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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln,
+Volume Seven, by Abraham Lincoln
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven
+       Constitutional Edition
+
+Author: Abraham Lincoln
+
+Commentator: Theodore Roosevelt, Carl Schurz, and Joseph Choate
+
+Editor: Arthur Brooks Lapsley
+
+Release Date: June, 2001 [Etext #2659]
+Posting Date: July 5, 2009
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINCOLN'S PAPERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+THE PAPERS AND WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
+
+VOLUME SEVEN
+
+CONSTITUTIONAL EDITION
+
+By Abraham Lincoln
+
+
+Edited by Arthur Brooks Lapsley
+
+
+
+
+
+THE WRITINGS OF A. LINCOLN, Volume Seven, 1863-1865
+
+
+
+
+1863
+
+
+OPINION ON THE LOSS OF GENERAL R. H. MILROY'S DIVISION.
+
+October 27, 1863.
+
+In June last a division was substantially lost at or near Winchester, Va.
+At the time, it was under General Milroy as immediate commander in the
+field, General Schenck as department commander at Baltimore, and General
+Halleck as general-in-chief at Washington.
+
+General Milroy, as immediate commander, was put in arrest, and
+subsequently a court of inquiry examined chiefly with reference to
+disobedience of orders, and reported the evidence.
+
+The foregoing is a synoptical statement of the evidence, together with the
+judge-advocate-general's conclusions. The disaster, when it came, was a
+surprise to all. It was very well known to Generals Shenck and Milroy for
+some time before, that General Halleck thought the division was in great
+danger of a surprise at Winchester; that it was of no service commensurate
+with the risk it incurred, and that it ought to be withdrawn; but,
+although he more than once advised its withdrawal, he never positively
+ordered it. General Schenck, on the contrary, believed the service of the
+force at Winchester was worth the hazard, and so did not positively
+order its withdrawal until it was so late that the enemy cut the wire and
+prevented the order reaching General Milroy.
+
+General Milroy seems to have concurred with General Schenck in the opinion
+that the force should be kept at Winchester at least until the approach of
+danger, but he disobeyed no order upon the subject.
+
+Some question can be made whether some of General Halleck's dispatches to
+General Schenk should not have been construed to be orders to withdraw the
+force, and obeyed accordingly; but no such question can be made against
+General Milroy. In fact, the last order he received was to be prepared to
+withdraw, but not to actually withdraw until further order, which further
+order never reached him.
+
+Serious blame is not necessarily due to any serious disaster, and I cannot
+say that in this case any of the officers are deserving of serious blame.
+No court-martial is deemed necessary or proper in the case.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD.
+
+Private and confidential
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, October 28, 1863.
+
+GENERAL JOHN M. SCHOFIELD:
+
+There have recently reached the War Department, and thence been laid
+before me, from Missouri, three communications, all similar in import and
+identical in object. One of them, addressed to nobody, and without place
+or date, but having the signature of (apparently) the writer, is a letter
+of eight closely written foolscap pages. The other two are written by
+a different person, at St. Joseph, Mo., and of the dates, respectively,
+October 12 and 13, 1863, and each inclosing a large number of affidavits.
+The general statements of the whole are that the Federal and State
+authorities are arming the disloyal and disarming the loyal, and that the
+latter will all be killed or driven out of the State unless there shall be
+a change. In particular, no loyal man who has been disarmed is named, but
+the affidavits show by name forty-two persons as disloyal who have been
+armed. They are as follows: [The names are omitted.]
+
+A majority of these are shown to have been in the rebel service. I believe
+it could be shown that the government here has deliberately armed more
+than ten times as many captured at Gettysburg, to say nothing of similar
+operations in East Tennessee. These papers contain altogether thirty--one
+manuscript pages, and one newspaper in extenso, and yet I do not find it
+anywhere charged in them that any loyal man has been harmed by reason of
+being disarmed, or that any disloyal one has harmed anybody by reason of
+being armed by the Federal or State Government. Of course, I have not had
+time to carefully examine all; but I have had most of them examined and
+briefed by others, and the result is as stated. The remarkable fact that
+the actual evil is yet only anticipated--inferred--induces me to suppose I
+understand the case; but I do not state my impression, because I might
+be mistaken, and because your duty and mine is plain in any event. The
+locality of nearly all this seems to be St. Joseph and Buchanan County.
+I wish you to give special attention to this region, particularly on
+election day. Prevent violence from whatever quarter, and see that the
+soldiers themselves do no wrong.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON.
+
+[Cipher.]
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 28, 1863.
+
+HON. ANDREW JOHNSON, Nashville, Tenn.: If not too inconvenient, please
+come at once and have a personal conversation with me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO VICE-PRESIDENT HAMLIN.
+
+AN ACT TO REGULATE THE DUTIES OF THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
+IN PREPARING FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE.
+
+Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
+States of America in Congress assembled, that, before the first meeting of
+the next Congress, and of every subsequent Congress, the clerk of the
+next preceding House of Representatives shall make a roll of the
+Representatives elect, and place thereon the names of all persons, and of
+such persons only, whose credentials show that they were regularly elected
+in accordance with the laws of their States respectively, or the laws of
+the United States.
+
+Approved March 3, 1863.
+
+
+
+
+TO J. W. GRIMES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 1863.
+
+HON. JAMES W. GRIMES.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--The above act of Congress was passed, as I suppose, for
+the purpose of shutting out improper applicants for seats in the House of
+Representatives; and I fear there is some danger that it will be used to
+shut out proper ones. Iowa, having an entire Union delegation, will be
+one of the States the attempt will be made, if upon any. The Governor
+doubtless has made out the certificates, and they are already in the
+hands of the members. I suggest that they come on with them; but that, for
+greater caution, you, and perhaps Mr. Harlan with you, consult with the
+Governor, and have an additional set made out according to the form on the
+other half of this sheet; and still another set, if you can, by studying
+the law, think of a form that in your judgment, promises additional
+security, and quietly bring the whole on with you, to be used in case of
+necessity. Let what you do be kept still.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO P. F. LOWE.
+
+[Cipher.]
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 30, 1863.
+
+HON. F. F. LOWE, San Francisco, Cal.:
+
+Below is an act of Congress, passed last session, intended to exclude
+applicants not entitled to seats, but which, there is reason to fear, will
+be used to exclude some who are entitled. Please get with the Governor
+and one or two other discreet friends, study the act carefully, and make
+certificates in two or three forms, according to your best judgement,
+and have them sent to me, so as to multiply the chances of the delegation
+getting their seats. Let it be done without publicity. Below is a form
+which may answer for one. If you could procure the same to be done for the
+Oregon member it might be well.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 30, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+Much obliged for the information about deserters contained in your
+dispatch of yesterday, while I have to beg your pardon for troubling you
+in regard to some of them, when, as it appears by yours, I had the means
+of answering my own questions.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MEMORANDUM.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, October 31, 1863.
+
+The Provost-Marshal-General has issued no proclamation at all. He has
+in no form announced anything recently in regard to troops in New York,
+except in his letter to Governor Seymour of October 21, which has been
+published in the newspapers of that State. It has not been announced or
+decided in any form by the Provost-Marshal-General, or any one else in
+authority of the Government, that every citizen who has paid his three
+hundred dollars commutation is liable to be immediately drafted again, or
+that towns that have just raised the money to pay their quotas will have
+again to be subject to similar taxation or suffer the operations of the
+new conscription, nor it is probable that the like of them ever will be
+announced or decided.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO W. H. SEWARD.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 1, 1863.
+
+HON. W. H. SEWARD, Auburn, N.Y.:
+
+No important news. Details of Hooker's night fight do great credit to his
+command, and particularly to the Eleventh Corps and Geary's part of the
+Twelfth. No discredit on any.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, November 2, 1863.
+
+HON. MONTGOMERY BLAIR.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Some days ago I understood you to say that your brother,
+General Frank Blair, desires to be guided by my wishes as to whether he
+will occupy his seat in Congress or remain in the field. My wish, then, is
+compounded of what I believe will be best for the country; and it is that
+he will come here, put his military commission in my hands, take his seat,
+go into caucus with our friends, abide the nominations, help elect the
+nominees, and thus aid to organize a House of Representatives which will
+really support the Government in the war. If the result shall be the
+election of himself as Speaker, let him serve in that position. If not,
+let him retake his commission and return to the army for the benefit of
+the country.
+
+This will heal a dangerous schism for him. It will relieve him from a
+dangerous position or a misunderstanding, as I think he is in danger of
+being permanently separated from those with whom only he can ever have a
+real sympathy--the sincere opponents of slavery.
+
+It will be a mistake if he shall allow the provocations offered him by
+insincere time-servers to drive him from the house of his own building. He
+is young yet. He has abundant talents--quite enough to occupy all his time
+without devoting any to temper.
+
+He is rising in military skill and usefulness. His recent appointment to
+the command of a corps, by one so competent to judge as General Sherman,
+proves this. In that line he can serve both the country and himself more
+profitably than he could as a member of Congress upon the floor.
+
+The foregoing is what I would say if Frank Blair was my brother instead of
+yours.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GOVERNOR BRADFORD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 2, 1863.
+
+His EXCELLENCY A. W. BRADFORD, Governor of Maryland.
+
+SIR:--Yours of the 31st ult. was received yesterday about noon, and since
+then I have been giving most earnest attention to the subject-matter
+of it. At my call General Schenck has attended, and he assures me it is
+almost certain that violence will be used at some of the voting places on
+election day unless prevented by his provost-guards. He says that at some
+of those places Union voters will not attend at all, or run a ticket,
+unless they have some assurance of protection. This makes the Missouri
+case, of my action in regard to which you express your approval.
+
+The remaining point of your letter is a protest against any person
+offering to vote being put to any test not found in the laws of Maryland.
+This brings us to a difference between Missouri and Maryland. With the
+same reason in both States, Missouri has, by law, provided a test for the
+voter with reference to the present rebellion, while Maryland has not. For
+example, General Trimble, captured fighting us at Gettysburg, is, without
+recanting his treason, a legal voter by the laws of Maryland. Even General
+Schenck's order admits him to vote, if he recants upon oath. I think that
+is cheap enough. My order in Missouri, which you approve, and General
+Scherick's order here, reach precisely the same end. Bach assures the
+right of voting to all loyal men, and whether a man is loyal, each allows
+that man to fix by his own oath. Your suggestion that nearly all the
+candidates are loyal, I do not think quite meets the case. In this
+struggle for the nation's life, I cannot so confidently rely on those
+whose elections may have depended upon disloyal votes. Such men, when
+elected, may prove true; but such votes are given them in the expectation
+that they will prove false.
+
+Nor do I think that to keep the peace at the polls, and to prevent the
+persistently disloyal from voting, constitutes just cause of offense to
+Maryland. I think she has her own example for it. If I mistake not, it is
+precisely what General Dix did when your Excellency was elected Governor.
+
+I revoke the first of the three propositions in General Schenek's General
+Order No. 53; not that it is wrong in principle, but because the military,
+being of necessity exclusive judges as to who shall be arrested, the
+provision is too liable to abuse. For the revoked part I substitute the
+following:
+
+That, all provost-marshals and other military officers do prevent all
+disturbance and violence at or about the polls, whether offered by such
+persons as above described, or by any other person or persons whomsoever.
+
+The other two propositions of the order I allow to stand. General Schenek
+is fully determined, and has my strict orders besides, that all loyal men
+may vote, and vote for whom they please.
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO J. H. HACKETT
+
+[Private.]
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 2, 1863.
+
+JAMES H. HACKETT.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Yours of October 22d is received, as also was, in
+due course, that of October 3d. I look forward with pleasure to the
+fulfillment of the promise made in the former to visit Washington the
+following winter and to "call."
+
+Give yourself no uneasiness on the subject mentioned in that of the 22d.
+My note to you I certainly did not expect to see in print, yet I have not
+been much shocked by the newspaper comments upon it.
+
+Those comments constitute a fair specimen of what has occurred to me
+through life. I have endured a great deal of ridicule, without much
+malice; and have received a great deal of kindness not quite free from
+ridicule. I am used to it.
+
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO W. H. SEWARD.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, November 3, 1863.
+
+HON. W. H. SEWARD, Auburn, N. Y.:
+
+Nothing new. Dispatches up to 12 last night from Chattanooga show all
+quiet and doing well. How is your son?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 3, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+Samuel Wellers, private in Company B, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
+writes that he is to be shot for desertion on the 6th instant. His own
+story is rather a bad one, and yet he tells it so frankly, that I
+am somewhat interested in him. Has he been a good soldier except the
+desertion? About how old is he?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE, MANSION WASHINGTON, D. C., November 5, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+Please suspend the execution of Samuel Wellers, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania
+Volunteers, until further orders.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, November
+9, 1863.4 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE, Knoxville, Tenn.:
+
+Have seen dispatch from General Grant about your loss at Rogersville. Per
+contra, about the same time, Averell and Duffle got considerable advantage
+of the enemy at and about Lewisburg, Virginia: and on Saturday, the
+seventh, Meade drove the enemy from Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford,
+capturing eight battle-flags, four guns, and over 1800 prisoners, with
+very little loss to himself. Let me hear from you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. G. MEADE.
+
+WASHINGTON, November 9, 1863 7.30 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE:
+
+I have seen your dispatches about operations on the Rappahannock on
+Saturday, and I wish to say, "Well done!" Do the 1500 prisoners reported
+by General Sedgwick include the 400 taken by General French, or do the
+Whole amount to 1900?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER CONCERNING THE EXPORT OF TOBACCO PURCHASED BY FOREIGN NATIONS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, November 10, 1863.
+
+In consideration of the peculiar circumstances and pursuant to the comity
+deemed to be due to friendly powers, any tobacco in the United States
+belonging to the government either of France, Austria, or any other state
+with which this country is at peace, and which tobacco was purchased and
+paid for by such government prior to the 4th day of March, 1861, may be
+exported from any port of the United States under the supervision and upon
+the responsibility of naval officers of such governments and in conformity
+to such regulations as may be presented by the Secretary of State of the
+United States, and not otherwise.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 10, 1863.
+
+GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+ I see a dispatch here from Saint Louis, which is a little difficult
+for me to understand. It says "General Schofield has refused leave of
+absence to members in military service to attend the legislature. All such
+are radical and administration men. The election of two Senators from
+this place on Thursday will probably turn upon this thing." what does this
+mean? Of course members of the legislation must be allowed to attend its
+sessions. But how is there a session before the recent election returns
+are in? And how is it to be at "this place"--and that is Saint Louis?
+Please inform me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 11, 1863.
+
+GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+I believe the Secretary of War has telegraphed you about members of the
+legislation. At all events, allow those in the service to attend the
+session, and we can afterward decide whether they can stay through the
+entire session.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO HIRAM BARNEY.
+
+   [Cipher.]
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 11, 1863.
+
+HON. HIRAM BARNEY, New York; I would like an interview with you. Can you
+not come?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO J. MILDERBORGER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., November 11, 1863.
+
+JOHN MILDERBORGER, Peru, Ind.:
+
+I cannot comprehend the object of your dispatch. I do not often decline
+seeing people who call upon me, and probably will see you if you call.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM to E. H. AND E. JAMESON.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT,
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., November 13, 1863.
+
+E. H. and E. JAMESON, Jefferson City, Mo.:
+
+Yours saying Brown and Henderson are elected Senators is received. I
+understand this is one and one. If so it is knocking heads together to
+some.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, November 14, 1863. 12.15 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Cincinnati, Ohio:
+
+I have received and considered your dispatch of yesterday. Of the reports
+you mention, I have not the means of seeing any except your own. Besides
+this, the publication might be improper in view of the court of inquiry
+which has been ordered. With every disposition, not merely to do justice,
+but to oblige you, I feel constrained to say I think the publications
+better not be made now.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, November 16, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE, Knoxville, Tenn.:
+
+What is the news?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY CHASE
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 17, 1863.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I expected to see you here at Cabinet meeting, and to say
+something about going to Gettysburg. There will be a train to take and
+return us. The time for starting is not yet fixed, but when it shall be I
+will notify you.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS AT GETTYSBURG
+
+NOVEMBER 19, 1863.
+
+Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
+continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the
+proposition that all men are created equal.
+
+Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or
+any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a
+great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that
+field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
+that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should
+do this.
+
+But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we
+can not hallow--this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled
+here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
+The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can
+never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be
+dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus
+far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the
+great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take
+increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure
+of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
+died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of
+freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,
+shall not perish from the earth.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 20, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+If there is a man by the name of King under sentence to be shot, please
+suspend execution till further order, and send record.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON. November 20, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+An intelligent woman in deep distress, called this morning, saying her
+husband, a lieutenant in the Army of Potomac, was to be shot next Monday
+for desertion, and putting a letter in my hand, upon which I relied for
+particulars, she left without mentioning a name or other particular by
+which to identify the case. On opening the letter I found it equally
+vague, having nothing to identify by, except her own signature, which
+seems to be "Mrs. Anna S. King." I could not again find her. If you have
+a case which you shall think is probably the one intended, please apply my
+dispatch of this morning to it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO E. P. EVANS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 23, 1863.
+
+E. P. EVANS, West Union, Adams County, Ohio:
+
+Yours to Governor Chase in behalf of John A Welch is before me. Can there
+be a worse case than to desert and with letters persuading others to
+desert? I cannot interpose without a better showing than you make. When
+did he desert? when did he write the letters?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., November 23, 1863.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Two despatches since I saw you; one not quite so late on
+firing as we had before, but giving the points that Burnside thinks he
+can hold the place, that he is not closely invested, and that he forages
+across the river. The other brings the firing up to 11 A.M. yesterday,
+being twenty-three hours later than we had before.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, November 25, 1863. 8.40 A.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL U.S. GRANT:
+
+Your despatches as to fighting on Monday and Tuesday are here. Well done!
+Many thanks to all. Remember Burnside.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO C. P. KIRKLAND.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 7, 1863.
+
+CHARLES P. KIRKLAND, ESQ., New York:
+
+I have just received and have read your published letter to the HON.
+Benjamin R. Curtis. Under the circumstances I may not be the most
+competent judge, but it appears to me to be a paper of great ability, and
+for the country's sake more than for my own I thank you for it.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNION SUCCESS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 7, 1863.
+
+Reliable information being received that the insurgent force is retreating
+from East Tennessee, under circumstances rendering it probable that the
+Union forces cannot hereafter be dislodged from that important position;
+and esteeming this to be of high national consequence, I recommend that
+all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their
+places of worship, and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God
+for this great advancement of the national cause.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY AND RECONSTRUCTION. DECEMBER 8, 1863.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas in and by the Constitution of the United States it is provided
+that the President "shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for
+offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment;" and,
+
+Whereas a rebellion now exists whereby the loyal State governments of
+several States have for a long time been subverted, and many persons have
+committed and are now guilty of treason against the United States; and
+
+Whereas, with reference to said rebellion and treason, laws have been
+enacted by Congress declaring forfeitures and confiscation of property and
+liberation of slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, and
+also declaring that the President was thereby authorized at any
+time thereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may have
+participated in the existing rebellion in any State or part thereof pardon
+and amnesty, with such exceptions and at such times and on such conditions
+as he may deem expedient for the public welfare; and
+
+Whereas the Congressional declaration for limited and conditional pardon
+accords with well-established judicial exposition of the pardoning power;
+and
+
+Whereas, with reference to said rebellion, the President of the United
+States has issued several proclamations with provisions in regard to the
+liberation of slaves; and
+
+Whereas it is now desired by some persons heretofore engaged in said
+rebellion to resume their allegiance to the United States and to
+reinaugurate loyal State governments within and for their respective
+States:
+
+Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+proclaim, declare, and make known to all persons who have, directly or by
+implication, participated in the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
+excepted, that a full pardon is hereby granted to them and each of them,
+with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves and in
+property cases where rights of third parties shall have intervened, and
+upon the condition that every such person shall take and subscribe an oath
+and thenceforward keep and maintain said oath inviolate, and which oath
+shall be registered for permanent preservation and shall be of the tenor
+and effect following, to wit:
+
+"I, ------, do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God, that I will
+henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the
+United States and the Union of the States thereunder; and that I will in
+like manner abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed
+during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far
+as not repealed, modified, or held void by Congress or by decision of
+the Supreme Court; and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully
+support all proclamations of the President made during the existing
+rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified
+or declared void by decision of the Supreme Court. So help me God."
+
+The persons excepted from the benefits of the foregoing provisions are all
+who are or shall have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the
+so-called Confederate Government; all who have left judicial stations
+under the United States to aid the rebellion; all who are or shall have
+been military or naval officers of said so-called Confederate Government
+above the rank of colonel in the army or of lieutenant in the navy; all
+who left seats in the United States Congress to aid the rebellion; all
+who resigned commissions in the Army or Navy of the United States and
+afterwards aided the rebellion; and all who have engaged in any way in
+treating colored persons, or white persons in charge of such, otherwise
+than lawfully as prisoners of war, and which persons may have been
+found in the United States service as soldiers, seamen, or in any other
+capacity.
+
+And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known that whenever, in
+any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee,
+Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, a number of
+persons, not less than one-tenth in number of the votes cast in such State
+at the Presidential election of the year A.D. 1860, each having taken oath
+aforesaid, and not having since violated it, and being a qualified voter
+by the election law of the State existing immediately before the so-called
+act of secession, and excluding all others, shall reestablish a State
+government which shall be republican and in nowise contravening said oath,
+such shall be recognized as the true government of the State, and
+the State shall receive thereunder the benefits of the constitutional
+provision which declares that "the United States shall guarantee to every
+State in this Union a republican form of government and shall protect each
+of them against invasion, and, on application of the legislature, or the
+EXECUTIVE (when the legislature can not be convened), against domestic
+violence."
+
+And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known that any provision
+which may be adopted by such State government in relation to the freed
+people of such State which shall recognize and declare their permanent
+freedom, provide for their education, and which may yet be consistent as
+a temporary arrangement with their present condition as a laboring,
+landless, and homeless class, will not be objected to by the National
+EXECUTIVE.
+
+And it is suggested as not improper that in constructing a loyal
+State government in any State the name of the State, the boundary, the
+subdivisions, the constitution, and the general code of laws as before the
+rebellion be maintained, subject only to the modifications made necessary
+by the conditions hereinbefore stated, and such others, if any, not
+contravening said co and which may be deemed expedient by those framing
+the new State government.
+
+To avoid misunderstanding, it may be proper to say that this proclamation,
+so far as it relates to State governments, has no reference to States
+wherein loyal State governments have all the while been maintained. And
+for the same reason it may be proper to further say that whether
+members sent to Congress from any State shall be admitted to seats
+constitutionally rests exclusively with the respective Houses, and not to
+any extent with the EXECUTIVE. And, still further, that this proclamation
+is intended to present the people of the States wherein the national
+authority has been suspended and loyal State governments have been
+subverted a mode in and by which the national authority and loyal State
+governments may be re-established within said States or in any of them;
+and while the mode presented is the best the EXECUTIVE can suggest, with
+his present impressions, it must not be understood that no other possible
+mode would be acceptable.
+
+Given under my hand at the city of WASHINGTON, the 8th day of December,
+A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States of America the
+eighty-eighth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President:  WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, DECEMBER 8, 1863.
+
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--
+
+Another year of health, and of sufficiently abundant harvests, has passed.
+For these, and especially for the improved condition cf our national
+affairs, our renewed and profoundest gratitude to God is due.
+
+We remain in peace and friendship with foreign powers.
+
+The efforts of disloyal citizens of the United States to involve us in
+foreign wars, to aid an inexcusable insurrection, have been unavailing.
+Her Britannic Majesty's government, as was justly expected, have exercised
+their authority to prevent the departure of new hostile expeditions from
+British ports. The Emperor of France has, by a like proceeding, promptly
+vindicated the neutrality which he proclaimed at the beginning of the
+contest. Questions of great intricacy and importance have arisen out of
+the blockade, and other belligerent operations, between the Government and
+several of the maritime powers, but they have been discussed, and, as
+far as was possible, accommodated, in a spirit of frankness, justice, and
+mutual good-will. It is especially gratifying that our prize courts, by
+the impartiality of their adjudications, have commanded the respect and
+confidence of maritime powers.
+
+The supplemental treaty between the United States and Great Britain
+for the suppression of the African slave-trade, made on the 17th day of
+February last, has been duly ratified and carried into execution. It
+is believed that, so far as American ports and American citizens are
+concerned, that inhuman and odious traffic has been brought to an end.
+
+I shall submit, for the consideration of the Senate, a convention for the
+adjustment of possessory claims in Washington Territory, arising out of
+the treaty of the 15th of June, 1846, between the United States and
+Great Britain, and which have been the source of some disquiet among the
+citizens of that now rapidly improving part of the country.
+
+A novel and important question, involving the extent of the maritime
+jurisdiction of Spain in the waters which surround the island of Cuba,
+has been debated without reaching an agreement, and it is proposed, in
+an amicable spirit, to refer it to the arbitrament of a friendly power. A
+convention for that purpose will be submitted to the Senate.
+
+I have thought it proper, subject to the approval of the Senate, to
+concur with the interested commercial powers in an arrangement for the
+liquidation of the Scheldt dues upon the principles which have been
+heretofore adopted in regard to the imposts upon navigation in the waters
+of Denmark.
+
+The long-pending controversy between this government and that of Chile
+touching the seizure at Sitana, in Peru, by Chilean officers, of a large
+amount in treasure belonging to citizens of the United States has been
+brought to a close by the award of His Majesty the King of the Belgians,
+to whose arbitration the question was referred by the parties. The subject
+was thoroughly and patiently examined by that justly respected magistrate,
+and although the sum awarded to the claimants may not have been as
+large as they expected there is no reason to distrust the wisdom of His
+Majesty's decision. That decision was promptly complied with by Chile when
+intelligence in regard to it reached that country.
+
+The joint commission under the act of the last session of carrying
+into effect the convention with Peru on the subject of claims has been
+organized at Lima, and is engaged in the business intrusted to it.
+
+Difficulties concerning interoceanic transit through Nicaragua are in
+course of amicable adjustment.
+
+In conformity with principles set forth in my last annual message, I have
+received a representative from the United States of Colombia, and have
+accredited a minister to that Republic.
+
+Incidents occurring in the progress of our civil war have forced upon
+my attention the uncertain state of international questions touching the
+rights of foreigners in this country and of United States citizens abroad.
+In regard to some governments these rights are at least partially defined
+by treaties. In no instance, however, is it expressly stipulated that in
+the event of civil war a foreigner residing in this country within the
+lines of the insurgents is to be exempted from the rule which classes him
+as a belligerent, in whose behalf the government of his country can not
+expect any privileges or immunities distinct from that character. I regret
+to say, however, that such claims have been put forward, and in some
+instances in behalf of foreigners who have lived in the United States the
+greater part of their lives.
+
+There is reason to believe that many persons born in foreign countries who
+have declared their intention to become citizens, or who have been fully
+naturalized have evaded the military duty required of them by denying the
+fact and thereby throwing upon the Government the burden of proof. It has
+been found difficult or impracticable to obtain this proof from the want
+of guides to the proper sources of information. These might be supplied by
+requiring clerks of courts where declarations of intention may be made or
+naturalizations effected to send periodically lists of the names of the
+persons naturalized or declaring their intention to become citizens to
+the Secretary of the Interior, in whose Department those names might be
+arranged and printed for general information.
+
+There is also reason to believe that foreigners frequently become citizens
+of the United States for the sole purpose of evading duties imposed by the
+laws of their native countries, to which on becoming naturalized here they
+at once repair, and though never returning to the United States they still
+claim the interposition of this government as citizens. Many altercations
+and great prejudices have heretofore arisen out of this abuse. It is
+therefore submitted to your serious consideration. It might be advisable
+to fix a limit beyond which no citizen of the United States residing
+abroad may claim the interposition of his government.
+
+The right of suffrage has often been assumed and exercised by aliens under
+pretenses of naturalization, which they have disavowed when drafted into
+the military service. I submit the expediency of such an amendment of
+the law as will make the fact of voting an estoppe against any plea of
+exemption from military service or other civil obligation on the ground of
+alienage.
+
+In common with other Western powers, our relations with Japan have been
+brought into serious jeopardy through the perverse opposition of the
+hereditary aristocracy of the Empire to the enlightened and liberal policy
+of the Tycoon, designed to bring the country into the society of nations.
+It is hoped, although not with entire confidence, that these difficulties
+may be peacefully overcome. I ask your attention to the claim of the
+minister residing there for the damages he sustained in the destruction by
+fire of the residence of the legation at Yedo.
+
+Satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Emperor of Russia,
+which, it is believed, will result in effecting a continuous line of
+telegraph through that Empire from our Pacific coast.
+
+I recommend to your favorable consideration the subject of an
+international telegraph across the Atlantic Ocean, and also of a telegraph
+between this capital and the national forts along the Atlantic seaboard
+and the Gulf of Mexico. Such communications, established with any
+reasonable outlay, would be economical as well as effective aids to the
+diplomatic, military, and naval service.
+
+The consular system of the United States, under the enactments of the last
+Congress, begins to be self-sustaining, and there is reason to hope that
+it may become entirely so with the increase of trade which will ensue
+whenever peace is restored. Our ministers abroad have been faithful in
+defending American rights. In protecting commercial interests our consuls
+have necessarily had to encounter increased labors and responsibilities
+growing out of the war. These they have for the most part met and
+discharged with zeal and efficiency. This acknowledgment justly includes
+those consuls who, residing in Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, China,
+and other Oriental countries, are charged with complex functions and
+extraordinary powers.
+
+The condition of the several organized Territories is generally
+satisfactory, although Indian disturbances in New Mexico have not been
+entirely suppressed. The mineral resources of Colorado, Nevada, Idaho,
+New Mexico, and Arizona are proving far richer than has been heretofore
+understood. I lay before you a communication on this subject from
+the Governor of New Mexico. I again submit to your consideration the
+expediency of establishing a system for the encouragement of immigration.
+Although this source of national wealth and strength is again flowing with
+greater freedom than for several years before the insurrection occurred,
+there is still a great deficiency of laborers in every field of industry,
+especially in agriculture and in our mines, as well of iron and coal as
+of the precious metals. While the demand for labor is much increased here,
+tens of thousands of persons, destitute of remunerative occupation, are
+thronging our foreign consulates and offering to emigrate to the United
+States if essential, but very cheap, assistance can be afforded them. It
+is easy to see that under the sharp discipline of civil war the nation
+is beginning a new life. This noble effort demands the aid and ought to
+receive the attention and support of the Government.
+
+Injuries unforeseen by the Government and unintended may in some cases
+have been inflicted on the subjects or citizens of foreign countries, both
+at sea and on land, by persons in the service of the United States. As
+this government expects redress from other powers when similar injuries
+are inflicted by persons in their service upon citizens of the United
+States, we must be prepared to do justice to foreigners. If the existing
+judicial tribunals are inadequate to this purpose, a special court may
+be authorized, with power to hear and decide such claims of the character
+referred to as may have arisen under treaties and the public law.
+Conventions for adjusting the claims by joint commission have been
+proposed to some governments, but no definitive answer to the proposition
+has yet been received from any.
+
+In the course of the session I shall probably have occasion to request you
+to provide indemnification to claimants where decrees of restitution have
+been rendered and damages awarded by admiralty courts, and in other cases
+where this government may be acknowledged to be liable in principle and
+where the amount of that liability has been ascertained by an informal
+arbitration.
+
+The proper officers of the Treasury have deemed themselves required by the
+law of the United States upon the subject to demand a tax upon the
+incomes of foreign consuls in this country. While such a demand may not
+in strictness be in derogation of public law, or perhaps of any existing
+treaty between the United States and a foreign country, the expediency of
+so far modifying the act as to exempt from tax the income of such consuls
+as are not citizens of the United States, derived from the emoluments
+of their office or from property not situated in the United States, is
+submitted to your serious consideration. I make this suggestion upon the
+ground that a comity which ought to be reciprocated exempts our consuls in
+all other countries from taxation to the extent thus indicated. The United
+States, I think, ought not to be exceptionally illiberal to international
+trade and commerce.
+
+The operations of the Treasury during the last year have been successfully
+conducted. The enactment by Congress of a national banking law has proved
+a valuable support of the public credit, and the general legislation in
+relation to loans has fully answered the expectations of its favorers.
+Some amendments may be required to perfect existing laws, but no change in
+their principles or general scope is believed to be needed.
+
+Since these measures have been in operation all demands on the Treasury,
+including the pay of the Army and Navy, have been promptly met and fully
+satisfied. No considerable body of troops, it is believed, were ever more
+amply provided and more liberally and punctually paid, and it may be
+added that by no people were the burdens incident to a great war ever more
+cheerfully borne.
+
+The receipts during the year from all sources, including loans and
+balance in the Treasury at its commencement, were $901,125,674.86, and the
+aggregate disbursements $895,796,630.65, leaving a balance on the 1st
+of July, 1863, of $5,329,044.21. Of the receipts there were derived from
+customs $69,059,642.40, from internal revenue $37,640,787.95, from direct
+tax $1,485,103.61, from lands $167,617.17, from miscellaneous sources
+$3,046,615.35, and from loans $776,682,361.57, making the aggregate
+$901,125,674.86. Of the disbursements there were for the civil service
+$23,253,922.08, for pensions and Indians $4,216,520.79, for interest on
+public debt $24,729,846.51, for the War Department $599,298,600.83, for
+the Navy Department $63,211,105.27, for payment of funded and temporary
+debt $181,086,635.07, making the aggregate $895,796,630.65 and leaving the
+balance of $5,329,044.21. But the payment of funded and temporary debt,
+having been made from moneys borrowed during the year, must be regarded
+as merely nominal payments and the moneys borrowed to make them as merely
+nominal receipts, and their amount, $181,086,635.07, should therefore
+be deducted both from receipts and disbursements. This being done there
+remains as actual receipts $720,039,039.79 and the actual disbursements
+$714,709,995.58, leaving the balance as already stated.
+
+The actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter and the
+estimated receipts and disbursements for the remaining three-quarters of
+the current fiscal year (1864) will be shown in detail by the report of
+the Secretary of the Treasury, to which I invite your attention. It is
+sufficient to say here that it is not believed that actual results will
+exhibit a state of the finances less favorable to the country than the
+estimates of that officer heretofore submitted while it is confidently
+expected that at the close of the year both disbursements and debt will be
+found very considerably less than has been anticipated.
+
+The report of the Secretary of War is a document of great interest. It
+consists of:
+
+1. The military operations of the year, detailed in the report of the
+General in Chief.
+
+2. The organization of colored persons into the war service.
+
+3. The exchange of prisoners, fully set forth in the letter of General
+Hitchcock.
+
+4. The operations under the act for enrolling and calling out the national
+forces, detailed in the report of the Provost Marshal General.
+
+5. The organization of the invalid corps, and
+
+6. The operation of the several departments of the Quartermaster-General,
+Commissary-General, Paymaster-General, Chief of Engineers, Chief of
+Ordnance, and Surgeon-General.
+
+It has appeared impossible to make a valuable summary of this report,
+except such as would be too extended for this place, and hence I content
+myself by asking your careful attention to the report itself.
+
+The duties devolving on the naval branch of the service during the year
+and throughout the whole of this unhappy contest have been discharged with
+fidelity and eminent success. The extensive blockade has been constantly
+increasing in efficiency as the Navy has expanded, yet on so long a line
+it has so far been impossible to entirely suppress illicit trade. From
+returns received at the Navy Department it appears that more than 1,000
+vessels have been captured since the blockade was instituted? and that
+the value of prizes already sent in for adjudication amounts to over
+$13,000,000.
+
+The naval force of the United States consists at this time of five hundred
+and eighty-eight vessels completed and in the course of completion, and of
+these seventy-five are ironclad or armored steamers. The events of the war
+give an increased interest and importance to the Navy which will probably
+extend beyond the war itself.
+
+The armored vessels in our Navy completed and in service, or which are
+under contract and approaching completion, are believed to exceed in
+number those of any other power; but while these may be relied upon for
+harbor defense and coast service, others of greater strength and capacity
+will be necessary for cruising purposes and to maintain our rightful
+position on the ocean.
+
+The change that has taken place in naval vessels and naval warfare since
+the introduction of steam as a motive power for ships of war demands
+either a corresponding change in some of our existing navy yards or the
+establishment of new ones for the construction and necessary repair of
+modern naval vessels. No inconsiderable embarrassment, delay, and
+public injury have been experienced from the want of such governmental
+establishments. The necessity of such a navy-yard, so furnished, at some
+suitable place upon the Atlantic seaboard has on repeated occasions been
+brought to the attention of Congress by the Navy Department, and is
+again presented in the report of the Secretary which accompanies this
+communication. I think it my duty to invite your special attention to
+this subject, and also to that of establishing a yard and depot for naval
+purposes upon one of the Western rivers. A naval force has been created
+on those interior waters, and under many disadvantages, within little more
+than two years, exceeding in numbers the whole naval force of the country
+at the commencement of the present Administration. Satisfactory and
+important as have been the performances of the heroic men of the Navy at
+this interesting period, they are scarcely more wonderful than the success
+of our mechanics and artisans in the production of war vessels, which has
+created a new form of naval power.
+
+Our country has advantages superior to any other nation in our resources
+of iron and timber, with inexhaustible quantities of fuel in the immediate
+vicinity of both, and all available and in close proximity to navigable
+waters. Without the advantage of public works, the resources of the nation
+have been developed and its power displayed in the construction of a Navy
+of such magnitude, which has at the very period of its creation rendered
+signal service to the Union.
+
+The increase of the number of seamen in the public service from 7,500
+men in the spring of 1861 to about 34,000 at the present time has been
+accomplished without special legislation or extraordinary bounties to
+promote that increase. It has been found, however, that the operation of
+the draft, with the high bounties paid for army recruits, is beginning
+to affect injuriously the naval service, and will, if not corrected, be
+likely to impair its efficiency by detaching seamen from their proper
+vocation and inducing them to enter the Army. I therefore respectfully
+suggest that Congress might aid both the army and naval services by
+a definite provision on this subject which would at the same time be
+equitable to the communities more especially interested.
+
+I commend to your consideration the suggestions of the Secretary of the
+Navy in regard to the policy of fostering and training seamen and also
+the education of officers and engineers for the naval service. The Naval
+Academy is rendering signal service in preparing midshipmen for the highly
+responsible duties which in after life they will be required to perform.
+In order that the country should not be deprived of the proper quota of
+educated officers, for which legal provision has been made at the
+naval school, the vacancies caused by the neglect or omission to make
+nominations from the States in insurrection have been filled by the
+Secretary of the Navy. The school is now more full and complete than
+at any former period, and in every respect entitled to the favorable
+consideration of Congress.
+
+During the past fiscal year the financial condition of the Post-Office
+Department has been one of increasing prosperity, and I am gratified in
+being able to state that the actual postal revenue has nearly equaled the
+entire expenditures, the latter amounting to $11,314,206.84 and the former
+to $11,163,789.59, leaving a deficiency of but $150,417.25. In 1860,
+the year immediately preceding the rebellion, the deficiency amounted to
+$5,656,705.49, the postal receipts of that year being $2,645,722.19
+less that those of 1863. The decrease since 1860 in the annual amount of
+transportation has been only about twenty-five per cent, but the annual
+expenditure on account of the same has been reduced thirty-five per cent.
+It is manifest, therefore, that the Post-Office Department may become
+self-sustaining in a few years, even with the restoration of the whole
+service.
+
+The international conference of postal delegates from the principal
+countries of Europe and America, which was called at the suggestion of the
+Postmaster-General, met at Paris on the 11th of May last and concluded
+its deliberations on the 8th of June. The principles established by
+the conference as best adapted to facilitate postal intercourse between
+nations and as the basis of future postal conventions inaugurate a general
+system of uniform international charges at reduced rates of postage, and
+can not fail to produce beneficial results.
+
+I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Interior, which is
+herewith laid before you, for useful and varied information in relation to
+the public lands, Indian affairs, patents, pensions, and other matters of
+public concern pertaining to his Department.
+
+The quantity of land disposed of during the last and the first quarter of
+the present fiscal years was 3,841,549 acres, of which 161,911 acres were
+sold for cash, 1,456,514 acres were taken up under the homestead law, and
+the residue disposed of under laws granting lands for military bounties,
+for railroad and other purposes. It also appears that the sale of the
+public lands is largely on the increase.
+
+It has long been a cherished opinion of some of our wisest statesmen that
+the people of the United States had a higher and more enduring interest in
+the early settlement and substantial cultivation of the public lands than
+in the amount of direct revenue to be derived from the sale of them. This
+opinion has had a controlling influence in shaping legislation upon the
+subject of our national domain. I may cite as evidence of this the liberal
+measures adopted in reference to actual settlers; the grant to the States
+of the overflowed lands within their limits, in order to their being
+reclaimed and rendered fit for cultivation; the grants to railway
+companies of alternate sections of land upon the contemplated lines of
+their roads, which when completed will so largely multiply the facilities
+for reaching our distant possessions. This policy has received its most
+signal and beneficent illustration in the recent enactment granting
+homesteads to actual settlers. Since the 1st day of January last the
+before-mentioned quantity of 1,456,514 acres of land have been taken up
+under its provisions. This fact and the amount of sales furnish gratifying
+evidence of increasing settlement upon the public lands, notwithstanding
+the great struggle in which the energies of the nation have been engaged,
+and which has required so large a withdrawal of our citizens from their
+accustomed pursuits. I cordially concur in the recommendation of the
+Secretary of the Interior suggesting a modification of the act in favor
+of those engaged in the military and naval service of the United States.
+I doubt not that Congress will cheerfully adopt such measures as will,
+without essentially changing the general features of the system, secure to
+the greatest practicable extent its benefits to those who have left their
+homes in the defense of the country in this arduous crisis.
+
+I invite your attention to the views of the Secretary as to the propriety
+of raising by appropriate legislation a revenue from the mineral lands of
+the United States.
+
+The measures provided at your last session for the removal of certain
+Indian tribes have been carried into effect. Sundry treaties have been
+negotiated, which will in due time be submitted for the constitutional
+action of the Senate. They contain stipulations for extinguishing the
+possessory rights of the Indians to large and valuable tracts of lands.
+It is hoped that the effect of these treaties will result in the
+establishment of permanent friendly relations with such of these tribes
+as have been brought into frequent and bloody collision with our outlying
+settlements and emigrants. Sound policy and our imperative duty to these
+wards of the Government demand our anxious and constant attention to their
+material well-being, to their progress in the arts of civilization, and,
+above all, to that moral training which under the blessing of Divine
+Providence will confer upon them the elevated and sanctifying influences,
+the hopes and consolations, of the Christian faith.
+
+I suggested in my last annual message the propriety of remodeling our
+Indian system. Subsequent events have satisfied me of its necessity. The
+details set forth in the report of the Secretary evince the urgent need
+for immediate legislative action.
+
+I commend the benevolent institutions established or patronized by the
+Government in this District to your generous and fostering care.
+
+The attention of Congress during the last session was engaged to some
+extent with a proposition for enlarging the water communication between
+the Mississippi River and the northeastern seaboard, which proposition,
+however, failed for the time. Since then, upon a call of the greatest
+respectability, a convention has been held at Chicago upon the same
+subject, a summary of whose views is contained in a memorial addressed to
+the President and Congress, and which I now have the honor to lay before
+you. That this interest is one which ere long will force its own way I do
+not entertain a doubt, while it is submitted entirely to your wisdom as to
+what can be done now. Augmented interest is given to this subject by the
+actual commencement of work upon the Pacific Railroad, under auspices
+so favorable to rapid progress and completion. The enlarged navigation
+becomes a palpable need to the great road.
+
+I transmit the second annual report of the Commissioner of the Department
+of Agriculture, asking your attention to the developments in that vital
+interest of the nation.
