jan 30, 1861 - Buchanan flounders-> SC demands a surrender of Fort Sumter and cut off its supplies

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-Buchanan claims that secession was illegal, states' rights outlook stopped him from using federal gov to restore union by force
-Sc's new gov demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter (a federal garrison in Charleston Harbor) and cut off its supplies. The president again backed down, refusing to use the navy to supply the fort
-Buchanan urges compromise

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