...ions of the gravest public character, and of the deepest interest to all who deprecate the improper waste of life, to induce the delivery of Fort Sumter to the constituted authorities of the State of South Carolina , with a pledge, on its part, to account for such public property as is under your charge. Your obd't serv't, [Signed] F. W. Pickens. Headquarters, Fort Sumter, S. C., January 11, 1861. ...