+
+When Congress assembled a year ago, the war had already lasted nearly
+twenty months, and there had been many conflicts on both land and sea,
+with varying results; the rebellion had been pressed back into reduced
+limits; yet the tone of public feeling and opinion, at home and abroad,
+was not satisfactory. With other signs, the popular elections then just
+past indicated uneasiness among ourselves, while, amid much that was cold
+and menacing, the kindest words coming from Europe were uttered in accents
+of pity that we are too blind to surrender a hopeless cause. Our commerce
+was suffering greatly by a few armed vessels built upon and furnished from
+foreign shores, and we were threatened with such additions from the same
+quarter as would sweep our trade from the sea and raise our blockade. We
+had failed to elicit from European governments anything hopeful upon this
+subject. The preliminary emancipation proclamation, issued in September,
+was running its assigned period to the beginning of the new year. A month
+later the final proclamation came, including the announcement that colored
+men of suitable condition would be received into the war service. The
+policy of emancipation and of employing black soldiers gave to the future
+a new aspect, about which hope and fear and doubt contended in uncertain
+conflict. According to our political system, as a matter of civil
+administration, the General Government had no lawful power to effect
+emancipation in any State, and for a long time it had been hoped that
+the rebellion could be suppressed without resorting to it as a military
+measure. It was all the while deemed possible that the necessity for it
+might come, and that if it should the crisis of the contest would then be
+presented. It came, and, as was anticipated, it was followed by dark and
+doubtful days. Eleven months having now passed, we are permitted to take
+another review. The rebel borders are pressed still farther back, and
+by the complete opening of the Mississippi the country dominated by the
+rebellion is divided into distinct parts, with no practical communication
+between them. Tennessee and Arkansas have been substantially cleared of
+insurgent control, and influential citizens in each, owners of slaves and
+advocates of slavery at the beginning of the rebellion, now declare openly
+for emancipation in their respective States. Of those States not included
+in the emancipation proclamation, Maryland and Missouri, neither of which
+three years ago would tolerate any restraint upon the extension of slavery
+into new Territories, dispute now only as to the best mode of removing it
+within their own limits.
+
+Of those who were slaves at the beginning of the rebellion full 100,000
+are now in the United States military service, about one-half of which
+number actually bear arms in the ranks, thus giving the double advantage
+of taking so much labor from the insurgent cause and supplying the places
+which otherwise must be filled with so many white men. So far as tested,
+it is difficult to say they are not as good soldiers as any. No servile
+insurrection or tendency to violence or cruelty has marked the measures
+of emancipation and arming the blacks. These measures have been much
+discussed in foreign countries, and, contemporary with such discussion,
+the tone of public sentiment there is much improved. At home the same
+measures have been fully discussed, supported, criticized, and denounced,
+and the annual elections following are highly encouraging to those whose
+official duty it is to bear the country through this great trial. Thus we
+have the new reckoning. The crisis which threatened to divide the friends
+of the Union is past.
+
+Looking now to the present and future, and with reference to a resumption
+of the national authority within the States wherein that authority has
+been suspended, I have thought fit to issue a proclamation, a copy of
+which is herewith transmitted. On examination of this proclamation it
+will appear, as is believed, that nothing will be attempted beyond what is
+amply justified by the Constitution. True, the form of an oath is given,
+but no man is coerced to take it. The man is promised a pardon only
+in case he voluntarily takes the oath. The Constitution authorizes the
+Executive to grant or withhold the pardon at his own absolute discretion,
+and this includes the power to grant on terms, as is fully established by
+judicial and other authorities.
+
+It is also proffered that if in any of the States named a State government
+shall be in the mode prescribed set up, such government shall be
+recognized and guaranteed by the United States, and that under it the
+State shall, on the constitutional conditions, be protected against
+invasion and domestic violence. The constitutional obligation of the
+United States to guarantee to every State in the Union a republican form
+of government and to protect the State in the cases stated is explicit
+and full. But why tender the benefits of this provision only to a State
+government set up in this particular way? This section of the Constitution
+contemplates a case wherein the element within a State favorable to
+republican government in the Union may be too feeble for an opposite
+and hostile element external to or even within the State, and such are
+precisely the cases with which we are now dealing.
+
+An attempt to guarantee and protect a revived State government,
+constructed in whole or in preponderating part from the very element
+against whose hostility and violence it is to be protected, is simply
+absurd. There must be a test by which to separate the opposing elements,
+so as to build only from the sound; and that test is a sufficiently
+liberal one which accepts as sound whoever will make a sworn recantation
+of his former unsoundness.
+
+But if it be proper to require as a test of admission to the political
+body an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and
+to the Union under it, why also to the laws and proclamations in regard to
+slavery? Those laws and proclamations were enacted and put forth for the
+purpose of aiding in the suppression of the rebellion. To give them their
+fullest effect there had to be a pledge for their maintenance. In my
+judgment, they have aided and will further aid the cause for which they
+were intended. To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish a lever
+of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith. I
+may add at this point that while I remain in my present position I shall
+not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor
+shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that
+proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress. For these and other
+reasons it is thought best that support of these measures shall be
+included in the oath, and it is believed the Executive may lawfully claim
+it in return for pardon and restoration of forfeited rights, which he has
+clear constitutional power to withhold altogether or grant upon the terms
+which he shall deem wisest for the public interest. It should be observed
+also that this part of the oath is subject to the modifying and abrogating
+power of legislation and supreme judicial decision.
+
+The proposed acquiescence of the National Executive in any reasonable
+temporary State arrangement for the freed people is made with the view of
+possibly modifying the confusion and destitution which must at best attend
+all classes by a total revolution of labor throughout whole States. It
+is hoped that the already deeply afflicted people in those States may be
+somewhat more ready to give up the cause of their affliction if to this
+extent this vital matter be left to themselves, while no power of the
+National Executive to prevent an abuse is abridged by the proposition.
+
+The suggestion in the proclamation as to maintaining the political
+framework of the States on what is called reconstruction is made in the
+hope that it may do good without danger of harm. It will save labor and
+avoid great confusion.
+
+But why any proclamation now upon this subject? This question is beset
+with the conflicting views that the step might be delayed too long or be
+taken too soon. In some States the elements for resumption seem ready for
+action, but remain inactive apparently for want of a rallying point--a
+plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan of B rather than B that of
+A? And if A and B should agree, how can they know but that the General
+Government here will reject their plan? By the proclamation a plan is
+presented which may be accepted by them as a rallying point, and which
+they are assured in advance will not be rejected here. This may bring them
+to act sooner than they otherwise would.
+
+The objections to a premature presentation of a plan by the National
+Executive consist in the danger of committals on points which could be
+more safely left to further developments. Care has been taken to so shape
+the document as to avoid embarrassments from this source. Saying that on
+certain terms certain classes will be pardoned with rights restored, it is
+not said that other classes or other terms will never be included. Saying
+that reconstruction will be accepted if presented in a specified way, it
+is not said it will never be accepted in any other way.
+
+The movements by State action for emancipation in several of the States
+not included in the emancipation proclamation are matters of profound
+gratulation. And while I do not repeat in detail what I have heretofore
+so earnestly urged upon this subject my general views and feelings remain
+unchanged and I trust that Congress will omit no fair opportunity of
+aiding these important steps to a great consummation.
+
+In the midst of other cares, however important we must not lose sight
+of the fact that the war power is still our main reliance. To that power
+alone we look yet for a time to give confidence to the people in the
+contested regions that the insurgent power will not again overrun them.
+Until that confidence shall be established little can be done anywhere
+what is called reconstruction. Hence our chiefest care must still be
+directed to the Army and Navy who have thus far borne their harder part so
+nobly and well; and it may be esteemed fortunate that giving the greatest
+efficiency to these indispensable arms we do also honorably recognize the
+gallant men, from commander to sentinel, who compose them, and to whom
+more than to others the world must stand indebted for the home of freedom
+disenthralled, regenerated, enlarged, and perpetuated.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. WASHINGTON D. C., December 8, 1863.
+
+TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend
+that Captain John Rogers United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks
+from Congress for the eminent skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the
+engagement with the rebel armed ironclad steamer Fingal, alias Atlanta,
+whilst in command of the United States ironclad steamer Weehawken, which
+led to her capture on the 17th June, 1863, and also for the zeal, bravery,
+and general good conduct shown by this officer on many occasions.
+
+This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the
+requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the
+following words, viz:
+
+That any line officer of the Navy or Marine Corps may be advanced one
+grade if upon recommendation of the President by name he receives the
+thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the
+enemy or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. WASHINGTON, D. C., December 8, 1863.
+
+TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+Congress, on my recommendation, passed a resolution, approved 7th
+February, 1863, tendering its thanks to Commander D. D. Porter "for the
+bravery and skill displayed in the attack on the post of Arkansas on the
+10th January, 1863," and in consideration of those services, together with
+his efficient labors and vigilance subsequently displayed in thwarting the
+efforts of the rebels to obstruct the Mississippi and its tributaries and
+the important part rendered by the squadron under his command, which led
+to the surrender of Vicksburg.
+
+I do therefore, in conformity to the seventh section of the act approved
+16th July, 1862, nominate Commander D. D. Porter to be a rear-admiral in
+the Navy on the active list from the 4th July, 1863, to fill an existing
+vacancy.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, December 8, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and Knoxville is now
+secure, I wish to tender you, and all under your command, my more than
+thanks, my profoundest gratitude, for the skill, courage, and perseverance
+with which you and they, over so great difficulties, have effected that
+important object. God bless you all!
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GOVERNOR CURTIN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 9, 1863
+
+HIS EXCELLENCY A. G. CURTIN,
+
+Governor of Pennsylvania.
+
+DEAR SIR:--I have to urge my illness, and the preparation of the message,
+in excuse for not having sooner transmitted you the inclosed from the
+Secretary of War and Provost Marshal General in response to yours in
+relation to recruiting in Pennsylvania. Though not quite as you desire, I
+hope the grounds taken will be reasonably satisfactory to you. Allow me
+to exchange congratulations with you on the organization of the House of
+Representatives, and especially on recent military events in Georgia and
+Tennessee.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 10, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+Please suspend execution in any and all sentences of death in your
+department until further order.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 11, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of the Potomac:
+
+Lieut. Col. James B. Knox, Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, offers
+his resignation under circumstances inducing me to wish to accept it. But
+I prefer to know your pleasure upon the subject. Please answer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO JUDGE HOFFMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 15, 1863.
+
+HON. OGDEN HOFFMAN, U. S. District Judge, San Francisco, Cal.:
+
+The oath in the proclamation of December 8 is intended for those who may
+voluntarily take it, and not for those who may be constrained to take it
+in order to escape actual imprisonment or punishment. It is intended that
+the latter class shall abide the granting or withholding of the pardoning
+power in the ordinary way.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MARY GONYEAG.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 15, 1863.
+
+MOTHER MARY GONYEAG, Superior, Academy of Visitation, Keokuk, Iowa:
+
+The President has no authority as to whether you may raffle for the
+benevolent object you mention. If there is no objection in the Iowa laws,
+there is none here.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING DISCRIMINATING DUTIES, DECEMBER 16, 1863.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas by an act of the Congress of the United States of the 24th of May,
+1828, entitled "An act in addition to an act entitled 'An act concerning
+discriminating duties of tonnage and impost' and to equalize the duties on
+Prussian vessels and their cargoes," it is provided that upon satisfactory
+evidence being given to the President of the United States by the
+government of any foreign nation that no discriminating duties of tonnage
+or impost are imposed or levied in the ports of the said nation upon
+vessels wholly belonging to citizens of the United States or upon the
+produce, manufactures, or merchandise imported in the same from the United
+States or from any foreign country, the President is thereby authorized to
+issue his proclamation declaring that the foreign discriminating duties of
+tonnage and impost within the United States are and shall be suspended and
+discontinued so far as respects the vessels of the said foreign nation and
+the produce, manufactures, or merchandise imported into the United
+States in the same from the said foreign nation or from any other
+foreign country, the said suspension to take effect from the time of such
+notification being given to the President of the United States and to
+continue so long as the reciprocal exemption of vessels belonging to
+citizens of the United States and their cargoes, as aforesaid, shall be
+continued, and no longer; and
+
+Whereas satisfactory evidence has lately been received by me through an
+official communication of Senor Don Luis Molina, Envoy Extraordinary and
+Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua, under date of the
+28th of November, 1863, that no other or higher duties of tonnage and
+impost have been imposed or levied since the second day of August, 1838,
+in the ports of Nicaragua, upon vessels wholly belonging to citizens of
+the United States, and upon the produce, manufactures, or merchandise
+imported in the same from the United States, and from any foreign country
+whatever, than are levied on Nicaraguan ships and their cargoes in the
+same ports under like circumstances:
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of
+America, do hereby declare and proclaim that so much of the several acts
+imposing discriminating duties of tonnage and impost within the United
+States are, and shall be, suspended and discontinued so far as respects
+the vessels of Nicaragua, and the produce, manufactures, and the
+merchandise imported into the United States in the same from the dominions
+of Nicaragua, and from any other foreign country whatever; the said
+suspension to take effect from the day above mentioned, and to continue
+thenceforward so long as the reciprocal exemption of the vessels of the
+United States, and the produce, manufactures, and merchandise imported
+into the dominions of Nicaragua in the same, as aforesaid, shall be
+continued on the part of the government of Nicaragua.
+
+Given under my hand at the city of Washington, the sixteenth day
+of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
+sixty-three, and the eighty-eighth of the Independence of the United
+States.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President:  WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,
+
+DECEMBER 17, 1863.
+
+TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+Herewith I lay before you a letter addressed to myself by a committee of
+gentlemen representing the freedmen's aid societies in Boston, New York,
+Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. The subject of the letter, as indicated
+above, is one of great magnitude and importance, and one which these
+gentlemen, of known ability and high character, seem to have considered
+with great attention and care. Not having the time to form a mature
+judgment of my own as to whether the plan they suggest is the best, I
+submit the whole subject to Congress, deeming that their attention thereto
+is almost imperatively demanded.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HURLBUT.
+
+[Cipher.]
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 17, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HURLBUT, Memphis, Tenn.:
+
+I understand you have under sentence of death, a tall old man, by the name
+of Henry F. Luckett. I personally knew him, and did not think him a bad
+man. Please do not let him be executed unless upon further order from me,
+and in the meantime send me a transcript of the record.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, December 19, 1863.
+
+GENERAL GRANT, Chattanooga, Tennessee:
+
+The Indiana delegation in Congress, or at least a large part of them, are
+very anxious that General Milroy shall enter active service again, and I
+share in this feeling. He is not a difficult man to satisfy, sincerity and
+courage being his strong traits. Believing in our cause, and wanting
+to fight for it, is the whole matter with him. Could you, without
+embarrassment, assign him a place, if directed to report to you?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+(Private.)
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 21, 1863.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Sending a note to the Secretary of the Navy, as I promised,
+he called over and said that the strikes in the ship-yards had thrown
+the completion of vessels back so much that he thought General Gilimore's
+proposition entirely proper. He only wishes (and in which I concur) that
+General Gillmore will courteously confer with, and explain to, Admiral
+Dahlgren.
+
+In regard to the Western matter, I believe the program will have to stand
+substantially as I first put it. Henderson, and especially Brown, believe
+that the social influence of St. Louis would inevitably tell injuriously
+upon General Pope in the particular difficulty existing there, and I think
+there is some force in that view.
+
+As to retaining General Schofield temporarily, if this should be done,
+I believe I should scarcely be able to get his nomination through the
+Senate. Send me over his nomination, which, however, I am not quite ready
+to send to the Senate.
+
+Yours as ever,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO O. D. FILLEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 22, 1863.
+
+O. D. FILLEY, ST. Louis, Missouri:
+
+I have just looked over a petition signed by some three dozen citizens of
+St. Louis, and three accompanying letters, one by yourself, one by a Mr.
+Nathan Ranney, and one by a Mr. John D. Coalter, the whole relating to the
+Rev. Dr. McPheeters. The petition prays, in the name of justice and mercy,
+that I will restore Dr. McPheeters to all his ecclesiastical rights. This
+gives no intimation as to what ecclesiastical rights are withheld.
+
+Your letter states that Provost-Marshal Dick, about a year ago, ordered
+the arrest of Dr. McPheeters, pastor of the Vine Street Church, prohibited
+him from officiating, and placed the management of the affairs of the
+church out of the control of its chosen trustees; and near the close
+you state that a certain course "would insure his release." Mr. Ranney's
+letter says: "Dr. Samuel S. McPheeters is enjoying all the rights of a
+civilian, but cannot preach the Gospel!!!!" Mr. Coalter, in his letter,
+asks: "Is it not a strange illustration of the condition of things, that
+the question of who shall be allowed to preach in a church in St. Louis
+shall be decided by the President of the United States?"
+
+Now, all this sounds very strangely; and, withal, a little as if you
+gentlemen making the application do not understand the case alike; one
+affirming that the doctor is enjoying all the rights of a civilian, and
+another pointing out to me what will secure his release! On the second day
+of January last, I wrote to General Curtis in relation to Mr. Dick's order
+upon Dr. McPheeters; and, as I suppose the doctor is enjoying all the
+rights of a civilian, I only quote that part of my letter which relates
+to the church. It is as follows: "But I must add that the United States
+Government must not, as by this order, undertake to run the churches. When
+an individual, in a church or out of it, becomes dangerous to the public
+interest, he must be checked; but the churches, as such, must take care
+of themselves. It will not do for the United States to appoint trustees,
+supervisors, or other agents for the churches."
+
+This letter going to General Curtis, then in command there, I supposed, of
+course, it was obeyed, especially as I heard no further complaint from
+Dr. McPheeters or his friends for nearly an entire year. I have never
+interfered, nor thought of interfering, as to who shall or shall not
+preach in any church; nor have I knowingly or believingly tolerated any
+one else to so interfere by my authority. If any one is so interfering by
+color of my authority, I would like to have it specifically made known
+to me. If, after all, what is now sought is to have me put Dr. McPheeters
+back over the heads of a majority of his own congregation, that, too, will
+be declined. I will not have control of any church on any side.
+
+Yours respectfully,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MILITARY COMMANDER AT POINT LOOKOUT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 22, 1863.
+
+MILITARY COMMANDER, Point Lookout, Md.:
+
+If you have a prisoner by the name Linder--Daniel Linder, I think, and
+certainly the son of U. F. Linder, of Illinois, please send him to me by
+an officer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MILITARY COMMANDER AT POINT LOOKOUT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 24, 1863.
+
+MILITARY COMMANDER, Point Lookout, Md.:
+
+If you send Linder to me as directed a day or two ago, also send Edwin C.
+Claybrook, of Ninth Virginia rebel cavalry.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO U. F. LINDER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON D. C., December 26, 1863.
+
+HON. U. F. LINDER, Chicago, Ill.: Your son Dan has just left me with
+my order to the Secretary of War, to administer to him the oath of
+allegiance, discharge him and send him to you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 29, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BANKS:
+
+Yours of the sixteenth is received, and I send you, as covering the ground
+of it, a copy of my answer to yours of the sixth, it being possible the
+original may not reach you. I intend you to be master in every controversy
+made with you.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 30, 1863.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+Jacob Bowers is fully pardoned for past offence, upon condition that he
+returns to duty and re-enlists for three years or during the war.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, December 31, 1863.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
+
+SIR:--Please fix up the department to which Curtis is to go, without
+waiting to wind up the Missouri matter. Lane is very anxious to have Fort
+Smith in it, and I am willing, unless there be decided military reasons to
+the contrary, in which case of course, I am not for it. It will oblige me
+to have the Curtis department fixed at once.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+1864
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 1, 1864. 3.30 p.m.
+
+GENERAL SULLIVAN, Harper's Ferry:
+
+Have you anything new from Winchester, Martinsburg or thereabouts?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PIERPOINT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 2, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR PIERPOINT, Alexandria, Va.:
+
+Please call and see me to-day if not too inconvenient.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 2, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+SIR:--The Secretary of War and myself have concluded to discharge of the
+prisoners at Point Lookout the following classes: First, those who will
+take the oath prescribed in the proclamation of December 8, and issued by
+the consent of General Marston, will enlist in our service. Second, those
+who will take the oath and be discharged and whose homes lie safely within
+our military lines.
+
+I send by Mr. Hay this letter and a blank-book and some other blanks, the
+way of using which I propose for him to explain verbally better than I can
+in writing.
+
+Yours, very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 5, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE:
+
+If not inconsistent with the service, please allow General William Harrow
+as long a leave of absence as the rules permit with the understanding that
+I may lengthen it if I see fit. He is an acquaintance and friend of mine,
+and his family matters very urgently require his presence.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,
+
+JANUARY 5, 1864.
+
+GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+By a joint resolution of your honorable bodies approved December 23, 1863,
+the paying of bounties to veteran volunteers, as now practiced by the
+War Department, is, to the extent of three hundred dollars in each case,
+prohibited after this 5th day of the present month. I transmit for your
+consideration a communication from the Secretary of War, accompanied by
+one from the Provost-Marshal General to him, both relating to the subject
+above mentioned. I earnestly recommend that the law be so modified as to
+allow bounties to be paid as they now are, at least until the ensuing 1st
+day of February.
+
+I am not without anxiety lest I appear to be importunate in thus recalling
+your attention to a subject upon which you have so recently acted, and
+nothing but a deep conviction that the public interest demands it could
+induce me to incur the hazard of being misunderstood on this point. The
+Executive approval was given by me to the resolution mentioned, and it
+is now by a closer attention and a fuller knowledge of facts that I feel
+constrained to recommend a reconsideration of the subject.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 6, 1864. 2 P.M.
+
+GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE, Frankfort, Kentucky:
+
+Yours of yesterday received. Nothing is known here about General Foster's
+order, of which you complain, beyond the fair presumption that it comes
+from General Grant, and that it has an object which, if you understood,
+you would be loath to frustrate. True, these troops are, in strict law,
+only to be removed by my order; but General Grant's judgment would be the
+highest incentive to me to make such order. Nor can I understand how doing
+so is bad faith and dishonor, nor yet how it so exposes Kentucky to ruin.
+Military men here do not perceive how it exposes Kentucky, and I am sure
+Grant would not permit it if it so appeared to him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL Q. A. GILLMORE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 13, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL GILLMORE:
+
+I understand an effort is being made by some worthy gentlemen to
+reconstruct a legal State government in Florida. Florida is in your
+Department, and it is not unlikely you may be there in person. I have
+given Mr. Hay a commission of major, and sent him to you, with some
+blank-books and other blanks, to aid in the reconstruction. He will
+explain as to the manner of using the blanks, and also my general views on
+the subject. It is desirable for all to co-operate, but if irreconcilable
+differences of opinion shall arise, you are master. I wish the thing done
+in the most speedy way, so that when done it be within the range of the
+late proclamation on the subject. The detail labor will, of course, have
+to be done by others; but I will be greatly obliged if you will give
+it such general supervision as you can find consistent with your more
+strictly military duties.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BROUGH. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 15,
+1864.
+
+GOVERNOR BROUGH, Columbus, Ohio:
+
+If Private William G. Toles, of Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, returns to
+his regiment and faithfully serves out his term, he is fully pardoned for
+all military offenses prior to this.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO CROSBY AND NICHOLS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 16, 1864.
+
+MESSRS. CROSBY AND NICHOLS.
+
+GENTLEMEN: The number for this month and year of the North American Review
+was duly received, and for which please accept my thanks. Of course I am
+not the most impartial judge; yet, with due allowance for this, I venture
+to hope that the article entitled "The President's Policy" will be of
+value to the country. I fear I am not worthy of all which is therein
+kindly said of me personally.
+
+The sentence of twelve lines, commencing at the top of page 252, I could
+wish to be not exactly what it is. In what is there expressed, the writer
+has not correctly understood me. I have never had a theory that secession
+could absolve States or people from their obligations. Precisely the
+contrary is asserted in the inaugural address; and it was because of my
+belief in the continuation of those obligations that I was puzzled, for
+a time, as to denying the legal rights of those citizens who remained
+individually innocent of treason or rebellion. But I mean no more now than
+to merely call attention to this point.
+
+Yours respectfully,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL P. STEELE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 20, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE:
+
+Sundry citizens of the State of Arkansas petition me that an election may
+be held in that State, at which to elect a Governor; that it be assumed
+at that election, and thenceforward, that the constitution and laws of
+the State, as before the rebellion, are in full force, except that the
+constitution is so modified as to declare that there shall be neither
+slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment of crimes
+whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; that the General
+Assembly may make such provisions for the freed people as shall recognize
+and declare their permanent freedom, and provide for their education, and
+which may yet be construed as a temporary arrangement suitable to their
+condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class; that said election
+shall be held on the 28th of March, 1864, at all the usual places of the
+State, or all such as voters may attend for that purpose, that the voters
+attending at eight o'clock in the morning of said day may choose judges
+and clerks of election for such purpose; that all persons qualified
+by said constitution and laws, and taking the oath presented in the
+President's proclamation of December 8, 1863, either before or at the
+election, and none others, may be voters; that each set of judges and
+clerks may make returns directly to you on or before the --th day of ----
+next; that in all other respects said election may be conducted according
+to said constitution and laws: that on receipt of said returns, when five
+thousand four hundred and six votes shall have been cast, you can receive
+said votes, and ascertain all who shall thereby appear to have been
+elected; that on the --th day of ------ next, all persons so appearing to
+have been elected, who shall appear before you at Little Rock, and take
+the oath, to be by you severally administered, to support the Constitution
+of the United States and said modified Constitution of the State of
+Arkansas, may be declared by you qualified and empowered to enter
+immediately upon the duties of the offices to which they shall have been
+respectively elected.
+
+You will please order an election to take place on the 28th of March,
+1864, and returns to be made in fifteen days thereafter.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, JANUARY 20, 1864
+
+GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In accordance with a letter addressed by the Secretary of State, with my
+approval, to the Hon. Joseph A. Wright, of Indiana, that patriotic and
+distinguished gentleman repaired to Europe and attended the International
+Agricultural Exhibition, held at Hamburg last year, and has since his
+return made a report to me, which, it is believed, can not fail to be
+of general interest, and especially so to the agricultural community. I
+transmit for your consideration copies of the letters and report. While
+it appears by the letter that no reimbursement of expenses or compensation
+was promised him, I submit whether reasonable allowance should not be made
+him for them.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER APPROVING TRADE REGULATIONS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 26, 1864.
+
+I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States having seen and
+considered the additional regulations of trade prescribed by the Secretary
+of the Treasury, and numbered LI, LII, LIII, LIV, LV, and LVI, do hereby
+approve the same; and I further declare and order that all property
+brought in for sale, in good faith, and actually sold in pursuance of said
+Regulations LII, LIII, LIV, LV, and LVI, after the same shall have taken
+effect and come in force as provided in Regulation LVI, shall be exempt
+from confiscation or forfeiture to the United States.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FOSTER.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 27, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL FOSTER, Knoxville, Tenn.:
+
+Is a supposed correspondence between General Longstreet and yourself about
+the amnesty proclamation, which is now in the newspapers, genuine?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO E. STANLEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 28, 1864
+
+HON. EDWARD STANLEY, San Francisco, Cal.:
+
+Yours of yesterday received. We have rumors similar to the dispatch
+received by you, but nothing very definite from North Carolina. Knowing
+Mr. Stanley to be an able man, and not doubting that he is a patriot, I
+should be glad for him to be with his old acquaintances south of Virginia,
+but I am unable to suggest anything definite upon the subject.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION
+
+WASHINGTON, January 28, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK:
+
+Some citizens of Missouri, vicinity of Kansas City, are apprehensive that
+there is special danger of renewed troubles in that neighborhood, and
+thence on the route toward New Mexico. I am not impressed that the danger
+is very great or imminent, but I will thank you to give Generals Rosecrans
+and Curtis, respectively, such orders as may turn their attention thereto
+and prevent as far as possible the apprehended disturbance.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SICKLES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 29, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SICKLES, New York:
+
+Could you, without it being inconvenient or disagreeable to yourself,
+immediately take a trip to Arkansas for me?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 31, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE, Frankfort, Ky.:
+
+General Boyle's resignation is accepted, so that your Excellency can give
+him the appointment proposed.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+COLONIZATION EXPERIMENT
+
+ORDER TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 1, 1864
+
+HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+SIR:-You are directed to have a transport (either a steam or sailing
+vessel, as may be deemed proper by the Quartermaster-General) sent to the
+colored colony established by the United States at the island of Vache,
+on the coast of San Domingo, to bring back to this country such of the
+colonists there as desire to return. You will have the transport furnished
+with suitable supplies for that purpose, and detail an officer of the
+Quartermaster's Department, who, under special instructions to be given,
+shall have charge of the business. The colonists will be brought to
+Washington, unless otherwise hereafter directed, and be employed and
+provided for at the camps for colored persons around that city. Those only
+will be brought from the island who desire to return, and their effects
+will be brought with them.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER FOR A DRAFT OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 1, 1864.
+
+Ordered, That a draft of five hundred thousand (500,000) men, to serve for
+three years or during the war, be made on the tenth (10th) day of March
+next, for the military service of the United States, crediting and
+deducting therefrom so many as may have been enlisted or drafted into the
+service prior to the first (1st) day of March, and not before credited.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR YATES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 3, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR YATES, Springfield, Ill.:
+
+The United States Government lot in Springfield can be used for a
+soldiers' home, with the understanding that the Government does not incur
+any expense in the case.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MURPHY.
+
+WASHINGTON, February 6, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR J. MURPHY:
+
+My order to General Steele about an election was made in ignorance of
+the action your convention had taken or would take. A subsequent letter
+directs General Steele to aid you on your own plan, and not to thwart or
+hinder you. Show this to him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
+
+TOLD BY THE PRESIDENT, TO THE ARTIST F. B. CARPENTER,
+
+FEBRUARY 6, 1864.
+
+"It had got to be," said Mr. Lincoln, "midsummer, 1862. Things had gone on
+from bad to worse, until I felt that we had reached the end of our rope on
+the plan of operations we had been pursuing; that we had about played our
+last card, and must change our tactics, or lose the game. I now determined
+upon the adoption of the emancipation policy; and without consultation
+with, or the knowledge of, the Cabinet, I prepared the original draft
+of the proclamation, and, after much anxious thought, called a Cabinet
+meeting upon the subject. This was the last of July or the first part of
+the month of August, 1862. [The exact date was July 22, 1862.]... All were
+present excepting Mr. Blair, the Postmaster-General, who was absent at the
+opening of the discussion, but came in subsequently. I said to the Cabinet
+that I had resolved upon this step, and had not called them together to
+ask their advice, but to lay the subject-matter of a proclamation before
+them, suggestions as to which would be in order after they had heard it
+read. Mr. Lovejoy was in error when he informed you that it excited no
+comment excepting on the part of Secretary Seward. Various suggestions
+were offered. Secretary Chase wished the language stronger in reference to
+the arming of the blacks.
+
+"Mr. Blair, after he came in, deprecated the policy on the ground that it
+would cost the administration the fall elections. Nothing, however, was
+offered that I had not already fully anticipated and settled in my mind,
+until Secretary Seward spoke. He said in substance, 'Mr. President, I
+approve of the proclamation, but I question the expediency of its issue
+at this juncture. The depression of the public mind, consequent upon our
+repeated reverses, is so great that I fear the effect of so important a
+step. It may be viewed as the last measure of an exhausted government,
+a cry for help; the government stretching forth its hands to Ethiopia,
+instead of Ethiopia stretching forth her hands to the government.' His
+idea," said the President, "was that it would be considered our last
+shriek on the retreat." [This was his precise expression.] 'Now,'
+continued Mr. Seward, 'while I approve the measure, I suggest, sir, that
+you postpone its issue until you can give it to the country supported by
+military success, instead of issuing it, as would be the case now, upon
+the greatest disasters of the war.' Mr. Lincoln continued "The wisdom of
+the view of the Secretary of State struck me with very great force. It
+was an aspect of the case that, in all my thought upon the subject, I
+had entirely overlooked. The result was that I put the draft of the
+proclamation aside, as you do your sketch for a picture, waiting for a
+victory.
+
+"From time to time I added or changed a line, touching it up here and
+there, anxiously watching the process of events. Well, the next news we
+had was of Pope's disaster at Bull Run. Things looked darker than ever.
+Finally came the week of the battle of Antietam. I determined to wait no
+longer. The news came, I think, on Wednesday, that the advantage was on
+our side. I was then staying at the Soldiers' Home [three miles out of
+Washington]. Here I finished writing the second draft of the preliminary
+proclamation; came up on Saturday; called the Cabinet together to hear it,
+and it was published on the following Monday."
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SEDGWICK.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 11, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SEDGWICK, Army of Potomac:
+
+Unless there be some strong reason to the contrary, please send General
+Kilpatrick to us here, for two or three days.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO HORACE MAYNARD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 13, 1864.
+
+HON. HORACE MAYNARD, Nashville, Tenn.:
+
+Your letter of [the] second received. Of course Governor Johnson will
+proceed with reorganization as the exigencies of the case appear to him to
+require. I do not apprehend he will think it necessary to deviate from my
+views to any ruinous extent. On one hasty reading I see no such deviation
+in his program, which you send.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO W. M. FISHBACK.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, February 17, 1864.
+
+WILLIAM M. FISHBACK, Little Rock, Arkansas:
+
+When I fixed a plan for an election in Arkansas I did it in ignorance that
+your convention was doing the same work. Since I learned the latter fact
+I have been constantly trying to yield my plan to them. I have sent two
+letters to General Steele, and three or four despatches to you and others,
+saying that he, General Steele, must be master, but that it will probably
+be best for him to merely help the convention on its own plan. Some single
+mind must be master, else there will be no agreement in anything, and
+General Steele, commanding the military and being on the ground, is the
+best man to be that master. Even now citizens are telegraphing me to
+postpone the election to a later day than either that fixed by the
+convention or by me. This discord must be silenced.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL STEELE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 17, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE, Little Rock, Arkansas:
+
+The day fixed by the convention for the election is probably the best,
+but you on the ground, and in consultation with gentlemen there, are to
+decide. I should have fixed no day for an election, presented no plan for
+reconstruction, had I known the convention was doing the same things. It
+is probably best that you merely assist the convention on their own
+plan, as to election day and all other matters I have already written and
+telegraphed this half a dozen times.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO A. ROBINSON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 18, 1864.
+
+A. ROBINSON, Leroy, N. Y.:
+
+The law only obliges us to keep accounts with States, or at most
+Congressional Districts, and it would overwhelm us to attempt in counties,
+cities and towns. Nevertheless we do what we can to oblige in particular
+cases. In this view I send your dispatch to the Provost-Marshal General,
+asking him to do the best he can for you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING BLOCKADE, FEBRUARY 18, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas, by my proclamation of the nineteenth of April, one thousand eight
+hundred and sixty-one, the ports of the States of South Carolina, Georgia,
+Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas were, for reasons
+therein set forth, placed under blockade; and whereas, the port of
+Brownsville, in the district of Brazos Santiago, in the State of Texas,
+has since been blockaded, but as the blockade of said port may now be
+safely relaxed with advantage to the interests of commerce:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States, pursuant to the authority in me vested by the fifth section
+of the act of Congress approved on the 13th of July, 1861, entitled "An
+act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for
+other purposes," do hereby declare that the blockade of the said port of
+Brownsville shall so far cease and determine from and after this date,
+that commercial intercourse with said port, except as to persons, things,
+and information hereinafter specified, may, from this date, be carried on,
+subject to the laws of the United States, to the regulations prescribed
+by the Secretary of the Treasury, and, until the rebellion shall have been
+suppressed, to such orders as may be promulgated by the general commanding
+the department, or by an officer duly authorized by him and commanding at
+said port. This proclamation does not authorize or allow the shipment
+or conveyance of persons in, or intending to enter, the service of the
+insurgents, or of things or information intended for their use, or for
+their aid or comfort, nor, except upon the permission of the Secretary
+of War, or of some officer duly authorized by him, of the following
+prohibited articles, namely: cannon, mortars, firearms, pistols, bombs,
+grenades, powder, saltpeter, sulphur, balls, bullets, pikes, swords,
+boarding-caps (always excepting the quantity of the said articles which
+may be necessary for the defense of the ship and those who compose the
+crew), saddles, bridles, cartridge-bag material, percussion and other
+caps, clothing adapted for uniforms; sail-cloth of all kinds, hemp and
+cordage, intoxicating drinks other than beer and light native wines.
+
+To vessels clearing from foreign ports and destined to the port of
+Brownsville, opened by this proclamation, licenses will be granted by
+consuls of the United States upon satisfactory evidence that the vessel
+so licensed will convey no persons, property, or information excepted or
+prohibited above, either to or from the said port; which licenses shall
+be exhibited to the collector of said port immediately on arrival, and,
+if required, to any officer in charge of the blockade, and on leaving said
+port every vessel will be required to have a clearance from the collector
+of the customs, according to law, showing no violation of the conditions
+of the license. Any violations of said conditions will involve the
+forfeiture and condemnation of the vessel and cargo, and the exclusion of
+all parties concerned from any further privilege of entering the United
+States during the war for any purpose whatever.
+
+In all respects, except as herein specified, the existing blockade remains
+in full force and effect as hitherto established and maintained, nor is
+it relaxed by this proclamation except in regard to the port to which
+relaxation is or has been expressly applied.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this
+eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
+hundred and sixty-four, and of the independence of the United States the
+eighty-eighth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President   WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO COMMANDER BLAKE.
+
+EXECUTIVE, MANSION, February 19, 1864.
+
+COMMANDER GEORGE S. BLAKE, Commandant Naval Academy, Newport, R. I.:
+
+I desire the case of Midshipman C. Lyon re-examined and if not clearly
+inconsistent I shall be much obliged to have the recommendation changed.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM FROM WARREN JORDAN.
+
+NASHVILLE, February 20, 1864.
+
+HON. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.:
+
+In county and State elections, must citizens of Tennessee take the oath
+prescribed by Governor Johnson, or will the President's oath of amnesty
+entitle them to vote? I have been appointed to hold the March election in
+Cheatham County, and wish to act understandingly.
+
+WARREN JORDAN.
+
+
+WASHINGTON, February 20, 1864.
+
+WARREN JORDAN, NASHVILLE:
+
+In county elections you had better stand by Governor Johnson's plan;
+otherwise you will have conflict and confusion. I have seen his plan.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 22, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Saint LOUIS, MO.:
+
+Colonel Sanderson will be ordered to you to-day, a mere omission that it
+was not done before. The other questions in your despatch I am not yet
+prepared to answer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL STEELE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 22, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE, Little Rock, Ark.:
+
+Yours of yesterday received. Your conference with citizens approved. Let
+the election be on the 14th of March as they agreed.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL F. STEELE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, February 25, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE, Little Rock, Arkansas:
+
+General Sickles is not going to Arkansas. He probably will make a tour
+down the Mississippi and home by the gulf and ocean, but he will not
+meddle in your affairs.
+
+At one time I did intend to have him call on you and explain more fully
+than I could do by letter or telegraph, so as to avoid a difficulty coming
+of my having made a plan here, while the convention made one there, for
+reorganizing Arkansas; but even his doing that has been given up for
+more than two weeks. Please show this to Governor Murphy to save me
+telegraphing him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+DESERTERS DEATH SENTENCES REMITTED
+
+GENERAL ORDERS, NO.76.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE,
+
+WASHINGTON, February 26, 1864.
+
+Sentence of Deserters.
+
+The President directs that the sentences of all deserters who have been
+condemned by court-martial to death, and that have not been otherwise
+acted upon by him, be mitigated to imprisonment during the war at the Dry
+Tortugas, Florida, where they will be sent under suitable guards by orders
+from army commanders.
+
+The commanding generals, who have power to act on proceedings of
+courts-martial in such cases, are authorized in special cases to restore
+to duty deserters under sentence, when in their judgment the service will
+be thereby benefited.
+
+Copies of all orders issued under the foregoing instructions will be
+immediately forwarded to the Adjutant-General and to the Judge-Advocate
+General.
+
+By order of the Secretary of War: B. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant
+Adjutant-General
+
+
+
+
+FEMALE SPY
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 26, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort. Monroe, Va.:
+
+I cannot remember at whose request it was that I gave the pass to Mrs.
+Bulky. Of course detain her, if the evidence of her being a spy is strong
+against her.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO W. JAYNE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 26, 1864.
+
+HON. W. JAYNE.
+
+DEAR SIR--I dislike to make changes in office so long as they can
+be avoided. It multiplies my embarrassments immensely. I dislike two
+appointments when one will do. Send me the name of some man not the
+present marshal, and I will nominate him to be Provost-Marshal for Dakota.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO E. H. EAST.
+
+WASHINGTON, February 27, 1864.
+
+HON. E. H: EAST, Secretary of State, Nashville, Tennessee
+
+Your telegram of the twenty-sixth instant asking for a copy of my despatch
+to Warren Jordan, Esq., at Nashville Press office, has just been referred
+to me by Governor Johnson. In my reply to Mr. Jordan, which was brief
+and hurried, I intended to say that in the county and State elections of
+Tennessee, the oath prescribed in the proclamation of Governor Johnson on
+the twenty-sixth of January, 1864, ordering an election in Tennessee on
+the first Saturday in March next, is entirely satisfactory to me as a test
+of loyalty of all persons proposing or offering to vote in said elections;
+and coming from him would better be observed and followed. There is
+no conflict between the oath of amnesty in my proclamation of eighth
+December, 1863, and that prescribed by Governor Johnson in his
+proclamation of the twenty-sixth ultimo.
+
+No person who has taken the oath of amnesty of eighth December, 1863, and
+obtained a pardon thereby, and who intends to observe the same in good
+faith, should have any objection to taking that prescribed by Governor
+Johnson as a test of loyalty.
+
+I have seen and examined Governor Johnson's proclamation, and am entirely
+satisfied with his plan, which is to restore the State government and
+place it under the control of citizens truly loyal to the Government of
+the United States.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+Please send above to Governor Johnson. A. L.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 27, 1864
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
+
+SIR:--You ask some instructions from me in relation to the Report of
+Special Commission constituted by an order of the War Department, dated
+December 5, 1863, "to revise the enrolment and quotas of the City and
+State of New York, and report whether there be any, and what, errors or
+irregularities therein, and what corrections, if any, should be made."
+
+In the correspondence between the Governor of New York and myself last
+summer, I understood him to complain that the enrolments in several of the
+districts of that State had been neither accurately nor honestly made;
+and in view of this, I, for the draft then immediately ensuing, ordered an
+arbitrary reduction of the quotas in several of the districts wherein they
+seemed too large, and said: "After this drawing, these four districts,
+and also the seventeenth and twenty-ninth, shall be carefully re-enrolled,
+and, if you please, agents of yours may witness every step of the
+process." In a subsequent letter I believe some additional districts were
+put into the list of those to be re-enrolled. My idea was to do the work
+over according to the law, in presence of the complaining party, and
+thereby to correct anything which might be found amiss. The commission,
+whose work I am considering, seem to have proceeded upon a totally
+different idea. Not going forth to find men at all, they have proceeded
+altogether upon paper examinations and mental processes. One of their
+conclusions, as I understand, is that, as the law stands, and attempting
+to follow it, the enrolling officers could not have made the enrolments
+much more accurately than they did. The report on this point might be
+useful to Congress. The commission conclude that the quotas for the draft
+should be based upon entire population, and they proceed upon this basis
+to give a table for the State of New York, in which some districts are
+reduced and some increased. For the now ensuing draft, let the quotas
+stand as made by the enrolling officers, in the districts wherein this
+table requires them to be increased; and let them be reduced according to
+the table in the others: this to be no precedent for subsequent action.
+But, as I think this report may, on full consideration, be shown to have
+much that is valuable in it, I suggest that such consideration be given
+it, and that it be especially considered whether its suggestions can be
+conformed to without an alteration of the law.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL THOMAS.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, February 28, 1864.
