South Carolina revoked that deed with their secession ordinance. Since the land was in their state and since they were no longer governed by the United States government, they had every right to revoke the deed as they saw fit. Of course the north had a competing claim that SC was still a state thereby making the land theirs, but that is the nature of the dispute itself. You may choose to argue that side, but other is still there. The fact is it simply wasn't as clear cut as you would have us believe.
Even if the southern secession had been legal, that did not automatically transfer title to Sumter or any other federal facility to them.
It sure did when the SC government voided all the previous acts tying it to the US govt.
Without any reason to doubt his warnings then Lincoln quite rightly launched a resupply effort
Though there is nothing inherently wrong about sending food, much does depend upon the manner of delivery he intended. It is the difference between ringing the doorbell and showing up at 2am with a shotgun. Lincoln, being the reckless warmonger that he was, chose the shotgun route.
making it clear to the Davis regime through a message to Governor Pickens that the effort was meant to land food only, and would only land men and munitions if opposed.
False. Lincoln did not say he would land men if opposed. Nor did he say that he would fight his way in if opposed, though those are the exact orders he gave to his fleet. He said only that he was coming with food and that he would NOT land men if his ships were recieved. His memo to Pickens was a carefully phrased message - Clintonesque really - designed to decieve and provoke. Besides, even if Lincoln said he wasn't going to land men both his manner of delivery and past experience gave Pickens more than ample reason to oppose it. The same yankees who had tried to sneak arms into Sumter previously sent a naval fleet this time to accomplish their goal. It's just like the guy at the door with a shotgun demanding entry - I don't care how many times he promises that he won't shoot it at me, my house, or my family. The fact is he's standing there with a shotgun while simultaneously making threats of breaking the door down and that is reason enough for me to deny him entry.
And had Davis been interested in a peaceful solution then he would have held his fire and that is what would have happened.
Davis was interested in a peaceful solution. That is why over a month earlier he sent representatives to Washington to negotiate the dispute over Sumter with Lincoln. Lincoln refused to even meet with them and instead went ahead plotting his war.
Where? Nothing in that document revoked title to Sumter, nor was there an act of the legislature that did that. They just decided to take what they wanted, by any means.
It is the difference between ringing the doorbell and showing up at 2am with a shotgun.
The resupply effort showed up during daylight, hours after the southern attack had begun. What is threatening about that, especially when it was not unexpected. The south knew the resupply effort was underway and what the intentions were.
False.
Instructions to Robert Chew:
"You will proceed directly to Charleston, South Carolina: and if, on your arrival there, the flag of the United States shall be flying over Fort Sumpter (sic), 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 Sumpter (sic) 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 on the Fort.'"
Lincoln's actions were made plain, there was nothing Clintonesque about it. The Lincoln administration had made no attempt at landing men or munitions, they had not tried to sneak anything in. The administration had not taken any hostile actions whatsoever, in the face of provocation after provocation on the part of the Davis regime. Lincoln wanted peace, Davis wanted war, it's as simple as that.