..."without a policy," Lincoln reminded Seward of his inaugural pledge that "the power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government." This was the "exact domestic policy" that Seward called for, "with the single exception, that it does...

...constitutional amendment to that effect. But he went on to say that he had a constitutional obligation to "hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government," a potent claim since four federal forts in the Confederacy as yet remained in Union control. Nevertheless,...

...administration: avoidance "of bloodshed or violence...unless it is forced upon the national authority;" and to "hold, occupy, and possess the property, and places belonging to the government," such as Fort Sumter. 176 As events transpired, he could not do both. The states of the Upper South...

...secession. He would enforce the constitutional obligation to return fugitive slaves, but he would also "hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and . . . collect the duties and imposts." He would not deny "the very high respect and consideration"...

...of the Union should be faithfully executed in all the "States." And he announced his determination to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the United States Government, and to collect the duties and the imposts everywhere. Here was certainly...

...there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided in me, will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property,...government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion — no using of force...

...foreign." At the beginning of that month, in the inaugural, I said: "The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property...government, and to collect the duties and imposts." This had your distinct approval at the time; and, taken in connection with the order I immediately...

...there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property...government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion The last two paragraphs...

...there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me, will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property,...government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against...

...and there shall be none unless it is forced upon the National authority. The power confided to me mil be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and collect the duties and imposts ; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects there will be no...