+
+GENERAL L. THOMAS, Louisville, Kentucky:
+
+I see your despatch of yesterday to the Secretary of War.
+
+I wish you would go to the Mississippi River at once, and take hold of and
+be master in the contraband and leasing business. You understand it better
+than any other man does. Mr. Miller's system doubtless is well intended,
+but from what I hear I fear that, if persisted in, it would fall dead
+within its own entangling details. Go there and be the judge. A Mr. Lewis
+will probably follow you with something from me on this subject, but do
+not wait for him. Nor is this to induce you to violate or neglect any
+military order from the General-in-Chief or Secretary of War.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY CHASE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 29, 1864.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I would have taken time to answer yours of the 22d inst.
+sooner, only that I did not suppose any evil could result from the delay,
+especially as, by a note, I promptly acknowledged the receipt of yours,
+and promised a fuller answer. Now, on consideration I find there is really
+very little to say. My knowledge of Mr. Pomeroy's letter having been made
+public came to me only the day you wrote; but I had, in spite of myself,
+known of its existence several days before. I have not yet read it, and I
+think I shall not. I was not shocked or surprised by the appearance of
+the letter, because I had had knowledge of Mr. Pomeroy's committee, and of
+secret issues which, I supposed, came from it, and of secret agents who,
+I supposed, were sent out by it for several weeks. I have known just as
+little a these things as my friends have allowed me to know. They bring
+the documents to me, but I do not read them; they tell me what they think
+fit to tell me, but I do not inquire for more.
+
+I fully concur with you that neither of us can justly be held responsible
+for what our respective friends may do without our instigation or
+countenance and I assure you, as you have assured me, that no assault has
+been made upon you by my instigation, or with my countenance.
+
+Whether you shall remain at the head of the Treasury Department is a
+question which I will not allow myself to consider from any standpoint
+other than my judgment of the public service, and, in that view, I do not
+perceive occasion for a change.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL THOMAS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, March 1,1864.
+
+GENERAL L. THOMAS:
+
+This introduces Mr. Lewis, mentioned in my despatch sent you at Louisville
+some days ago. I have but little personal acquaintance with him; but he
+has the confidence of several members of Congress here who seem to know
+him well. He hopes to be useful, without charge to the government, in
+facilitating the introduction of the free-labor system on the Mississippi
+plantations. He is acquainted with, and has access to, many of the
+planters who wish to adopt the system. He will show you two letters of
+mine on this subject, one somewhat General, and the other relating to
+named persons; they are not different in principle. He will also show you
+some suggestions coming from some of the planters themselves. I desire
+that all I promise in these letters, so far as practicable, may be in good
+faith carried out, and that suggestions from the planters may be heard
+and adopted, so far as they may not contravene the principles stated, nor
+justice, nor fairness, to laborers. I do not herein intend to overrule
+your own mature judgment on any point.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL STEELE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 3, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE, Little Rock, Ark.:
+
+Yours including address to people of Arkansas is received. I approve the
+address and thank you for it. Yours in relation to William M. Randolph
+also received. Let him take the oath of December 8, and go to work for the
+new constitution, and on your notifying me of it, I will immediately issue
+the special pardon for him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 4,1864. MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort
+Monroe, Va.:
+
+Admiral Dahlgren is here, and of course is very anxious about his son.
+Please send me at once all you know or can learn of his fate.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER IN REGARD TO THE EXPORTATION OF TOBACCO BELONGING TO THE FRENCH
+GOVERNMENT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, March 7, 1864.
+
+Whereas, by an Executive order of the 10th of November last permission was
+given to export certain tobacco belonging to the French government from
+insurgent territory, which tobacco was supposed to have been purchased
+and paid for prior to the 4th day of March, 1861; but whereas it was
+subsequently ascertained that a part at least of the said tobacco had
+been purchased subsequently to that date, which fact made it necessary to
+suspend the carrying into effect of the said order; but whereas, pursuant
+to mutual explanations, a satisfactory understanding upon the subject has
+now been reached, it is directed that the order aforesaid may be carried
+into effect, it being understood that the quantity of French tobacco so to
+be exported shall not exceed seven thousand hogsheads, and that it is
+the same tobacco respecting the exportation of which application Was
+originally made by the French government.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO UNITED STATES MARSHAL, LOUISVILLE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 7, 1864.
+
+U.S. MARSHAL, Louisville, Ky.:
+
+Until further order suspend sale of property and further proceedings in
+cases of the United States against Dr. John B. English, and S. S. English,
+qt al., sureties for John L. Hill. Also same against same sureties for
+Thomas A. Ireland.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+MAJOR ECKERT: Please send the above dispatch. JNO. G. NICOLAY, Private
+Secretary
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 9, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+New York City votes ninety-five hundred majority for allowing soldiers
+to vote, and the rest of the State nearly all on the same side. Tell the
+soldiers.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO SENATE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 9, 1864.
+
+TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
+
+In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 1st instant,
+respecting the points of commencement of the Union Pacific Railroad, on
+the one hundredth degree of west longitude, and of the branch road,
+from the western boundary of Iowa to the said one hundredth degree of
+longitude, I transmit the accompanying report from the Secretary of the
+Interior, containing the information called for.
+
+I deem it proper to add that on the 17th day of November last an Executive
+order was made upon this subject and delivered to the vice-president of
+the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which fixed the point on the western
+boundary of the State of Iowa from which the company should construct
+their branch road to the one hundredth degree of west longitude, and
+declared it to be within the limits of the township in Iowa opposite the
+town of Omaha, in Nebraska. Since then the company has represented to me
+that upon actual surveys made it has determined upon the precise point of
+departure of their said branch road from the Missouri River, and located
+the same as described in the accompanying report of the Secretary of the
+Interior, which point is within the limits designated in the order of
+November last; and inasmuch as that order is not of record in any of the
+Executive Departments, and the company having desired a more definite one,
+I have made the order of which a copy is herewith, and caused the same to
+be filed in the Department of the Interior.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS TO GENERAL GRANT,
+
+MARCH 9, 1864.
+
+GENERAL GRANT:--The expression of the nation's approbation of what you
+have already done, and its reliance on you for what remains to do in
+the existing great struggle, is now presented with this commission
+constituting you Lieutenant-General of the Army of the United States.
+
+With this high honor, devolves on you an additional responsibility. As the
+country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you. I scarcely
+need add, that with what I here speak for the country, goes my own hearty
+personal concurrence.
+
+
+
+GENERAL GRANT'S REPLY.
+
+Mr. PRESIDENT:--I accept this commission, with gratitude for the high
+honor conferred.
+
+With the aid of the noble armies that have fought on so many fields for
+our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your
+expectations.
+
+I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me, and I
+know that if they are met, it will be due to those armies; and above all,
+to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER ASSIGNING U. S. GRANT COMMAND OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 10, 1864.
+
+Under the authority of an act of Congress to revive the grade of
+lieutenant-General in the United States Army, approved February 29, 1864,
+Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, United States Army, is assigned to
+the command of the Armies of the United States.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MURPHY.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR MURPHY, Little Rock, Arkansas:
+
+I am not appointing officers for Arkansas now, and I will try to remember
+your request. Do your best to get out the largest vote possible, and of
+course as much of it as possible on the right side.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL HAHN. (Private.)
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 13, 1864
+
+HON. MICHAEL HAHN.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I congratulate you on having fixed your name in history as
+the first free-state governor of Louisiana. Now, you are about to have
+a convention, which among other things will probably define the elective
+franchise. I barely suggest for your private consideration, whether some
+of the colored people may not be let in,--as, for instance, the very
+intelligent, and especially those who have fought gallantly in our ranks.
+They would probably help, in some trying time to come, to keep the
+jewel of liberty within the family of freedom. But this is only a
+suggestion,--not to the public, but to you alone.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+CALL FOR TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, MARCH 14, 1864.
+
+In order to supply the force required to be drafted for the Navy and to
+provide an adequate reserve force for all contingencies, in addition
+to the five hundred thousand men called for February 1, 1864, a call
+is hereby made and a draft ordered for two hundred thousand men for the
+military service (Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) of the United States.
+
+The proportional quotas for the different wards, towns, townships,
+precincts, or election districts, or counties, will be made known through
+the Provost Marshal-General's Bureau, and account will be taken of the
+credits and deficiencies on former quotas.
+
+The 15th day of April, 1864, is designated as the time up to which the
+numbers required from each ward of a city, town, etc., may be raised by
+voluntary enlistment, and drafts will be made in each ward of a city,
+town, etc., which shall not have filled the quota assigned to it within
+the time designated for the number required to fill said quotas. The
+drafts will be commenced as soon after the 15th of April as practicable.
+
+The Government bounties as now paid continue until April I, 1864, at which
+time the additional bounties cease. On and after that date one hundred
+dollars bounty only will be paid, as provided by the act approved July 22,
+1861.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+(Private.)
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Nashville, Tenn.:
+
+General McPherson having been assigned to the command of a department,
+could not General Frank Blair, without difficulty or detriment to the
+service, be assigned to command the Corps he commanded a while last
+autumn?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PASS FOR GENERAL D. E. SICKLES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864.
+
+WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
+
+Major-General Sickles is making a tour for me from here by way of Cairo,
+New Orleans, and returning by the gulf, and ocean, and all land and naval
+officers and, employees are directed to furnish reasonable transportation
+and other reasonable facilities to himself and personal staff not
+inconsistent with the public service.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER TO GOVERNOR HAHN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864.
+
+HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL HAHN, Governor of Louisiana
+
+Until further order, you are hereby invested with the powers exercised
+hitherto by the military governor of Louisiana.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+REMARKS AT A FAIR IN THE PATENT OFFICE,
+
+WASHINGTON, MARCH 16, 1864.
+
+LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
+
+I appear to say but a word. This extraordinary war in which we are engaged
+falls heavily upon all classes of people but the most heavily upon the
+soldier. For it has been said, "All that a man hath will he give for his
+life;" and while all contribute of their substance, the soldier puts his
+life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest
+merit, then, is due to the soldier.
+
+In this extraordinary war, extraordinary developments have manifested
+themselves, such as have not been seen in former wars; and among these
+manifestations nothing has been more remarkable than these fairs for the
+relief of suffering soldiers and their families. And the chief agents of
+these fairs are the women of America.
+
+I am not accustomed to the use of language of eulogy: I have never studied
+the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say, that if all that
+has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in
+praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do them
+justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God
+bless the women of America.
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO A COMMITTEE FROM THE WORKINGMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK,
+
+MARCH 21, 1864.
+
+GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:
+
+The honorary membership in your association, as generously tendered, is
+gratefully accepted.
+
+You comprehend, as your address shows, that the existing rebellion means
+more and tends to do more than the perpetuation of African slavery--that
+it is, in fact, a war upon the rights of all working people. Partly to
+show that this view has not escaped my attention, and partly that I cannot
+better express myself, I read a passage from the message to Congress in
+December, 1861:
+
+"It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if not
+exclusively, a war upon the first principle of popular government, the
+rights of the people. Conclusive evidence of this is found in the most
+grave and maturely considered public documents, as well as in the General
+tone of the insurgents. In those documents we find the abridgment of the
+existing right of suffrage, and the denial to the people of all right to
+participate in the selection of public officers, except the legislature,
+boldly advocated, with labored argument to prove that large control of the
+people in government is the source of all political evil. Monarchy itself
+is sometimes hinted at as a possible refuge from the power of the people.
+In my present position I could scarcely be justified were I to omit
+raising a warning voice against this approach of returning despotism.
+
+"It is not needed, nor fitting here, that a General argument should be
+made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point, with its
+connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which I ask a brief
+attention. It is the effort to place capital on an equal footing, if not
+above labor, in the structure of government. It is assumed that labor
+is available only in connection with capital; that nobody labors unless
+somebody else, owning capital, somehow by the use of it induces him to
+labor. This assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that capital
+shall hire laborers, and thus induce them to work by their own consent or
+buy them, and drive them to it without their consent. Having proceeded so
+it is naturally concluded that all laborers are either hired laborers, or
+what we call slaves. And, further, it is assumed that whoever is once a
+hired laborer, is fixed in that condition for life. Now there is no such
+relation between capital and labor as assumed, nor is there any such thing
+as a free man being fixed for life in the condition of a hired laborer.
+Both these assumptions are false, and all inferences from them are
+groundless.
+
+"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit
+of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.
+Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher
+consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection
+as any other rights. Nor is it denied that there is, and probably always
+will be, a relation between capital and labor, producing mutual benefits.
+The error is in assuming that the whole labor of a community exists within
+that relation. A few men own capital, and that few avoid labor themselves,
+and, with their capital, hire or buy another few to labor for them. A
+large majority belong to neither class--neither work for others, nor have
+others working for them. In most of the Southern States, a majority of the
+whole people, of all colors, are neither slaves nor masters; while in the
+Northern, a large majority are neither hirers nor hired. Men with their
+families, wives, sons, and daughters--work for themselves, on their
+farms, in their houses, and in their shops, taking the whole product to
+themselves, and asking no favors of capital on the one hand, nor of hired
+laborers or slaves on the other. It is not forgotten that a considerable
+number of persons mingle their own labor with capital; that is, they labor
+with their own hands, and also buy or hire others to labor for them, but
+this is only a mixed and not a distinct class. No principle stated is
+disturbed by the existence of this mixed class.
+
+"Again, as has already been said, there is not, of necessity, any such
+thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition for life.
+Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few years back in their
+lives, were hired laborers. The prudent penniless beginner in the world
+labors for wages a while, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land
+for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at length
+hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just and generous
+and prosperous system which opens the way to all--gives hope to all, and
+consequent energy and progress, and improvement of condition to all.
+No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from
+poverty--none less inclined to touch or take aught which they have not
+honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political power they
+already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close
+the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities
+and burdens upon them, till all of liberty shall be lost."
+
+The views then expressed remain unchanged, nor have I much to add. None
+are so deeply interested to resist the present rebellion as the working
+people. Let them beware of prejudices, working division and hostility
+among themselves. The most notable feature of a disturbance in your
+city last summer was the hanging of some working people by other working
+people. It should never be so. The strongest bond of human sympathy,
+outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people,
+of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead to a war
+upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor;
+property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some
+should be rich shows that others may become rich, and, hence, is just
+encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless
+pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build
+one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from
+violence when built.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 22, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+Hon. W. R. Morrison says he has requested you by letter to effect a
+special exchange of Lieut. Col. A. F. Rogers, of Eightieth Illinois
+Volunteers, now in Libby Prison, and I shall be glad if you can effect it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL C. SCHURZ.
+
+( Private.)
+
+WASHINGTON, March 13, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SCHURZ.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Yours of February 29 reached me only four days ago; but the
+delay was of little consequence, because I found, on feeling around, I
+could not invite you here without a difficulty which at least would be
+unpleasant, and perhaps would be detrimental to the public service. Allow
+me to suggest that if you wish to remain in the military service, it
+is very dangerous for you to get temporarily out of it; because, with a
+major-general once out, it is next to impossible for even the President
+to get him in again. With my appreciation of your ability and correct
+principle, of course I would be very glad to have your service for
+the country in the approaching political canvass; but I fear we cannot
+properly have it without separating you from the military.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION ABOUT AMNESTY,
+
+MARCH 26, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas, it has become necessary to define the cases in which insurgent
+enemies are entitled to the benefits of the Proclamation of the President
+of the United States, which was made on the 8th day of December, 1863,
+and the manner in which they shall proceed to avail themselves of these
+benefits; and whereas the objects of that Proclamation were to suppress
+the insurrection and to restore the authority of the United States; and
+whereas the amnesty therein proposed by the President was offered with
+reference to these objects alone:
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+hereby proclaim and declare that the said Proclamation does not apply
+to the cases of persons who, at the time when they seek to obtain the
+benefits thereof by taking the oath thereby prescribed, are in military,
+naval, or civil confinement or custody, or under bonds, or on parole of
+the civil, military, or naval authorities, or agents of the United States,
+as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offences of any kind, either
+before or after conviction; and that on the contrary it does apply only
+to those persons who, being yet at large, and free from any arrest,
+confinement, or duress, shall voluntarily come forward and take the said
+oath, with the purpose of restoring peace, and establishing the national
+authority.
+
+Persons excluded from the amnesty offered in the said Proclamation may
+apply to the President for clemency, like all other offenders, and their
+application will receive due consideration.
+
+I do further declare and proclaim that the oath presented in the aforesaid
+proclamation of the 8th of December, 1863, may be taken and subscribed
+before any commissioned officer, civil, military, or naval, in the service
+of the United States, or any civil or military officer of a State or
+Territory not in insurrection, who, by the laws thereof, may be qualified
+for administering oaths.
+
+All officers who receive such oaths are hereby authorized to give
+certificates thereof to the persons respectively by whom they are made,
+and such officers are hereby required to transmit the original records of
+such oaths, at as early a day as may be convenient, to the Department of
+State, where they will be deposited, and remain in the archives of the
+Government.
+
+The Secretary of State will keep a registry thereof, and will, on
+application, in proper cases, issue certificates of such records in the
+customary form of official certificates.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed............
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 28, 1864.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--The Governor of Kentucky is here, and desires to have the
+following points definitely fixed:
+
+First. That the quotas of troops furnished, and to be furnished, by
+Kentucky may be adjusted upon the basis as actually reduced by able-bodied
+men of hers having gone into the rebel service; and that she be required
+to furnish no more than her just quotas upon fair adjustment upon such
+basis.
+
+Second. To whatever extent the enlistment and drafting, one or both,
+of colored troops may be found necessary within the State, it may be
+conducted within the law of Congress; and, so far as practicable, free
+from collateral embarrassments, disorders, and provocations.
+
+I think these requests of the Governor are reasonable; and I shall be
+obliged if you will give him a full hearing, and do the best you can to
+effect these objects.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL G. G. MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 29, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--Your letter to Colonel Townsend, inclosing a slip from the
+"Herald," and asking a court of inquiry, has been laid before me by the
+Secretary of War, with the request that I would consider it. It is quite
+natural that you should feel some sensibility on the subject; yet I am not
+impressed, nor do I think the country is impressed, with the belief that
+your honor demands, or the public interest demands, such an inquiry. The
+country knows that at all events you have done good service; and I believe
+it agrees with me that it is much better for you to be engaged in trying
+to do more, than to be diverted, as you necessarily would be, by a court
+of inquiry.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 29,1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Army of the Potomac:
+
+Captain Kinney, of whom I spoke to you as desiring to go on your staff,
+is now in your camp, in company with Mrs. Senator Dixon. Mrs. Grant and I,
+and some others, agreed last night that I should, by this despatch, kindly
+call your attention to Captain Kinney.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO A. G. HODGES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 4, 1864.
+
+A. G. HODGES, ESQ., Frankfort, Kentucky:
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--You ask me to put in writing the substance of what I
+verbally said the other day, in your presence, to Governor Bramlette and
+Senator Dixon. It was about as follows:
+
+"I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.
+I cannot remember when I did not so think and feel, and yet I have never
+understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to
+act officially upon this judgment and feeling. It was in the oath I took
+that I would to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the
+Constitution of the United States. I could not take the office without
+taking the oath. Nor was it my view that I might take an oath to get
+power, and break the oath in using the power. I understood, too, that in
+ordinary civil administration this oath even forbade me to practically
+indulge my primary abstract judgment on the moral question of slavery. I
+had publicly declared this many times, and in many ways. And I aver that,
+to this day, I have done no official act in mere deference to my abstract
+judgment and feeling on slavery. I did understand, however, that my oath
+to preserve the Constitution to the best of my ability, imposed upon me
+the duty of preserving, by every indispensable means, that government,
+that nation, of which that Constitution was the organic law. Was it
+possible to lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution? By General
+law, life and limb must be protected; yet often a limb must be amputated
+to save a life; but a life is never wisely given to save a limb. I
+felt that measures, otherwise unconstitutional, might become lawful, by
+becoming indispensable to the preservation of the Constitution, through
+the preservation of the nation. Right or wrong, I assumed this ground, and
+now avow it. I could not feel that to the best of my ability I had even
+tried to preserve the Constitution, if, to save slavery, or any
+minor matter, I should permit the wreck of government, country, and
+Constitution, altogether. When, early in the war, General Fremont
+attempted military emancipation, I forbade it, because I did not then
+think it an indispensable necessity. When, a little later, General
+Cameron, then Secretary of War, suggested the arming of the blacks, I
+objected, because I did not yet think it an indispensable necessity.
+When, still later, General Hunter attempted military emancipation, I again
+forbade it, because I did not yet think the indispensable necessity
+had come. When, in March, and May, and July, 1862, I made earnest and
+successive appeals to the Border States to favor compensated emancipation,
+I believed the indispensable necessity for military emancipation and
+arming the blacks would come, unless averted by that measure. They
+declined the proposition, and I was, in my best judgment, driven to
+the alternative of either surrendering the Union, and with it the
+Constitution, or of laying strong hand upon the colored element. I chose
+the latter. In choosing it, I hoped for greater gain than loss, but of
+this I was not entirely confident. More than a year of trial now shows no
+loss by it in our foreign relations, none in our home popular sentiment,
+none in our white military force, no loss by it any how, or anywhere. On
+the contrary, it shows a gain of quite one hundred and thirty thousand
+soldiers, seamen, and laborers. These are palpable facts, about which, as
+facts, there can be no caviling. We have the men; and we could not have
+had them without the measure.
+
+"And now let any Union man who complains of the measure test himself by
+writing down in one line that he is for subduing the rebellion by force
+of arms; and in the next, that he is for taking these hundred and thirty
+thousand men from the Union side, and placing them where they would be but
+for the measure he condemns. If he cannot face his case so stated, it is
+only because he cannot face the truth."
+
+I add a word which was not in the verbal conversation. In telling this
+tale I attempt no compliment to my own sagacity. I claim not to have
+controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.
+Now, at the end of three years' struggle, the nation's condition is not
+what either party, or any man, devised or expected. God alone can claim
+it. Whither it is tending seems plain. If God now wills the removal of a
+great wrong, and wills also that we of the North, as well as you of
+the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial
+history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and
+goodness of God.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO MRS. HORACE MANN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 5, 1864.
+
+MRS HORACE MANN:
+
+MADAM:--The petition of persons under eighteen, praying that I would
+free all slave children, and the heading of which petition it appears you
+wrote, was handed me a few days since by Senator Sumner. Please tell these
+little people I am very glad their young hearts are so full of just and
+generous sympathy, and that, while I have not the power to grant all they
+ask, I trust they will remember that God has, and that, as it seems, he
+wills to do it.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 12, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+I am pressed to get from Libby, by special exchange, Jacob C. Hagenbuek,
+first lieutenant, Company H, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. Please
+do it if you can without detriment or embarrassment.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 17, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of the Potomac:
+
+Private William Collins of Company B, of the Sixty-ninth New York
+Volunteers, has been convicted of desertion, and execution suspended as
+in numerous other cases. Now Captain O'Neill, commanding the regiment,
+and nearly all its other regimental and company officers, petition for his
+full pardon and restoration to his company. Is there any good objection?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE ON LIBERTY
+
+ADDRESS AT SANITARY FAIR IN BALTIMORE,
+
+APRIL 18, 1864.
+
+LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--Calling to mind that we are in Baltimore, we
+cannot fail to note that the world moves. Looking upon these many people
+assembled here to serve, as they best may, the soldiers of the Union, it
+occurs at once that three years ago the same soldiers could not so much
+as pass through Baltimore. The change from then till now is both great and
+gratifying. Blessings on the brave men who have wrought the change, and
+the fair women who strive to reward them for it!
+
+But Baltimore suggests more than could happen within Baltimore. The change
+within Baltimore is part only of a far wider change. When the war began,
+three years ago, neither party, nor any man, expected it would last till
+now. Each looked for the end, in some way, long ere to-day. Neither did
+any anticipate that domestic slavery would be much affected by the war.
+But here we are; the war has not ended, and slavery has been much affected
+how much needs not now to be recounted. So true is it that man proposes
+and God disposes.
+
+But we can see the past, though we may not claim to have directed it;
+and seeing it, in this case, we feel more hopeful and confident for the
+future.
+
+The world has never had a good definition of the word liberty, and the
+American people, just now, are much in want of one. We all declare for
+liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing.
+With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with
+himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may
+mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product
+of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible
+things, called by the same name, liberty. And it follows that each of
+the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and
+incompatible names--liberty and tyranny.
+
+The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep
+thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the
+same act, as the destroyer of liberty, especially as the sheep was a black
+one. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of
+the word liberty; and precisely the same difference prevails to-day among
+us human creatures, even in the North, and all professing to love liberty.
+Hence we behold the process by which thousands are daily passing from
+under the yoke of bondage hailed by some as the advance of liberty, and
+bewailed by others as the destruction of all liberty. Recently, as it
+seems, the people of Maryland have been doing something to define liberty,
+and thanks to them that, in what they have done, the wolf's dictionary has
+been repudiated.
+
+It is not very becoming for one in my position to make speeches at length;
+but there is another subject upon which I feel that I ought to say a word.
+A painful rumor, true, I fear, has reached us, of the massacre, by
+the rebel forces at Fort Pillow, in the west end of Tennessee, on the
+Mississippi River, of some three hundred colored soldiers and white
+officers [I believe it latter turned out to be 500], who had just been
+overpowered by their assailants [numbering 5000]. There seems to be some
+anxiety in the public mind whether the Government is doing its duty to the
+colored soldier, and to the service, at this point. At the beginning
+of the war, and for some time, the use of colored troops was not
+contemplated; and how the change of purpose was wrought I will not now
+take time to explain. Upon a clear conviction of duty I resolved to turn
+that element of strength to account; and I am responsible for it to the
+American people, to the Christian world, to history, and in my final
+account to God. Having determined to use the negro as a soldier, there is
+no way but to give him all the protection given to any other soldier. The
+difficulty is not in stating the principle, but in practically applying
+it. It is a mistake to suppose the Government is indifferent to this
+matter, or is not doing the best it can in regard to it. We do not to-day
+know that a colored soldier, or white officer commanding colored soldiers,
+has been massacred by the rebels when made a prisoner. We fear it, we
+believe it, I may say,--but we do not know it. To take the life of one of
+their prisoners on the assumption that they murder ours, when it is short
+of certainty that they do murder ours, might be too serious, too cruel, a
+mistake. We are having the Fort Pillow affair thoroughly investigated; and
+such investigation will probably show conclusively how the truth is. If
+after all that has been said it shall turn out that there has been no
+massacre at Fort Pillow, it will be almost safe to say there has been
+none, and will be none, elsewhere. If there has been the massacre of
+three hundred there, or even the tenth part of three hundred, it will be
+conclusively proved; and being so proved, the retribution shall as surely
+come. It will be matter of grave consideration in what exact course to
+apply the retribution; but in the supposed case it must come.
+
+[There was a massacre of a black company and their officers at Fort
+Pillow--they were prisoners who later on, the day of their capture,
+were ordered executed. The black soldiers were tied alive to individual
+planks--then man and plank were cobbled up like cord wood and burned. The
+white officers were shot. D.W.]
+
+
+
+
+TO CALVIN TRUESDALE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 20, 1864.
+
+CALVIN TRUESDALE, ESQ., Postmaster, Rock Island, Ill.:
+
+Thomas J. Pickett, late agent of the Quartermaster 's Department for the
+island of Rock Island, has been removed or suspended from that position on
+a charge of having sold timber and stone from the island for his private
+benefit. Mr. Pickett is an old acquaintance and friend of mine, and I will
+thank you, if you will, to set a day or days and place on and at which
+to take testimony on the point. Notify Mr. Pickett and one J. B. Danforth
+(who, as I understand, makes the charge) to be present with their
+witnesses. Take the testimony in writing offered by both sides, and report
+it in full to me. Please do this for me.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER COMMANDING AT FORT WARREN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 20, 1864.
+
+OFFICER IN MILITARY COMMAND, Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, Mass.:
+
+If there is a man by the name of Charles Carpenter, under sentence of
+death for desertion, at Fort Warren, suspend execution until further order
+and send the record of his trial. If sentenced for any other offence,
+telegraph what it is and when he is to be executed. Answer at all events.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER COMMANDING AT FORT WARREN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 21,1864.
+
+OFFICER IN COMMAND AT FORT WARREN, Boston Harbor, Mass.:
+
+The order I sent yesterday in regard to Charles Carpenter is hereby
+withdrawn and you are to act as if it never existed.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL DIX.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 21, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL Dix, New York:
+
+Yesterday I was induced to telegraph the officer in military command at
+Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, suspending the execution of
+Charles Carpenter, to be executed tomorrow for desertion. Just now,
+on reaching your order in the case, I telegraphed the same officer
+withdrawing the suspension, and leave the case entirely with you. The
+man's friends are pressing me, but I refer them to you, intending to take
+no further action myself.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 23, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+Senator Ten Eyck is very anxious to have a special exchange of Capt. Frank
+J. McLean, of Ninth Tennessee Cavalry now, or lately, at Johnson's Island,
+for Capt. T. Ten Eyck, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, and now at Richmond. I
+would like to have it done. Can it be?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT ON OFFER OF TROOPS, APRIL 23, 1864.
+
+TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+1. The Governors of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin offer
+to the President infantry troops for the approaching campaign as follows:
+Ohio, thirty thousand; Indiana, twenty thousand; Illinois, twenty
+thousand; Iowa, ten thousand; Wisconsin, five thousand.
+
+2. The term of service to be one hundred days, reckoned from the date of
+muster into the service of the United States, unless sooner discharged.
+
+3. The troops to be mustered into the service of the United States by
+regiments, when the regiments are filled up, according to regulations,
+to the minimum strength--the regiments to be organized according to the
+regulations of the War Department. The whole number to be furnished within
+twenty days from date of notice of the acceptance of this proposition.
+
+4. The troops to be clothed, armed, equipped, subsisted; transported,
+and paid as other United States infantry volunteers, and to serve in
+fortifications,--or wherever their services may be required, within or
+without their respective States.
+
+5. No bounty to be paid the troops, nor the service charged or credited on
+any draft.
+
+6. The draft for three years' service to go on in any State or district
+where the quota is not filled up; but if any officer or soldier in this
+special service should be drafted, he shall be credited for the service
+rendered.
+
+JOHN BROUGH, Governor of Ohio. O. P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana. RICHARD
+PATES, Governor of Illinois. WILLIAM M. STONE, Governor of Iowa. JAMES T.
+LEWIS, Governor of Wisconsin
+
+(Indorsement.)
+
+April 23, 1864.
+
+The foregoing proposition of the governors is accepted, and the Secretary
+of War is directed to carry it into execution.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 23, 1864.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR:
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--According to our understanding with Major-General Frank P.
+Blair at the time he took his seat in Congress last winter, he now asks to
+withdraw his resignation as Major-General, then tendered, and be sent to
+the field. Let this be done. Let the order sending him be such as shown me
+to-day by the Adjutant-General, only dropping from it the names of Maguire
+and Tompkins.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO JOHN WILLIAMS.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, April 25, 1864.
+
+JOHN WILLIAMS, Springfield, Ill.:
+
+Yours of the 15th is just received. Thanks for your kind remembrance. I
+would accept your offer at once, were it not that I fear there might be
+some impropriety in it, though I do not see that there would. I will think
+of it a while.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, April 25, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+A Mr. Corby brought you a note from me at the foot of a petition I
+believe, in the case of Dawson, to be executed to-day. The record has been
+examined here, and it shows too strong a case for a pardon or commutation,
+unless there is something in the poor man's favor outside of the record,
+which you on the ground may know, but I do not. My note to you only means
+that if you know of any such thing rendering a suspension of the execution
+proper, on your own judgment, you are at liberty to suspend it. Otherwise
+I do not interfere.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL THOMAS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 26, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Chattanooga, Term.:
+
+Suspend execution of death sentence of young Perry, of Wisconsin,
+condemned for sleeping on his post, till further orders, and forward
+record for examination.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GOVERNOR MURPHY.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., April 27, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR MURPHY, Little Rock, Arkansas:
+
+I am much gratified to learn that you got out so large a vote, so nearly
+all the right way, at the late election; and not less so that your State
+government including the legislature, is organized and in good working
+order. Whatever I can I will do to protect you; meanwhile you must do your
+utmost to protect yourselves. Present my greeting to all.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, APRIL 28, 1864.
+
+TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+I have the honor to transmit herewith an address to the President of
+the United States, and through him to both Houses of Congress, on the
+condition and wants of the people of east Tennessee, and asking their
+attention to the necessity of some action on the part of the Government
+for their relief, and which address is presented by a committee of an
+organization called "The East Tennessee Relief Association."
+
+Deeply commiserating the condition of these most loyal and suffering
+people, I am unprepared to make any specific recommendation for their
+relief. The military is doing and will continue to do the best for them
+within its power. Their address represents that the construction of direct
+railroad communication between Knoxville and Cincinnati by way of central
+Kentucky would be of great consequence in the present emergency. It may
+be remembered that in the annual message of December, 1861, such railroad
+construction was recommended. I now add that, with the hearty concurrence
+of Congress, I would yet be pleased to construct a road, both for the
+relief of these people and for its continuing military importance.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
+
+APRIL 28, 1864.
+
+TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In obedience to the resolution of your honorable body, a copy of which is
+herewith returned, I have the honor to make the following brief statement,
+which is believed to contain the information sought:
+
+Prior to and at the meeting of the present Congress, Robert C. Schenck, of
+Ohio, and Frank P. Blair, Jr., of Missouri, members elect thereto, by
+and with the consent of the Senate held commissions from the Executive
+as major-generals in the volunteer army. General Schenck tendered the
+resignation of his said commission, and took his seat in the House of
+Representatives, at the assembling thereof, upon the distinct verbal
+understanding with the Secretary of War and the Executive that he might,
+at any time during the session, at his own pleasure, withdraw said
+resignation and return to the field.
+
+General Blair was, by temporary assignment of General Sherman, in command
+of a corps through the battles in front of Chattanooga, and in the march
+to the relief of Knoxville, which occurred in the latter days of November
+and early days of December last, and of course was not present at the
+assembling of Congress. When he subsequently arrived here, he sought, and
+was allowed by the Secretary of War and the Executive, the same conditions
+and promise as allowed and made to General Schenck.
+
+General Schenck has not applied to withdraw his resignation; but when
+General Grant was made Lieutenant-General, producing some change of
+commanders, General Blair sought to be assigned to the command of a corps.
+This was made known to Generals Grant and Sherman, and assented to by
+them, and the particular corps for him designated.
+
+This was all arranged and understood, as now remembered, so much as a
+month ago; but the formal withdrawal of General Blair's resignation,
+and making the order assigning him to the command of the corps, were not
+consummated at the War Department until last week, perhaps on the 23d of
+April instant. As a summary of the whole, it may be stated that General
+Blair holds no military commission or appointment other than as herein
+stated, and that it is believed he is now acting as major-General upon the
+assumed validity of the commission herein stated, in connection with the
+facts herein stated, and not otherwise. There are some letters, notes,
+telegrams, orders, entries, and perhaps other documents in connection with
+this subject, which it is believed would throw no additional light upon
+it, but which will be cheerfully furnished if desired.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 30, 1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Not expecting to see you before the spring campaign opens, I wish to
+express in this way my entire satisfaction with what you have done up to
+this time, so far as I understand it.
+
+The particulars of your plans I neither know nor seek to know. You are
+vigilant and self-reliant; and, pleased with this, I wish not to obtrude
+any restraints or constraints upon you. While I am very anxious that any
+great disaster or capture of our men in great number shall be avoided, I
+know that these points are less likely to escape your attention than they
+would be mine. If there be anything wanting which is within my power to
+give, do not fail to let me know it.
+
+And now, with a brave army and a just cause, may God sustain you.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
+
+MAY 2, 1864.
+
+TO THE HONORABLE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In compliance with the request contained in your resolution of the 29th
+ultimo, a copy of which resolution is herewith returned, I have the honor
+to transmit the following:
+
+[Correspondence and orders relating to the resignation and reinstatement
+of Major-General Frank P. Blair, Jr., of Missouri.]
+
+The foregoing constitutes all sought by the resolution so far as is
+remembered or has been found upon diligent search.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., May 4, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, Chattanooga, Tenn.:
+
+I have an imploring appeal in behalf of the citizens who say your Order
+No.8 will compel them to go north of Nashville. This is in no sense an
+order, nor is it even a request that you will do anything which in the
+least shall be a drawback upon your military operations, but anything you
+can do consistently with those operations for those suffering people I
+shall be glad of.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 5, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Commanding, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+The President directs me to inquire whether a day has yet been fixed for
+the execution of citizen Robert Louden, and if so what day?
+
+JOHN HAY, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
+
+
+
+
+TO MRS. S. B. McCONKEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1864.
+
+MRS. SARAH B. McCONKEY, West Chester, Pa.:
+
+MADAM:--Our mutual friend, Judge Lewis, tells me you do me the honor to
+inquire for my personal welfare. I have been very anxious for some days in
+regard to our armies in the field, but am considerably cheered, just now,
+by favorable news from them.
+
+I am sure you will join me in the hope for their further success; while
+yourself, and other good mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, do all
+you and they can, to relieve and comfort the gallant soldiers who compose
+them.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RECOMMENDATION OF THANKSGIVING.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1864
+
+TO THE FRIENDS OF UNION AND LIBERTY:
+
+Enough is known of army operations, within the last five days, to claim
+our special gratitude to God. While what remains undone demands our most
+sincere prayers to and reliance upon Him (without whom all effort is
+vain), I recommend that all patriots at their homes, in their places of
+public worship, and wherever they may be, unite in common thanksgiving and
+prayer to Almighty God.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE,
+
+MAY 9, 1864.
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I am very much obliged to you for the compliment of this
+call, though I apprehend it is owing more to the good news received to-day
+from the Army, than to a desire to see me. I am indeed very grateful to
+the brave men who have been struggling with the enemy in the field, to
+their noble commanders who have directed them, and especially to our
+Maker. Our commanders are following up their victories resolutely and
+successfully. I think, without knowing the particulars of the plans of
+General Grant, that what has been accomplished is of more importance than
+at first appears. I believe, I know (and am especially grateful to know)
+that General Grant has not been jostled in his purposes, that he has made
+all his points, and to-day he is on his line as he purposed before he
+moved his armies. I will volunteer to say that I am very glad at what
+has happened, but there is a great deal still to be done. While we are
+grateful to all the brave men and officers for the events of the past few
+days, we should, above all, be very grateful to Almighty God, who gives us
+victory.
+
+There is enough yet before us requiring all loyal men and patriots to
+perform their share of the labor and follow the example of the modest
+General at the head of our armies, and sink all personal consideration
+for the sake of the country. I commend you to keep yourselves in the same
+tranquil mood that is characteristic of that brave and loyal man. I have
+said more than I expected when I came before you. Repeating my thanks for
+this call, I bid you good-bye.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL LEW WALLACE.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., May 10, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL WALLACE, Baltimore:
+
+Please tell me what is the trouble with Dr. Hawks. Also please ask Bishop
+Whittington to give me his view of the case.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS,
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 11, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Complaints are coming to me of disturbances in Canoll, Platte, and
+Buchanan counties. Please ascertain the truth, correct what is found
+wrong, and telegraph me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO P. B. LOOMIS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 12, 1864
+
+F. B. LOOMIS, ESQ.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
+communication of the 28th April, in which you offer to replace the present
+garrison at Port Trumbull with volunteers, which you propose to raise at
+your own expense. While it seems inexpedient at this time to accept
+this proposition on account of the special duties now devolving upon the
+garrison mentioned, I cannot pass unnoticed such a meritorious instance
+of individual patriotism. Permit me, for the Government, to express my
+cordial thanks to you for this generous and public-spirited offer, which
+is worthy of note among the many called forth in these times of national
+trial.
+
+I am very truly, your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A METHODIST DELEGATION, MAY 14, 1864.
+
+GENTLEMEN:-In response to your address, allow me to attest the accuracy of
+its historical statements, indorse the sentiments it expresses, and thank
+you in the nation's name for the sure promise it gives. Nobly sustained,
+as the Government has been, by all the churches, I would utter nothing
+which might in the least appear invidious against any. Yet without this,
+it may fairly be said, that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less
+devoted than the best, is by its greatest numbers the most important
+of all. It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more
+soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers
+to Heaven than--any other. God bless the Methodist Church Bless all the
+churches; and blessed be God, who in this our great trial giveth us the
+churches.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR YATES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 18, 1864.
+
+His EXCELLENCY RICHARD YATES, Springfield, Ill.:
+
+If any such proclamation has appeared, it is a forgery.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF IRRESPONSIBLE NEWSPAPER REPORTERS AND EDITORS
+
+ORDER TO GENERAL J. A. DIX.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 18, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. DIX, Commanding at New York:
+
+Whereas there has been wickedly and traitorously printed and published
+this morning in the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce,
+newspapers printed and published in the city of New York, a false and
+spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by the President and to
+be countersigned by the Secretary of State, which publication is of a
+treasonable nature, designed to give aid and comfort to the enemies of
+the United States and to the rebels now at war against the Government and
+their aiders and abettors, you are therefore hereby commanded forthwith
+to arrest and imprison in any fort or military prison in your command, the
+editors, proprietors, and publishers of the aforesaid newspapers, and all
+such persons as, after public notice has been given of the falsehood of
+said publication, print and publish the same with intent to give aid and
+comfort to the enemy; and you will hold the persons so arrested in close
+custody until they can be brought to trial before a military commission
+for their offense. You will also take possession by military force of the
+printing establishments of the New York World and Journal of Commerce, and
+hold the same until further orders, and prohibit any further publication
+therefrom.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+[On the morning of May 18, 3864, a forged proclamation was published in
+the World, and Journal of Commerce, of New York. The proclamation named a
+day for fasting and prayer, called for 400,000 fresh troops, and purposed
+to raise by an "immediate and peremptory draft," whatever quotas were not
+furnished on the day specified. Ed.]
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL B. P. BUTLER.
+
+(Cipher.)
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., May 18, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Bermuda Hundred, Va.:
+
+Until receiving your dispatch of yesterday, the idea of commissions in the
+volunteers expiring at the end of three years had not occurred to me. I
+think no trouble will come of it; and, at all events, I shall take care of
+it so far as in me lies. As to the major-generalships in the regular
+army, I think I shall not dispose of another, at least until the combined
+operations now in progress, under direction of General Grant, and within
+which yourself and command are included, shall be terminated.
+
+Meanwhile, on behalf of yourself, officers, and men, please accept my
+hearty thanks for what you and they have so far done.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER CONCERNING THE EXEMPTION OF AMERICAN CONSULS FROM MILITARY SERVICE
+
+MAY 19, 1864.
+
+It is officially announced by the State Department that citizens of the
+United States holding commissions and recognized as Consuls of foreign
+powers, are not by law exempt from military service if drafted:
+
+Therefore the mere enrolment of a citizen holding a foreign consulate
+will not be held to vacate his commission, but if he shall be drafted
+his exequatur will be revoked unless he shall have previously resigned in
+order that another Consul may be received.
+
+An exequatur bearing date the 3d day of May, 1858, having been issued to
+Charles Hunt, a citizen of the United States, recognizing him as a Consul
+of Belgium for St. Louis, Missouri, and declaring him free to exercise and
+enjoy such functions, powers, and privileges as are allowed to the Consuls
+of the most favored nations in the United States, and the said Hunt
+having sought to screen himself from his military duty to his country,
+in consequence of thus being invested with the consular functions of a
+foreign power in the United States, it is deemed advisable that the said
+Charles Hunt should no longer be permitted to continue in the exercise of
+said functions, powers, and privileges.
+
+These are therefore to declare that I no longer recognize the said Hunt
+as Consul of Belgium, for St. Louis, Missouri, and will not permit him to
+exercise or enjoy any of the functions, powers or privileges allowed to
+consuls of that nation, and that I do hereby wholly revoke and annul the
+said exequatur heretofore given, and do declare the same to be absolutely
+null and void from this day forward.
