[PeaRidge]

On 3/4/1861, as Lincoln took office, the US Treasury had on deposit $6,000,000.

This was enough to finance the government for a month and a half.

Over 90% of Federal revenue came from tariffs.

Tariff revenue from the imports of goods purchased with the proceeds of the sales of Southern cotton were about to cease.

Direct trade with Europe was about to produce millions of dollars annually that would not pass through Union custom houses.

The people of the North were about to experience a major downfall. That is why a number of state governors were pushing Lincoln to attack the South.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Tariff revenue from the imports of goods purchased with the proceeds of the sales of Southern cotton were about to cease.

Why? Was the demand among the 75% of the population in the loyal states going to dry up? Was the south suddenly going to import and consume far more than it had before?

The people of the North were about to experience a major downfall.

Then it was self-defense.