WAR DEPARTMENT, March 19, 1861.
Lieut. Gen. WINFIELD SCOTT:
DEAR SIR: The President requires accurate information in regard to the command of Major Anderson in Fort Sumter, and wishes a competent person sent for that purpose. You will therefore direct some suitable person to proceed there immediately, and report the result of the information obtained by him.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
SIMON CAMERON.
Secretary of War.
[Indorsements.]
The within may do good and can do no harm. It commits no one.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
The order of which this is a copy was presented to the President March 19, 1861.
G. V. Fox, formerly of the Navy, was selected by General Scott as the messenger, and approved by the President.
S.C.