+
+In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent,
+and the seal of the United States of America to be hereunto
+affixed................
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MORTON AND OTHERS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 21, 1864
+
+GOVERNOR O. P. MORTON:
+
+The getting forward of hundred-day troops to sustain General Sherman's
+lengthening lines promises much good. Please put your best efforts into
+the work.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+Same to Governor Yates, Springfield, Illinois; Governor Stone, Davenport,
+Iowa; Governor Lewis, Madison, Wisconsin.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO CHRISTIANA A. SACK. WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, D. C., May 21,
+1864
+
+CHRISTIANA A. SACK, Baltimore, Md.:
+
+I cannot postpone the execution of a convicted spy on a mere telegraphic
+despatch signed with a name I never heard before. General Wallace may give
+you a pass to see him if he chooses.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BROUGH. WASHINGTON CITY, May 24, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR BROUGH, Columbus, Ohio:
+
+Yours to Secretary of War [received] asking for something cheering. We
+have nothing bad from anywhere. I have just seen a despatch of Grant, of
+11 P.M., May 23, on the North Anna and partly across it, which ends as
+follows: "Everything looks exceedingly favorable for us." We have nothing
+later from him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 25,1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
+
+Mr. J. C. Swift wishes a pass from me to follow your army to pick up rags
+and cast-off clothing. I will give it to him if you say so, otherwise not.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+["No job to big or too small" for this president--not even a request from
+a Rag Picker. D.W.]
+
+
+
+
+MEMORANDUM CONCERNING THE TRANSPORTATION OF THE NEW YORK NAVAL BRIGADE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 26, 1864.
+
+WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
+
+I am again pressed with the claim of Mr. Marshall O. Roberts, for
+transportation of what was called the Naval Brigade from New York to
+Fortress Monroe. This force was a special organization got up by one
+Bartlett, in pretended pursuance of written authority from me, but in
+fact, pursuing the authority in scarcely anything whatever. The
+credit given him by Mr. Roberts, was given in the teeth of the express
+declaration that the Government would not be responsible for the class of
+expenses to which it belonged. After all some part of the transportation
+became useful to the Government, and equitably should be paid for; but
+I have neither time nor means to ascertain this equitable amount, or any
+appropriation to pay it with if ascertained. If the Quartermaster at New
+York can ascertain what would compensate for so much of the transportation
+as did result usefully to the Government, it might be a step towards
+reaching justice. I write this from memory, but I believe it is
+substantially correct.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO P. A. CONKLING AND OTHERS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, June 3, 1864.
+
+HON. F. A. CONKLING AND OTHERS.
+
+GENTLEMEN:--Your letter, inviting me to be present at a mass meeting of
+loyal citizens, to be held at New York on the 4th instant, for the
+purpose of expressing gratitude to Lieutenant-General Grant for his signal
+services, was received yesterday. It is impossible for me to attend. I
+approve, nevertheless, of whatever may tend to strengthen and sustain
+General Grant and the noble armies now under his direction. My previous
+high estimate of General Grant has been maintained and heightened by what
+has occurred in the remarkable campaign he is now conducting, while the
+magnitude and difficulty of the task before him does not prove less than
+I expected. He and his brave soldiers are now in the midst of their great
+trial, and I trust that at your meeting you will so shape your good words
+that they may turn to men and guns, moving to his and their support.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT ON A LETTER TOUCHING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.
+
+JUNE 5, 1864.
+
+(Indorsement.)
+
+Swett is unquestionably all right. Mr. Holt is a good man, but I had not
+heard or thought of him for Vice-President. Wish not to interfere about
+Vice-President. Cannot interfere about platform. Convention must judge for
+itself.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 6, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of the Potomac:
+
+Private James McCarthy, of the One-hundred and fortieth New York
+Volunteers, is here under sentence to the Dry Tortugas for an attempt to
+desert. His friends appeal to me and if his colonel and you consent, I
+will send him to his regiment. Please answer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. WASHINGTON, June 8, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Yours of to-day received. I am unable to conceive how a message can be
+less safe by the express than by a staff-officer. If you send a verbal
+message, the messenger is one additional person let into the secret.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO THE COMMITTEE NOTIFYING PRESIDENT LINCOLN OF HIS RENOMINATION,
+
+JUNE 9, 1864.
+
+Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:
+
+I will neither conceal my gratification nor restrain the expression of
+my gratitude that the Union people, through their convention, in their
+continued effort to save and advance the nation, have deemed me not
+unworthy to remain in my present position. I know no reason to doubt
+that I shall accept the nomination tendered; and yet perhaps I should
+not declare definitely before reading and considering what is called the
+platform. I will say now, however, I approve the declaration in favor of
+so amending the Constitution as to prohibit slavery throughout the nation.
+When the people in revolt, with a hundred days of explicit notice that
+they could within those days resume their allegiance without the overthrow
+of their institution, and that they could not so resume it afterward,
+elected to stand out, such amendment of the Constitution as now proposed
+became a fitting and necessary conclusion to the final success of
+the Union cause. Such alone can meet and cover all cavils. Now the
+unconditional Union men, North and South, perceive its importance and
+embrace it. In the joint names of Liberty and Union, let us labor to give
+it legal form and practical effect.
+
+
+
+
+PLATFORM OF THE UNION NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN BALTIMORE, MD., JUNE 7
+AND 8, 1864.
+
+1. Resolved, That it is the highest duty of every American citizen to
+maintain against all their enemies the integrity of the Union and the
+paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States;
+and that, laying aside all differences of political opinion, we pledge
+ourselves, as Union men, animated by a common sentiment and aiming at
+a common object, to do everything in our power to aid the Government in
+quelling by force of arms the rebellion now raging against its authority,
+and in bringing to the punishment due to their crimes the rebels and
+traitors arrayed against it.
+
+2. Resolved, That we approve the determination of the Government of the
+United States not to compromise with rebels, or to offer them any terms
+of peace, except such as may be based upon an unconditional surrender of
+their hostility and a return to their just allegiance to the Constitution
+and laws of the United States, and that we call upon the Government to
+maintain this position, and to prosecute the war with the utmost possible
+vigor to the complete suppression of the rebellion, in full reliance
+upon the self-sacrificing patriotism, the heroic valor, and the
+undying devotion of the American people to their Country and its free
+institutions.
+
+3. Resolved, That as slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the
+strength, of this rebellion, and as it must be, always and everywhere,
+hostile to the principles of republican government, justice and the
+national safety demand its utter and complete extirpation from the soil
+of the republic; and that while we uphold and maintain the acts and
+proclamations by which the Government, in its own defense, has aimed a
+death-blow at this gigantic evil, we are in favor, furthermore, of such an
+amendment to the Constitution, to be made by the people in conformity with
+its provisions, as shall terminate and forever prohibit the existence of
+slavery within the limits or the jurisdiction of the United States.
+
+4. Resolved, That the thanks of the American people are due to the
+soldiers and sailors of the Army and Navy, who have periled their lives in
+defense of their country and in vindication of the honor of its flag; that
+the nation owes to them some permanent recognition of their patriotism
+and their valor, and ample and permanent provision for those of their
+survivors who have received disabling and honorable wounds in the service
+of the country; and that the memories of those who have fallen in its
+defense shall be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance.
+
+5. Resolved, That we approve and applaud the practical wisdom, the
+unselfish patriotism, and the unswerving fidelity to the Constitution
+and the principles of American liberty, with which Abraham Lincoln has
+discharged under circumstances of unparalleled difficulty the great duties
+and responsibilities of the Presidential office; that we approve and
+indorse as demanded by the emergency and essential to the preservation of
+the nation, and as within the provisions of the Constitution, the measures
+and acts which he has adopted to defend the nation against its open
+and secret foes; that we approve, especially, the Proclamation of
+Emancipation, and the employment as Union soldiers of men heretofore held
+in slavery; and that we have full confidence in his determination to carry
+these and all other constitutional measures essential to the salvation of
+the country into full and complete effect.
+
+6. Resolved, That we deem it essential to the General welfare that harmony
+should prevail in the national councils, and we regard as worthy of
+public confidence and official trust those only who cordially indorse the
+principles proclaimed in these resolutions, and which should characterize
+the administration of the Government.
+
+7. Resolved, That the Government owes to all men employed in its armies,
+without regard to distinction of color, the full protection of the laws of
+war, and that any violation of these laws, or of the usages of civilized
+nations in time of war, by the rebels now in arms, should be made the
+subject of prompt and full redress.
+
+8. Resolved, That foreign immigration, which in the past has added so much
+to the wealth, development of resources, and increase of power to this
+nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should be fostered and
+encouraged by a liberal and just policy.
+
+9. Resolved, That we are in favor of the speedy construction of the
+railroad to the Pacific coast.
+
+10. Resolved, That the national faith, pledged for the redemption of
+the public debt, must be kept inviolate, and that for this purpose we
+recommend economy and rigid responsibility in the public expenditures, and
+a vigorous and just system of taxation: and that it is the duty of every
+loyal State to sustain the credit and promote the use of the national
+currency.
+
+11. Resolved, That we approve the position taken by the Government that
+the people of the United States can never regard with indifference the
+attempt of any European power to overthrow by force or to supplant
+by fraud the institutions of any republican government on the Western
+Continent, and that they will view with extreme jealousy, as menacing to
+the peace and independence of their own country, the efforts of any such
+power to obtain new footholds for monarchical governments, sustained by
+foreign military force, in near proximity to the United States.
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO A DELEGATION FROM THE NATIONAL UNION LEAGUE,
+
+JUNE 9, 1864.
+
+GENTLEMEN--I can only say in response to the remarks of your chairman,
+that I am very grateful for the renewed confidence which has been accorded
+to me, both by the convention and by the National League. I am not
+insensible at all to the personal compliment there is in this, yet I do
+not allow myself to believe that any but a small portion of it is to
+be appropriated as a personal compliment to me. The convention and the
+nation, I am assured, are alike animated by a higher view of the interests
+of the country, for the present and the great future, and the part I am
+entitled to appropriate as a compliment is only that part which I may lay
+hold of as being the opinion of the convention and of the League, that I
+am not entirely unworthy to be intrusted with the place I have occupied
+for the last three years. I have not permitted myself, gentlemen, to
+conclude that I am the best man in the country; but I am reminded in this
+connection of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion
+once that "it was not best to swap horses when crossing a stream."
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO A DELEGATION FROM OHIO,
+
+JUNE 9, 1864.
+
+GENTLEMEN:--I am very much obliged to you for this compliment. I have just
+been saying, and will repeat it, that the hardest of all speeches I have
+to answer is a serenade. I never know what to say on these occasions. I
+suppose that you have done me this kindness in connection with the action
+of the Baltimore convention, which has recently taken place, and with
+which, of course, I am very well satisfied. What we want still more than
+Baltimore conventions, or Presidential elections, is success under General
+Grant. I propose that you constantly bear in mind that the support you
+owe to the brave officers and soldiers in the field is of the very first
+importance, and we should therefore bend all our energies to that point.
+Now without detaining you any longer, I propose that you help me to close
+up what I am now saying with three rousing cheers for General Grant and
+the officers and soldiers under his command.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS TO THE ENVOY FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,
+
+JUNE 11, 1864.
+
+SIR:--In every light in which the State of the Hawaiian Islands can be
+contemplated, it is an object of profound interest for the United States.
+Virtually it was once a colony. It is now a near and intimate neighbor.
+It is a haven of shelter and refreshment for our merchants, fishermen,
+seamen, and other citizens, when on their lawful occasions they are
+navigating the eastern seas and oceans. Its people are free, and its
+laws, language, and religion are largely the fruit of our own teaching and
+example. The distinguished part which you, Mr. Minister, have acted in
+the history of that interesting country, is well known here. It gives me
+pleasure to assure you of my sincere desire to do what I can to render now
+your sojourn in the United States agreeable to yourself, satisfactory to
+your sovereign, and beneficial to the Hawaiian people.
+
+
+
+
+REMARKS TO AN OHIO REGIMENT,
+
+JUNE 11, 1864.
+
+Soldiers! I understand you have just come from Ohio; come to help us in
+this the nation's day of trial, and also of its hopes. I thank you for
+your promptness in responding to the call for troops. Your services were
+never needed more than now. I know not where you are going. You may stay
+here and take the places of those who will be sent to the front, or you
+may go there yourselves. Wherever you go I know you will do your best.
+Again I thank you. Good-by.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL L. THOMAS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 13,
+1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Louisville, Kentucky:
+
+Complaint is made to me that in the vicinity of Henderson, our militia
+is seizing negroes and carrying them off without their own consent, and
+according to no rules whatever, except those of absolute violence. I wish
+you would look into this and inform me, and see that the making soldiers
+of negroes is done according to the rules you are acting upon, so that
+unnecessary provocation and irritation be avoided.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO THOMAS WEBSTER. WASHINGTON, D. C., June 13, 1864.
+
+THOMAS WEBSTER, Philadelphia:
+
+Will try to leave here Wednesday afternoon, say at 4 P.M., remain till
+Thursday afternoon and then return. This subject to events.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, June 15, 1864. 7 A.M.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:
+
+I have just received your dispatch of 1 P.M. yesterday. I begin to see it:
+you will succeed. God bless you all.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS AT A SANITARY FAIR IN PHILADELPHIA,
+
+JUNE 16, 1864.
+
+I suppose that this toast is intended to open the way for me to say
+something. War at the best is terrible, and this of ours in its magnitude
+and duration is one of the most terrible the world has ever known. It
+has deranged business totally in many places, and perhaps in all. It has
+destroyed property, destroyed life, and ruined homes. It has produced a
+national debt and a degree of taxation unprecedented in the history of
+this country. It has caused mourning among us until the heavens may
+almost be said to be hung in black. And yet it continues. It has had
+accompaniments not before known in the history of the world. I mean the
+Sanitary and Christian Commissions, with their labors for the relief of
+the soldiers, and the Volunteer Refreshment Saloons, understood better by
+those who hear me than by myself, and these fairs, first begun at Chicago
+and next held in Boston, Cincinnati, and other cities. The motive and
+object that lie at the bottom of them are worthy of the most that we can
+do for the soldier who goes to fight the battles of his country. From the
+fair and tender hand of women is much, very much, done for the soldier,
+continually reminding him of the care and thought for him at home. The
+knowledge that he is not forgotten is grateful to his heart. Another
+view of these institutions is worthy of thought. They are voluntary
+contributions, giving proof that the national resources are not at all
+exhausted, and that the national patriotism will sustain us through all.
+It is a pertinent question, When is this war to end? I do not wish to name
+the day when it will end, lest the end should not come at the given time.
+We accepted this war, and did not begin it. We accepted it for an object,
+and when that object is accomplished the war will end, and I hope to God
+that it will never end until that object is accomplished. We are going
+through with our task, so far as I am concerned, if it takes us three
+years longer. I have not been in the habit of making predictions, but I
+am almost tempted now to hazard one. I will. It is, that Grant is this
+evening in a position, with Meade and Hancock, of Pennsylvania, whence he
+can never be dislodged by the enemy until Richmond is taken. If I shall
+discover that General Grant may be greatly facilitated in the capture
+of Richmond by rapidly pouring to him a large number of armed men at the
+briefest notice, will you go? Will you march on with him? [Cries of "Yes,
+yes."] Then I shall call upon you when it is necessary.
+
+
+
+
+TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL BATES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Jun. 24, 1864
+
+HONORABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
+
+SIR:--By authority of the Constitution, and moved thereto by the fourth
+section of the act of Congress, entitled "An act making appropriations
+for the support of the army for the year ending the thirtieth of June,
+eighteen hundred and sixty-five, and for other purposes, approved June
+is, 1864," I require your opinion in writing as to what pay, bounty,
+and clothing are allowed by law to persons of color who were free on the
+nineteenth day of April, 1861, and who have been enlisted and mustered
+into the military service of the United States between the month of
+December, 1862, and the sixteenth of June, 1864.
+
+Please answer as you would do, on my requirement, if the act of June 15,
+1864, had not been passed, and I will so use your opinion as to satisfy
+that act.
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MRS. LINCOLN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 24, 1864.
+
+MRS. A. LINCOLN, Boston, Massachusetts:
+
+All well and very warm. Tad and I have been to General Grant's army.
+Returned yesterday safe and sound.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. WASHINGTON, June 24, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Complaint is made to me that General Brown does not do his best to
+suppress bushwhackers. Please ascertain and report to me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER ACCEPTING THE NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 27, 1864.
+
+HON. WILLIAM DENNISON AND OTHERS, a Committee of the Union National
+Convention.
+
+GENTLEMEN:--Your letter of the 14th inst.., formally notifying me that I
+have been nominated by the convention you represent for the Presidency
+of the United States for four years from the 4th of March next, has been
+received. The nomination is gratefully accepted, as the resolutions of the
+convention, called the platform, are heartily approved.
+
+While the resolution in regard to the supplanting of republican government
+upon the Western Continent is fully concurred in, there might be
+misunderstanding were I not to say that the position of the Government in
+relation to the action of France in Mexico, as assumed through the State
+Department and indorsed by the convention among the measures and acts of
+the Executive, will be faithfully maintained so long as the state of facts
+shall leave that position pertinent and applicable.
+
+I am especially gratified that the soldier and seaman were not forgotten
+by the convention, as they forever must and will be remembered by the
+grateful country for whose salvation they devote their lives.
+
+Thanking you for the kind and complimentary terms in which you have
+communicated the nomination and other proceedings of the convention, I
+subscribe myself,
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL P. STEELE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 29, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE:
+
+I understand that Congress declines to admit to seats the persons sent as
+Senators and Representatives from Arkansas. These persons apprehend that,
+in consequence, you may not support the new State government there as you
+otherwise would. My wish is that you give that government and the people
+there the same support and protection that you would if the members had
+been admitted, because in no event, nor in any view of the case, can this
+do any harm, while it will be the best you can do toward suppressing the
+rebellion.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL GRANT. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 29, 1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point:
+
+Dr. Worster wishes to visit you with a view of getting your permission to
+introduce into the army "Harmon's Sandal Sock." Shall I give him a pass
+for that object?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO DAVID TOD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 30, 1864.
+
+HON. DAVID TOD, Youngstown, Ohio: I have nominated you to be Secretary of
+the Treasury, in place of Governor Chase, who has resigned. Please come
+without a moment's delay.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO J. L. SCRIPPS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 4, 1864.
+
+To JOHN L. SCRIPPS, ESQ.
+
+DEAR SIR:--Complaint is made to me that you are using your official power
+to defeat Mr. Arnold's nomination to Congress. I am well satisfied with
+Mr. Arnold as a member of Congress, and I do not know that the man who
+might supplant him would be as satisfactory; but the correct principle,
+I think, is that all our friends should have absolute freedom of choice
+among our friends. My wish, therefore, is that you will do just as you
+think fit with your own suffrage in the case, and not constrain any of
+your subordinates to [do] other than [as] he thinks fit with his. This is
+precisely the rule I inculcated and adhered to on my part, when a certain
+other nomination, now recently made, was being canvassed for.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO J. W. GARRETT. WASHINGTON, July 5, 1864.
+
+J. W. GARRETT, President [B. & 0. R. R.], Camden Station:
+
+You say telegraphic communication is re-established with Sandy Hook. Well,
+what does Sandy Hook say about operations of enemy and of Sigel during
+to-day?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GOVERNOR SEYMOUR.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, July 5, 1864.
+
+HIS EXCELLENCY HORATIO SEYMOUR, Governor of New York, Albany:
+
+The President directs me to inform you that a rebel force, variously
+estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand men, have invaded the State
+of Maryland, and have taken Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry, and are
+threatening other points; that the public safety requires him to call
+upon the State executives for a militia force to repel this invasion. He
+therefore directs me to call on you for a militia force of twelve thousand
+men from your State to serve not more than one hundred days, and to
+request that you will with the utmost despatch forward the troops to
+Washington by rail or steamboat as may be most expeditious.
+
+Please favor me with an answer at your earliest convenience.
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON,
+
+Secretary of War.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS,
+
+JULY 5, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas, by a proclamation which was issued on the 15th day of April,
+1861, the President of the United States announced and declared that the
+laws of the United States had been for some time past, and then were,
+opposed and the execution thereof obstructed in certain States therein
+mentioned, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary
+course of judicial proceedings or by the power vested in the marshals by
+law; and
+
+Whereas, immediately after the issuing of the said proclamation the land
+and naval forces of the United States were put into activity to suppress
+the said insurrections and rebellion; and
+
+Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by an act approved on the
+third day of March, 1863, did enact that during the said rebellion the
+President of the United States, whenever in his judgment the public safety
+may require it, is authorized to suspend the privilege of the writ of
+habeas corpus in any case throughout the United States, or any part
+thereof; and
+
+Whereas, the said insurrection and rebellion still continue, endangering
+the existence of the Constitution and Government of the United States; and
+
+Whereas, the military forces of the United States are now actively engaged
+in suppressing the said insurrection and rebellion in various parts of
+the States where the said rebellion has been successful in obstructing
+the laws and public authorities, especially in the States of Virginia and
+Georgia; and
+
+Whereas, on the fifteenth day of September last, the President of the
+United States duly issued his proclamation, wherein he declared that the
+privilege of the writ of habeas corpus should be suspended throughout
+the United States, in Cases whereby the authority of the President of
+the United States, the military, naval, and civil officers of the United
+States, or any of them, hold persons under their command or in their
+custody, either as prisoners of war, spies, or aiders or abettors of the
+enemy, or officers, soldiers, or seamen enrolled or drafted, or mustered,
+or enlisted in, or belonging to the land or naval forces of the United
+States, or as deserters therefrom, or otherwise amenable to military law,
+or the rules and articles of war, or the rules and regulations prescribed
+for the military and naval service by authority of the President of the
+United States, or for resisting a draft, or for any other offence against
+the military or naval service; and
+
+Whereas, many citizens of the State of Kentucky have joined the forces of
+the insurgents, who have on several occasions entered the said State
+of Kentucky in large force and not without aid and comfort furnished by
+disaffected and disloyal citizens of the United States residing therein,
+have not only greatly disturbed the public peace but have overborne the
+civil authorities and made flagrant civil war, destroying property and
+life in various parts of the State; and
+
+Whereas, it has been made known to the President of the United States, by
+the officers commanding the National armies, that combinations have been
+formed in the said State of Kentucky, with a purpose of inciting the rebel
+forces to renew the said operations of civil war within the said State,
+and thereby to embarrass the United States armies now operating in the
+said States of Virginia and Georgia, and even to endanger their safety.
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by
+virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws, do
+hereby declare that in my judgment the public safety especially requires
+that the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus so
+proclaimed in the said proclamation of the 15th of September, 1863, be
+made effectual and be duly enforced in and throughout the said State of
+Kentucky, and that martial law be for the present declared therein. I do
+therefore hereby require of the military officers of the said State that
+the privilege of the habeas corpus be effectually suspended within the
+said State, according to the aforesaid proclamation, and that martial law
+be established therein to take effect from the date of this proclamation,
+the said suspension and establishment of martial law to continue until
+this proclamation shall be revoked or modified, but not beyond the period
+when the said rebellion shall have been suppressed or come to an end. And
+I do hereby require and command, as well as military officers, all civil
+officers and authorities existing or found within the said State of
+Kentucky, to take notice of this proclamation and to give full effect
+to the same. The martial laws herein proclaimed and the things in that
+respect herein ordered will not be deemed or taken to interfere with the
+holding of lawful elections, or with the proceedings of the constitutional
+Legislature of Kentucky, or with the administration of justice in the
+courts of law existing therein between citizens of the United States in
+suits or proceedings which do not affect the military operations or the
+constituted authorities of the government of the United States.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the City of Washington this 5th day of July, in the year of our
+Lord 1864, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF PRAYER, JULY 7, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas, the Senate and House of Representatives at their last session
+adopted a concurrent resolution, which was approved on the second day of
+July instant, and which `was in the words following, namely:
+
+That the President of the United States be requested to appoint a day of
+humiliation and prayer by the people of the United States, that he request
+his constitutional advisers at the head of the Executive Departments
+to unite with him, as Chief Magistrate of the nation, at the City of
+Washington, and the members of Congress, and all magistrates, all civil,
+military, and naval officers, all soldiers, sailors, and marines, with all
+loyal and law-abiding people, to convene at their usual places of worship,
+or wherever they may be, to confess and to repent of their manifold
+sins, to implore the compassion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that,
+if consistent with His will, the existing rebellion may be speedily
+suppressed, and the supremacy of the Constitution and laws of the United
+States may be established throughout all the States; to implore Him, as
+the Supreme Ruler of the world, not to destroy us as a people, nor suffer
+us to be destroyed by the hostility or connivance of other nations, or by
+obstinate adhesion to our own counsels which may be in conflict with His
+eternal, purposes, and to implore Him to enlighten the mind of the nation
+to know and do His will, humbly believing that it is in accordance with
+His will that our place should be maintained as a united people among the
+family of nations; to implore Him to grant to our armed defenders, and
+the masses of the people, that courage, power of resistance, and endurance
+necessary to secure that result; to implore Him in His infinite goodness
+to soften the hearts, enlighten the minds, and quicken the conscience of
+those in rebellion, that they may lay down their arms, and speedily return
+to their allegiance to the United States, that they may not be utterly
+destroyed, that the effusion of blood may be stayed, and that unity and
+fraternity may be restored, and peace established throughout all our
+borders.
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the `United States,
+cordially concurring with the Congress of the United States, in the
+penitential and pious sentiments expressed in the aforesaid resolutions,
+and heartily approving of the devotional design and purpose thereof, do
+hereby appoint the first Thursday of August next to be observed by the
+people of the United States as a day of national humiliation and prayer.
+
+I do hereby further invite and request the heads of the Executive
+Departments of this Government, together with all legislators, all judges
+and magistrates, and all other persons exercising authority in the land,
+whether civil, military, or naval, and all soldiers, seamen, and marines
+in the national service, and all other loyal and law-abiding people of the
+United States, to assemble in their preferred places of public worship on
+that day, and there to render to the Almighty and merciful Ruler of the
+Universe, such homage and such confessions, and to offer to Him such
+supplications as the Congress of the United States have, in their
+aforesaid resolution, so solemnly, so earnestly, and so reverently
+recommended.
+
+In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
+of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this
+seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
+and sixty-four, and of the independence of the United States the
+eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING A BILL "TO GUARANTEE TO CERTAIN STATES,
+
+WHOSE GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN USURPED OR OVERTHROWN, A REPUBLICAN FORM OF
+GOVERNMENT," AND CONCERNING RECONSTRUCTION,
+
+JULY 8, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas at the late session Congress passed a bill "to guarantee to
+certain states whose governments have been usurped or overthrown a
+republican form of government," a copy of which is hereunto annexed; and
+
+Whereas, the said bill was presented to the President of the United States
+for his approval less than one hour before the sine die adjournment of
+said session, and was not signed by him; and
+
+Whereas the said bill contains, among other things, a plan for restoring
+the States in rebellion to their proper practical relation in the Union,
+which plan expresses the sense of Congress upon that subject, and
+which plan it is now thought fit to lay before the people for their
+consideration:
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+proclaim, declare, and make known that while I am (as I was in December
+last, when, by proclamation, I propounded a plan for restoration)
+unprepared by a formal approval of this bill to be inflexibly committed to
+any single plan of restoration, and while I am also unprepared to declare
+that the free State constitutions and governments already adopted and
+installed in Arkansas and Louisiana shall be set aside and held for
+naught, thereby repelling and discouraging the loyal citizens who have
+set up the same as to further effort, or to declare a constitutional
+competency in Congress to abolish slavery in States, but am at the same
+time sincerely hoping and expecting that a constitutional amendment
+abolishing slavery throughout the nation may be adopted, nevertheless I am
+fully satisfied with the system for restoration contained in the bill as
+one very proper plan for the loyal people of any State choosing to adopt
+it, and that I am and at all times shall be prepared to give the Executive
+aid and assistance to any such people so soon as the military resistance
+to the United States shall have been suppressed in any such States and the
+people thereof shall have sufficiently returned to their obedience to
+the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in which cases
+militia-governors will be appointed with directions to proceed according
+to the bill.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed..............
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TO HORACE GREELEY.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., July 9, 1864
+
+HON. HORACE GREELEY.
+
+DEAR SIR:--Your letter of the 7th, with inclosures, received.
+
+If you can find any person, anywhere, professing to have any proposition
+of Jefferson Davis in writing, for peace, embracing the restoration of the
+Union and abandonment of slavery, whatever else it embraces, say to him he
+may come to me with you; and that if he really brings such proposition,
+he shall at the least have safe conduct with the paper (and without
+publicity, if he chooses) to the point where you shall have to meet him.
+The same if there be two or more persons.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO J. W. GARRETT. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 9, 1864
+
+J. W. GARRETT, Camden Station:
+
+What have you heard about a battle at Monocacy to-day? We have nothing
+about it here except what you say.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM FROM GENERAL HALLECK TO GENERAL WALLACE.
+
+WASHINGTON, July 9, 1864. 11.57 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL L. WALLACE, Commanding Middle Department:
+
+I am directed by the President to say that you will rally your forces and
+make every possible effort to retard the enemy's march on Baltimore.
+
+H. W. HALLECK, Major-General and Chief of Staff.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO T. SWAN AND OTHERS. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 10, 1864. 9.20
+A.M.
+
+THOMAS SWAN AND OTHERS, Baltimore, Maryland:
+
+Yours of last night received. I have not a single soldier but whom is
+being disposed by the military for the best protection of all. By latest
+accounts the enemy is moving on Washington. They cannot fly to either
+place. Let us be vigilant, but keep cool. I hope neither Baltimore nor
+Washington will be sacked.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. WASHINGTON CITY, July TO, 1864.2 P.M.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Your dispatch to General Halleck, referring to what I may think in the
+present emergency, is shown me. General Halleck says we have absolutely no
+force here fit to go to the field. He thinks that with the hundred-day
+men and invalids we have here we can defend Washington, and, scarcely,
+Baltimore. Besides these there are about eight thousand, not very
+reliable, under Howe, at Harper's Ferry with Hunter approaching that point
+very slowly, with what number I suppose you know better than I. Wallace,
+with some odds and ends, and part of what came up with Ricketts, was so
+badly beaten yesterday at Monocacy, that what is left can attempt no more
+than to defend Baltimore. What we shall get in from Pennsylvania and New
+York will scarcely be worth counting, I fear. Now, what I think is, that
+you should provide to retain your hold where you are, certainly, and bring
+the rest with you personally, and make a vigorous effort to destroy the
+enemy's forces in this vicinity. I think there is really a fair chance
+to do this, if the movement is prompt. This is what I think upon your
+suggestion, and is not an order.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, July 11, 1864. 8 A.M.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Yours of 10.30 P.M. yesterday received, and very satisfactory. The enemy
+will learn of Wright's arrival, and then the difficulty will be to unite
+Wright and Hunter south of the enemy before he will recross the Potomac.
+Some firing between Rockville and here now.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 12, 1864. 11.30
+AM.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Vague rumors have been reaching us for two or three days that Longstreet's
+corps is also on its way [to] this vicinity. Look out for its absence from
+your front.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM AND LETTER TO HORACE GREELEY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July
+12, 1864.
+
+HON. HORACE GREELEY, New York:
+
+I suppose you received my letter of the 9th. I have just received yours of
+the 13th, and am disappointed by it. I was not expecting you to send me a
+letter, but to bring me a man, or men. Mr. Hay goes to you with my answer
+to yours of the 13th.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+[Carried by Major John Hay.]
+
+
+
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, JULY 15, 1864.
+
+HON. HORACE GREELEY.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 13th is just received, and I am disappointed
+that you have not already reached here with those commissioners, if they
+would consent to come on being shown my letter to you of the 9th instant.
+Show that and this to them, and if they will come on the terms stated in
+the former, bring them. I not only intend a sincere effort for peace, but
+I intend that you shall be a personal witness that it is made.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+SAFE CONDUCT FOR CLEMENT C. CLAY AND OTHERS,
+
+JULY 16, 1864.
+
+The President of the United States directs that the four persons whose
+names follow, to wit, HON. Clement C. Clay, HON. Jacob Thompson, Professor
+James P. Holcombe, George N. Sanders, shall have safe conduct to the city
+of Washington in company with the HON. HORACE GREELEY, and shall be exempt
+from arrest or annoyance of any kind from any officer of the United States
+during their journey to the said city of Washington.
+
+By order of the President: JOHN HAY, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. [WASHINGTON] July 17. 1864. 11.25 A.M.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+In your dispatch of yesterday to General Sherman, I find the following, to
+wit:
+
+"I shall make a desperate effort to get a position here, which will hold
+the enemy without the necessity of so many men."
+
+Pressed as we are by lapse of time I am glad to hear you say this; and yet
+I do hope you may find a way that the effort shall not be desperate in the
+sense of great loss of life.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN, President.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL D. HUNTER WASHINGTON JULY 17, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HUNTER, Harper's Ferry, West Va.
+
+Yours of this morning received. You misconceive. The order you complain of
+was only nominally mine, and was framed by those who really made it with
+no thought of making you a scapegoat. It seemed to be General Grant's wish
+that the forces under General Wright and those under you should join and
+drive at the enemy under General Wright. Wright had the larger part of the
+force, but you had the rank. It was thought that you would prefer Crook's
+commanding your part to your serving in person under Wright. That is all
+of it. General Grant wishes you to remain in command of the department,
+and I do not wish to order otherwise.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 18, 1864. 11.25 A.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, Chattahoochee River, Georgia:
+
+I have seen your despatches objecting to agents of Northern States opening
+recruiting stations near your camps. An act of Congress authorizes this,
+giving the appointment of agents to the States, and not to the Executive
+Government. It is not for the War Department, or myself, to restrain
+or modify the law, in its execution, further than actual necessity may
+require. To be candid, I was for the passage of the law, not apprehending
+at the time that it would produce such inconvenience to the armies in the
+field as you now cause me to fear. Many of the States were very anxious
+for it, and I hoped that, with their State bounties, and active exertions,
+they would get out substantial additions to our colored forces, which,
+unlike white recruits, help us where they come from, as well as where they
+go to. I still hope advantage from the law; and being a law, it must be
+treated as such by all of us. We here will do what we consistently can to
+save you from difficulties arising out of it. May I ask, therefore, that
+you will give your hearty co-operation.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING TERMS OF PEACE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, July 18, 1864.
+
+TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
+
+Any proposition which embraces the restoration of peace, the integrity of
+the whole Union, and the abandonment of slavery, and which comes by and
+with an authority that can control the armies now at war against the
+United States, will be received and considered by the Executive
+Government of the United States, and will be met by liberal terms on other
+substantial and collateral points; and the bearer or bearers thereof shall
+have safe conduct both ways.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CALLING FOR FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS,
+
+JULY 18, 1864,
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas by the act approved July 4, 1864, entitled "An act further to
+regulate and provide for the enrolling and calling out the national forces
+and for other purposes," it is provided that the President of the United
+States may, "at his discretion, at any time hereafter, call for any number
+of men, as volunteers for the respective terms of one, two, and three
+years for military service," and "that in case the quota or any part
+thereof of any town, township, ward of a city, precinct, or election
+district, or of a county not so subdivided, shall not be filled within the
+space of fifty days after such call, then the President shall immediately
+order a draft for one year to fill such quota or any part thereof which
+may be unfilled;" and
+
+Whereas the new enrolment heretofore ordered is so far completed as
+that the aforementioned act of Congress may now be put in operation for
+recruiting and keeping up the strength of the armies in the field, for
+garrisons, and such military operations as may be required for the purpose
+of suppressing the rebellion and restoring the authority of the United
+States Government in the insurgent States:
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+issue this my last call for five hundred thousand volunteers for the
+military service: Provided, nevertheless, That this call shall be reduced
+by all credits which may be established under section eight of the
+aforesaid act on account of persons who have entered the naval service
+during the present rebellion and by credits for men furnished to the
+military service in excess of calls heretofore made. Volunteers will be
+accepted under this call for one, two, or three years, as they may elect,
+and will be entitled to the bounty provided by the law for the period of
+services for which they enlist.
+
+And I hereby proclaim, order, and direct that immediately after the 5th
+day of September, 1864, being fifty days from the date of this call,
+a draft for troops to serve for one year shall be had in every town,
+township, ward of a city, precinct, or election district, or county not
+so subdivided, to fill the quota which shall be assigned to it under this
+call or any part thereof which may be unfilled by volunteers on the said
+5th day of September, 1864.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the City of Washington, this 18th day of July, A.D. 1864, and of
+the independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 20, 1864. 4.30 p.m.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Yours of yesterday, about a call for three hundred thousand, is received.
+I suppose you had not seen the call for five hundred thousand, made the
+day before, and which, I suppose, covers the case. Always glad to have
+your suggestions.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO J. L. WRIGHT.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, JULY. 20, 1864.
+
+J. L. WRIGHT, Indianapolis, Ind.:
+
+All a mistake. Mr. Stanton has not resigned.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL D. HUNTER. (Cipher.)
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, JULY 23, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HUNTER, Harper's Ferry, West Va.
+
+Are you able to take care of the enemy, when he turns back upon you, as he
+probably will on finding that Wright has left?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GOVERNOR CURTIN, ENCLOSING A LETTER TO WILLIAM O. SNIDER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 25, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR CURTIN:
+
+Herewith is the manuscript letter for the gentleman who sent me a cane
+through your hands. For my life I cannot make out his name; and therefore
+I cut it from his letter and pasted it on, as you see. I suppose [sic]
+will remember who he is, and I will thank you to forward him the letter.
+He dates his letter at Philadelphia.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PRESENTATION OF A CANE
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 25, 1864.
+
+WILLIAM O. SNIDER:
+
+The cane you did me the honor to present through Governor Curtin was duly
+placed in my hand by him. Please accept my thanks; and, at the same time,
+pardon me for not having sooner found time to tender them. Your obedient
+servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+FROM JOHN HAY TO J. C. WELLING.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON. July 25, 1864.
+
+J. C. WELLING, ESQ.
+
+SIR:--According to the request contained in your note, I have placed Mr.
+Gibson's letter of resignation in the hands of the President. He has read
+the letter, and says he accepts the resignation, as he will be glad to
+do with any other, which may be tendered, as this is, for the purpose of
+taking an attitude of hostility against him.
+
+He says he was not aware that he was so much indebted to Mr. Gibson for
+having accepted the office at first, not remembering that he ever pressed
+him to do so, or that he gave it otherwise than as was usual, upon request
+made on behalf of Mr. Gibson.
+
+He thanks Mr. Gibson for his acknowledgment that he has been treated with
+personal kindness and consideration, and says he knows of but two small
+drawbacks upon Mr. Gibson's right to still receive such treatment, one
+of which is that he never could learn of his giving much attention to
+the duties of his office, and the other is this studied attempt of Mr.
+Gibson's to stab him.
+
+I am very truly,
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+JOHN HAY.
+
+
+
+
+TO COLONEL, FIRST N. Y. VETERAN CAVALRY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, JULY 25, 1864.
+
+Thomas Connor, a private in the First Veteran New York Cavalry, is now
+imprisoned at hard labor for desertion. If the Colonel of said Regiment
+will say in writing on this sheets that he is willing to receive him back
+to the Regiment, I will pardon, and send him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+WASHINGTON, July 26, 1864. 2.30 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, near Atlanta:
+
+I have just seen yours complaining of the appointment of Hovey and
+Osterhaus. The point you make is unquestionably a good one, and yet
+please hear a word from us. My recollection is that both General Grant
+and yourself recommended both H [ovey] and O [sterhaus] for promotion, and
+these, with other strong recommendations, drew committals from us which we
+could neither honorably or safely disregard. We blamed H [ovey] for coming
+away in the manner in which he did, but he knew he had apparent reason to
+feel disappointed and mortified, and we felt it was not best to crush one
+who certainly had been a good soldier. As to [Osterhaus], we did not know
+of his leaving at the time we made the appointment, and do not now
+know the terms on which he left. Not to have appointed him, as the case
+appeared to us at the time, would have been almost, if not quite, a
+violation of our word. The word was given on what we thought was high
+merit and somewhat on his nationality. I beg you to believe we do not act
+in a spirit of disregarding merit. We expect to await your programme for
+further changes and promotions in your army. My profoundest thanks to you
+and your whole army for the present campaign so far.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL HALLECK.
+
+WASHINGTON CITY, July 27, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, Chief of Staff of the Army:
+
+GENERAL:--Lieutenant-General Grant having signified that, owing to the
+difficulties and delay of communication between his headquarters and
+Washington, it is necessary that in the present emergency military orders
+must be issued directly from Washington, the President directs me to
+instruct you that all the military operations for the defense of the
+Middle Department, the Department of the Susquehanna, the Department of
+Washington, and the Department of West Virginia, and all the forces in
+those departments, are placed under your general command, and that you
+will be expected to take all military measures necessary for defense
+against any attack of the enemy and for his capture and destruction.
+You will issue from time to time such orders to the commanders of the
+respective departments and to the military authorities therein as may be
+proper.
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. WASHINGTON, July 27, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR JOHNSON, Nashville, Tennessee:
+
+Yours in relation to General A. C. Gillam just received. Will look after
+the matter to-day.
+
+I also received yours about General Carl Schurz. I appreciate him
+certainly, as highly as you do; but you can never know until you have the
+trial, how difficult it is to find a place for an officer of so high rank
+when there is no place seeking him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO Mrs. ANNE WILLIAMSON,
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 29, 1864.
+
+Mrs. ANNE WILLIAMSON.
+
+MADAM:--The plaid you send me is just now placed in my hands. I thank you
+for that pretty and useful present, but still more for those good wishes
+for myself and our country, which prompted you to present it.
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+INDORSEMENT, AUGUST 3, 1864.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, August 2, 1864.
+
+MR. PRESIDENT:--This note will introduce to you Mr. Schley of Baltimore,
+who desires to appeal to you for the revocation of an order of General
+Hunter, removing some persons, citizens of Frederick, beyond his lines,
+and imprisoning others. This Department has no information of the reasons
+or proofs on which General Hunter acts, and I do not therefore feel
+at liberty to suspend or interfere with his action except under your
+direction.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+[Indorsement.]
+
+August 3, 1864.
+
+The Secretary of War will suspend the order of General Hunter mentioned
+within, until further order and direct him to send to the Department a
+brief report of what is known against each one proposed to be dealt with.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U, S. GRANT.
+
+(Cipher.)
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C.. August 3, 1864
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+I have seen your despatch in which you say, "I want Sheridan put in
+command of all the troops in the field, with instructions to put himself
+south of the enemy, and follow him to the death. Wherever the enemy goes,
+let our troops go also."
+
+This, I think, is exactly right as to how our forces should move; but
+please look over the despatches you may have received from here, ever
+since you made that order, and discover, if you can, that there is any
+idea in the head of any one here of "putting our army south of the enemy,"
+or of following him to the "death," in any direction. I repeat to you,
+it will neither be done nor attempted, unless you watch it every day and
+hour, and force it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+     [Here the President was mistaken in thinking that Sherman,
+     Sheridan, and Grant had the same inability of most of his
+     previous general officers.  No one needed to watch Grant or
+     Sherman or Sheridan, they only needed to get out of their
+     way. D.W.]
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO HORACE GREELEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 6, 1864
+
+HON. HORACE GREELEY, New York:
+
+Yours to Major Hay about publication of our correspondence received. With
+the suppression of a few passages in your letters in regard to which I
+think you and I would not disagree, I should be glad of the publication.
