to threaten the confederacy. Not to escalate the issue. But to keep the situation the way it was. Neither side gains, neither side loses. That's why he made his intention clear in his letter to Pickens, and also made it clear that he intended to land food and supplies only. No arms or ammunition. No reinforcements. And that is why there is no reason to believe that Lincoln knew his actions should automatically end in war. Regardless of your opinion.