whentherewasnocertaintywhetherthecountrywaswithhimorwiththeVindictives。Perhapsthatnewcouragewhichdefinitelyrevealeditselfthenextmonth，maybefirstglimpsedintheproclamationoverrulingHunter：
“Ifurthermakeknownthatwhetheritbecompetentforme，asCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmyandNavy，todeclaretheslavesofanyStateorStatesfree，andwhetheratanytime，inanycase，itshallhavebecomeanecessityindispensabletothemaintenanceofthegovernmenttoexercisesuchsupposedpower，arequestionswhich，undermyresponsibility，Ireservetomyself，andwhichIcannotfeeljustifiedinleavingtothedecisionofcommandersinthefield。“[5]
TherevocationofHunter’sorderinfuriatedtheAbolitionists。
Itdeeplydisappointedthegrowingnumberwho，carelessaboutslavery，wantedemancipationasawarmeasure，asablowattheSouth。Fewofeitherofthesegroupsnoticedtheimpliedhintthatemancipationmightcomebyexecutiveaction。Herewasthematterofthewarpowersinasurprisingform。However，itwasnotunknowntoCongress。AttemptshadbeenmadetoinduceCongresstoconcedethewarpowerstothePresidentandtoask，notcommand，himtousethemfortheliberationofslavesintheSecededStates。Longbefore，inastrangelydifferentconnection，suchvehementAbolitionistsasGiddingsandJ。Q。
Adamshadpicturedthefreeingofslavesasanaturalincidentofmilitaryoccupation。