+Please come over and see me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO HORACE GREELEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 8, 1864
+
+HON. HORACE GREELEY, New York:
+
+I telegraphed you Saturday. Did you receive the despatch? Please answer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ON DISLOYAL FAMILY MEMBER
+
+TO GENERAL S. O. BURBRIDGE.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., August 8, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BURBRIDGE, Lexington, Ky.:
+
+Last December Mrs. Emily T. Helm, half-sister of Mrs. Lincoln, and widow
+of the rebel general, Ben Hardin Helm, stopped here on her way from
+Georgia to Kentucky, and I gave her a paper, as I remember, to protect her
+against the mere fact of her being General Helm's widow. I hear a rumor
+to-day that you recently sought to arrest her, but were prevented by her
+presenting the paper from me. I do not intend to protect her against the
+consequences of disloyal words or acts, spoken or done by her since her
+return to Kentucky, and if the paper given her by me can be construed
+to give her protection for such words and acts, it is hereby revoked pro
+tanto. Deal with her for current conduct just as you would with any other.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., August 14, 1864. 1.30 P.M.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+The Secretary of War and I concur that you had better confer with General
+Lee, and stipulate for a mutual discontinuance of house-burning and other
+destruction of private property. The time and manner of conference and
+particulars of stipulation we leave, on our part, to your convenience and
+judgment.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., August 15,1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, near Atlanta, Ga.:
+
+If the Government should purchase, on its own account, cotton northward of
+you, and on the line of your communications, would it be an inconvenience
+to you, or detriment to the military service, for it to come to the north
+on the railroad?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INTERVIEW WITH JOHN T. MILLS,
+
+AUGUST [15?], 1864.
+
+
+"Mr. President," said Governor Randall, "why can't you seek seclusion, and
+play hermit for a fortnight? It would reinvigorate you."
+
+"Ah," said the President, "two or three weeks would do me no good. I
+cannot fly from my thoughts--my solicitude for this great country follows
+me wherever I go. I do not think it is personal vanity or ambition, though
+I am not free from these infirmities, but I cannot but feel that the
+weal or woe of this great nation will be decided in November. There is no
+program offered by any wing of the Democratic party but that must result
+in the permanent destruction of the Union."
+
+"But, Mr. President, General McClellan is in favor of crushing out this
+rebellion by force. He will be the Chicago candidate."
+
+"Sir, the slightest knowledge of arithmetic will prove to any man that
+the rebel armies cannot be destroyed by Democratic strategy. It would
+sacrifice all the white men of the North to do it. There are now in
+the service of the United States nearly one hundred and fifty thousand
+able-bodied colored men, most of them under arms, defending and acquiring
+Union territory. The Democratic strategy demands that these forces be
+disbanded, and that the masters be conciliated by restoring them to
+slavery. The black men who now assist Union prisoners to escape are to be
+converted into our enemies, in the vain hope of gaining the good-will of
+their masters. We shall have to fight two nations instead of one.
+
+"You cannot conciliate the South if you guarantee to them ultimate
+success; and the experience of the present war proves their success is
+inevitable if you fling the compulsory labor of millions of black men
+into their side of the scale. Will you give our enemies such military
+advantages as insure success, and then depend on coaxing, flattery, and
+concession to get them back into the Union? Abandon all the posts now
+garrisoned by black men, take one hundred and fifty thousand men from our
+side and put them in the battle-field or corn-field against us, and we
+would be compelled to abandon the war in three weeks.
+
+"We have to hold territory in inclement and sickly places; where are the
+Democrats to do this? It was a free fight, and the field was open to the
+war Democrats to put down this rebellion by fighting against both master
+and slave, long before the present policy was inaugurated.
+
+"There have been men base enough to propose to me to return to slavery the
+black warriors of Port Hudson and Olustee, and thus win the respect of the
+masters they fought. Should I do so, I should deserve to be damned in time
+and eternity. Come what will, I will keep my faith with friend and foe.
+My enemies pretend I am now carrying on this war for the sole purpose of
+abolition. So long as I am President, it shall be carried on for the
+sole purpose of restoring the Union. But no human power can subdue this
+rebellion without the use of the emancipation policy, and every other
+policy calculated to weaken the moral and physical forces of the
+rebellion.
+
+"Freedom has given us one hundred and fifty thousand men, raised on
+Southern soil. It will give us more yet. Just so much it has subtracted
+from the enemy, and, instead of alienating the South, there are now
+evidences of a fraternal feeling growing up between our men and the rank
+and file of the rebel soldiers. Let my enemies prove to the country that
+the destruction of slavery is not necessary to a restoration of the Union.
+I will abide the issue."
+
+
+
+
+ENDORSEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT, AUGUST 15, 1864.
+
+I am always for the man who wishes to work; and I shall be glad for this
+man to get suitable employment at Cavalry Depot, or elsewhere.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO H. J. RAYMOND.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, August 15, 1864
+
+HON. HENRY J. RAYMOND.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I have proposed to Mr. Greeley that the Niagara
+correspondence be published, suppressing only the parts of his letters
+over which the red pencil is drawn in the copy which I herewith send. He
+declines giving his consent to the publication of his letters unless these
+parts be published with the rest. I have concluded that it is better for
+me to submit, for the time, to the consequences of the false position
+in which I consider he has placed me, than to subject the country to the
+consequences of publishing these discouraging and injurious parts. I send
+you this, and the accompanying copy, not for publication, but merely to
+explain to you, and that you may preserve them until their proper time
+shall come.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 17, 1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+I have seen your despatch expressing your unwillingness to break your hold
+where you are. Neither am I willing. Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew
+and choke as much as possible.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS, AUGUST 18, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas the act of Congress of the 28th of September, 1850, entitled "An
+act to create additional collection districts in the State of California,
+and to change the existing districts therein, and to modify the existing
+collection districts in the United States," extends to merchandise
+warehoused under bond the privilege of being exported to the British North
+American provinces adjoining the United States, in the manner prescribed
+in the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1845, which designates certain
+frontier ports through which merchandise may be exported, and further
+provides "that such other ports, situated on the frontiers of the United
+States adjoining the British North American provinces, as may hereafter
+be found expedient, may have extended to them the like privileges, on the
+recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury, and proclamation duly
+made by the President of the United States, specially designating the
+ports to which the aforesaid privileges are to be extended."
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of
+America, in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of the
+Treasury, do hereby declare and proclaim that the port of Newport, in the
+State of Vermont, is and shall be entitled to all the privileges in regard
+to the exportation of merchandise in bond to the British North American
+provinces adjoining the United States, which are extended to the ports
+enumerated in the seventh section of the act of Congress of the 3d of
+March, 1845, aforesaid, from and after the date of this proclamation.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this
+eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
+hundred and sixty-four, and of the independence of the United States of
+America, the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President:  WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT CONCERNING AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS, AUGUST 18, 1864.
+
+If General Hitchcock can effect a special exchange of Thomas D. Armesy,
+now under conviction as a spy, or something of the sort, and in prison
+at for Major Nathan Goff, made a prisoner of war, and now in prison at
+Richmond, let it be done.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS TO THE 164TH OHIO REGIMENT,
+
+AUGUST 18, 1864.
+
+SOLDIERS:--You are about to return to your homes and your friends, after
+having, as I learn, performed in camp a comparatively short term of duty
+in this great contest. I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who
+have come forward at the call of their country. I wish it might be more
+generally and universally understood what the country is now engaged in.
+We have, as all will agree, a free government, where every man has a right
+to be equal with every other man. In this great struggle, this form of
+government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies
+succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by
+every one. There is involved in this struggle, the question whether your
+children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say
+this, in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed,
+that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose.
+
+There may be some inequalities in the practical application of our system.
+It is fair that each man shall pay taxes in exact proportion to the value
+of his property; but if we should wait, before collecting a tax, to adjust
+the taxes upon each man in exact proportion with every other man, we
+should never collect any tax at all. There may be mistakes made sometimes;
+and things may be done wrong, while the officers of the Government do all
+they can to prevent mistakes. But I beg of you, as citizens of this great
+Republic, not to let your minds be carried off from the great work we have
+before us. This struggle is too large for you to be diverted from it by
+any small matter. When you return to your homes, rise up to the height of
+a generation of men worthy of a free government, and we will carry out the
+great work we have commenced. I return to you my sincere thanks, soldiers,
+for the honor you have done me this afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., August
+20, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Bermuda Hundred, Va.:
+
+Please allow Judge Snead to go to his family on Eastern Shore, or give me
+some good reason why not.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS TO THE 166TH OHIO REGIMENT,
+
+AUGUST 22, 1864.
+
+SOLDIERS--I suppose you are going home to see your families and friends.
+For the services you have done in this great struggle in which we are
+engaged, I present you sincere thanks for myself and the country.
+
+I almost always feel inclined, when I say anything to soldiers, to impress
+upon them, in a few brief remarks, the importance of success in this
+contest. It is not merely for the day, but for all time to come, that
+we should perpetuate for our children's children that great and free
+government which we have enjoyed all our lives. I beg you to remember
+this, not merely for my sake, but for yours. I happen, temporarily, to
+occupy this big White House. I am a living witness that any one of your
+children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order
+that each one of you may have, through this free government which we have
+enjoyed, an open field, and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise,
+and intelligence; that you may all have equal privileges in the race of
+life with all its desirable human aspirations--it is for this that the
+struggle should be maintained, that we may not lose our birthrights--not
+only for one, but for two or three years, if necessary. The nation is
+worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel.
+
+
+
+
+MEMORANDUM.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 23, 1864.
+
+This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that
+this administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to
+so co-operate with the President-elect as to save the Union between the
+election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on
+such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterward.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 26,
+1864.
+
+GOVERNOR JOHNSON, Nashville, Tenn.:
+
+Thanks to General Gillam for making the news and also to you for sending
+it. Does Joe Heiskell's "walking to meet us" mean any more than that "Joe"
+was scared and wanted to save his skin?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO B. H. BREWSTER. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., August
+30,1864.
+
+HON. B. H. BREWSTER, Astor House, New York:
+
+Your letter of yesterday received. Thank you for it. Please have no fears.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER CONCERNING COTTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 31, 1864.
+
+Any person or persons engaged in bringing out cotton, in strict conformity
+with authority given by W. P. Fessenden, Secretary of the United States
+Treasury, must not be hindered by the War, Navy, or any other Department
+of the Government, or any person engaged under any of said Departments.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO COLONEL HUIDEKOPER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, SEPTEMBER 1, 1864
+
+COLONEL H. C. HUIDEKOPER, Meadville, Penn.
+
+SIR: It is represented to me that there are at Rock Island, Illinois, as
+rebel prisoners of war, many persons of Northern and foreign birth who are
+unwilling to be exchanged and sent South, but who wish to take the oath
+of allegiance and enter the military service of the Union. Colonel
+Huidekoper, on behalf of the people of some parts of Pennsylvania, wishes
+to pay the bounties the Government would have to pay to proper persons
+of this class, have them enter the service of the United States, and be
+credited to the localities furnishing the bounty money. He will therefore
+proceed to Rock Island, ascertain the names of such persons (not
+including any who have attractions Southward), and telegraph them to
+the Provost-Marshal-General here, whereupon direction will be given to
+discharge the persons named upon their taking the oath of allegiance; and
+then upon the official evidence being furnished that they shall have been
+duly received and mustered into the service of the United States, their
+number will be credited as may be directed by Colonel Huidekoper.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING,
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON CITY, September 3, 1864.
+
+The signal success that Divine Providence has recently vouchsafed to the
+operations of the United States fleet and army in the harbor of Mobile,
+and the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Fort Morgan, and the
+glorious achievements of the army under Major-General Sherman, in the
+State of Georgia, resulting in the capture of the city of Atlanta, call
+for devout acknowledgment to the Supreme Being in whose hands are the
+destinies of nations. It is therefore requested that on next Sunday, in
+all places of worship in the United States, thanksgivings be offered to
+Him for His mercy in preserve our national existence against the insurgent
+rebels who have been waging a cruel war against the Government of the
+United States for its overthrow, and also that prayer be made for Divine
+protection to our brave soldiers and their leaders in the field who have
+so often and so gallantly periled their lives in battling with the enemy,
+and for blessings and comfort from the Father of mercies to the sick,
+wounded, and prisoners, and to the orphans and widows of those who have
+fallen in the service of their country, and that He will continue to
+uphold the Government of the United States against all the efforts of
+public enemies and secret foes.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDERS OF GRATITUDE AND REJOICING.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 3, 1864.
+
+The national thanks are tendered by the President to Admiral Farragut
+and Major-General Canby, for the skill and harmony with which the recent
+operations in Mobile Harbor and against Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Fort
+Morgan were planned and carried into execution. Also to Admiral Farragut
+and Major-General Granger, under whose immediate command they were
+conducted, and to the gallant commanders on sea and land, and to the
+sailors and soldiers engaged in the operations, for their energy and
+courage, which, under the blessing of Providence, have been crowned with
+brilliant success, and have won for them the applause and thanks of the
+nation.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 3, 1864.
+
+The national thanks are tendered by the President to Major-General William
+T. Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers of his command before
+Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, courage, and perseverance
+displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which under Divine power resulted
+in the capture of the city of Atlanta. The marches, battles, sieges, and
+other military operations that have signalized this campaign must
+render it famous in the annals of war, and have entitled those who have
+participated therein to the applause and thanks of the nation.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 3, 1864.
+
+Ordered: First, That on Monday, the fifth day of September, commencing
+at the hour of twelve o'clock noon, there shall be given a salute of one
+hundred guns at the arsenal and navy-yard, at Washington, and on Tuesday,
+the 6th of September, or on the day after the receipt of this order, at
+each arsenal and navy-yard in the United States, for the recent brilliant
+achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the
+harbor of Mobile, and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and
+Fort Morgan. The Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy will issue
+the necessary directions in their respective departments for the execution
+of this order.
+
+Second, That on Wednesday, the 7th of September, commencing at the hour of
+twelve o'clock noon, there shall be fired a salute of one hundred guns
+at the arsenal at Washington, and at New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
+Baltimore, Pittsburg, Newport (Ky.), and St. Louis, and New Orleans,
+Mobile, and Pensacola, Hilton Head, and Newbern, the day after the receipt
+of this order, for the brilliant achievements of the army under command
+of Major-General Sherman, in the State of Georgia, and for the capture of
+Atlanta. The Secretary of War will issue directions for the execution of
+this order.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN, President Of the United States.
+
+
+
+
+TO MRS. GURNEY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 4, 1864.
+
+ELIZA P. GURNEY.
+
+MY ESTEEMED FRIEND:--I have not forgotten probably never shall forget the
+very impressive occasion when yourself and friends visited me on a Sabbath
+forenoon two years ago--nor has your kind letter, written nearly a
+year later, even been for gotten. In all, it has been your purpose to
+strengthen my reliance on God. I am much indebted to the good Christian
+people of the country for their constant prayer and consolations; and to
+no one of them, more than to yourself. The purposes of the Almighty are
+perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately
+perceive them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this
+terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled
+otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom, and our own error therein.
+Mean while we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting
+that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He
+intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal
+could make, and no mortal could stay.
+
+Your people--the Friends--have had, and are having, a very great trial.
+On principle, and faith, opposed to both war and oppression, they can
+only practically oppose oppression by war. For those appealing to me on
+conscientious grounds, I have done, and shall do, the best I could and
+can, in my own conscience, under my oath to the law. That you believe this
+I doubt not, and believing it, I shall still receive, for our country and
+myself your earnest prayers to our Father in Heaven.
+
+Your sincere friend,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO A COMMITTEE OF COLORED PEOPLE FROM BALTIMORE
+
+WHO PRESENTED HIM WITH A BIBLE,
+
+SEPTEMBER 7, 1864.
+
+I can only say now, as I have often said before, it has always been a
+sentiment with me, that all mankind should be free. So far as I have been
+able, so far as came within my sphere, I have always acted as I believed
+was just and right, and done all I could for the good of mankind. I have,
+in letters sent forth from this office, expressed myself better than I can
+now.
+
+In regard to the great Book, I have only to say it is the best gift which
+God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is
+communicated to us through this book. But for that Book, we could not know
+right from wrong. All those things desirable to man are contained in it. I
+return you sincere thanks for this very elegant copy of this great Book of
+God which you present.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PICKERING.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., September 8, 1864:
+
+GOVERNOR PICKERING, Olympia, W. T.:
+
+Your patriotic despatch of yesterday received and will be published.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER OF THANKS TO HUNDRED-DAY TROOPS FROM OHIO.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON CITY, September 10, 1864.
+
+The term of one hundred days for which the National Guard of Ohio
+volunteered having expired, the President directs an official
+acknowledgment to be made of their patriotic and valuable services during
+the recent campaigns. The term of service of their enlistment was short,
+but distinguished by memorable events. In the Valley of the Shenandoah, on
+the Peninsula, in the operations on the James River, around Petersburg
+and Richmond, in the battle of Monocacy, and in the intrenchments of
+Washington, and in other important service, the National Guard of Ohio
+performed with alacrity the duty of patriotic volunteers, for which they
+are entitled to and are hereby tendered, through the Governor of their
+State, the national thanks.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 12, 1864.
+
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Sheridan and Early are facing each other at a dead-lock. Could we not pick
+up a regiment here and there, to the number of say ten thousand men, and
+quietly but suddenly concentrate them at Sheridan's camp and enable him to
+make a strike?
+
+This is but a suggestion.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO JAMES G. BLAINE. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., September
+13, 1864.
+
+HON. J. G. BLAINE, Augusta, Me.: On behalf of the Union, thanks to Maine.
+Thanks to you personally for sending the news.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+P. S.--Send same to L. B. Smith and M. A. Blanchard, Portland, Me. A. L.
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September
+13, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Saint Louis:
+
+Postpone the execution of S. H. Anderson for two weeks. Hear what his
+friends can say in mitigation and report to me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+MAJOR ECKERT: Please send the above telegram.
+
+JNO. G. NICOLAY, Private Secretary.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SLOUGH.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., September 16, 1864.
+
+GENERAL SLOUGH, Alexandria, Va.:
+
+On the 14th I commuted the sentence of Conley, but fearing you may not
+have received notice I send this. Do not execute him.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN. WASHINGTON, D. C., September 17,1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, Atlanta, Georgia:
+
+I feel great interest in the subjects of your despatch mentioning corn and
+sorghum, and the contemplated visit to you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN, President of the United States.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 19, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN:
+
+The State election of Indiana occurs on the 11th of October, and the loss
+of it to the friends of the Government would go far towards losing
+the whole Union cause. The bad effect upon the November election, and
+especially the giving the State government to those who will oppose the
+war in every possible way, are too much to risk if it can be avoided. The
+draft proceeds, notwithstanding its strong tendency to lose us the State.
+Indiana is the only important State voting in October whose soldiers
+cannot vote in the field. Anything you can safely do to let her soldiers
+or any part of them go home and vote at the State election will be greatly
+in point. They need not remain for the Presidential election, but may
+return to you at once. This is in no sense an order, but is merely
+intended to impress you with the importance to the Army itself of your
+doing all you safely can, yourself being the judge of what you can safely
+do.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT CONCERNING AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS, SEPTEMBER 1864.
+
+The writer of this, who appeals for his brother, is our minister to
+Ecuador, and whom, if at all compatible, I would like to have obliged by a
+special exchange of his brother.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL P. SHERIDAN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September
+20, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN, Winchester, Va.:
+
+Have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all, officers and
+men. Strongly inclined to come up and See you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL HITCHCOCK,
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 21, 1864.
+
+GENERAL HITCHCOCK:
+
+Please see the bearer, Mr. Broadwell, on a question about a mutual
+supplying of clothes to prisoners.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 22, 1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+I send this as an explanation to you, and to do justice to the Secretary
+of War. I was induced, upon pressing application, to authorize the agents
+of one of the districts of Pennsylvania to recruit in one of the prison
+depots in Illinois; and the thing went so far before it came to the
+knowledge of the Secretary that, in my judgment, it could not be abandoned
+without greater evil than would follow its going through. I did not know
+at the time that you had protested against that class of thing being done;
+and I now say that while this particular job must be completed, no other
+of the sort will be authorized, without an understanding with you, if at
+all. The Secretary of War is wholly free of any part in this blunder.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 23, 1864.
+
+
+HON. MONTGOMERY BLAIR.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--You have generously said to me, more than once, that
+whenever your resignation could be a relief to me, it was at my disposal.
+The time has come. You very well know that this proceeds from no
+dissatisfaction of mine with you personally or officially. Your uniform
+kindness has been unsurpassed by that of any other friend, and while it
+is true that the war does not so greatly add to the difficulties of your
+department as to those of some others, it is yet much to say, as I most
+truly can, that in the three years and a half during which you have
+administered the General Post-Office, I remember no single complaint
+against you in connection therewith.
+
+Yours, as ever,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER CONCERNING THE PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS IN INSURRECTIONARY STATES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 24, 1864.
+
+I. Congress having authorized the purchase for the United States of the
+products of States declared in insurrection, and the Secretary of the
+Treasury having designated New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Pensacola,
+Port Royal, Beaufort (North Carolina), and Norfolk, as places of purchase,
+and, with my approval, appointed agents and made regulations under which
+said products may be purchased, therefore:
+
+II. All persons except such as may be in the civil, military, or naval
+service of the government, having in their possession any products of
+States or parts of States declared in insurrection, which said agents
+are authorized to purchase; and all persons owning or controlling such
+products therein are authorized to convey such products to either of the
+places which have been hereby or may hereafter be designated as places of
+purchase, and such products so destined shall not be liable to
+detention, seizure, or forfeiture while in transitu, or in store waiting
+transportation.
+
+III. Any person having the certificate of a purchasing agent, as
+prescribed by Treasury Regulation VIII, is authorized to pass with the
+necessary means of transportation to the points named in said certificate,
+and to return therefrom with the products required for the fulfilment of
+the stipulations set forth in said certificate.
+
+IV. Any person having sold and delivered to a purchasing agent any
+products of an insurrectionary State in accordance with the regulations in
+relation thereto, and having in his possession a certificate setting
+forth the fact of such purchase and sale; the character and quantity
+of products, and the aggregate amount paid therefor, as prescribed by
+Regulation I, shall be permitted by the military authority commanding at
+the place of sale to purchase from any authorized dealer at such place
+merchandise and other articles not contraband of war nor prohibited by
+order of the War Department, nor coin, bullion, or foreign exchange, to
+an amount not exceeding in value one-third of the aggregate value of
+the products sold by him as certified by the agents purchasing, and the
+merchandise and other articles so purchased may be transported by the
+same route, and to the same place, from and by which the products sold and
+delivered reached the purchasing agent, as set forth in the certificate,
+and such merchandise and other articles shall have safe conduct, and
+shall not be subject to detention, seizure, or forfeiture while being
+transported to the places and by the routes set forth in the said
+certificate.
+
+V. Generals commanding military districts, and commandants of military
+posts and detachments, and officers commanding fleets, flotillas, and
+gunboats, will give safe conduct to persons and products, merchandise, and
+other articles duly authorized as aforesaid, and not contraband of war,
+or prohibited by order of the War Department, or of the order of such
+generals commanding, or other duly authorized military or naval officer,
+made in pursuance hereof, and all persons hindering or preventing such
+safe conduct of persons or property will, be deemed guilty of a military
+offense and punished accordingly.
+
+VI. Any person transporting or attempting to transport any merchandise or
+other articles except in pursuance of regulations of the Secretary of
+the Treasury, dated July 29, 1864, or in pursuance of this order, or
+transporting or attempting to transport any merchandise or other articles
+contraband of war or forbidden by any order of the War Department, will
+be deemed guilty of a military offense and punished accordingly; and all
+products of insurrectionary States found in transitu to any other person
+or than a purchasing agent and a designated of purchase shall be seized
+and forfeited to the States, except such as may be moving to a loyal
+state under duly authorized permits of a proper officer of the Treasury
+Department, as prescribed by Regulation XXXVIII, concerning commercial
+intercourse, dated July 29, 1864, or such as may have been found
+abandoned, or have been captured and are moving in pursuance of the act of
+March 12, 1864.
+
+VII. No military or naval officer of the United States, or person in
+the military or naval service, nor any civil officer, except such as
+are appointed for that purpose, shall engage in trade or traffic in the
+products of the insurrectionary States, or furnish transportation therefor
+under pain of being deemed guilty of unlawful trading with the enemy and
+punished accordingly.
+
+VIII. The Secretary of War will make such general orders or regulations as
+will insure the proper observance and execution of,, this order, and
+the Secretary of the Navy will give instructions to officers commanding
+fleets, flotillas, and gunboats in conformity therewith.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN. WASHINGTON, D. C., September 27, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN, Atlanta, Georgia:
+
+You say Jefferson Davis is on a visit to Hood. I judge that Brown and
+Stephens are the objects of his visit.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29,1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+I hope it will have no constraint on you, nor do harm any way, for me to
+say I am a little afraid lest Lee sends reinforcements to Early, and thus
+enables him to turn upon Sheridan.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT.
+
+September 29, 1864.
+
+I think the bearer of this, Second Lieutenant Albee, deserves a hearing.
+Will the Secretary of War please accord it to him?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER RETURNING THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE HUNDRED DAYS
+
+FROM THE STATES OF INDIANA, ILLINOIS, IOWA, AND WISCONSIN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, October 1, 1864.
+
+The term of one hundred days for which volunteers from the States of
+Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin volunteered, under the call of
+their respective governors, in the months of May and June, to aid in the
+campaign of General Sherman, having expired; the President directs an
+official acknowledgment to be made of their patriotic service. It was
+their good fortune to render efficient service in the brilliant operations
+in the Southwest and to contribute to the victories of the national arms
+over the rebel forces in Georgia under command of Johnston and Hood. On
+all occasions and in every service to which they were assigned their duty
+as patriotic volunteers was performed with alacrity and courage, for which
+they are entitled to and are hereby tendered the national thanks through
+the governors of their respective States.
+
+The Secretary of War is directed to transmit a copy of this order to
+the governors of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin and to cause a
+certificate of their honorable service to be delivered to the officers
+and soldiers of the States above named who recently served in the military
+force of the United States as volunteers for one hundred days.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, October 5, 1864
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+I inclose you a copy of a correspondence in regard to a contemplated
+exchange of naval prisoners through your lines, and not very distant from
+your headquarters. It only came to the knowledge of the War Department and
+of myself yesterday, and it gives us some uneasiness. I therefore send it
+to you with the statement that, as the numbers to be exchanged under it
+are small, and so much has already been done to effect the exchange, I
+hope you may find it consistent to let it go forward under the general
+supervision of General Butler, and particularly in reference to the points
+he holds vital in exchanges. Still, you are at liberty to arrest the whole
+operation if in your judgment the public good requires it.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT ON A MEMORANDUM BY GENERAL McDOWELL, OCTOBER 7, 1864
+
+I well remember the meetings herein narrated. See nothing for me to object
+to in the narrative as being made by General McDowell, except the phrase
+attributed to me "of the Jacobinism of Congress",
+
+     [This memorandum describes the private discussions that
+     preceded the transfer of McClellan's army from the Potomac,
+     where it had confronted the Confederates at Manassas. See H.
+     J. Raymond: Life of Lincoln, p. 772]
+
+which phrase I do not remember using literally or in substance, and which
+I wish not to be published in any event.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO H. W. HOFFMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, October 10, 1864.
+
+HON. HENRY W. HOFFMAN.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--A convention of Maryland has framed a new constitution for
+the State; a public meeting is called for this evening at Baltimore to aid
+in securing its ratification by the people, and you ask a word from me
+for the occasion. I presume the only feature of the instrument about which
+there is serious controversy is that which provides for the extinction of
+slavery. It needs not to be a secret and I presume it is no secret, that I
+wish success to this provision. I desire it on every consideration. I wish
+all men to be free. I wish the material prosperity of the already free,
+which I feel sure the extinction of slavery would bring. I wish to see in
+process of disappearing that only thing which ever could bring this nation
+to civil war. I attempt no argument. Argument upon the question is already
+exhausted by the abler, better informed, and more immediately interested
+sons of Maryland herself. I only add that I shall be gratified exceedingly
+if the good people of the State shall, by their votes, ratify the new
+constitution.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 10, 1864, 5 P.M.
+
+GOVERNOR CURTIN, Harrisburg, Pa.:
+
+Yours of to-day just this moment received, and the Secretary having left
+it is impossible for me to answer to-day. I have not received your letter
+from Erie.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Cambridge, Mass.:
+
+Your letter makes us a little uneasy about your health. Telegraph us how
+you are. If you think it would help you, make us a visit.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 12, 1864.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Secretary of War not being in, I answer yours about election. Pennsylvania
+very close, and still in doubt on home vote. Ohio largely for us, with
+all the members of Congress but two or three. Indiana largely for
+us,--Governor, it is said, by fifteen thousand, and eight of the eleven
+members of Congress. Send us what you may know of your army vote.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE,
+
+OCTOBER 19, 1864.
+
+
+FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I am notified that this is a compliment paid
+me by the loyal Marylanders resident in this District. I infer that the
+adoption of the new constitution for the State furnishes the occasion, and
+that in your view the extirpation of slavery constitutes the chief
+merit of the new constitution. Most heartily do I congratulate you, and
+Maryland, and the nation, and the world, upon this event. I regret that
+it did not occur two years sooner, which, I am sure, would have saved the
+nation more money than would have met all the private loss incident to
+the measure; but it has come at last, and I sincerely hope its friends
+may fully realize all their anticipations of good from it, and that its
+opponents may by its effects be agreeably and profitably disappointed.
+
+A word upon another subject. Something said by the Secretary of State in
+his recent speech at Auburn, has been construed by some into a threat,
+that if I shall be beaten at the election, I will, between then and
+the end of my constitutional term, do what I may be able to ruin the
+Government.
+
+Others regard the fact that the Chicago Convention adjourned, not sine
+die, but to meet again, if called to do so by a particular individual, as
+the intimation of a purpose that if their nominee shall be elected he
+will at once seize control of the Government. I hope the good people will
+permit themselves to suffer no uneasiness on either point. I am struggling
+to maintain the Government, not to overthrow it. I am struggling
+especially to prevent others from overthrowing it. I therefore say, that
+if I live, I shall remain President until the 4th of next March, and that
+whoever shall be constitutionally elected, in November, shall be duly
+installed as President on the 4th of March, and in the interval I shall do
+my utmost that whoever is to hold the helm for the next voyage shall
+start with the best possible chance of saving the ship. This is due to
+the people, both on principle and under the Constitution. Their will,
+constitutionally expressed, is the ultimate law for all. If they should
+deliberately resolve to have immediate peace, even at the loss of their
+country and their liberties, I know not the power or the right to resist
+them. It is their own business, and they must do as they please with their
+own. I believe, however, they are still resolved to preserve their country
+and their liberties; and in this, in office or out of it, I am resolved to
+stand by them. I may add, that in this purpose to save the country and its
+liberties, no classes of people seem so nearly unanimous as the soldiers
+in the field and the sailors afloat. Do they not have the hardest of it?
+Who should quail while they do not? God bless the soldiers and seamen,
+with all their brave commanders.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING, OCTOBER 20, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year,
+defending us with his guardian care against unfriendly designs from
+abroad, and vouchsafing to us in His mercy many and signal victories over
+the enemy, who is of our own household. It has also pleased our Heavenly
+Father to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in
+their camps, and our sailors on the rivers and seas, with unusual health.
+He has largely augmented our free population by emancipation and by
+immigration, while he has opened to us new: sources of wealth, and has
+crowned the labor of our working-men in every department of industry with
+abundant rewards. Moreover, he has been pleased to animate and inspire our
+minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient
+for the great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our
+adherence as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford
+to us reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our
+dangers and afflictions.
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day
+which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they
+may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the
+beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend
+to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on that occasion they do reverently
+humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and
+fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for
+a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony
+throughout the, land which it has pleased him to assign as a
+dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all
+generations.
+
+In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the city of Washington, this twentieth day of October, in the
+year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of the
+independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President  WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM To J. G. NICOLAY. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 21, 1864. 9.45 P.M.
+
+J. G. NICOLAY, Saint Louis, Missouri:
+
+While Curtis is fighting Price, have you any idea where the force under
+Rosecrans is, or what it is doing?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL AND OTHERS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 22, 1864.
+
+
+MESSRS WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL, THOMAS A. R. NELSON, JAMES T. P. CARTER, JOHN
+WILLIAMS, A. BLIZZARD, HENRY COOPER, BAILLIE PEYTON, JOHN LELLYET, EMERSON
+ETHERIDGE, and JOHN D. PERRYMAN.
+
+GENTLEMEN:--On the 15th day of this month, as I remember, a printed paper
+manuscript, with a few manuscript interlineations, called a protest, with
+your names appended thereto, and accompanied by another printed paper,
+purporting to be a proclamation by Andrew Johnson, Military Governor of
+Tennessee, and also a manuscript paper, purporting to be extracts from the
+Code of Tennessee, were laid before me.
+
+The protest, proclamation, and extracts are respectively as follows:
+
+[The protest is here recited, and also the proclamation of Governor
+Johnson, dated September 30, to which it refers, together with a list of
+the counties in East, Middle, and West Tennessee; also extracts from the
+Code of Tennessee in relation to electors of President and Vice-President,
+qualifications of voters for members of the General Assembly, places of
+holding elections, and officers of popular elections.]
+
+At the time these papers were presented, as before stated, I had never
+seen either of them, nor heard of the subject to which they related,
+except in a general way one day previously.
+
+Up to the present moment, nothing whatever upon the subject has
+passed between Governor Johnson, or any one else, connected with the
+proclamation, and myself.
+
+Since receiving the papers, as stated, I have given the subject such brief
+consideration as I have been able to do, in the midst of so many pressing
+public duties.
+
+My conclusion is, that I can have nothing to do with the matter, either to
+sustain the plan as the convention and Governor Johnson have initiated it,
+or to revoke or modify it as you demand.
+
+By the Constitution and laws, the President is charged with no duty in
+the presidential election in any State, nor do I in this case perceive any
+military reason for his interference in the matter.
+
+The movement set on foot by the convention and Governor Johnson does not,
+as seems to be assumed by you, emanate from the National Executive.
+
+In no proper sense can it be considered other than an independent movement
+of, at least, a portion of the loyal people of Tennessee.
+
+I do not perceive in the plan any menace, or violence, or coercion towards
+any one.
+
+Governor Johnson, like any other loyal citizen of Tennessee, has the right
+to favor any political plan he chooses, and, as military governor, it is
+his duty to keep peace among and for the loyal people of the State.
+
+I cannot discern that by this plan he purposes any more. But you object to
+the plan.
+
+Leaving it alone will be your perfect security against it. It is not
+proposed to force you into it. Do as you please, on your own account,
+peaceably and loyally, and Governor Johnson will not molest you, but will
+protect you against violence as far as in his power.
+
+I presume that the conducting of a presidential election in Tennessee
+in strict accordance with the old Code of the State, is not now a
+possibility.
+
+It is scarcely necessary to add, that if any election shall be held
+and any votes shall be cast in the State of Tennessee for President and
+Vice-President of the United States, it will belong, not to the military
+agents, nor yet to the Executive Department, but exclusively to another
+department of the Government, to determine whether they are entitled to be
+counted in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States.
+
+Except it be to give protection against violence, I decline to interfere
+in any way with any presidential election.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL P. H. SHERIDAN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, October
+22, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN:
+
+With great pleasure I tender to you and your brave army the thanks of
+the nation, and my own personal admiration and gratitude, for the month's
+operations in the Shenandoah Valley; and especially for the splendid work
+of October 19, 1864.
+
+Your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. H. THOMAS. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 23, 1864 5
+P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville, Tennessee:
+
+I have received information to-day, having great appearance of
+authenticity, that there is to be a rebel raid into Western Kentucky; that
+it is to consist of four thousand infantry and three thousand cavalry, and
+is to start from Corinth, Mississippi, On the fourth day of November.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN, President.
+
+Send copy to General Washburn at Memphis. A. L.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO T. T. DAVIS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D.C., October 31,
+1864.
+
+HON. THOMAS T. DAVIS, Syracuse, N.Y.:
+
+I have ordered that Milton D. Norton be discharged on taking the oath.
+Please notify his mother.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION ADMITTING NEVADA INTO THE UNION
+
+OCTOBER 31, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation
+
+Whereas the Congress of the United States passed an act, which was
+approved on the 21st day of March last, entitled "An act to enable the
+people of Nevada to form a constitution and State government, and for
+the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the
+original States;" and,
+
+Whereas the said constitution and State government have been formed,
+pursuant to the conditions prescribed by the fifth section of the act of
+Congress aforesaid, and the certificate required by the said act and
+also a copy of the constitution and ordinances have been submitted to the
+President of the United States:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States, in accordance with the duty imposed upon me by the act of
+Congress aforesaid, do hereby declare and proclaim that the said State of
+Nevada is admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original
+States.
+
+In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
+United States to be affixed..........
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURBRIDGE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 4, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BURBRIDGE, Lexington, Ky.
+
+Suspend execution of all the deserters ordered to be executed on Sunday
+at Louisville, until further order, and send me the records in the cases.
+Acknowledge receipt.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO NAVAL OFFICER AT MOBILE BAY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 6, 1864. 9 P.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL CANBY, New Orleans, La.:
+
+Please forward with all possible despatch to the naval officer commanding
+at Mobile Bay the following order.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+(Inclosure.)
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 6, 1864.
+
+NAVAL OFFICER IN COMMAND AT MOBILE BAY
+
+Do not on any account, or on any showing of authority whatever, from
+whomsoever purporting to come, allow the blockade to be violated.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SAILORS' FAIR, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., November 8, 1864.
+
+TO THE MANAGING COMMITTEE OF THE SAILORS' FAIR, Boston, Massachusetts
+
+Allow me to wish you a great success. With the old fame of the Navy made
+brighter in the present war you cannot fail. I name none lest I wrong
+others by omission. To all, from rear-admiral to honest Jack, I tender the
+nation's admiration and gratitude.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO A. H. RICE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 8, 1864.
+
+HON. A. H. RICE, Boston, Massachusetts:
+
+Yours received. I have no other notice that the ox is mine. If it be
+really so, I present it to the Sailors' Fair as a contribution.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD. WASHINGTON, November 8, 1864.
+
+HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Auburn, New York:
+
+News from Grant, Sherman, Thomas and Rosecrans satisfactory, but not
+important. Pirate Florida captured by the Wachusett October 7, on the
+coast of Brazil. The information is certain.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE, NOVEMBER 9, 1864.
+
+FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:--Even before I had been informed by you that
+this compliment was paid me by loyal citizens of Pennsylvania, friendly
+to me, I had inferred that you were of that portion of my countrymen who
+think that the best interests of the nation are to be subserved by the
+support of the present administration. I do not pretend to say that you,
+who think so, embrace all the patriotism and loyalty of the country, but I
+do believe, and I trust without personal interest, that the welfare of the
+country does require that such support and indorsement should be given.
+
+I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's work, if it be as
+you assume, and as now seems probable, will be to the lasting advantage,
+if not to the very salvation, of the country. I cannot at this hour say
+what has been the result of the election. But, whatever it may be, I have
+no desire to modify this opinion: that all who have labored to-day in
+behalf of the Union have wrought for the best interests of the country and
+the world; not only for the present, but for all future ages.
+
+I am thankful to God for this approval of the people; but, while deeply
+grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know my heart, my
+gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph. I do not impugn the
+motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph
+over any one, but I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of
+the people's resolution to stand by free government and the rights of
+humanity.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO H. W. HOFFMAN. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C. November 10,
+1864.
+
+H. HOFFMAN, Baltimore, Md.:
+
+The Maryland soldiers in the Army of the Potomac cast a total vote of
+fourteen hundred and twenty-eight, out of which we get eleven hundred and
+sixty majority. This is directly from General Meade and General Grant.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE, NOVEMBER 10, 1864.
+
+It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong
+for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its
+existence in great emergencies. On this point the present rebellion
+brought our government to a severe test, and a presidential election
+occurring in regular course during the rebellion, added not a little to
+the strain.
+
+If the loyal people united were put to the utmost of their strength by the
+rebellion, must they not fail when divided and partially paralyzed by
+a political war among themselves? But the election was a necessity. We
+cannot have free government without elections; and if the election could
+force us to forego or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim
+to have already conquered and ruined us. The strife of the election is
+but human nature practically applied to the facts of the case. What has
+occurred in this case must ever recur in similar cases. Human nature will
+not change. In any future great national trial, compared with the men of
+this, we will have as weak and as strong, as silly and as wise, as bad and
+as good. Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this as philosophy to
+learn wisdom from, and none of them as wrongs to be revenged.
+
+But the election, along with its incidental and undesirable strife, has
+done good, too. It has demonstrated that a people's government can sustain
+a national election in the midst of a great civil war. Until now, it has
+not been known to the world that this was a possibility. It shows, also,
+how sound and strong we still are. It shows that even among the candidates
+of the same party, he who is most devoted to the Union and most opposed
+to treason can receive most of the people's votes. It shows, also, to
+the extent yet known, that we have more men now than we had when the war
+began. Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, and patriotic men are
+better than gold.
+
+But the rebellion continues, and, now that the election is over, may
+not all have a common interest to reunite in a common effort to save our
+common country? For my own part, I have striven and shall strive to avoid
+placing any obstacle in the way. So long as I have been here, I have not
+willingly planted a thorn in any man's bosom. While I am duly sensible to
+the high compliment of a re-election, and duly grateful, as I trust, to
+Almighty God, for having directed my countrymen to a right conclusion, as
+I think, for their good, it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other
+man may be disappointed by the result.
+
+May I ask those who have not differed with me to join with me in this
+same spirit towards those who have? And now, let me close by asking three
+hearty cheers for our brave soldiers and seamen, and their gallant and
+skillful commanders.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. O. BURBRIDGE. WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BURBRIDGE, Lexington, Ky.:
+
+I have just received a telegram from Governor Bramlette saying: "General
+John B. Houston, a loyal man and prominent citizen, was arrested, and
+yesterday, started off by General Burbridge, to be sent beyond our lines
+by way of Catlettsburg, for no other offense than opposition to your
+re-election," and I have answered him as follows below, of which please
+take notice and report to me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 1864. GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE, Frankfort, Ky.:
+
+Yours of yesterday received. I can scarcely believe that General John
+B. Houston has been arrested "for no other offense than opposition to my
+re-election;" for, if that had been deemed sufficient cause of arrest, I
+should have heard of more than one arrest in Kentucky on election day.
+If, however, General Houston has been arrested for no other cause than
+opposition to my re-election, General Burbridge will discharge him at
+once, I sending him a copy of this as an order to that effect.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL S. A. HURLBUT.
+
+(Private.)
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 14, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL HURLBUT:
+
+Few things since I have been here have impressed me more painfully
+than what, for four or five months past, has appeared a bitter military
+opposition to the new State government of Louisiana. I still indulged some
+hope that I was mistaken in the fact; but copies of a correspondence
+on the subject between General Canby and yourself, and shown me to-day,
+dispel that hope. A very fair proportion of the people of Louisiana
+have inaugurated a new State government, making an excellent new
+constitution--better for the poor black man than we have in Illinois. This
+was done under military protection, directed by me, in the belief, still
+sincerely entertained, that with such a nucleus around which to build we
+could get the State into position again sooner than otherwise. In this
+belief a general promise of protection and support, applicable alike to
+Louisiana and other States, was given in the last annual message. During
+the formation of the new government and constitution they were supported
+by nearly every loyal person, and opposed by every secessionist. And
+this support and this opposition, from the respective standpoints of the
+parties, was perfectly consistent and logical. Every Unionist ought to
+wish the new government to succeed; and every disunionist must desire it
+to fail. Its failure would gladden the heart of Slidell in Europe, and
+of every enemy of the old flag in the world. Every advocate of slavery
+naturally desires to see blasted and crushed the liberty promised the
+black man by the new constitution. But why General Canby and General
+Hurlbut should join on the same side is to me incomprehensible.
