 He was initially ignored, but Scott gained new influence within the administration after Floyd was replaced by Joseph Holt in mid-December.With assistance from Holt and newly-appointed Secretary of State Jeremiah S. Black, Scott convinced Buchanan to reinforce or resupply Washington, D.C., Fort Sumter (near Charleston, South Carolina), and Fort Pickens (near Pensacola, Florida).Meanwhile, several Southern states seceded, formed the Confederate States of America, and chose Jefferson Davis as president.