He sent both.
Why refuse to meet with negotiators who had sought to resolve the thing peacefully?
Because their demands were unacceptable. The so-called negotiators were there to gain recognition of the legitimacy of the southern rebellion, something Lincoln would not do.
...hence the problem. He tried to resupply with warships, which he knew would not be permitted in.
Because their demands were unacceptable. The so-called negotiators were there to gain recognition of the legitimacy of the southern rebellion, something Lincoln would not do.
He did not have to give them recognition - only meet with them informally, allow them to make their case, make his own in return and hope that war could either be averted, or if not averted, minimized and limited. Buchanan met with the confederates informally without conveying any official recognition. Lincoln could have easily done the same.