+
+Of course, in the condition of things at New Orleans, the military must
+not be thwarted by the civil authority; but when the Constitutional
+Convention, for what it deems a breach of privilege, arrests an editor in
+no way connected with the military, the military necessity for insulting
+the convention and forcibly discharging the editor is difficult to
+perceive. Neither is the military necessity for protecting the people
+against paying large salaries fixed by a legislature of their own choosing
+very apparent. Equally difficult to perceive is the military necessity for
+forcibly interposing to prevent a bank from loaning its own money to the
+State. These things, if they have occurred, are, at the best, no better
+than gratuitous hostility. I wish I could hope that they may be shown not
+to have occurred. To make assurance against misunderstanding, I repeat
+that in the existing condition of things in Louisiana, the military
+must not be thwarted by the civil authority; and I add that on points of
+difference the commanding general must be judge and master. But I also add
+that in the exercise of this judgment and control, a purpose, obvious, and
+scarcely unavowed, to transcend all military necessity, in order to crush
+out the civil government, will not be overlooked.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO MARYLAND UNION COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 17, 1864.
+
+The President, in reply, said that he had to confess he had been duly
+notified of the intention to make this friendly call some days ago, and in
+this he had had a fair opportunity afforded to be ready with a set speech;
+but he had not prepared one, being too busy for that purpose. He would
+say, however, that he was gratified with the result of the presidential
+election. He had kept as near as he could to the exercise of his best
+judgment for the interest of the whole country, and to have the seal of
+approbation stamped on the course he had pursued was exceedingly grateful
+to his feelings. He thought he could say, in as large a sense as any other
+man, that his pleasure consisted in belief that the policy he had pursued
+was the best, if not the only one, for the safety of the country.
+
+He had said before, and now repeated, that he indulged in no feeling of
+triumph over any man who thought or acted differently from himself. He
+had no such feeling toward any living man. When he thought of Maryland, in
+particular, he was of the opinion that she had more than double her share
+in what had occurred in the recent elections. The adoption of a free-State
+constitution was a greater thing than the part taken by the people of the
+State in the presidential election. He would any day have stipulated to
+lose Maryland in the presidential election to save it by the adoption of
+a free-State constitution, because the presidential election comes every
+four years, while that is a thing which, being done, cannot be undone. He
+therefore thought that in that they had a victory for the right worth a
+great deal more than their part in the presidential election, though
+of the latter he thought highly. He had once before said, but would say
+again, that those who have differed with us and opposed us will see that
+the result of the presidential election is better for their own good than
+if they had been successful.
+
+Thanking the committee for their compliment, he brought his brief speech
+to a close.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING BLOCKADE, NOVEMBER 19, 1864
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas by my proclamation of the 19th of April, 1861, it was declared
+that the ports of certain States, including those of Norfolk, in the State
+of Virginia, Fernandina and Pensacola, in the State of Florida, were, for
+reasons therein set forth, intended to be placed under blockade; and:
+
+Whereas the said ports were subsequently blockaded accordingly, but having
+for some time past been in the military possession of the United States,
+it is deeemd advisable that they should be opened to domestic and foreign
+commerce:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States, pursuant to the authority in me vested by the fifth section
+of the act of Congress approved on the 13th of July, 1861, entitled "An
+act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for
+other purposes," do hereby declare that the blockade of the said ports of
+Norfolk, Fernandina, and Pensacola shall so far cease and determine, from
+and after the first day of December next, that commercial intercourse with
+those ports, except as to persons, things, and information contraband of
+war, may, from that time, be carried on, subject to the laws of the United
+States, to the limitations and in pursuance of the regulations which may
+be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, and to such military
+and naval regulations as are now in force, or may hereafter be found
+necessary.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this
+nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
+hundred and sixty-four, and of the independence of the United States the
+eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+FIVE-STAR MOTHER
+
+TO MRS. BIXBY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 21, 1864.
+
+MRS. BIXBY, Boston, Massachusetts.
+
+DEAR MADAM:--I have been shown in the files of the War Department a
+statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother
+of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel
+how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to
+beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain
+from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks
+of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may
+assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished
+memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to
+have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
+
+Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO J. PHILLIPS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 21, 1864.
+
+DEACON JOHN PHILLIPS.
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I have heard of the incident at the polls in your town, in
+which you acted so honorable a part, and I take the liberty of writing
+to you to express my personal gratitude for the compliment paid me by the
+suffrage of a citizen so venerable.
+
+The example of such devotion to civic duties in one whose days have
+already been extended an average lifetime beyond the Psalmist's limit,
+cannot but be valuable and fruitful. It is not for myself only, but for
+the country which you have in your sphere served so long and so well, that
+I thank you.
+
+Your friend and servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE. WASHINGTON, D. C. NOVEMBER 22, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE, Frankfort, Ky.:
+
+Yours of to-day received. It seems that Lieutenant-Governor Jacobs and
+Colonel Wolford are stationary now. General Sudarth and Mr. Hodges are
+here, and the Secretary of War and myself are trying to devise means of
+pacification and harmony for Kentucky, which we hope to effect soon, now
+that the passion-exciting subject of the election is past.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN, WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 25, 1864
+
+GOVERNOR CURTIN, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
+
+I have no knowledge, information, or belief, that three States--or any
+States, offer to resume allegiance.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON D.C., NOV.
+26, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS:
+
+Please telegraph me briefly on what charge and evidence Mrs. Anna B.
+Martin has been sent to the penitentiary at Alton.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MEMORANDUM,
+
+DECEMBER 3, 1864.
+
+On Thursday of last week, two ladies from Tennessee came before the
+President, asking the release of their husbands held as prisoners of war
+at Johnson's Island. They were put off until Friday, when they came again,
+and were again put off until Saturday. At each of the interviews one of
+the ladies urged that her husband was a religious man, and on Saturday the
+President ordered the release of the prisoners, when he said to this lady:
+"You say your husband is a religious man; tell him when you meet him, that
+I say I am not much of a judge of religion, but that, in my opinion, the
+religion that sets men to rebel and fight against their own government,
+because, as they think, that government does not sufficiently help some
+men to eat their bread in the sweat of other men's faces, is not the sort
+of religion upon which people can get to heaven."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER CONCERNING THE STEAMER "FUNAYMA SOLACE."
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 3, 1864.
+
+A war steamer, called the Funayma Solace, having been built in this
+country, for the Japanese government and at the instance of that
+government, it is deemed to comport with the public interest, in view of
+the unsettled condition of the relations of the United States with that
+Empire, that the steamer should not be allowed to proceed to Japan. If,
+however, the Secretary of the Navy should ascertain that the steamer is
+adapted to our service, he is authorized to purchase her, but the purchase
+money will be held in trust toward satisfying any valid claims which may
+be presented by the Japanese on account of the construction of the steamer
+and the failure to deliver the same, as above set forth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
+
+WASHINGTON CITY, December 5, 1864
+
+TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that
+Captain John A. Winslow, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from
+Congress for the skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the brilliant
+action whilst in command of the United States steamer Keaysarge, which led
+to the total destruction of the piratical craft Alabama, on the 19th of
+June, 1864., a vessel superior in tonnage, superior in number of guns, and
+superior in number of crew.
+
+This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the
+requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the
+following words, viz:
+
+That any line officer of the navy or marine corps may be advanced one
+grade, if, upon recommendation by the President by name he receives the
+thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the
+enemy, or far extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN,
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
+
+WASHINGTON CITY, December 5, 1864.
+
+TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend
+that Lieutenant William B. Gushing, United States Navy, receive a vote of
+thanks from Congress for his important, gallant, and perilous achievement
+in destroying the rebel ironclad steamer Albemarle on the night of the
+27th of October, 1864., at Plymouth, N. C.
+
+The destruction of so formidable a vessel, which had resisted the
+continued attacks of a number of our vessels on former occasions, is an
+important event touching our future naval and military operations, and
+would reflect honor on any officer, and redounds to the credit of this
+young officer and the few brave comrades who assisted in this successful
+and daring undertaking.
+
+This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the
+requirements of the ninth section of the Aforesaid act, which is in the
+following words, namely:
+
+That any line officer of the navy or marine corps may be advanced one
+grade if upon recommendation of the President by name he receives the
+thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the
+enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,
+
+DECEMBER 6, 1864.
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest
+gratitude to Almighty God.
+
+The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably satisfactory.
+
+Mexico continues to be a theater of civil war. While our political
+relations with that country have undergone no change, we have at the same
+time strictly maintained neutrality between the belligerents.
+
+At the request of the States of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a competent
+engineer has been authorized to make a survey of the river San Juan
+and the port of San Juan. It is a source of much satisfaction that the
+difficulties which for a moment excited some political apprehensions and
+caused a closing of the interoceanic transit route have been amicably
+adjusted, and that there is a good prospect that the route will soon
+be reopened with an increase of capacity and adaptation. We could not
+exaggerate either the commercial or the political importance of that great
+improvement.
+
+It would be doing injustice to an important South American State not
+to acknowledge the directness, frankness, and cordiality with which the
+United States of Colombia have entered into intimate relations with this
+government. A claims convention has been constituted to complete the
+unfinished work of the one which closed its session in 1861.
+
+The new liberal constitution of Venezuela having gone into effect with
+the universal acquiescence of the people, the government under it has been
+recognized and diplomatic intercourse with it has opened in a cordial
+and friendly spirit. The long-deferred Aves Island claim has been
+satisfactorily paid and discharged.
+
+Mutual payments have been made of the claims awarded by the late joint
+commission for the settlement of claims between the United States and
+Peru. An earnest and cordial friendship continues to exist between the two
+countries, and such efforts as were in my power have been used to remove
+misunderstanding, and avert a threatened war between Peru and Spain.
+
+Our relations are of the most friendly nature with Chile, the Argentine
+Republic, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador, and Haiti.
+
+During the past year no differences of any kind have arisen with any of
+these republics, and on the other hand, their sympathies with the United
+States are constantly expressed with cordiality and earnestness.
+
+The claim arising from the seizure of the cargo of the brig Macedonian in
+1821 has been paid in full by the Government of Chile.
+
+Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San Domingo, apparently without
+prospect of an early close.
+
+Official correspondence has been freely opened with Liberia, and it gives
+us a pleasing view of social and political progress in that republic. It
+may be expected to derive new vigor from American influence improved by
+the rapid disappearance of slavery in the United States.
+
+I solicit your authority to furnish to the republic a gunboat, at moderate
+cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by instalments. Such a vessel
+is needed for the safety of that state against the native African races,
+and in Liberian hands it would be more effective in arresting the African
+slave-trade than a squadron in our own hands. The possession of the least
+organized naval force would stimulate a generous ambition in the republic,
+and the confidence which we should manifest by furnishing it would win
+forbearance and favor toward the colony from all civilized nations.
+
+The proposed overland telegraph between America and Europe, by the way of
+Bering Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress at the
+last session, has been undertaken, under very favorable circumstances,
+by an association of American citizens, with the cordial good-will and
+support as well of this Government as of those of Great Britain and
+Russia. Assurances have been received from most of the South American
+States of their high appreciation of the enterprise and their readiness
+to co-operate in constructing lines tributary to that world-encircling
+communication. I learn with much satisfaction that the noble design of a
+telegraphic communication between the eastern coast of America and
+Great Britain has been renewed, with full expectation of its early
+accomplishment.
+
+Thus it is hoped that with the return of domestic peace the country will
+be able to resume with energy and advantage its former high career of
+commerce and civilization.
+
+Our very popular and estimable representative in Egypt died in April last.
+An unpleasant altercation which arose between the temporary incumbent of
+the office and the Government of the Pasha resulted in a suspension
+of intercourse. The evil was promptly corrected on the arrival of the
+successor in the consulate, and our relations with Egypt, as well as our
+relations with the Barbary Powers, are entirely satisfactory.
+
+The rebellion which has so long been flagrant in China has at last been
+suppressed, with the co-operating good offices of this Government and of
+the other Western commercial States. The judicial consular establishment
+there has become very difficult and onerous, and it will need legislative
+revision to adapt it to the extension of our commerce and to the more
+intimate intercourse which has been instituted with the Government and
+people of that vast Empire. China seems to be accepting with hearty
+good-will the conventional laws which regulate commercial and social
+intercourse among the Western nations.
+
+Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan and the anomalous form of its
+Government, the action of that empire in performing treaty stipulations is
+inconstant and capricious. Nevertheless, good progress has been effected
+by the Western powers, moving with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary
+claims have been allowed or put in course of settlement, and the inland
+sea has been reopened to commerce. There is reason also to believe that
+these proceedings have increased rather than diminished the friendship of
+Japan toward the United States.
+
+The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina, and Pensacola have been opened by
+proclamation. It is hoped that foreign merchants will now consider whether
+it is not safer and more profitable to themselves, as well as just to
+the United States, to resort to these and other open ports than it is to
+pursue, through many hazards and at vast cost, a contraband trade with
+other ports which are closed, if not by actual military occupation, at
+least by a lawful and effective blockade.
+
+For myself, I have no doubt of the power and duty of the Executive, under
+the law of nations, to exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum in
+the United States. If Congress should think that proceedings in such
+cases lack the authority of law, or ought to be further regulated by it, I
+recommend that provision be made for effectually preventing foreign
+slave traders from acquiring domicile and facilities for their criminal
+occupation in our country.
+
+It is possible that if it were a new and open question the maritime
+powers, with the lights they now enjoy, would not concede the privileges
+of a naval belligerent to the insurgents of the United States, destitute,
+as they are, and always have been, equally of ships of war and of ports
+and harbors. Disloyal emissaries have been neither assiduous nor more
+successful during the last year than they were before that time in their
+efforts, under favor of that privilege, to embroil our country in foreign
+wars. The desire and determination of the governments of the maritime
+states to defeat that design are believed to be as sincere as and can
+not be more earnest than our own. Nevertheless, unforeseen political
+difficulties have arisen, especially in Brazilian and British ports and on
+the northern boundary of the United States, which have required, and are
+likely to continue to require, the practice of constant vigilance and a
+just and conciliatory spirit on the part of the United States, as well as
+of the nations concerned and their governments.
+
+Commissioners have been appointed under the treaty with Great Britain
+on the adjustment of the claims of the Hudson Bay and Puget Sound
+Agricultural Companies, in Oregon, and are now proceeding to the execution
+of the trust assigned to them.
+
+In view of the insecurity of life and property in the region adjacent
+to the Canadian border, by reason of recent assaults and depredations
+committed by inimical and desperate persons who are harbored there, it
+has been thought proper to give notice that after the expiration of six
+months, the period conditionally stipulated in the existing arrangement
+with Great Britain, the United States must hold themselves at liberty
+to increase their naval armament upon the Lakes if they shall find that
+proceeding necessary. The condition of the border will necessarily come
+into consideration in connection with the question of continuing or
+modifying the rights of transit from Canada through the United States, as
+well as the regulation of imposts, which were temporarily established by
+the reciprocity treaty of the 5th June, 1854.
+
+I desire, however, to be understood while making this statement that the
+colonial authorities of Canada are not deemed to be intentionally unjust
+or unfriendly toward the United States, but, on the contrary, there is
+every reason to expect that, with the approval of the Imperial Government,
+they will take the necessary measures to prevent new incursions across the
+border.
+
+The act passed at the last session for the encouragement of immigration
+has so far as was possible been put into operation. It seems to need
+amendment which will enable the officers of the Government to prevent the
+practice of frauds against the immigrants while on their way and on
+their arrival in the ports, so as to secure them here a free choice of
+avocations and places of settlement. A liberal disposition toward this
+great national policy is manifested by most of the European States, and
+ought to be reciprocated on our part by giving the immigrants effective
+national protection. I regard our immigrants as one of the principal
+replenishing streams which are appointed by Providence to repair the
+ravages of internal war and its wastes of national strength and health.
+All that is necessary is to secure the flow of that stream in its present
+fullness, and to that end the Government must in every way make it
+manifest that it neither needs nor designs to impose involuntary military
+service upon those who come from other lands to cast their lot in our
+country. The financial affairs of the Government have been successfully
+administered during the last year. The legislation of the last session of
+Congress has beneficially affected the revenues, although sufficient
+time has not yet elapsed to experience the full effect of several of the
+provisions of the acts of Congress imposing increased taxation.
+
+The receipts during the year from all sources, upon the basis of warrants
+signed by the Secretary of the Treasury, including loans and the balance
+in the Treasury on the 1st day of July, 1863, were $1,394,196,007.62, and
+the aggregate disbursements, upon the same basis, were $1,298,056,101.89,
+leaving a balance in the Treasury, as shown by warrants, of
+$96,739,905.73.
+
+Deduct from these amounts the amount of the principal of the public debt
+redeemed and the amount of issues in substitution therefor, and the
+actual cash operations of the Treasury were: receipts, $884,076,646.57;
+disbursements, $865,234,087.86; which leaves a cash balance in the
+Treasury of $18,842,558.71.
+
+Of the receipts there were derived from customs $102,316,152.99, from
+lands $588,333.29, from direct taxes $475,648.96, from internal revenue
+$109,741,134.10, from miscellaneous sources $47,511,448.10, and from loans
+applied to actual expenditures, including former balance, $623,443,929.13.
+
+There were disbursed for the civil service $27,505,599.46, for pensions
+and Indians $7,517,930.97, for the War Department $690,791,842.97, for
+the Navy Department $85,733,292.77, for interest on the public debt
+$53,685,421.69, making an aggregate of $865,234,087.86, and leaving a
+balance in the Treasury of $18,842,558.71, as before stated.
+
+For the actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter and the
+estimated receipts and disbursements for the three remaining quarters of
+the current fiscal year, and the general operations of the Treasury in
+detail, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. I
+concur with him in the opinion that the proportion of moneys required to
+meet the expenses consequent upon the war derived from taxation should
+be still further increased; and I earnestly invite your attention to this
+subject to the end that there be such additional legislation as shall be
+required to meet the just expectations of the Secretary.
+
+The public debt on the first day of July last, as appears by the books
+of the Treasury, amounted to $1,740,690,489.49. Probably, should the war
+continue for another year, that amount may be increased by not far from
+$500,000,000. Held, as it is, for the most part by our own people, it has
+become a substantial branch of national, though private, property. For
+obvious reasons the more nearly this property can be distributed among
+all the people the better. To favor such general distribution, greater
+inducements to become owners might, perhaps, with good effect and without
+injury be presented to persons of limited means. With this view I suggest
+whether it might not be both competent and expedient for Congress to
+provide that a limited amount of some future issue of public securities
+might be held by any bona fide purchaser exempt from taxation and from
+seizure for debt, under such restrictions and limitations as might be
+necessary to guard against abuse of so important a privilege. This
+would enable every prudent person to set aside a small annuity against a
+possible day of want.
+
+Privileges like these would render the possession of such securities to
+the amount limited most desirable to every person of small means who might
+be able to save enough for the purpose. The great advantage of citizens
+being creditors as well as debtors with relation to the public debt is
+obvious. Men readily perceive that they can not be much oppressed by a
+debt which they owe to themselves.
+
+The public debt on the first day of July last, although somewhat exceeding
+the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury made to Congress at the
+commencement of the last session, falls short of the estimate of that
+officer made in the preceding December as to its probable amount at the
+beginning of this year by the sum of $3,995,097.31. This fact exhibits a
+satisfactory condition and conduct of the operations of the Treasury.
+
+The national banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists
+and to the people. On the twenty-fifth day of November five hundred and
+eighty-four national banks had been organized, a considerable number of
+which were conversions from State banks. Changes from State systems to the
+national system are rapidly taking place, and it is hoped that very soon
+there will be in the United States no banks of issue not authorized by
+Congress and no bank-note circulation not secured by the Government. That
+the Government and the people will derive great benefit from this change
+in the banking systems of the country can hardly be questioned. The
+national system will create a reliable and permanent influence in support
+of the national credit and protect the people against losses in the use of
+paper money. Whether or not any further legislation is advisable for the
+suppression of State-bank issues, it will be for Congress to determine.
+It seems quite clear that the Treasury can not be satisfactorily conducted
+unless the Government can exercise a restraining power over the bank-note
+circulation of the country.
+
+The report of the Secretary of War and the accompanying documents will
+detail the campaigns of the armies in the field since the date of the
+last annual message, and also the operations of the several administrative
+bureaus of the War Department during the last year. It will also specify
+the measures deemed essential for the national defense and to keep up and
+supply the requisite military force.
+
+The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a comprehensive and
+satisfactory exhibit of the affairs of that Department and of the naval
+service. It is a subject of congratulation and laudable pride to our
+countrymen that a Navy of such vast proportions has been organized in so
+brief a period and conducted with so much efficiency and success.
+
+The general exhibit of the Navy, including vessels under construction on
+the first of December, 1864, shows a total of 671 vessels, carrying 4610
+guns, and of 510,396 tons, being an actual increase during the year, over
+and above all losses by shipwreck or in battle, of 83 vessels, 167 guns,
+and 42,427 tons.
+
+The total number of men at this time in the naval service, including
+officers, is about 51,000.
+
+There have been captured by the Navy during the year 324 vessels, and the
+whole number of naval captures since hostilities commenced is 1379, of
+which 267 are steamers.
+
+The gross proceeds arising from the sale of condemned prize property thus
+far reported amount to $14,369,250.51. A large amount of such proceeds is
+still under adjudication and yet to be reported.
+
+The total expenditure of the Navy Department of every description,
+including the cost of the immense squadrons that have been called into
+existence from the fourth of March, 1861, to the first of November, 1864,
+is $238,647,262.35.
+
+Your favorable consideration is invited to the various recommendations
+of the Secretary of the Navy, especially in regard to a navy-yard and
+suitable establishment for the construction and repair of iron vessels and
+the machinery and armature for our ships, to which reference was made in
+my last annual message.
+
+Your attention is also invited to the views expressed in the report in
+relation to the legislation of Congress at its last session in respect to
+prize on our inland waters.
+
+I cordially concur in the recommendation of the Secretary as to the
+propriety of creating the new rank of vice-admiral in our naval service.
+
+Your attention is invited to the report of the Postmaster-General for
+a detailed account of the operations and financial condition of the
+Post-Office Department.
+
+The postal revenues for the year ending June 30, 1864, amounted to
+$12,438,253.78, and the expenditures to $12,644,786.20, the excess of
+expenditures over receipts being $206,532.42.
+
+The views presented by the Postmaster-General on the subject of special
+grants by the Government in aid of the establishment of new lines of
+ocean mail steamships and the policy he recommends for the development of
+increased commercial intercourse with adjacent and neighboring countries
+should receive the careful consideration of Congress.
+
+It is of noteworthy interest that the steady expansion of population,
+improvement, and governmental institutions over the new and unoccupied
+portions of our country have scarcely been checked, much less impeded or
+destroyed, by our great civil war, which at first glance would seem to
+have absorbed almost the entire energies of the nation.
+
+The organization and admission of the State of Nevada has been completed
+in conformity with law, and thus our excellent system is firmly
+established in the mountains, which once seemed a barren and uninhabitable
+waste between the Atlantic States and those which have grown up on the
+coast of the Pacific Ocean.
+
+The Territories of the Union are generally in a condition of prosperity
+and rapid growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason of their great distance and
+the interruption of communication with them by Indian hostilities,
+have been only partially organized; but it is understood that these
+difficulties are about to disappear, which will permit their governments,
+like those of the others, to go into speedy and full operation.
+
+As intimately connected with and promotive of this material growth of the
+nation, I ask the attention of Congress to the valuable information and
+important recommendations relating to the public lands, Indian affairs,
+the Pacific Railroad, and mineral discoveries contained in the report of
+the Secretary of the Interior which is herewith transmitted, and which
+report also embraces the subjects of patents, pensions, and other topics
+of public interest pertaining to his Department.
+
+The quantity of public land disposed of during the five quarters ending
+on the thirtieth of September last was 4,221,342 acres, of which 1,538,614
+acres were entered under the homestead law. The remainder was located
+with military land warrants, agricultural scrip certified to States for
+railroads, and sold for cash. The cash received from sales and location
+fees was $1,019,446.
+
+The income from sales during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864, was
+$678,007.21, against $136,077.95 received during the preceding year. The
+aggregate number of acres surveyed during the year has been equal to the
+quantity disposed of, and there is open to settlement about 133,000,000
+acres of surveyed land.
+
+The great enterprise of connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific States by
+railways and telegraph lines has been entered upon with a vigor that gives
+assurance of success, notwithstanding the embarrassments arising from the
+prevailing high prices of materials and labor. The route of the main line
+of the road has been definitely located for one hundred miles westward
+from the initial point at Omaha City, Nebraska, and a preliminary location
+of the Pacific Railroad of California has been made from Sacramento
+eastward to the great bend of the Truckee River in Nevada.
+
+Numerous discoveries of gold, silver, and cinnabar mines have been added
+to the many heretofore known, and the country occupied by the Sierra
+Nevada and Rocky mountains and the subordinate ranges now teems with
+enterprising labor, which is richly remunerative. It is believed that the
+produce of the mines of precious metals in that region has during the year
+reached, if not exceeded, $100,000,000 in value.
+
+It was recommended in my last annual message that our Indian system be
+remodeled. Congress at its last session, acting upon the recommendation,
+did provide for reorganizing the system in California, and it is believed
+that under the present organization the management of the Indians there
+will be attended with reasonable success. Much yet remains to be done to
+provide for the proper government of the Indians in other parts of the
+country, to render it secure for the advancing settler, and to provide for
+the welfare of the Indian. The Secretary reiterates his recommendations,
+and to them the attention of Congress is invited.
+
+
+The liberal provisions made by Congress for paying pensions to invalid
+soldiers and sailors of the Republic and to the widows, orphans, and
+dependent mothers of those who have fallen in battle or died of disease
+contracted or of wounds received in the service of their country have been
+diligently administered. There have been added to the pension rolls during
+the year ending the 30th day of June last the names of 16,770 invalid
+soldiers and of 271 disabled seamen, making the present number of army
+invalid pensioners 22,767 and of navy invalid pensioners 712.
+
+Of widows, orphans, and mothers 22,198 have been placed on the army
+pension rolls and 248 on the navy rolls. The present number of army
+pensioners of this class is 25,433 and of navy pensioners 793. At the
+beginning of the year the number of Revolutionary pensioners was 1430.
+Only twelve of them were soldiers, of whom seven have since died.
+The remainder are those who under the law receive pensions because
+of relationship to Revolutionary soldiers. During the year ending the
+thirtieth of June, 1864, $4,504,616.92 have been paid to pensioners of all
+classes.
+
+I cheerfully commend to your continued patronage the benevolent
+institutions of the District of Columbia which have hitherto been
+established or fostered by Congress, and respectfully refer for
+information concerning them and in relation to the Washington Aqueduct,
+the Capitol, and other matters of local interest to the report of the
+Secretary.
+
+The Agricultural Department, under the supervision of its present
+energetic and faithful head, is rapidly commending itself to the great and
+vital interest it was created to advance. It is peculiarly the people's
+department, in which they feel more directly concerned than in any other.
+I commend it to the continued attention and fostering care of Congress.
+
+The war continues. Since the last annual message all the important lines
+and positions then occupied by our forces have been maintained and our
+arms have steadily advanced, thus liberating the regions left in rear, so
+that Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other States have again
+produced reasonably fair crops.
+
+The most remarkable feature in the military operations of the year is
+General Sherman's attempted march of three hundred miles directly through
+the insurgent region. It tends to show a great increase of our relative
+strength that our General-in-Chief should feel able to confront and
+hold in check every active force of the enemy, and yet to detach a
+well-appointed large army to move on such an expedition. The result not
+yet being known, conjecture in regard to it is not here indulged.
+
+Important movements have also occurred during the year to the effect of
+molding society for durability in the Union. Although short of complete
+success, it is much in the right direction that twelve thousand citizens
+in each of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana have organized loyal State
+governments, with free constitutions, and are earnestly struggling to
+maintain and administer them. The movements in the same direction more
+extensive though less definite in Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee,
+should not be overlooked. But Maryland presents the example of complete
+success. Maryland is secure to liberty and union for all the future. The
+genius of rebellion will no more claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit
+being driven out, it may seek to tear her, but it will woo her no more.
+
+At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution
+abolishing slavery throughout the United States passed the Senate,
+but failed for lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of
+Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress and nearly the
+same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those
+who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the reconsideration and
+passage of the measure at the present session. Of course the abstract
+question is not changed; but an intervening election shows almost
+certainly that the next Congress will pass the measure if this does not.
+Hence there is only a question of time as to when the proposed amendment
+will go to the States for their action. And as it is to so go at all
+events, may we not agree that the sooner the better? It is not claimed
+that the election has imposed a duty on members to change their views or
+their votes any further than, as an additional element to be considered,
+their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people now
+for the first time heard upon the question. In a great national crisis
+like ours, unanimity of action among those seeking a common end is very
+desirable, almost indispensable. And yet no approach to such unanimity is
+attainable unless some deference shall be paid to the will of the majority
+simply because it is the will of the majority. In this case the common end
+is the maintenance of the Union, and among the means to secure that end
+such will, through the election, is most clearly declared in favor of such
+Constitutional amendment.
+
+The most reliable indication of public purpose in this country is derived
+through our popular elections. Judging by the recent canvass and its
+result, the purpose of the people within the loyal States to maintain the
+integrity of the Union was never more firm nor more nearly unanimous than
+now. The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions
+of voters met and mingled at the polls give strong assurance of this.
+Not only all those who supported the Union ticket, so called, but a great
+majority of the opposing party also may be fairly claimed to entertain and
+to be actuated by the same purpose. It is an unanswerable argument to
+this effect that no candidate for any office whatever, high or low, has
+ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the Union.
+There have been much impugning of motives and much heated controversy as
+to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause, but on
+the distinct issue of Union or no Union the politicians have shown their
+instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity among the people. In
+affording the people the fair opportunity of showing one to another and to
+the world this firmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of
+vast value to the national cause.
+
+The election has exhibited another fact not less valuable to be known--the
+fact that we do not approach exhaustion in the most important branch of
+national resources, that of living men. While it is melancholy to reflect
+that the war has filled so many graves and carried mourning to so many
+hearts, it is some relief to know that, compared with the surviving,
+the fallen have been so few. While corps and divisions and brigades and
+regiments have formed and fought and dwindled and gone out of existence, a
+great majority of the men who composed them are still living. The same is
+true of the naval service. The election returns prove this. So many voters
+could not else be found. The States regularly holding elections, both now
+and four years ago, to wit, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois,
+Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
+Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon,
+Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, cast
+3,982,011 votes now, against 3,870,222 cast then, showing an aggregate now
+of 3,982,011. To this is to be added 33,762 cast now in the new States of
+Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in 1860, thus swelling the
+aggregate to 4,015,773 and the net increase during the three years and a
+half of war to 145,551. A table is appended showing particulars. To
+this again should be added the number of all soldiers in the field from
+Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, and
+California, who by the laws of those States could not vote away from their
+homes, and which number can not be less than 90,000. Nor yet is this all.
+The number in organized Territories is triple now what it was four years
+ago--while thousands, white and black, join us as the national arms press
+back the insurgent lines. So much is shown, affirmatively and negatively,
+by the election. It is not material to inquire how the increase has been
+produced or to show that it would have been greater but for the war, which
+is probably true. The important fact remains demonstrated that we have
+more men now than we had when the war began; that we are not exhausted nor
+in process of exhaustion; that we are gaining strength and may if need be
+maintain the contest indefinitely. [This sentence recognizes the concern
+of a guerilla war after the main war finished.]This as to men. Material
+resources are now more complete and abundant than ever.
+
+The national resources, then, are unexhausted, and, as we believe,
+inexhaustible. The public purpose to re-establish and maintain the
+national authority is unchanged, and, as we believe, unchangeable.
+The manner of continuing the effort remains to choose. On careful
+consideration of all the evidence accessible it seems to me that no
+attempt at negotiation with the insurgent leader could result in any good.
+He would accept nothing short of severance of the Union, precisely what
+we will not and can not give. His declarations to this effect are explicit
+and oft repeated. He does not attempt to deceive us. He affords us no
+excuse to deceive ourselves. He can not voluntarily reaccept the Union;
+we can not voluntarily yield it. Between him and us the issue is distinct,
+simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be tried by war and
+decided by victory. If we yield, we are beaten; if the Southern people
+fail him, he is beaten. Either way it would be the victory and defeat
+following war. What is true, however, of him who heads the insurgent cause
+is not necessarily true of those who follow. Although he can not reaccept
+the Union, they can. Some of them, we know, already desire peace and
+reunion. The number of such may increase. They can at any moment have
+peace simply by laying down their arms and submitting to the national
+authority under the Constitution. After so much the Government could not,
+if it would, maintain war against them. The loyal people would not sustain
+or allow it. If questions should remain, we would adjust them by the
+peaceful means of legislation, conference, courts, and votes, operating
+only in Constitutional and lawful channels. Some certain, and other
+possible, questions are and would be beyond the Executive power to adjust;
+as, for instance, the admission of members into Congress and whatever
+might require the appropriation of money. The Executive power itself
+would be greatly diminished by the cessation of actual war. Pardons
+and remissions of forfeitures, however, would still be within Executive
+control. In what spirit and temper this control would be exercised can be
+fairly judged of by the past.
+
+A year ago general pardon and amnesty, upon specified terms, were offered
+to all except certain designated classes, and it was at the same time made
+known that the excepted classes were still within contemplation of
+special clemency. During the year many availed themselves of the general
+provision, and many more would, only that the signs of bad faith in some
+led to such precautionary measures as rendered the practical process less
+easy and certain. During the same time also special pardons have
+been granted to individuals of the excepted classes, and no voluntary
+application has been denied. Thus practically the door has been for a full
+year open to all except such as were not in condition to make free choice;
+that is, such as were in custody or under constraint. It is still so open
+to all. But the time may come, probably will come, when public duty shall
+demand that it be closed and that in lieu more rigorous measures than
+heretofore shall be adopted.
+
+In presenting the abandonment of armed resistance to the national
+authority on the part of the insurgents as the only indispensable
+condition to ending the war on the part of the Government, I retract
+nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the declaration made a
+year ago, that "while I remain in my present position I shall not attempt
+to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to
+slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation or by any
+of the acts of Congress." If the people should, by whatever mode or means,
+make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such persons, another, and not I,
+must be their instrument to perform it.
+
+In stating a single condition of peace I mean simply to say that the war
+will cease on the part of the Government whenever it shall have ceased on
+the part of those who began it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE, DECEMBER 6, 1864.
+
+FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I believe I shall never be old enough to
+speak without embarrassment when I have nothing to talk about. I have no
+good news to tell you, and yet I have no bad news to tell. We have talked
+of elections until there is nothing more to say about them. The most
+interesting news now we have is from Sherman. We all know where he went
+in at, but I can't tell where he will come out at. I will now close by
+proposing three cheers for General Sherman and his army.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR HALL.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 7, 1864.
+
+GOVERNOR HALL, Jefferson City, Mo.:
+
+Complaint is made to me of the doings of a man at Hannibal, Mo., by the
+name of Haywood, who, as I am told, has charge of some militia force, and
+is not in the United States service. Please inquire into the matter and
+correct anything you may find amiss if in your power.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO COLONEL FASLEIGH.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 8, 1864.
+
+COLONEL FASLEIGH, Louisville, Ky.:
+
+I am appealed to in behalf of a man by the name of Frank Fairbairns, said
+to have been for a long time and still in prison, without any definite
+ground stated. How is it?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS
+
+TO INVESTIGATE THE MILITARY DIVISION WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 10, 1864.
+
+ORDERED, First, that Major-General William P. Smith and the Hon. Henry
+Stanbery be, and they are hereby, appointed special commissioners to
+investigate and report, for the information of the President; upon the
+civil and military administration in the military division bordering upon
+and west of the Mississippi, under such instructions as shall be issued by
+authority of the President and the War Department.
+
+Second, said commissioners shall have power to examine witnesses
+upon oath, and to take such proofs orally or in writing, upon the
+subject-matters of investigation as they may deem expedient, and return
+the same together with their report.
+
+Third, all officers and persons in the military, naval and revenue
+services, or in any branch of the public service under the authority
+of the United States Government, are required, upon subpoena issued by
+direction of the said commissioners, to appear before them at such time
+and place as may be designated in said subpoena and to give testimony on
+oath touching such matters as may be inquired of by the commissioners,
+and to produce such books, papers, writings, and documents as they may
+be notified or required to produce by the commissioners, and as may be in
+their possession.
+
+Fourth, said special commissioners shall also investigate and report upon
+any other matters that may hereafter be directed by the Secretary of War,
+and shall with all convenient dispatch make report to him in writing of
+their investigation, and shall also from time to time make special reports
+to the Secretary of War upon such matters as they may deem of importance
+to the public interests.
+
+Fifth, the Secretary of War shall assign to the said commissioners such
+aid and assistance as may be required for the performance of their duties,
+and make such just and reasonable allowances and compensation for the said
+commissioners and for the persons employed by them as he may deem proper.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G, H. THOMAS. WASHINGTON, D.C., December 16, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville, Tennessee:
+
+Please accept for yourself, officers, and men, the nation's thanks for
+your good work of yesterday. You made a magnificent beginning; a grand
+consummation is within your easy reach. Do not let it slip.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN,
+
+
+
+
+ORIGIN OF THE "GREENBACK" CURRENCY
+
+TO COLONEL B. D. TAYLOR
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December [16?], 1864.
+
+DEAR COLONEL DICK:--I have long determined to make public the origin of
+the greenback and tell the world that it is Dick Taylor's creation. You
+had always been friendly to me, and when troublous times fell on us, and
+my shoulders, though broad and willing, were weak, and myself surrounded
+by such circumstances and such people that I knew not whom to trust, then
+I said in my extremity: "I will send for Colonel Taylor; he will know what
+to do." I think it was in January, 1862, on or about the 16th, that I did
+so. You came, and I said to you:
+
+"What can we do?" Said you, "Why, issue Treasury notes bearing no
+interest, printed on the best banking paper. Issue enough to pay off the
+Army expenses and declare it legal tender."
+
+Chase thought it a hazardous thing, but we finally accomplished it,
+and gave the people of this Republic the greatest blessing they ever
+had--their own paper to pay their own debts.
+
+It is due to you, the father of the present greenback, that the people
+should know it, and I take great pleasure in making it known. How many
+times have I laughed at you telling me plainly that I was too lazy to be
+anything but a lawyer.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT CHATTANOOGA. EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+WASHINGTON, December 16, 1864
+
+OFFICER IN COMMAND at Chattanooga, Tenn.:
+
+It is said that Harry Walters, a private in the Anderson cavalry, is now
+and for a long time has been in prison at Chattanooga. Please report to me
+what is his condition, and for what he is imprisoned.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+CALL FOR 300,000 VOLUNTEERS, DECEMBER 19, 1864.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+A Proclamation
+
+Whereas, by the act approved July 4, 1864, entitled "An act further
+to regulate and provide for the enrolling and calling out the national
+forces, and for other purposes," it is provided that the President of the
+United States may, "at his discretion, at any time hereafter, call for
+any number of men, as volunteers for the respective terms of one, two, and
+three years for military service," and "that in case the quota or any
+part thereof of any town, township, ward of a city, precinct, or election
+district, or of any country not so subdivided, shall not be filled
+within the space of fifty days after such call, then the President shall
+immediately order a draft for one year to fill such quota or any part
+thereof which may be unfilled;" and
+
+Whereas, by the credits allowed in accordance with the act of Congress
+on the call for 500,000 men, made July 18, 1864, the number of men to be
+obtained under that call was reduced to 280,000; and
+
+Whereas, the operations of the enemy in certain States have rendered it
+impracticable to procure from them their full quotas of troops under said
+call; and
+
+Whereas, from the foregoing causes but 240,000 men have been put into the
+Army, Navy, and Marine Corps under the said call of July 18, 1864, leaving
+a deficiency on that call of two hundred and sixty thousand (260,000):
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of
+America, in order to supply the aforesaid deficiency and to provide for
+casualties in the military and naval service of the United States, do
+issue this my call for three hundred thousand (300,000) volunteers to
+serve for one, two, or three years. The quotas of the States, districts,
+and subdistricts under this call will be assigned by the War Department
+through the bureau of the Provost-Marshal General of the United States,
+and "in case the quota or any part thereof of any town, township, ward
+of a city, precinct, or election district, or of any county not so
+subdivided, shall not be filled" before the fifteenth of February, 1865,
+then a draft shall be made to fill such quota or any part thereof under
+this call which may be unfilled on said fifteenth day of February, 1865.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed..........
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA
+
+TO GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 26, 1864
+
+MY DEAR GENERAL SHERMAN:--Many, many thanks for your Christmas gift, the
+capture of Savannah.
+
+When you were about leaving Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was
+anxious, if not fearful; but feeling that you were the better judge, and
+remembering that "nothing risked, nothing gained," I did not interfere.
+Now, the undertaking being a success, the honor is all yours; for I
+believe none of us went further than to acquiesce.
+
+And taking the work of General Thomas into the count, as it should be
+taken, it is indeed a great success. Not only does it afford the obvious
+and immediate military advantages; but in showing to the world that your
+army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new
+service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing force of the
+whole,--Hood's army,--it brings those who sat in darkness to see a great
+light. But what next?
+
+I suppose it will be safe if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide.
+
+Please make my grateful acknowledgments to your whole army of officers and
+men.
+
+Yours very truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT LEXINGTON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 27, 1864.
+
+OFFICER IN COMMAND at Lexington, Ky.:
+
+If within your power send me the particulars of the causes for which
+Lieutenant-Governor Jacob was arrested and sent away.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO J. MACLEAN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 27, 1864.
+
+
+Dr. JOHN MACLEAN:
+
+MY DEAR SIR:--I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your note
+of the twentieth of December, conveying the announcement that the Trustees
+of the College of New Jersey had conferred upon me the degree of Doctor of
+Laws.
+
+The assurance conveyed by this high compliment, that the course of the
+Government which I represent, has received the approval of a body of
+gentlemen of such character and intelligence, in this time of public
+trial, is most grateful to me.
+
+Thoughtful men must feel that the fate of civilization upon this continent
+is involved in the issue of our contest. Among the most gratifying proofs
+of this conviction is the hearty devotion everywhere exhibited by our
+schools and colleges to the national cause.
+
+I am most thankful if my labors have seemed to conduct to the preservation
+of those institutions, under which alone we can expect good government and
+in its train sound learning, and the progress of the liberal arts.
+
+I am, sir, very truly, your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT NASHVILLE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 28, 1864.
+
+OFFICER IN COMMAND at Nashville, Tenn.:
+
+Suspend execution of James R. Mallory, for six weeks from Friday the
+thirtieth of this month, which time I have given his friends to make
+proof, if they can, upon certain points.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN,
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., December 28, 1864. 5.30 p.m.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+If there be no objection, please tell me what you now understand of the
+Wilmington expedition, present and prospective.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 29, 1864.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER:
+
+There is a man in Company I, Eleventh Connecticut Volunteers, First
+Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, at Chapin's Farm, Va.;
+under the assumed name of William Stanley, but whose real name is Frank
+R. Judd, and who is under arrest, and probably about to be tried for
+desertion. He is the son of our present minister to Prussia, who is a
+close personal friend of Senator Trumbull and myself. We are not willing
+for the boy to be shot, but we think it as well that his trial go
+regularly on, suspending execution until further order from me and
+reporting to me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO COLONEL WARNER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 30, 1864.
+
+COLONEL WARNER, Indianapolis, Ind.:
+
+It is said that you were on the court-martial that tried John Lennon,
+and that you are disposed to advise his being pardoned and sent to his
+regiment. If this be true, telegraph me to that effect at once.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO J. WILLIAMS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 4, 1865.
+
+JOHN WILLIAMS, Springfield, Ill.:
+
+Let Trumbo's substitute be regularly mustered in, send me the evidence
+that it is done and I will then discharge Trumbo.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
+
+WASHINGTON, January 5, 1865.
