One of the most sensible, prudent, and praiseworthy acts of the government is that of sending Captain G. V. Fox on a secret mission of observation to Fort Sumter — to report the practicability of reinforcing that fortress, and Major Anderson's ability to sustain himself.
Original passage & context
"One of the most sensible, prudent, and praiseworthy acts of the government of the United States, which has come under our observation, for a long time, is that of sending Captain G. V. Fox, formerly of Massachusetts, on a secret mission of observation to Fort Sumter, to ascertain and report, from actual personal inspection, the practicability of reinforcing that fortress, as well as the present ability of Major Anderson to sustain himself and his men within its walls."
The secret mission is in the newspaper. Gustavus V. Fox had visited Sumter on March 21 and reported that the fort could be resupplied by sea; his plan became the expedition that sailed in April. A paper praising the mission's prudence is also, unavoidably, announcing it. One contiguous passage, no splice.
Read it in the original — Boston Daily Courier, Mar 29, 1861 ↗