+
+TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+I herewith return to your honorable body, in which it originated, a "joint
+resolution to correct certain clerical errors in the internal revenue
+act," without my approval.
+
+My reason for so doing is that I am informed that this joint resolution
+was prepared during the last moments of the last session of Congress for
+the purpose of correcting certain errors of reference in the internal
+revenue act, which were discovered on an examination of an official
+copy procured from the State Department a few hours only before the
+adjournment. It passed the House and went to the Senate, where a vote was
+taken upon it, but by some accident it was not presented to the President
+of the Senate for his signature.
+
+Since the adjournment of the last session of Congress, other errors of a
+kind similar to those which this resolution was designed to correct,
+have been discovered in the law, and it is now thought most expedient to
+include all the necessary corrections in one act or resolution.
+
+The attention of the proper committee of the House has, I am informed,
+been already directed to the preparation of a bill for this purpose.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 5, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Richard T. Jacob, Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucky, is at the Spotswood
+House, in Richmond, under an order of General Burbridge not to return to
+Kentucky. Please communicate leave to him to pass our lines, and come to
+me here at Washington.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, January 6, 1865, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point:
+
+If there is a man at City Point by the name of Waterman Thornton who is in
+trouble about desertion, please have his case briefly stated to me and do
+not let him be executed meantime.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,
+
+WASHINGTON, January 9, 1865.
+
+TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: I transmit to Congress a
+copy of two treaties between the United States and Belgium, for the
+extinguishment of the Scheldt dues, etc., concluded on the twentieth of
+May, 1863, and twentieth of July, 1863, respectively, the ratifications of
+which were exchanged at Brussels on the twenty-fourth of June last; and
+I recommend an appropriation to carry into effect the provisions thereof
+relative to the payment of the proportion of the United States toward the
+capitalization of the said dues.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO SCHUYLER COLFAX.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 9, 1865.
+
+HON. SCHUYLER COLFAX, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
+
+SIR:--I transmit herewith the letter of the Secretary of War, with
+accompanying report of the Adjutant-General, in reply to the resolution
+of the House of Representatives, dated December 7, 1864, requesting me
+"to communicate to the House the report made by Col. Thomas M. Key of an
+interview between himself and General Howell Cobb on the fourteenth [15th]
+day of June, 1862, on the banks of the Chickahominy, on the subject of the
+exchange of prisoners of war."
+
+I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING COMMERCE, JANUARY 10, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas the act of Congress of the twenty-eighth of September, 1850,
+entitled "An act to create additional collection districts in the State
+of California, and to change the existing districts therein, and to
+modify the existing collection districts in the United States," extends to
+merchandise warehoused under bond the privilege of being exported to
+the British North American provinces adjoining the United States, in the
+manner prescribed in the act of Congress of the third of March, 1845,
+which designates certain frontier ports through which merchandise may
+be exported, and further provides "that such other ports situated on
+the frontiers of the United States, adjoining the British North American
+provinces, as may hereafter be found expedient, may have extended to
+them the like privileges on the recommendation of the Secretary of the
+Treasury, and proclamation duly made by the President of the United
+States, specially designating the ports to which the aforesaid privileges
+are to be extended;"
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of
+America, in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of the
+Treasury, do hereby declare and proclaim that the port of St. Albans, in
+the State of Vermont, is, and shall be, entitled to all the privileges
+in regard to the exportation of merchandise in bond to the British North
+American provinces adjoining the United States, which are extended to
+the ports enumerated in the seventh section of the act of Congress of
+the third of March, 1845, aforesaid, from and after the date of this
+proclamation.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the city of Washington, this tenth day of January, in the year
+of our Lord one thousand eight hundred-and sixty-five, and of the
+independence of the United States of America the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL B. F. BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 10, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+No principal report of yours on the Wilmington expedition has ever reached
+the War Department, as I am informed there. A preliminary report did reach
+here, but was returned to General Grant at his request. Of course, leave
+to publish cannot be given without inspection of the paper, and not then
+if it should be deemed to be detrimental to the public service.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL B. F. BUTLER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 13, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
+
+Yours asking leave to come to Washington is received. You have been
+summoned by the Committee on the Conduct of the War to attend here, which,
+of course, you will do.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., January 15, 1865.
+
+GOVERNOR JOHNSON, Nashville, Tennessee:
+
+Yours announcing ordinance of emancipation received. Thanks to the
+convention and to you. When do you expect to be here? Would be glad to
+have your suggestion as to supplying your place of military governor.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. M. DODGE. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January
+15, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL DODGE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+It is represented to me that there is so much irregular violence in
+northern Missouri as to be driving away the people and almost depopulating
+it. Please gather information, and consider whether an appeal to the
+people there to go to their homes and let one another alone recognizing as
+a full right of protection for each that he lets others alone, and banning
+only him who refuses to let others alone may not enable you to withdraw
+the troops, their presence itself [being] a cause of irritation and
+constant apprehension, and thus restore peace and quiet, and returning
+prosperity. Please consider this and telegraph or write me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+FIRST OVERTURES FOR SURRENDER FROM DAVIS
+
+TO P. P. BLAIR, SR.
+
+WASHINGTON, January 18, 1865.
+
+F. P. BLAIR, ESQ.
+
+SIR:-You having shown me Mr. Davis's letter to you of the twelfth
+instant, you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and shall
+continue, ready to receive any agent whom he or any other influential
+person now resisting the national authority may informally send to me with
+the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country.
+
+Yours, etc.,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, January 19, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Please read and answer this letter as though I was not President, but
+only a friend. My son, now in his twenty-second year, having graduated at
+Harvard, wishes to see something of the war before it ends. I do not wish
+to put him in the ranks, nor yet to give him a commission, to which those
+who have already served long are better entitled and better qualified to
+hold. Could he, without embarrassment to you, or detriment to the service,
+go into your military family with some nominal rank, I, and not the
+public, furnishing his necessary means? If no, say so without the least
+hesitation, because I am as anxious and as deeply interested that you
+shall not be encumbered as you can be yourself.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL DODGE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 19, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL DODGE, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+If Mrs. Beattie, alias Mrs. Wolff, shall be sentenced to death, notify me,
+and postpone the execution till further order.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ORD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 19, 1864
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ORD:
+
+You have a man in arrest for desertion passing by the name of Stanley.
+William Stanley, I think, but whose real name is different. He is the son
+of so close a friend of mine that I must not let him be executed. Please
+let me know what is his present and prospective condition.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. M. DODGE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 24, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL DODGE, St. Louis, Mo.:
+
+It is said an old lady in Clay County, Missouri, by name Mrs. Winifred
+B. Price, is about being sent South. If she is not misbehaving let her
+remain.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 24, 1865.
+
+HON. ANDREW JOHNSON, Nashville, Tennessee:
+
+Several members of the Cabinet, with myself, considered the question,
+to-day, as to the time of your coming on here. While we fully appreciate
+your wish to remain in Tennessee until her State government shall be
+completely reinaugurated, it is our unanimous conclusion that it is unsafe
+for you to not be here on the 4th of March. Be sure to reach here by that
+time.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+REPLY TO A COMMITTEE, JANUARY 24, 1865.
+
+REVEREND SIR, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
+
+I accept with emotions of profoundest gratitude, the beautiful gift you
+have been pleased to present to me. You will, of course, expect that I
+acknowledge it. So much has been said about Gettysburg and so well, that
+for me to attempt to say more may perhaps only serve to weaken the force
+of that which has already been said. A most graceful and eloquent tribute
+was paid to the patriotism and self-denying labors of the American
+ladies, on the occasion of the consecration of the National Cemetery at
+Gettysburg, by our illustrious friend, Edward Everett, now, alas! departed
+from earth. His life was a truly great one, and I think the greatest part
+of it was that which crowned its closing years, I wish you to read, if you
+have not already done so, the eloquent and truthful words which he then
+spoke of the women of America. Truly, the services they have rendered to
+the defenders of our country in this perilous time, and are yet rendering,
+can never be estimated as they ought to be. For your kind wishes to me
+personally, I beg leave to render you likewise my sincerest thanks. I
+assure you they are reciprocated. And now, gentlemen and ladies, may God
+bless you all.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 25, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point
+
+If Newell W. Root, of First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, is under sentence
+of death, please telegraph me briefly the circumstances.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL GRANT.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 25, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Having received the report in the case of Newell W. Root, I do not
+interfere further in the case.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+EARLY CONSULTATIONS WITH REBELS
+
+INSTRUCTIONS TO MAJOR ECKERT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 30, 1865.
+
+MAJOR T. T. ECKERT.
+
+SIR:-You will proceed with the documents placed in your hands, and on
+reaching General Ord will deliver him the letter addressed to him by the
+Secretary of War. Then, by General Ord's assistance procure an interview
+with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, or any of them, deliver to
+him or them the paper on which your own letter is written. Note on the
+copy which you retain the time of delivery and to whom delivered. Receive
+their answer in writing, waiting a reasonable time for it, and which, if
+it contain their decision to come through without further condition, will
+be your warrant to ask General Ord to pass them through as directed in the
+letter of the Secretary of War to him. If by their answer they decline
+to come, or propose other terms, do not have them pass through. And this
+being your whole duty, return and report to me.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL ORD.
+
+(Cipher.)
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 30, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ORD, Headquarters Army of the James:
+
+By direction of the President you are instructed to inform the three
+gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, that a messenger will
+be dispatched to them at or near where they now are, without unnecessary
+delay.
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+
+
+INDORSEMENT ON A LETTER FROM J. M. ASHLEY.
+
+HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 31, 1865.
+
+DEAR SIR:--The report is in circulation in the House that Peace
+Commissioners are on their way or in the city, and is being used against
+us. If it is true, I fear we shall lose the bill. Please authorize me to
+contradict it, if it is not true.
+
+Respectfully, J. M. ASHLEY.
+
+To the President.
+
+
+(Indorsement.)
+
+So far as I know there are no Peace Commissioners in the city or likely to
+be in it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN. January 31, 1865
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+A messenger is coming to you on the business contained in your despatch.
+Detain the gentlemen in comfortable quarters until he arrives, and then
+act upon the message he brings, as far as applicable, it having been
+made up to pass through General Ord's hands, and when the gentlemen were
+supposed to be beyond our lines.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INSTRUCTIONS TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865.
+
+HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State
+
+You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, there to meet and
+informally confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on the
+basis of my letter to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy
+of which you have. You will make known to them that three things are
+indispensable to wit:
+
+1. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States.
+
+2. No receding by the Executive of the United States on the slavery
+question from the position assumed thereon in the late annual message to
+Congress, and in preceding documents.
+
+3. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war and the
+disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government.
+
+You will inform them that all propositions of theirs, not inconsistent
+with the above, will be considered and passed upon in a spirit of sincere
+liberality. You will hear all they may choose to say and report it to me.
+You will not assume to definitely consummate anything.
+
+Yours, etc.,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR THE ABOLISHING OF SLAVERY
+
+PASSAGE THROUGH CONGRESS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR THE
+ABOLISHING OF SLAVERY
+
+RESPONSE TO A SERENADE, JANUARY 31, 1865.
+
+He supposed the passage through Congress of the Constitutional amendment
+for the abolishing of slavery throughout the United States was the
+occasion to which he was indebted for the honor of this call.
+
+The occasion was one of congratulation to the country, and to the whole
+world. But there is a task yet before us--to go forward and consummate by
+the votes of the States that which Congress so nobly began yesterday. He
+had the honor to inform those present that Illinois had already done the
+work. Maryland was about half through, but he felt proud that Illinois was
+a little ahead.
+
+He thought this measure was a very fitting if not an indispensable adjunct
+to the winding up of the great difficulty. He wished the reunion of
+all the States perfected, and so effected as to remove all causes of
+disturbance in the future; and, to attain this end, it was necessary
+that the original disturbing cause should, if possible, be rooted out. He
+thought all would bear him witness that he had never shirked from doing
+all that he could to eradicate slavery, by issuing an Emancipation
+Proclamation. But that proclamation falls short of what the amendment
+will be when fully consummated. A question might be raised whether the
+proclamation was legally valid. It might be added, that it only aided
+those who came into our lines, and that it was inoperative as to those
+who did not give themselves up; or that it would have no effect upon the
+children of the slaves born hereafter; in fact, it would be urged that it
+did not meet the evil. But this amendment is a king's cure for all evils.
+It winds the whole thing up. He would repeat, that it was the fitting if
+not the indispensable adjunct to the consummation of the great game we are
+playing. He could not but congratulate all present--himself, the country,
+and the whole world upon this great moral victory.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, February 1, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point:
+
+Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military
+movements or plans.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MAJOR ECKERT. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 1, 1865.
+
+MAJOR T. T. ECKERT, Care of General Grant, City Point, Va.:
+
+Call at Fortress Monroe, and put yourself under direction of Mr. Seward,
+whom you will find there.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 2, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Say to the gentlemen I will meet them personally at Fortress Monroe as
+soon as I can get there.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 2, 1865.
+
+HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Fortress Monroe, Va.
+
+Induced by a despatch of General Grant, I join you at Fort Monroe, as soon
+as I can come.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER TO MAKE CORRECTIONS IN THE DRAFT.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON CITY, February 6, 1865
+
+Whereas complaints are made in some localities respecting the assignments
+of quotas and credits allowed for the pending call of troops to fill
+up the armies: Now, in order to determine all controversies in respect
+thereto, and to avoid any delay in filling up the armies, it is ordered,
+
+1. That the Attorney-General, Brigadier-General Richard Delafield, and
+Colonel C. W. Foster, be, and they are hereby constituted, a board to
+examine into the proper quotas and credits of the respective States and
+districts under the call of December 19, 1864, with directions, if any
+errors be found therein, to make such corrections as the law and facts may
+require, and report their determination to the Provost-Marshal-General.
+The determination of said board to be final and conclusive, and the draft
+to be made in conformity therewith.
+
+2. The Provost-Marshal-General is ordered to make the draft in the
+respective districts as speedily as the same can be done after the
+fifteenth of this month.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 6, 1865.
+
+PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL:
+
+These gentlemen distinctly say to me this morning that what they want is
+the means from your office of showing their people that the quota assigned
+to them is right. They think it will take but little time--two hours, they
+say. Please give there double the time and every facility you can.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+February 6, 1865.
+
+The Provost-Marshal brings this letter back to me and says he cannot give
+the facility required without detriment to the service, and thereupon he
+is excused from doing it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL GLENN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 7, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-COLONEL GLENN, Commanding Post at Henderson, Ky.:
+
+Complaint is made to me that you are forcing negroes into the military
+service, and even torturing them--riding them on rails and the like to
+extort their consent. I hope this may be a mistake. The like must not be
+done by you, or any one under you. You must not force negroes any more
+than white men. Answer me on this.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GOVERNOR SMITH.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 8, 1865.
+
+HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR SMITH, of Vermont:
+
+Complaint is made to me, by Vermont, that the assignment of her quota for
+the draft on the pending call is intrinsically unjust, and also in
+bad faith of the Government's promise to fairly allow credits for men
+previously furnished. To illustrate, a supposed case is stated as follows:
+
+Vermont and New Hampshire must between them furnish six thousand men on
+the pending call; and being equal, each must furnish as many as the other
+in the long run. But the Government finds that on former calls Vermont
+furnished a surplus of five hundred, and New Hampshire a surplus, of
+fifteen hundred. These two surpluses making two thousand and added to the
+six thousand, making eight thousand to be furnished by the two States, or
+four thousand each less, by fair credits. Then subtract Vermont's surplus
+of five hundred from her four thousand, leaves three thousand five hundred
+as her quota on the pending call; and likewise subtract New Hampshire's
+surplus of fifteen hundred from her four thousand, leaves two thousand
+five hundred as her quota on the pending call. These three thousand five
+hundred and two thousand five hundred make precisely six thousand, which
+the supposed case requires from the two States, and it is just equal for
+Vermont to furnish one thousand more now than New Hampshire, because New
+Hampshire has heretofore furnished one thousand more than Vermont, which
+equalizes the burdens of the two in the long run. And this result, so far
+from being bad faith to Vermont, is indispensable to keeping good faith
+with New Hampshire. By no other result can the six thousand men be
+obtained from the two States, and, at the same time deal justly and
+keep faith with both, and we do but confuse ourselves in questioning the
+process by which the right result is reached. The supposed case is perfect
+as an illustration.
+
+The pending call is not for three hundred thousand men subject to fair
+credits, but is for three hundred thousand remaining after all fair
+credits have been deducted, and it is impossible to concede what Vermont
+asks without coming out short of three hundred thousand men, or making
+other localities pay for the partiality shown her.
+
+This upon the case stated. If there be different reasons for making an
+allowance to Vermont, let them be presented and considered.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 8, 1865.
+
+TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+The joint resolution entitled "Joint resolution declaring certain States
+not entitled to representation in the electoral college" has been signed
+by the Executive in deference to the view of Congress implied in its
+passage and presentation to him. In his own view, however, the two Houses
+of Congress, convened under the twelfth article of the Constitution, have
+complete power to exclude from counting all electoral votes deemed by
+them to be illegal, and it is not competent for the Executive to defeat or
+obstruct that power by a veto, as would be the case if his action were at
+all essential in the matter. He disclaims all right of the Executive to
+interfere in any way in the matter of canvassing or counting electoral
+votes, and he also disclaims that by signing said resolution he has
+expressed any opinion on the recitals of the preamble or any judgment of
+his own upon the subject of the resolution.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February
+8, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point. Va.:
+
+I am called on by the House of Representatives to give an account of my
+interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, and it is very
+desirable to me to put your despatch of February 1, to the Secretary of
+War, in which, among other things, you say: "I fear now their going
+back without any expression from any one in authority will have a bad
+influence." I think the despatch does you credit, while I do not see that
+it can embarrass you. May I use it?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESULT OF THE ELECTORAL COUNT
+
+REPLY TO A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, REPORTING THE RESULT OF THE ELECTORAL
+COUNT,
+
+FEBRUARY 9, 1865.
+
+With deep gratitude to my countrymen for this mark of their confidence;
+with a distrust of my own ability to perform the duty required under
+the most favorable circumstances, and now rendered doubly difficult by
+existing national perils; yet with a firm reliance on the strength of
+our free government, and the eventual loyalty of the people to the just
+principles upon which it is founded, and above all with an unshaken
+faith in the Supreme Ruler of nations, I accept this trust. Be pleased to
+signify this to the respective Houses of Congress.
+
+
+
+
+CHRONOLOGIC REVIEW OF PEACE PROPOSALS
+
+MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 10, 1865
+
+TO THE HONORABLE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
+
+In response to your resolution of the eighth instant, requesting
+information in relation to a conference recently held in Hampton Roads,
+I have the honor to state that on the day of the date I gave Francis P.
+Blair, Sr., a card, written on as follows, to wit:
+
+December 28, 1864.
+
+Allow the bearer, F. P. Blair, Sr., to pass our lines, go South, and
+return.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+That at the time I was informed that Mr. Blair sought the card as a means
+of getting to Richmond, Va., but he was given no authority to speak or act
+for the Government, nor was I informed of anything he would say or do on
+his own account or otherwise. Afterwards Mr. Blair told me that he had
+been to Richmond and had seen Mr. Jefferson Davis; and he (Mr. B.) at the
+same time left with me a manuscript letter, as follows, to wit:
+
+RICHMOND, VA., January 12, 1865. F. P. BLAIR, ESQ.
+
+SIR: I have deemed it proper, and probably desirable to you, to give you
+in this for in the substance of remarks made by me, to be repeated by you
+to President Lincoln, etc., etc.
+
+I have no disposition to find obstacles in forms, and am willing, now as
+heretofore, to enter into negotiations for the restoration of peace, and
+am ready to send a commission whenever I have reason to suppose it will be
+received, or to receive a commission if the United States Government
+shall choose to send one. That notwithstanding the rejection of our former
+offers, I would, if you could promise that a commissioner, minister, or
+other agent would be received, appoint one immediately, and renew the
+effort to enter into conference with a view to secure peace to the two
+countries.
+
+Yours, etc., JEFFERSON DAVIS.
+
+
+Afterwards, and with the view that it should be shown to Mr. Davis, I
+wrote and delivered to Mr. Blair a letter, as follows, to wit:
+
+
+WASHINGTON, January 18, 1865.
+
+P. P. BLAIR, ESQ.
+
+SIR:--Your having shown me Mr. Davis's letter to you of the twelfth
+instant, you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and
+shall continue ready to receive any agent whom he or any other influential
+person now resisting the national authority may informally send to me with
+the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country.
+
+Yours, etc.,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+Afterwards Mr. Blair dictated for and authorized me to make an entry on
+the back of my retained copy of the letter last above recited, which entry
+is as follows:
+
+January 28, 1865
+
+To-day Mr. Blair tells me that on the twenty-first instant he delivered
+to Mr. Davis the original of which the within is a copy, and left it with
+him; that at the time of delivering it Mr. Davis read it over twice in Mr.
+Blair's presence, at the close of which he (Mr. Blair) remarked that the
+part about "our one common country" related to the part of Mr. Davis'
+letter about "the two countries," to which Mr. Davis replied that he so
+understood it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+Afterwards the Secretary of War placed in my hands the following telegram,
+indorsed by him, as appears:
+
+OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH WAR DEPARTMENT. The following
+telegram received at Washington January 29, 1865, from headquarters Army
+of James,
+
+6.30 P.M., January 29, 1865:
+
+"HON. EDWIN M. STANTON," Secretary of War:
+
+"The following despatch just received from Major-General Parke, who refers
+it to me for my action. I refer it to you in Lieutenant-General Grant's
+absence:
+
+  "E. O. C. ORD, Major-General, Commanding.
+  HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
+  January 29, 1863. 4 P.M."
+
+  'MAJOR-GENERAL E. O. C. ORD,
+  'Headquarters Army of James:
+  'The following despatch is forwarded to you for your action. Since I
+  have no knowledge of General Grant's having had any understanding of
+  this kind, I refer the matter to you as the ranking officer present
+  in the two armies.
+  'JNO. G. PARKE, Major-General, Commanding.'
+
+
+  "'FROM HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY Cos, 29th.
+  'MAJOR-GENERAL JNO. G. PARKE, 'Headquarters Army of Potomac:
+  'Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter, and J. A. Campbell desire to
+  cross my lines, in accordance with an understanding claimed to exist
+  with Lieutenant-General Grant, on their way to Washington as peace
+  commissioners. Shall they be admitted? They desire an early answer,
+  to come through immediately. Would like to reach City Point tonight
+  if they can. If they can not do this, they would like to come
+  through at 10 A.M. to-morrow morning.
+  'O. B. WILCOX,
+  'Major-General, Commanding Ninth Corps.'
+
+
+  "January 29, 8.30 P.M.
+  "Respectfully referred to the President for such instructions as he
+  may be pleased to give.
+  "EDWIN M. STANTON, "Secretary of War."
+
+
+It appears that about the time of placing the foregoing telegram in my
+hands the Secretary of War dispatched General Ord as follows, to wit:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, January 29, 1865. 10 P.M. (Sent at 2
+A.M., 30th.) MAJOR-GENERAL ORD.
+
+SIR:--This Department has no knowledge of any understanding by General
+Grant to allow any person to come within his lines as commissioner of any
+sort. You will therefore allow no one to come into your lines under such
+character or profession until you receive the President's instructions, to
+whom your telegraph will be submitted for his directions.
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+Afterwards, by my direction, the Secretary of War telegraphed General Ord
+as follows, to wit:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30. 10.30 A.M.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL E. O. C. ORD, Headquarters Army of the James.
+
+SIR:--By direction of the President, you are instructed to inform the
+three gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, that a messenger
+will be dispatched to them at or near where they now are without
+unnecessary delay.
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+Afterwards I prepared and put into the hands of Major Thomas T. Eckert the
+following instructions and message:
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+MAJOR T. T. ECKERT. WASHINGTON, January 30, 1865
+
+SIR:--You will proceed with the documents placed in your hands, and on
+reaching General Ord will deliver him the letter addressed to him by the
+Secretary of War; then, by General Ord's assistance, procure an interview
+with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, or any of them. Deliver to
+him or them the paper on which your own letter is written. Note on the
+copy which you retain the time of delivery and to whom delivered. Receive
+their answer in writing, waiting a reasonable time for it, and which, if
+it contain their decision to come through without further condition, will
+be your warrant to ask General Ord to pass them through, as directed in
+the letter of the Secretary of War to him. If by their answer they decline
+to come, or propose other terms, do not have them pass through. And this
+being your whole duty, return and report to me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+CITY POINT, VA.. February 1, 1865.
+
+MESSRS. ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, J. A. CAMPBELL AND R. M. T. HUNTER.
+
+GENTLEMEN:--I am instructed by the President of the United States to place
+this paper in your hands, with the information that if you pass through
+the United States military lines it will be understood that you do so for
+the purpose of an informal conference on the basis of the letter a copy of
+which is on the reverse side of this sheet, and that if you choose to pass
+on such understanding, and so notify me in writing, I will procure the
+commanding general to pass you through the lines and to Fortress Monroe
+under such military precautions as he may deem prudent, and at which place
+you will be met in due time by some person or persons for the purpose of
+such informal conference; and, further, that you shall have protection,
+safe conduct, and safe return in all events.
+
+THOMAS T. ECKERT, Major and Aide-de-Camp.
+
+
+WASHINGTON, January 18, 1865. F. P. BLAIR, ESQ.
+
+SIR:--Your having shown me Mr. Davis's letter to you of the twelfth
+instant, you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and
+shall continue ready to receive any agent whom he or any other influential
+person now resisting the national authority may informally send to me with
+the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country.
+
+Yours, etc.,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+Afterwards, but before Major Eckert had departed, the following dispatch
+was received from General Grant:
+
+OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT.
+
+The following telegram received at Washington January 30, 1865, from City
+Point, Va., 10.30 A.M., January 30, 1865:
+
+  "His EXCELLENCY
+  A. LINCOLN,
+  President of the United States:
+
+  "The following communication was received here last evening:
+
+  "'PETERSBURG, VA., January 30, 1865.
+  'LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U.S. GRANT,
+  Commanding Armies United States.
+  'SIR: We desire to pass your lines under safe conduct, and to proceed
+  to Washington to hold a conference with President Lincoln upon the
+  subject of the existing war, and with a view of ascertaining upon
+  what terms it may be terminated, in pursuance of the course indicated
+  by him in his letter to Mr. Blair of January 18, 1865, of which we
+  presume you have a copy; and if not, we wish to see you in person, if
+  convenient, and to confer with you upon the subject.
+  'Very respectfully, yours,
+  'ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
+  'J. A. CAMPBELL.
+  'R. M. T. HUNTER.'"
+
+
+"I have sent directions to receive these gentlemen, and expect to have
+them at my quarters this evening, awaiting your instructions. U.S. GRANT,
+Lieutenant-General, Commanding Armies United States."
+
+
+This, it will be perceived, transferred General Ord's agency in the matter
+to General Grant. I resolved, however, to send Major Eckert forward with
+his message, and accordingly telegraphed General Grant as follows, to wit:
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, January 13, 1865 (Sent at 1.30 P.M.)
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+A messenger is coming to you on the business contained in your despatch.
+Detain the gentlemen in comfortable quarters until he arrives, and then
+act upon the message he brings as far as applicable, it having been
+made up to pass through General Ord's hands, and when the gentlemen were
+supposed to be beyond our lines.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+When Major Eckert departed, he bore with him a letter of the Secretary of
+War to General Grant, as follows, to wit:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 30, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Commanding, etc.
+
+GENERAL:--The President desires that you will please procure for the
+bearer, Major Thomas T. Eckert, an interview with Messrs. Stephens,
+Hunter, and Campbell, and if on his return to you he requests it pass them
+through our lines to Fortress Monroe by such route and under such
+military precautions as you may deem prudent, giving them protection and
+comfortable quarters while there, and that you let none of this have any
+effect upon your movements or plans.
+
+By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+Supposing the proper point to be then reached, I dispatched the Secretary
+of State with the following instructions, Major Eckert, however, going
+ahead of him:
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865.
+
+HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State:
+
+You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Va., there to meet and informally
+confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell on the basis of my
+letter to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you
+have.
+
+You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to Wit:
+
+1. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States.
+
+2. No receding by the Executive of the United States on the slavery
+question from the position assumed thereon in the late annual message to
+Congress and in preceding documents.
+
+3. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war and the
+disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government.
+
+You will inform them that all propositions of theirs not inconsistent
+with the above will be considered and passed upon in a spirit of sincere
+liberality. You will hear all they may choose to say and report it to me.
+
+You will not assume to definitely consummate anything.
+
+Yours, etc.,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+On the day of its date the following telegram was sent to General Grant:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 1,1865 (Sent at 9.30 A.M.)
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military
+movements or plans.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+Afterwards the following despatch was received from General Grant:
+
+OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH WAR DEPARTMENT. The following
+telegram received at Washington, 2.30 P.M., February 1, 1865, from City
+Point, Va., February 1, 12.30 PM., 1865:
+
+"His EXCELLENCY A. LINCOLN, President United States:
+
+"Your despatch received. There will be no armistice in consequence of the
+presence of Mr. Stephens and others within our lines. The troops are kept
+in readiness to move at the shortest notice if occasion should justify it.
+
+"U.S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
+
+
+To notify Major Eckert that the Secretary of State would be at Fortress
+Monroe, and to put them in communication, the following despatch was sent:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 1, 1865.
+
+MAJOR T. T. ECKERT, Care of General Grant, City Point, Va.:
+
+Call at Fortress Monroe and put yourself under direction of Mr. S., whom
+you will find there.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+On the morning of the 2d instant the following telegrams were received by
+me respectively from the Secretary of State and Major Eckert:
+
+FORT MONROE, VA., February 1,1865. 11.30 PM.
+
+THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+Arrived at 10 this evening. Richmond party not here. I remain here.
+
+WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
+
+
+CITY POINT, VA., February 1, 1865. 10 P.M.
+
+HIS EXCELLENCY A. LINCOLN, President of the United States: I have the
+honor to report the delivery of your communication and my letter at
+4.15 this afternoon, to which I received a reply at 6 P.M., but not
+satisfactory.
+
+
+At 8 P.M. the following note, addressed to General Grant, was received:
+
+CITY POINT, VA., February 1, 1865
+
+"LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT.
+
+"SIR:--We desire to go to Washington City to confer informally with the
+President personally in reference to the matters mentioned in his letter
+to Mr. Blair of the 18th January ultimo, without any personal compromise
+on any question in the letter. We have the permission to do so from the
+authorities in Richmond.
+
+Very respectfully yours,
+
+ALEX. H. STEPHENS R. M. T. HUNTER. J. A. CAMPBELL."
+
+
+At 9.30 P.M. I notified them that they could not proceed further unless
+they complied with the terms expressed in my letter. The point of meeting
+designated in the above note would not, in my opinion, be insisted
+upon. Think Fort Monroe would be acceptable. Having complied with my
+instructions, I will return to Washington to-morrow unless otherwise
+ordered.
+
+THOS. T. ECKERT, Major, etc.
+
+
+On reading this despatch of Major Eckert I was about to recall him and the
+Secretary of State, when the following telegram of General Grant to the
+Secretary of War was shown me:
+
+OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT.
+
+The following telegram received at Washington 4.35 A.M., February 2, 1865,
+from City Point, Va., February 1, 10.30 P.M., 1865:
+
+"HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, "Secretary of War:
+
+"Now that the interview between Major Eckert, under his written
+instructions, and Mr. Stephens and party has ended, I will state
+confidentially, but not officially to become a matter of record, that I
+am convinced upon conversation with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that their
+intentions are good and their desire sincere to restore peace and union.
+I have not felt myself at liberty to express even views of my own or to
+account for my reticency. This has placed me in an awkward position, which
+I could have avoided by not seeing them in the first instance. I fear now
+their going back without any expression from anyone in authority will have
+a bad influence. At the same time, I recognize the difficulties in the way
+of receiving these informal commissioners at this time, and do not know
+what to recommend. I am sorry, however, that Mr. Lincoln can not have an
+interview with the two named in this despatch, if not all three now within
+our lines. Their letter to me was all that the President's instructions
+contemplated to secure their safe conduct if they had used the same
+language to Major Eckert.
+
+"U.S. GRANT "Lieutenant-General."
+
+
+This despatch of General Grant changed my purpose, and accordingly I
+telegraphed him and the Secretary of State, respectively, as follows:
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 2, 1865. (Sent at 9 A.M.)
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+Say to the gentlemen I will meet them personally at Fortress Monroe as
+soon as I can get there.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 2, 1865. (Sent at 9 A.M.)
+
+HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Fortress Monroe, Va.:
+
+Induced by a despatch from General Grant, I join you at Fort Monroe as
+soon as I can come.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+Before starting, the following despatch was shown me. I proceeded,
+nevertheless:
+
+OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT.
+
+The following telegram received at Washington, February 2, 1865, from City
+Point, Va., 9 A.M., February 2, 1865:
+
+"HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Fort Monroe:
+
+"The gentlemen here have accepted the proposed terms, and will leave for
+Fort Monroe at 9.30 A.M.
+
+"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
+
+(Copy to HON. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington.)
+
+
+On the night of the 2nd I reached Hampton Roads, found the Secretary of
+State and Major Eckert on a steamer anchored offshore, and learned of
+them that the Richmond gentlemen were on another steamer also anchored
+offshore, in the Roads, and that the Secretary of State had not yet seen
+or communicated with them. I ascertained that Major Eckert had literally
+complied with his instructions, and I saw for the first time the answer of
+the Richmond gentlemen to him, which in his despatch to me of the 1st he
+characterizes as "not satisfactory." That answer is as follows, to wit:
+
+CITY POINT, VA., February 1, 1865. THOMAS T. ECKERT, Major and
+Aid-de-Camp. MAJOR:-Your note, delivered by yourself this day, has been
+considered. In reply we have to say that we were furnished with a copy of
+the letter of President Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Esq., of the 18th
+of January ultimo, another copy of which is appended to your note. Our
+instructions are contained in a letter of which the following is a copy:
+
+"RICHMOND, January 28, 1865. "In conformity with the letter of Mr.
+Lincoln, of which the foregoing is a copy, you are to proceed to
+Washington City for informal conference with him upon the issues involved
+in the existing war, and for the purpose of securing peace to the two
+countries. "With great respect, your obedient servant, "JEFFERSON DAVIS."
+
+
+The substantial object to be obtained by the informal conference is to
+ascertain upon what terms the existing war can be terminated honorably.
+
+Our instructions contemplate a personal interview between President
+Lincoln and ourselves at Washington City, but with this explanation we are
+ready to meet any person or persons that President Lincoln may appoint at
+such place as he may designate.
+
+Our earnest desire is that a just and honorable peace may be agreed
+upon, and we are prepared to receive or to submit propositions which may
+possibly lead to the attainment of that end.
+
+Very respectfully, yours,
+
+     ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
+     R. M. T. HUNTER.
+     JOHN A. CAMPBELL.
+
+
+A note of these gentlemen, subsequently addressed to General Grant, has
+already been given in Major Eckert's despatch of the 1st instant.
+
+I also here saw, for the first time, the following note, addressed by the
+Richmond gentlemen to Major Eckert:
+
+CITY POINT, VA., February 2, 1865. THOMAS T. ECKERT, Major and
+Aid-de-Camp. MAJOR:--In reply to your verbal statement that your
+instructions did not allow you to alter the conditions upon which a
+passport could be given to us, we say that we are willing to proceed to
+Fortress Monroe and there to have an informal conference with any person
+or persons that President Lincoln may appoint on the basis of his letter
+to Francis P. Blair of the 18th of January ultimo, or upon any other terms
+or conditions that he may hereafter propose not inconsistent with the
+essential principles of self-government and popular rights, upon which our
+institutions are founded.
+
+It is our earnest wish to ascertain, after a free interchange of ideas and
+information, upon what principles and terms, if any, a just and honorable
+peace can be established without the further effusion of blood, and to
+contribute our utmost efforts to accomplish such a result.
+
+We think it better to add that in accepting your passport we are not to
+be understood as committing ourselves to anything but to carry to this
+informal conference the views and feelings above expressed.
+
+Very respectfully, yours, etc.,
+
+ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, J. A. CAMPBELL, R. M. T. HUNTER.
+
+
+Note.-The above communication was delivered to me at Fort Monroe at 4.30
+P.M. February 2 by Lieutenant-Colonel Babcock, of General Grant's staff.
+
+THOMAS T. ECKERT Major and Aid-de-Camp.
+
+
+On the morning of the third the three gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter,
+and Campbell, came aboard of our steamer and had an interview with the
+Secretary of State and myself of several hours' duration. No question
+of preliminaries to the meeting was then and there made or mentioned; no
+other person was present; no papers were exchanged or produced; and it
+was in advance agreed that the conversation was to be informal and
+verbal merely. On our part the whole substance of the instructions to the
+Secretary of State hereinbefore recited was stated and insisted upon, and
+nothing was said inconsistent therewith; while by the other party it was
+not said that in any event or on any condition they ever would consent
+to reunion, and yet they equally omitted to declare that they never would
+consent. They seemed to desire a postponement of that question and the
+adoption of some other course first, which, as some of them seemed to
+argue, might or might not lead to reunion, but which course we thought
+would amount to an indefinite postponement. The conference ended without
+result.
+
+The foregoing, containing, as is believed, all the information sought is
+respectfully submitted.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. WASHINGTON, February 10, 1865
+
+To THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
+
+In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the eighth instant,
+requesting information concerning recent conversations or communications
+with insurgents, under executive sanction, I transmit a report from the
+Secretary of State, to whom the resolution was referred.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+TO THE PRESIDENT:
+
+The Secretary of State, to whom was referred a resolution of the Senate
+of the 8th instant, requesting "the President of the United States, if, in
+his opinion, not incompatible with the public interests, to furnish to the
+Senate any information in his possession concerning recent conversations
+or communications with certain rebels, said to have taken place under
+executive sanction, including communications with the rebel Jefferson
+Davis, and any correspondence relating thereto," has the honor to report
+that the Senate may properly be referred to a special message of the
+President bearing upon the subject of the resolution, and transmitted to
+the House this day. Appended to this report is a copy of an instruction
+which has been addressed to Charles Francis Adams, Esq., envoy
+extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States at London,
+and which is the only correspondence found in this department touching the
+subject referred to in the resolution.
+
+Respectfully submitted,
+
+WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
+
+DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, February 10, 1865.
+
+
+
+
+MR. SEWARD TO MR. ADAMS.
+
+(Extract.) No. 1258.
+
+DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, February 7,1865
+
+On the morning of the 3d, the President, attended by the Secretary,
+received Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell on board the United
+States steam transport River Queen in Hampton Roads. The conference was
+altogether informal. There was no attendance of secretaries, clerks, or
+other witnesses. Nothing was written or read. The conversation, although
+earnest and free, was calm, and courteous, and kind on both sides. The
+Richmond party approached the discussion rather indirectly, and at no time
+did they either make categorical demands, or tender formal stipulations or
+absolute refusals. Nevertheless, during the conference, which lasted
+four hours, the several points at issue between the Government and the
+insurgents were distinctly raised, and discussed fully, intelligently, and
+in an amicable spirit. What the insurgent party seemed chiefly to favor
+was a postponement of the question of separation, upon which the war is
+waged, and a mutual direction of efforts of the Government, as well as
+those of the insurgents, to some extrinsic policy or scheme for a season
+during which passions might be expected to subside, and the armies be
+reduced, and trade and intercourse between the people of both sections
+resumed. It was suggested by them that through such postponement we
+might now have immediate peace, with some not very certain prospect of
+an ultimate satisfactory adjustment of political relations between this
+Government and the States, section, or people now engaged in conflict with
+it.
+
+This suggestion, though deliberately considered, was nevertheless regarded
+by the President as one of armistice or truce, and he announced that we
+can agree to no cessation or suspension of hostilities, except on the
+basis of the disbandment of the insurgent forces, and the restoration
+of the national authority throughout all the States in the Union.
+Collaterally, and in subordination to the proposition which was thus
+announced, the antislavery policy of the United States was reviewed in all
+its bearings, and the President announced that he must not be expected to
+depart from the positions he had heretofore assumed in his proclamation
+of emancipation and other documents, as these positions were reiterated in
+his last annual message. It was further declared by the President that
+the complete restoration of the national authority was an indispensable
+condition of any assent on our part to whatever form of peace might be
+proposed. The President assured the other party that, while he must adhere
+to these positions, he would be prepared, so far as power is lodged with
+the Executive, to exercise liberality. His power, however, is limited by
+the Constitution; and when peace should be made, Congress must necessarily
+act in regard to appropriations of money and to the admission of
+representatives from the insurrectionary States. The Richmond party
+were then informed that Congress had, on the 31st ultimo, adopted by
+a constitutional majority a joint resolution submitting to the several
+States the proposition to abolish slavery throughout the Union, and that
+there is every reason to expect that it will be soon accepted by three
+fourths of the States, so as to become a part of the national organic law.
+
+The conference came to an end by mutual acquiescence, without producing
+an agreement of views upon the several matters discussed, or any of them.
+Nevertheless, it is perhaps of some importance that we have been able to
+submit our opinions and views directly to prominent insurgents, and to
+hear them in answer in a courteous and not unfriendly manner.
+
+I am, sir, your obedient servant,
+
+WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
+
+
+
+
+TO ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 10, 1865
+
+REAR-ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding North Atlantic Squadron, Hampton
+Roads, Va.
+
+SIR:--It is made my agreeable duty to enclose herewith the joint
+resolution approved 24th January, 1865, tendering the thanks of Congress
+to yourself, the officers and men under your command for their gallantry
+and good conduct in the capture of Fort Fisher, and through you to all who
+participated in that brilliant and decisive victory under your command.
+
+Very respectfully,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 12, 1865
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+I understand that provost-marshals in different parts of Missouri are
+assuming to decide that the conditions of bonds are forfeited, and
+therefore are seizing and selling property to pay damages. This, if true,
+is both outrageous and ridiculous. Do not allow it. The courts, and
+not provost-marshals, are to decide such questions unless when military
+necessity makes an exception. Also excuse John Eaton, of Clay County, and
+Wesley Martin, of Platte, from being sent South, and let them go East if
+anywhere.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN
+
+
+
+
+TO THE COMMANDING OFFICERS IN WEST TENNESSEE
+
+WASHINGTON, February 13, 1865.
+
+TO THE MILITARY OFFICERS COMMANDING IN WEST TENNESSEE:
+
+While I cannot order as within requested, allow me to say that it is my
+wish for you to relieve the people from all burdens, harassments, and
+oppressions, so far as is possible consistently with your military
+necessities; that the object of the war being to restore and maintain
+the blessings of peace and good government, I desire you to help, and not
+hinder, every advance in that direction.
+
+Of your military necessities you must judge and execute, but please do so
+in the spirit and with the purpose above indicated.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 14, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Yours of yesterday about provost-marshal system received. As part of
+the same subject, let me say I am now pressed in regard to a pending
+assessment in St. Louis County. Please examine and satisfy yourself
+whether this assessment should proceed or be abandoned; and if you
+decide that it is to proceed, please examine as to the propriety of its
+application to a gentleman by the name of Charles McLaran.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON February 15, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Please ascertain whether General Fisk's administration is as good as it
+might be, and answer me.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONVENING THE SENATE IN EXTRA SESSION,
+
+FEBRUARY 17, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation
+
+Whereas objects of interest to the United States require that the Senate
+should be convened at twelve o'clock on the fourth of March next to
+receive and act upon such communications as may be made to it on the part
+of the Executive;
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, have
+considered it to be my duty to issue this, my proclamation, declaring
+that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States
+to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, in the city of
+Washington, on the fourth day of March next, at twelve o'clock at noon
+on that day, of which all who shall at that time be entitled to act as
+members of that body are hereby required to take notice.
+
+Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at
+Washington...............
+
+
+A. LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT HARPER'S FERRY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 17, 1865
+
+OFFICER IN COMMAND AT HARPER'S FERRY:
+
+Chaplain Fitzgibbon yesterday sent me a despatch invoking Clemency for
+Jackson, Stewart, and Randall, who are to be shot to-day. The despatch is
+so vague that there is no means here of ascertaining whether or not the
+execution of sentence of one or more of them may not already have been
+ordered. If not suspend execution of sentence m their cases until further
+orders and forward records of trials for examination.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN
+
+MAJOR ECKERT: Please send above telegram JNO. G. NICOLAY.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., February 24, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Virginia:
+
+I am in a little perplexity. I was induced to authorize a gentleman to
+bring Roger A. Pryor here with a view of effecting an exchange of him;
+but since then I have seen a despatch of yours showing that you specially
+object to his exchange. Meantime he has reached here and reported to
+me. It is an ungracious thing for me to send him back to prison, and yet
+inadmissible for him to remain here long. Cannot you help me out with it?
+I can conceive that there may be difference to you in days, and I can keep
+him a few days to accommodate on that point. I have not heard of my son's
+reaching you.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 24, 1865
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+Please inquire and report to me whether there is any propriety of longer
+keeping in Gratiott Street Prison a man said to be there by the name of
+Riley Whiting.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, February 25, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Virginia:
+
+General Sheridan's despatch to you, of to-day, in which he says he "will
+be off on Monday," and that he "will leave behind about two thousand men,"
+causes the Secretary of War and myself considerable anxiety. Have you
+well considered whether you do not again leave open the Shenandoah Valley
+entrance to Maryland and Pennsylvania, or, at least, to the Baltimore and
+Ohio Railroad?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 27, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Virginia:
+
+Subsequent reflection, conference with General Halleck, your despatch, and
+one from General Sheridan, have relieved my anxiety; and so I beg that you
+will dismiss any concern you may have on my account, in the matter of my
+last despatch.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO T. W. CONWAY.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 1, 1865.
+
+MR. THOMAS W. CONWAY, General Superintendent Freedmen, Department of the
+Gulf.
+
+SIR:--Your statement to Major-General Hurlbut of the condition of the
+freedmen of your department, and of your success in the work of their
+moral and physical elevation, has reached me and given me much pleasure.
+
+That we shall be entirely successful in our efforts I firmly believe.
+
+The blessing of God and the efforts of good and faithful men will bring us
+an earlier and happier consummation than the most sanguine friends of the
+freedmen could reasonably expect.
+
+Yours,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN,
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 2, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va.:
+
+You have not sent contents of Richmond papers for Tuesday or Wednesday.
+Did you not receive them? If not, does it indicate anything?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL GRANT.
+
+WASHINGTON, March 3, 1865. 12 PM.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+The President directs me to say to you that he wishes you to have no
+conference with General Lee unless it be for the capitulation of General
+Lee's army, or on some minor and purely military matter. He instructs me
+to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political
+question. Such questions the President holds in his own hands, and will
+submit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meantime you are to
+press to the utmost your military advantages.
+
+EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
+
+
+
+
+SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, MARCH 4, 1865.
+
+
+FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN:--At this second appearing to take the oath of the
+presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than
+there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course
+to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four
+years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth
+on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the
+attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new
+could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly
+depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust,
+reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the
+future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
+
+On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were
+anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought
+to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this
+place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent
+agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war seeking to
+dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties
+deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation
+survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the
+war came.
+
+One eighth of the whole population was colored slaves, not distributed
+generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These
+slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this
+interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and
+extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend
+the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more
+than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected
+for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained.
+Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or
+even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier
+triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the
+same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the
+other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's
+assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces,
+but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not
+be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His
+own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs
+be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If
+we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which,
+in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued
+through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to
+both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom
+the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine
+attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?
+Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war
+may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the
+wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited
+toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash
+shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand
+years ago, so still it must be said, "The judgments of the Lord are true
+and righteous altogether."
+
+With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right
+as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we
+are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have
+borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may
+achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all
+nations.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL JOHN POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 7, 1865
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Please state briefly, by telegraph, what you concluded about the
+assessments in St. Louis County. Early in the war one Samuel B. Churchill
+was sent from St. Louis to Louisville, where I have quite satisfactory
+evidence that he has not misbehaved. Still I am told his property at St.
+Louis is subjected to the assessment, which I think it ought not to be.
+Still I wish to know what you think.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 8, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va:
+
+Your two despatches to the Secretary of War, one relating to supplies for
+the enemy going by the Blackwater, and the other to General Singleton and
+Judge Hughes, have been laid before me by him. As to Singleton and Hughes,
+I think they are not in Richmond by any authority, unless it be from you.
+I remember nothing from me which could aid them in getting there, except a
+letter to you, as follows, to wit:
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON CITY, February 7, 1865. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL
+GRANT, City Point, Va.: General Singleton, who bears you this, claims that
+he already has arrangements made, if you consent, to bring a large amount
+of Southern produce through your lines. For its bearing on our finances,
+I would be glad for this to be done, if it can be, without injuriously
+disturbing your military operations, or supplying the enemy. I wish you
+to be judge and master on these points. Please see and hear him fully,
+and decide whether anything, and, if anything, what, can be done in the
+premises. Yours truly,
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+I believe I gave Hughes a card putting him with Singleton on the same
+letter. However this may be, I now authorize you to get Singleton and
+Hughes away from Richmond, if you choose, and can. I also authorize you,
+by an order, or in what form you choose, to suspend all operations on the
+Treasury trade permits, in all places southeastward of the Alleghenies.
+If you make such order, notify me of it, giving a copy, so that I can give
+corresponding direction to the Navy.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION OFFERING PARDON TO DESERTERS,
+
+MARCH 11, 1865
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+A Proclamation
+
+Whereas, the twenty-first section of the act of Congress, approved on the
+3d instant, entitled "An Act to amend the several acts heretofore passed
+to provide for the enrolling and calling out the national forces and for
+other purposes," requires that in addition to the other lawful penalties
+of the crime of desertion from the military or naval service, all persons
+who have deserted the military or naval service of the United States who
+shall not return to said service or report themselves to a provost-marshal
+within sixty days after the proclamation hereinafter mentioned, shall
+be deemed and taken to have voluntarily relinquished and forfeited their
+citizenship and their right to become citizens, and such deserters shall
+be forever incapable of holding any office of trust or profit under the
+United States, or of exercising any rights of citizens thereof; and all
+persons who shall hereafter desert the military or naval service, and all
+persons who, being duly enrolled, shall depart the jurisdiction of the
+district in which they are enrolled, or go beyond the limits of the United
+States with intent to avoid any draft into the military or naval service
+duly ordered, shall be liable to the penalties of this section; and the
+President is hereby authorized and required forthwith, on the passage of
+this act, to issue his proclamation setting forth the provisions of this
+section, in which proclamation the President is requested to notify all
+deserters returning within sixty days as aforesaid that they shall be
+pardoned on condition of returning to their regiments and companies, or to
+such other organizations as they may be assigned to, until they shall have
+served for a period of time equal to their original term of enlistment:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States, do issue this my proclamation as required by said act,
+ordering and requiring all deserters to return to their proper posts; and
+I do hereby notify them that all deserters who shall within sixty days
+from the date of this proclamation, viz., on or before the 10th day of
+May, 1865, return to service or report themselves to a provost-marshal,
+shall be pardoned on condition that they return to their regiments or
+companies or to such other organization as they may be assigned to, and
+serve the remainder of their original terms of enlistment, and in addition
+thereto a period equal to the time lost by desertion.
+
+In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed...............
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO H. T. BLOW.
+
+WASHINGTON, March 13, 1865.
+
+HON. HENRY T. BLOW, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+A Miss E. Snodgrass, who was banished from Saint Louis in May,1863, wishes
+to take the oath and return home. What say you?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER TO THURLOW WEED,
+
+MARCH 15, 1865.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C.
+
+DEAR Mr. WEED:
+
+Every one likes a compliment. Thank you for yours on my little
+notification speech and on the recent inaugural address. I expect the
+latter to wear as well as perhaps better than--anything I have produced;
+but I believe it is not immediately popular. Men are not flattered by
+being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the
+Almighty and them. To deny it, however, in this case, is to deny that
+there is a God governing the world. It is a truth which I thought needed
+to be told, and, as whatever of humiliation there is in it falls most
+directly on myself, I thought others might afford for me to tell it.
+
+Truly yours,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO COLONEL ROUGH AND OTHERS.
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 17, 1865.
+
+COL. R. M. ROUGH AND OTHERS, Chicago, Ill.:
+
+Yours received. The best I can do with it is, to refer it to the
+War Department. The Rock Island case referred to, was my individual
+enterprise; and it caused so much difficulty in so many ways that I
+promised to never undertake another.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ADDRESS TO AN INDIANA REGIMENT,
+
+MARCH 17, 1865.
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS:--It will be but a very few words that I shall undertake
+to say. I was born in Kentucky, raised in Indiana, and lived in Illinois;
+and now I am here, where it is my business to care equally for the good
+people of all the States. I am glad to see an Indiana regiment on this
+day able to present the captured flag to the Governor of Indiana. I am not
+disposed, in saying this, to make a distinction between the States, for
+all have done equally well.
+
+There are but few views or aspects of this great war upon which I have
+not said or written something whereby my own opinions might be known.
+But there is one--the recent attempt of our erring brethren, as they are
+sometimes called, to employ the negro to fight for them. I have neither
+written nor made a speech on that subject, because that was their
+business, not mine, and if I had a wish on the subject, I had not the
+power to introduce it, or make it effective. The great question with them
+was whether the negro, being put into the army, will fight for them. I do
+not know, and therefore cannot decide. They ought to know better than me.
+I have in my lifetime heard many arguments why the negroes ought to be
+slaves; but if they fight for those who would keep them in slavery, it
+will be a better argument than any I have yet heard. He who will fight for
+that, ought to be a slave. They have concluded, at last, to take one out
+of four of the slaves and put them in the army, and that one out of the
+four who will fight to keep the others in slavery, ought to be a slave
+himself, unless he is killed in a fight. While I have often said that all
+men ought to be free, yet would I allow those colored persons to be slaves
+who want to be, and next to them those white people who argue in favor of
+making other people slaves. I am in favor of giving an appointment to such
+white men to try it on for these slaves. I will say one thing in regard
+to the negroes being employed to fight for them. I do know he cannot fight
+and stay at home and make bread too. And as one is about as important as
+the other to them, I don't care which they do. I am rather in favor of
+having them try them as soldiers. They lack one vote of doing that, and I
+wish I could send my vote over the river so that I might cast it in favor
+of allowing the negro to fight. But they cannot fight and work both. We
+must now see the bottom of the enemy's resources. They will stand out as
+long as they can, and if the negro will fight for them they must allow him
+to fight. They have drawn upon their last branch of resources, and we can
+now see the bottom. I am glad to see the end so near at hand. I have said
+now more than I intended, and will therefore bid you good-by.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CONCERNING INDIANS,
+
+MARCH 17, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas reliable information has been received that hostile Indians,
+within the limits of the United States, have been furnished with arms and
+munitions of war by persons dwelling in conterminous foreign territory,
+and are thereby enabled to prosecute their savage warfare upon the exposed
+and sparse settlements of the frontier;
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States of America, do hereby proclaim and direct that all persons
+detected in that nefarious traffic shall be arrested and tried by
+court-martial at the nearest military post, and if convicted, shall
+receive the punishment due to their deserts.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed...................
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+ORDER ANNULLING THE SENTENCE
+
+AGAINST BENJAMIN G. SMITH AND FRANKLIN W. SMITH,
+
+MARCH 18, 1865.
+
+
+I am unwilling for the sentence to stand, and be executed, to any extent
+in this case. In the absence of a more adequate motive than the evidence
+discloses, I am wholly unable to believe in the existence of criminal
+or fraudulent intent on the part of men of such well established good
+character. If the evidence went as far to establish a guilty profit of one
+or two hundred thousand dollars, as it does of one or two hundred dollars,
+the case would, on the question of guilt, bear a far different aspect.
+That on this contract, involving some twelve hundred thousand dollars, the
+contractors would plan, and attempt to execute a fraud which, at the most,
+could profit them only one or two hundred, or even one thousand dollars,
+is to my mind beyond the power of rational belief. That they did not, in
+such a case, make far greater gains, proves that they did not, with
+guilty or fraudulent intent, make at all. The judgment and sentence are
+disapproved, and declared null, and the defendants are fully discharged.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN March 18, 1865.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. POPE.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 19, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL POPE, St. Louis, Missouri:
+
+Understanding that the plan of action for Missouri contained in your
+letter to the Governor of that State, and your other letter to me, is
+concurred in by the Governor, it is approved by me, and you will be
+sustained in proceeding upon it.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ORD.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May [March] 20, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL ORD, Army of the James
+
+Is it true that George W. Lane is detained at Norfolk without any charge
+against him? And if so why is it done?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO JUDGE SCATES.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION,
+
+WASHINGTON, March 21, 1865.
+
+HON. WALTER B. SCATES, Centralia, Illinois:
+
+If you choose to go to New Mexico and reside, I will appoint you chief
+justice there. What say you? Please answer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. HANCOCK.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., March 22, 1865. MAJOR-GENERAL HANCOCK, Winchester, Va.:
+
+Seeing your despatch about General Crook, and fearing that through
+misapprehension something unpleasant may occur, I send you below two
+despatches of General Grant, which I suppose will fully explain General
+Crook's movements.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+ANOTHER FEMALE SPY
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL DODGE. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 23, 1865.
+
+GENERAL DODGE, Commanding, &c, Saint Louis, Mo.:
+
+Allow Mrs. R. S. Ewell the benefit of my amnesty proclamation on her
+taking the oath.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 25, 1865. 8.30 A.M.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D. C.:
+
+Arrived here all safe about 9 P.M. yesterday. No war news. General Grant
+does not seem to know very much about Yeatman, but thinks very well of him
+so far as he does know.
+
+I like Mr. Whiting very much, and hence would wish him to remain or resign
+as best suits himself. Hearing this much from me, do as you think best in
+the matter. General Lee has sent the Russell letter back, concluding, as
+I understand from Grant, that their dignity does not admit of their
+receiving the document from us. Robert just now tells me there was a
+little rumpus up the line this morning, ending about where it began.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+(Cipher.)
+
+HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March 25, 1865. (Received 5 P.M.)
+
+HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
+
+I am here within five miles of the scene of this morning's action. I have
+nothing to add to what General Meade reports except that I have seen
+the prisoners myself and they look like there might be the number he
+states--1600.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., March 26, 1865. (Received 11.30 A.M.)
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR:
+
+I approve your Fort Sumter programme. Grant don't seem to know Yeatman
+very well, but thinks very well of him so far as he knows. Thinks it
+probable that Y. is here now, for the place. I told you this yesterday
+as well as that you should do as you think best about Mr. Whiting's
+resignation, but I suppose you did not receive the dispatch. I am on the
+boat and have no later war news than went to you last night.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 27, 1865.3.35 P.M.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D.C.:
+
+Yours inclosing Fort Sumter order received. I think of but one suggestion.
+I feel quite confident that Sumter fell on the 13th, and not on the 14th
+of April, as you have it. It fell on Saturday, the 13th; the first call
+for troops on our part was got up on Sunday, the 14th, and given date and
+issued on Monday, the 15th. Look up the old almanac and other data, and
+see if I am not right.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 28, 1865. 12 M.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D.C.: After your explanation, I think
+it is little or no difference whether the Fort Sumter ceremony takes place
+on the 13th or 14th.
+
+General Sherman tells me he is well acquainted with James Yeatman, and
+that he thinks him almost the best man in the country for anything he will
+undertake.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., March 30, 1865. 7.30 P.M. (Received 8.30 P.M.)
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR:
+
+I begin to feel that I ought to be at home and yet I dislike to leave
+without seeing nearer to the end of General Grant's present movement.
+He has now been out since yesterday morning and although he has not been
+diverted from his programme no considerable effort has yet been produced
+so far as we know here. Last night at 10.15 P. M. when it was dark as a
+rainy night without a moon could be, a furious cannonade soon joined in by
+a heavy musketry fire opened near Petersburg and lasted about two hours.
+The sound was very distinct here as also were the flashes of the guns
+up the clouds. It seemed to me a great battle, but the older hands here
+scarcely noticed it and sure enough this morning it was found that very
+little had been done.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 31, 1865. 3 P.M.
+
+SECRETARY STANTON:
+
+At 12.30 P.M. to-day General Grant telegraphed me as follows: "There has
+been much hard fighting this morning. The enemy drove our left from near
+Dabney's house back well toward the Boydton plank road. We are now about
+to take the offensive at that point, and I hope will more than recover the
+lost ground."
+
+Later he telegraphed again as follows:
+
+"Our troops, after being driven back to the Boydton plank road, turned and
+drove the enemy in turn, and took the White Oak road, which we now have.
+This gives us the ground occupied by the enemy this morning. I will send
+you a rebel flag captured by our troops in driving the enemy back. There
+have been four flags captured to-day."
+
+Judging by the two points from which General Grant telegraphs, I infer
+that he moved his headquarters about one mile since he sent the first of
+the two despatches.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+CITY POINT, April 1, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Yours to Colonel Bowers about the Secretary of War is shown to me. He is
+not here, nor have I any notice that he is coming. I presume the mistake
+comes of the fact that the Secretary of State was here. He started back to
+Washington this morning. I have your two despatches of this morning, and
+am anxious to hear from Sheridan.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, April 1, 1865. 12.50 P.M.
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D.C.:
+
+I have had two despatches from General Grant since my last to you, but
+they contain little additional, except that Sheridan also had pretty hot
+work yesterday, that infantry was sent to his support during the night,
+and that he (Grant) has not since heard from Sheridan.
+
+Mrs. Lincoln has started home, and I will thank you to see that our
+coachman is at the Arsenal wharf at eight o'clock to-morrow morning, there
+to wait until she arrives.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., April, 1865. 5.30?.M.
+
+HON. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Fort Monroe:
+
+Despatch just received, showing that Sheridan, aided by Warren, had, at 2
+P.M., pushed the enemy back, so as to retake the Five Forks and bring his
+own headquarters up to J. Boisseau's. The Five Forks were barricaded by
+the enemy and carried by Devin's division of cavalry. This part of the
+enemy seem to now be trying to work along the White Oak road, to join the
+main force in front of Grant, while Sheridan and Warren are pressing them
+as closely as possible.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. CITY POINT, April 1, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Yours showing Sheridan's success of to-day is just received and highly
+appreciated. Having no great deal to do here, I am still sending the
+substance of your despatches to the Secretary of War.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MRS. LINCOLN.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., April 2, 1865. 8.30 A.M. (Received 9 A.M.)
+
+MRS. A. LINCOLN, Executive Mansion:
+
+Last night General Grant telegraphed that General Sheridan with his
+cavalry and the Fifth Corps had captured three brigades of infantry, a
+train of wagons, and several batteries, prisoners amounting to several
+thousand. This morning General Grant having ordered an attack along the
+whole line telegraphs as follows.
+
+Robert yesterday wrote a little cheerful note to Captain Penrose, which is
+all he has heard of him since you left.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAMS TO SECRETARY STANTON. CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, April 2, 1865. 8.30
+A.M.
+
+HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
+
+Last night General Grant telegraphed that General Sheridan, with his
+cavalry and the Fifth Corps, had captured three brigades of infantry, a
+train of wagons, and several batteries; the prisoners amounting to several
+thousand.
+
+This morning General Grant, having ordered an attack along the whole line,
+telegraphs as follows:
+
+"Both Wright and Parke got through the enemy's lines. The battle now
+rages furiously. General Sheridan, with his cavalry, the Fifth corps, and
+Miles's Division of the Second Corps, which was sent to him this morning,
+is now sweeping down from the west.
+
+"All now looks highly favorable. General Ord is engaged, but I have not
+yet heard the result in his front."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+CITY POINT, April 1. 11.00 A.M.
+
+Despatches are frequently coming in. All is going on finely. Generals
+Parke, Wright, and Ord's lines are extending from the Appomattox to
+Hatcher's Run. They have all broken through the enemy's intrenched lines,
+taking some forts, guns, and prisoners. Sheridan, with his own cavalry,
+the Fifth Corps, and part of the Second, is coming in from the west on the
+enemy's flank. Wright is already tearing up the Southside Railroad.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN
+
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, April 2. 2 P.M.
+
+At 10.45 A.M. General Grant telegraphs as follows:
+
+"Everything has been carried from the left of the Ninth Corps. The Sixth
+Corps alone captured more than three thousand prisoners. The Second and
+Twenty-fourth Corps captured forts, guns, and prisoners from the enemy,
+but I cannot tell the numbers. We are now closing around the works of the
+line immediately enveloping Petersburg. All looks remarkably well. I
+have not yet heard from Sheridan. His headquarters have been moved up
+to Banks's house, near the Boydton road, about three miles southwest of
+Petersburg."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, April 2. 8.30 P.M.
+
+At 4.30 P.M. to-day General Grant telegraphs as follows:
+
+"We are now up and have a continuous line of troops, and in a few hours
+will be intrenched from the Appomattox below Petersburg to the river
+above. The whole captures since the army started out will not amount to
+less than twelve thousand men, and probably fifty pieces of artillery. I
+do not know the number of men and guns accurately, however. A portion of
+Foster's Division, Twenty Fourth Corps, made a most gallant charge this
+afternoon, and captured a very important fort from the enemy, with its
+entire garrison. All seems well with us, and everything is quiet just
+now."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO MRS. LINCOLN. CITY POINT, VA., April 1, 1865.
+
+MRS. LINCOLN:
+
+At 4.30 P.M. to-day General Grant telegraphs that he has Petersburg
+completely enveloped from river below to river above, and has captured,
+since he started last Wednesday, about twelve thousand prisoners and fifty
+guns. He suggests that I shall go out and see him in the morning, which I
+think I will do. Tad and I are both well, and will be glad to see you and
+your party here at the time you name.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+CITY POINT, April 2, 1865
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Allow me to tender to you and all with you the nation's grateful thanks
+for this additional and magnificent success. At your kind suggestion I
+think I will meet you to-morrow.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, April 3, 1865.8.30 A.M.
+
+HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
+
+This morning Lieutenant-General Grant reports Petersburg evacuated, and he
+is confident that Richmond also is. He is pushing forward to cut off, if
+possible, the retreating rebel army.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., April 3, 1865. 5 P.M.
+
+HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
+
+Yours received. Thanks for your caution, but I have already been to
+Petersburg. Staid with General Grant an hour and a half and returned here.
+It is certain now that Richmond is in our hands, and I think I will go
+there to-morrow. I will take care of myself.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., April 4, 1865 (Received 8.45 A.M.)
+
+HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
+
+General Weitzel telegraphs from Richmond that of railroad stock he found
+there twenty-eight locomotives, forty-four passenger and baggage cars, and
+one hundred and six freight cars. At 3.30 this evening General Grant,
+from Sutherland's Station, ten miles from Petersburg toward Burkevllle,
+telegraphs as follows:
+
+"General Sheridan picked up twelve hundred prisoners to-day, and from
+three hundred to five hundred more have been gathered by other troops. The
+majority of the arms that were left in the hands of the remnant of Lee's
+army are now scattered between Richmond and where his troops are. The
+country is also full of stragglers; the line of retreat marked with
+artillery, ammunition, burned or charred wagons, caissons, ambulances,
+etc."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
+
+CITY POINT, APRIL 5, 1865. (Received 11.55 PM.)
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF STATE:
+
+Yours of to-day received. I think there is no probability of my remaining
+here more than two days longer. If that is too long come down. I passed
+last night at Richmond and have just returned.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, CITY POINT, April 6, 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, in the Field:
+
+Secretary Seward was thrown from his carriage yesterday and seriously
+injured. This, with other matters, will take me to Washington soon. I was
+at Richmond yesterday and the day before, when and where Judge Campbell,
+who was with Messrs. Hunter and Stephens in February, called on me, and
+made such representations as induced me to put in his hands an informal
+paper, repeating the propositions in my letter of instructions to Mr.
+Seward, which you remember, and adding that if the war be now further
+persisted in by the rebels, confiscated property shall at the least bear
+the additional cost, and that confiscation shall be remitted to the people
+of any State which will now promptly and in good faith withdraw its troops
+and other support from resistance to the Government.
+
+Judge Campbell thought it not impossible that the rebel legislature of
+Virginia would do the latter if permitted; and accordingly I addressed a
+private letter to General Weitzel, with permission to Judge Campbell to
+see it, telling him (General Weitzel) that if they attempt this, to permit
+and protect them, unless they attempt something hostile to the United
+States, in which case to give them notice and time to leave, and to arrest
+any remaining after such time.
+
+I do not think it very probable that anything win come of this, but I
+have thought best to notify you so that if you should see signs you may
+understand them.
+
+From your recent despatches it seems that you are pretty effectually
+withdrawing the Virginia troops from opposition to the Government. Nothing
+that I have done, or probably shall do, is to delay, hinder, or interfere
+with your work.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. WEITZEL.
+
+HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY POINT, April 6, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL WEITZEL, Richmond, Va.:
+
+It has been intimated to me that the gentlemen who have acted as the
+legislature of Virginia in support of the rebellion may now desire to
+assemble at Richmond and take measures to withdraw the Virginia troops and
+other support from resistance to the General Government. If they attempt
+it, give them permission and protection, until, if at all, they attempt
+some action hostile to the United States, in which case you will notify
+them, give them reasonable time to leave, and at the end of which time
+arrest any who remain. Allow Judge Campbell to see this, but do not make
+it public.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+CITY POINT, VA., April 7, 1865 (Received 10.30 AM.)
+
+HON. SECRETARY OF WAR:
+
+At 11.15 P.M. yesterday at Burkesville Station, General Grant sends me the
+following from General Sheridan:
+
+"April 6, 11.15 P.M.
+
+"LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+I have the honor to report that the enemy made a stand at the intersection
+of the Burks Station road with the road upon which they were retreating.
+I attacked them with two divisions of the Sixth Army Corps and routed them
+handsomely, making a connection with the cavalry. I am still pressing on
+with both cavalry and infantry. Up to the present time we have captured
+Generals Ewell, Kershaw, Button, Corse, DeBare, and Custis Lee, several
+thousand prisoners, fourteen pieces of artillery with caissons and a large
+number of wagons. If the thing is pressed I think Lee will surrender.
+
+"P. H. SHERIDAN,
+
+"Major-General, Commanding."
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+LET THE THING BE PRESSED.
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
+
+HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
+
+CITY POINT, April 7, 11 A.M., 1865.
+
+LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:
+
+Gen. Sheridan says:
+
+"If the thing is pressed I think that Lee will surrender."
+
+Let the thing be pressed.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+NOTE ON A CARD TO SECRETARY STANTON.
+
+April 10, 1865.
+
+Tad wants some flags--can he be accommodated?
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+RESPONSE TO A CALL,
+
+APRIL 10, 1865
+
+If the company had assembled by appointment, some mistake had crept in
+their understanding. He had appeared before a larger audience than this
+one to-day, and he would repeat what he then said, namely, he supposed
+owing to the great, good news, there would be some demonstration. He would
+prefer to-morrow evening, when he should be quite willing, and he hoped
+ready, to say something. He desired to be particular, because every thing
+he said got into print. Occupying the position he did, a mistake would
+produce harm, and therefore he wanted to be careful not to make a mistake.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. H. GORDON.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 11, 1865.
+
+BRIG. GEN. G. H. GORDON, Norfolk, Va.:
+
+Send to me at once a full statement as to the cause or causes for which,
+and by authority of what tribunal George W. Lane, Charles Whitlock, Ezra
+Baler, J. M. Renshaw, and others are restrained of their liberty. Do this
+promptly and fully.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CLOSING CERTAIN PORTS, APRIL 11, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas by my proclamations of the 19th and 27th days of April, A.D. 1861,
+the ports of the United States in the States of Virginia, North Carolina,
+South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
+Texas were declared to be subject to blockade; but
+
+Whereas the said blockade has, in consequence of actual military
+occupation by this Government, since been conditionally set aside or
+relaxed in respect to the ports of Norfolk and Alexandria, in the State
+of Virginia; Beaufort, in the State of North Carolina; Port Royal, in
+the State of South Carolina; Pensacola and Fernandina, in the State of
+Florida; and New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana; and
+
+Whereas by the fourth section of the act of Congress approved on the 13th
+of July, 1861, entitled "An act further to provide for the collection of
+duties on imports, and for other purposes," the President, for the reasons
+therein set forth, is authorized to close certain ports of entry:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln. President of
+the United States, do hereby proclaim that the ports of Richmond,
+Tappahannock, Cherrystone, Yorktown, and Petersburg, in Virginia; of
+Camden (Elizabeth City), Edenton, Plymouth, Washington, Newbern, Ocracoke,
+and Wilmington in North Carolina; of Charleston, Georgetown, and Beaufort,
+in South Carolina; of Savannah, St. Marys, and Brunswick (Darien), in
+Georgia; of Mobile, in Alabama; of Pearl River (Shieldsboro), Natchez and
+Vicksburg, in Mississippi; of St. Augustine, Key West, St. Marks (Port
+Leon), St. Johns (Jacksonville), and Apalachicola, in Florida; of Teche
+(Franklin), in Louisiana; of Galveston, La Salle, Brazos de Santiago
+(Point Isabel), and Brownsville, in Texas, are hereby closed, and all
+right of importation, warehousing, and other privileges shall, in respect
+to the ports aforesaid, cease until they shall have again been opened by
+order of the President; and if while said parts are so closed any ship
+or vessel from beyond the United States or having on board any articles
+subject to duties shall attempt to enter any such port, the same, together
+with its tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, shall be forfeited to the
+United States.
+
+In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
+United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the city of Washington, this eleventh day of April, A.D., 1865,
+and of the independence of the United States of America, the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION OPENING THE PORT OF KEY WEST,
+
+APRIL 11, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas by my proclamation of this date the port of Key West, in the State
+of Florida, was inadvertently included among those which are not open to
+commerce:
+
+Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
+United States, do hereby declare and make known that the said port of Key
+West is and shall remain open to foreign and domestic commerce upon the
+same conditions by which that commerce has there hitherto been governed.
+
+In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed.
+
+Done at the city of Washington, this eleventh day of April, A.D. 1865, and
+of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-ninth.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION CLAIMING EQUALITY OF RIGHTS WITH ALL MARITIME NATIONS,
+
+APRIL 11, 1865.
+
+BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
+
+A Proclamation.
+
+Whereas for some time past vessels of war of the United States have been
+refused in certain foreign ports, privileges and immunities to which they
+were entitled by treaty, public law, or the community of nations, at the
+same time that vessels of war of the country wherein the said
+privileges and immunities have been withheld have enjoyed them fully and
+uninterruptedly in ports of the United States, which condition of things
+has not always been forcibly resisted by the United States, although, on
+the other hand, they have not at any time failed to protest against and
+declare their dissatisfaction with the same. In the view of the United
+States, no condition any longer exists which can be claimed to justify the
+denial to them by any one of such nations of customary naval rights as has
+heretofore been so unnecessarily persisted in.......
+
+Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
+hereby make known that if, after a reasonable time shall have elapsed for
+intelligence of this proclamation to have reached any foreign country in
+whose ports the said privileges and immunities shall have been refused as
+aforesaid, they shall continue to be so refused, then and thenceforth the
+same privileges and immunities shall be refused to the vessels of war of
+that country in the ports of the United States, and this refusal shall
+continue until war vessels of the United States shall have been placed
+upon an entire equality in the foreign ports aforesaid with similar
+vessels of other countries. The United States, whatever claim or pretense
+may have existed heretofore, are now, at least, entitled to claim and
+concede an entire and friendly equality of rights and hospitalities with
+all maritime nations.
+
+In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of
+the United States to be affixed..................
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
+
+
+
+
+LAST PUBLIC ADDRESS,
+
+APRIL 11, 1865
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS--We meet this evening not in sorrow, but in gladness of
+heart. The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, and the surrender of the
+principal insurgent army, give hope of a righteous and speedy peace, whose
+joyous expression cannot be restrained. In the midst of this, however, He
+from whom blessings flow must not be forgotten.
+
+A call for a national thanksgiving is being prepared, and will be duly
+promulgated. Nor must those whose harder part gives us the cause of
+rejoicing be overlooked. Their honors must not be parceled out with
+others. I myself was near the front, and had the pleasure of transmitting
+much of the good news to you. But no part of the honor for plan or
+execution is mine. To General Grant, his skillful officers, and brave men,
+all belongs. The gallant navy stood ready, but was not in reach to take
+active part. By these recent successes, the reinauguration of the national
+authority--reconstruction which has had a large share of thought from the
+first, is pressed much more closely upon our attention. It is fraught with
+great difficulty. Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there
+is no authorized organ for us to treat with--no one man has authority to
+give up the rebellion for any other man. We simply must begin with
+and mould from disorganized and discordant elements. Nor is it a small
+additional embarrassment that we, the loyal people, differ among ourselves
+as to the mode, manner, and measure of reconstruction. As a general rule,
+I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, Wishing not to
+be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer. In spite
+of this precaution, however, it comes to my knowledge that I am much
+censured for some supposed agency in setting up and seeking to sustain the
+new State government of Louisiana. In this I have done just so much and no
+more than the public knows. In the Annual Message of December, 1863, and
+the accompanying proclamation, I presented a plan of reconstruction,
+as the phrase goes, which I promised, if adopted by any State, would be
+acceptable to and sustained by the Executive Government of the nation. I
+distinctly stated that this was not the only plan that might possibly be
+acceptable, and I also distinctly protested that the Executive claimed
+no right to say when or whether members should be admitted to seats in
+Congress from such States. This plan was in advance submitted to the then
+Cabinet, and approved by every member of it. One of them suggested that I
+should then and in that connection apply the Emancipation Proclamation to
+the theretofore excepted parts of Virginia and Louisiana; that I should
+drop the suggestion about apprenticeship for freed people, and that I
+should omit the protest against my own power in regard to the admission
+of members of Congress. But even he approved every part and parcel of the
+plan which has since been employed or touched by the action of Louisiana.
+The new constitution of Louisiana, declaring emancipation for the whole
+State, practically applies the proclamation to the part previously
+excepted. It does not adopt apprenticeship for freed people, and is
+silent, as it could not well be otherwise, about the admission of members
+to Congress. So that, as it applied to Louisiana, every member of the
+Cabinet fully approved the plan. The message went to Congress, and I
+received many commendations of the plan, written and verbal, and not
+a single objection to it from any professed emancipationist came to my
+knowledge until after the news reached Washington that the people of
+Louisiana had begun to move in accordance with it. From about July, 1862,
+I had corresponded with different persons supposed to be interested in
+seeking a reconstruction of a State government for Louisiana. When the
+message of 1863, with the plan before mentioned, reached New Orleans,
+General Banks wrote me that he was confident that the people, with his
+military co-operation, would reconstruct substantially on that plan. I
+wrote to him and some of them to try it. They tried it, and the result
+is known. Such has been my only agency in getting up the Louisiana
+government. As to sustaining it my promise is out, as before stated. But,
+as bad promises are better broken than kept, I shall treat this as a bad
+promise and break it, whenever I shall be convinced that keeping it is
+adverse to the public interest; but I have not yet been so convinced. I
+have been shown a letter on this subject, supposed to be an able one,
+in which the writer expresses regret that my mind has not seemed to be
+definitely fixed upon the question whether the seceded States, so called,
+are in the Union or out of it. It would perhaps add astonishment to
+his regret were he to learn that since I have found professed Union men
+endeavoring to answer that question, I have purposely forborne any public
+expression upon it. As appears to me, that question has not been nor yet
+is a practically material one, and that any discussion of it, while it
+thus remains practically immaterial, could have no effect other than the
+mischievous one of dividing our friends. As yet, whatever it may become,
+that question is bad as the basis of a controversy, and good for nothing
+at all--a merely pernicious abstraction. We all agree that the seceded
+States, so called, are out of their proper practical relation with the
+Union, and that the sole object of the Government, civil and military, in
+regard to those States, is to again get them into their proper practical
+relation. I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to
+do this without deciding or even considering whether those States have
+ever been out of the Union, than with it. Finding themselves safely at
+home, it would be utterly immaterial whether they had been abroad. Let
+us all join in doing the acts necessary to restore the proper practical
+relations between these States and the Union, and each forever after
+innocently indulge his own opinion whether, in doing the acts he
+brought the States from without into the Union, or only gave them proper
+assistance, they never having been out of it. The amount of constituency,
+so to speak, on which the Louisiana government rests, would be more
+satisfactory to all if it contained fifty thousand, or thirty thousand, or
+even twenty thousand, instead of twelve thousand, as it does. It is also
+unsatisfactory to some that the elective franchise is not given to the
+colored man. I would myself prefer that it were now conferred on the very
+intelligent, and on those who serve our cause as soldiers. Still, the
+question is not whether the Louisiana government, as it stands, is quite
+all that is desirable. The question is, Will it be wiser to take it as
+it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse? Can Louisiana be
+brought into proper practical relation with the Union sooner by sustaining
+or by discarding her new State government? Some twelve thousand voters
+in the heretofore Slave State of Louisiana have sworn allegiance to the
+Union, assumed to be the rightful political power of the State,
+held elections, organized a State government, adopted a Free State
+constitution, giving the benefit of public schools equally to black and
+white, and empowering the Legislature to confer the elective franchise
+upon the colored man. This Legislature has already voted to ratify the
+Constitutional Amendment recently passed by Congress, abolishing slavery
+throughout the nation. These twelve thousand persons are thus fully
+committed to the Union and to perpetuate freedom in the State--committed
+to the very things, and nearly all things, the nation wants--and they ask
+the nation's recognition and its assistance to make good this committal.
+Now, if we reject and spurn them, we do our utmost to disorganize and
+disperse them. We, in fact, say to the white man: You are worthless or
+worse; we will neither help you nor be helped by you. To the blacks we
+say: This cup of liberty which these, your old masters, held to your
+lips, we will dash from you, and leave you to the chances of gathering the
+spilled and scattered contents in some vague and undefined when, where,
+and how. If this course, discouraging and paralyzing both white and black,
+has any tendency to bring Louisiana into proper practical relations with
+the Union, I have so far been unable to perceive it. If, on the contrary,
+we recognize and sustain the new government of Louisiana, the converse
+of all this is made true. We encourage the hearts and nerve the arms of
+twelve thousand to adhere to their work, and argue for it, and proselyte
+for it, and fight for it, and feed it, and grow it, and ripen it to a
+complete success. The colored man, too, in seeing all united for him, is
+inspired with vigilance, and energy, and daring to the same end. Grant
+that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by
+saving the already advanced steps towards it, than by running backward
+over them? Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what
+it should be as the egg is to the fowl, we shall sooner have the fowl by
+hatching the egg than by smashing it. Again, if we reject Louisiana, we
+also reject one vote in favor of the proposed amendment to the National
+Constitution. To meet this proposition, it has been argued that no more
+than three fourths of those States which have not attempted secession are
+necessary to validly ratify the amendment. I do not commit myself against
+this, further than to say that such a ratification would be questionable,
+and sure to be persistently questioned, while a ratification by three
+fourths of all the States would be unquestioned and unquestionable.
+I repeat the question, Can Louisiana be brought into proper practical
+relation with the Union sooner by sustaining or by discarding her new
+State government? What has been said of Louisiana will apply to other
+States. And yet so great peculiarities pertain to each State, and such
+important and sudden changes occur in the same State, and withal so new
+and unprecedented is the whole case, that no exclusive and inflexible plan
+can safely be prescribed as to details and collaterals. Such exclusive
+and inflexible plan would surely become a new entanglement. Important
+principles may and must be inflexible. In the present situation as the
+phrase goes, it may be my duty to make some new announcement to the people
+of the South. I am considering, and shall not fail to act, when satisfied
+that action will be proper.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. WEITZEL.
+
+WASHINGTON, D. C., April 12, 1865. MAJOR-GENERAL WEITZEL, Richmond, Va.:
+
+I have seen your despatch to Colonel Hardie about the matter of prayers.
+I do not remember hearing prayers spoken of while I was in Richmond; but I
+have no doubt you have acted in what appeared to you to be the spirit
+and temper manifested by me while there. Is there any sign of the rebel
+legislature coming together on the understanding of my letter to you? If
+there is any such sign, inform me what it is; if there is no such sign,
+you may withdraw the offer.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. WEITZEL. WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12, 1865.
+
+MAJOR-GENERAL WEITZEL, Richmond, Va.:
+
+I have just seen Judge Campbell's letter to you of the 7th. He assumes,
+as appears to me, that I have called the insurgent legislature of
+Virginia together, as the rightful legislature of the State, to settle all
+differences with the United States. I have done no such thing. I spoke of
+them, not as a legislature, but as "the gentlemen who have acted as
+the legislature of Virginia in support of the rebellion." I did this
+on purpose to exclude the assumption that I was recognizing them as a
+rightful body. I deal with them as men having power de facto to do a
+specific thing, to wit: "To withdraw the Virginia troops and other support
+from resistance to the General Government," for which, in the paper handed
+Judge Campbell, I promised a specific equivalent, to wit: a remission to
+the people of the State, except in certain cases, of the confiscation of
+their property. I meant this, and no more. Inasmuch, however, as Judge
+Campbell misconstrues this, and is still pressing for an armistice,
+contrary to the explicit statement of the paper I gave him, and
+particularly as General Grant has since captured the Virginia troops, so
+that giving a consideration for their withdrawal is no longer applicable,
+let my letter to you and the paper to Judge Campbell both be withdrawn,
+or countermanded, and he be notified of it. Do not now allow them to
+assemble, but if any have come, allow them safe return to their homes.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+INTERVIEW WITH SCHUYLER COLFAX ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 14, 1865.
+
+Mr. Colfax, I want you to take a message from me to the miners whom you
+visit. I have very large ideas of the mineral wealth of our nation. I
+believe it practically inexhaustible. It abounds all over the Western
+country, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, and its development
+has scarcely commenced. During the war, when we were adding a couple of
+millions of dollars every day to our national debt, I did not care about
+encouraging the increase in the volume of our precious metals. We had the
+country to save first. But now that the rebellion is overthrown, and we
+know pretty nearly the amount of our national debt, the more gold and
+silver we mine, we make the payment of that debt so much the easier.
+"Now," said he, speaking with more emphasis, "I am going to encourage that
+in every possible way. We shall have hundreds of thousands of disbanded
+soldiers, and many have feared that their return home in such great
+numbers might paralyze industry, by furnishing, suddenly, a greater supply
+of labor than there will be demand for. I am going to try to attract them
+to the hidden wealth of our mountain ranges, where there is room enough
+for all. Immigration, which even the war has not stopped, will land upon
+our shores hundreds of thousands more per year from overcrowded Europe.
+I intend to point them to the gold and silver that wait for them in the
+West. Tell the miners for me, that I shall promote their interests to the
+utmost of my ability; because their prosperity is the prosperity of the
+nation; and," said he, his eye kindling with enthusiasm, "we shall prove,
+in a very few years, that we are indeed the treasury of the world."
+
+
+
+
+TO GENERAL VAN ALLEN.
+
+EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 14, 1865
+
+GENERAL VAN ALLEN:
+
+I intend to adopt the advice of my friends and use due precaution....
+I thank you for the assurance you give me that I shall be supported by
+conservative men like yourself, in the efforts I may make to restore the
+Union, so as to make it, to use your language, a Union of hearts and hands
+as well as of States.
+
+Yours truly,
+
+
+A. LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+LINCOLN'S LAST WRITTEN WORDS
+
+Allow Mr. Ashmer and friend to come in at 9 A.M. to-morrow.
+
+
+A. LINCOLN. April 14, 1865
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Papers And Writings Of Abraham
+Lincoln, Volume Seven, by Abraham Lincoln
+
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