SPRINGFIELD，January21，1846。
DEARSIR：——YouperhapsknowthatGeneralHardinandIhaveacontestfortheWhignominationforCongressforthisdistrict。
Hehashadaturnandmyargumentis\"turnaboutisfairplay。\"
Ishallbepleasedifthisstrikesyouasasufficientargument。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOJAMESBERDAN。
SPRINGFIELD，April26，1846。
DEARSIR：——IthankyouforthepromptnesswithwhichyouansweredmyletterfromBloomington。Ialsothankyouforthefranknesswithwhichyoucommentuponacertainpartofmyletter；becausethatcommentaffordsmeanopportunityoftryingtoexpressmyselfbetterthanIdidbefore，seeing，asIdo，thatinthatpartofmyletter，youhavenotunderstoodmeasIintendedtobeunderstood。
Inspeakingofthe\"dissatisfaction\"ofmenwhoyetmeantodonowrong，etc。，ImeannospecialapplicationofwhatIsaidtotheWhigsofMorgan，orofMorgan&Scott。IonlyhadinmymindthefactthatprevioustoGeneralHardin’swithdrawalsomeofhisfriendsandsomeofminehadbecomealittlewarm；andIfelt，andmeanttosay，thatforthemnowtomeetfacetofaceandconversetogetherwasthebestwaytoeffaceanyremnantofunpleasantfeeling，ifanysuchexisted。
IdidnotsupposethatGeneralHardin’sfriendswereinanygreaterneedofhavingtheirfeelingscorrectedthanminewere。
SinceIsawyouatJacksonville，IhavehadnomoresuspicionoftheWhigsofMorganthanofthoseofanyotherpartofthedistrict。IwritethisonlytotrytoremoveanyimpressionthatIdistrustyouandtheotherWhigsofyourcountry。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOJAMESBERDAN。
SPRINGFIELD，May7，1866。
DEARSIR：——Itisamatterofhighmoralobligation，ifnotofnecessity，formetoattendtheColesandEdwardscourts。Ihavesomecasesinbothofthem，inwhichthepartieshavemypromise，andaredependinguponme。ThecourtcommencesinColesonthesecondMonday，andinEdgaronthethird。YourcourtinMorgancommencesonthefourthMonday；anditismypurposetobewithyouthen，andmakeaspeech。ImentiontheColesandEdgarcourtsinorderthatifIshouldnotreachJacksonvilleatthetimenamedyoumayunderstandthereasonwhy。Idonot，however，thinkthereismuchdangerofmybeingdetained；asIshallgowithapurposenottobe，andconsequentlyshallengageinnonewcasesthatmightdelayme。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
VERSESWRITTENBYLINCOLNAFTERAVISITTOHISOLDHOMEIN
INDIANA—AFRAGMENT。
[InDecember，1847，whenLincolnwasstumpingforClay，hecrossedintoIndianaandrevisitedhisoldhome。Hewrites：
\"Thatpartofthecountryiswithinitselfasunpoeticalasanyspotonearth；butstillseeingitanditsobjectsandinhabitantsarousedfeelingsinmewhichwerecertainlypoetry；
thoughwhethermyexpressionofthesefeelingsispoetry，isquiteanotherquestion。\"]
NeartwentyyearshavepassedawaySincehereIbidfarewellTowoodsandfields，andscenesofplay，Andplaymateslovedsowell。
Wheremanywere，butfewremainOfoldfamiliarthings；
ButseeingthemtomindagainThelostandabsentbrings。
ThefriendsIleftthatpartingday，Howchanged，astimehassped！
Youngchildhoodgrown，strongmanhoodgray，Andhalfofallaredead。
IhearthelovedsurvivorstellHownaughtfromdeathcouldsave，Tilleverysoundappearsaknell，Andeveryspotagrave。
Irangethefieldswithpensivetread，Andpacethehollowrooms，Andfeelcompanionofthedead
I’mlivinginthetombs。
VERSESWRITTENBYLINCOLNCONCERNINGASCHOOL—FELLOW
WHOBECAMEINSANE——AFRAGMENT。
AndwhenatlengththedrearandlongTimesoothedthyfiercerwoes，HowplaintivelythymournfulsongUponthestillnightroseI’vehearditoftasifIdreamed，Fardistant，sweetandlone；
ThefuneraldirgeiteverseemedOfreasondeadandgone。
Airheldherbreath；treeswiththespellSeemedsorrowingangelsround，WhoseswellingtearsindewdropsfellUponthelisteningground。
Butthisispast，andnaughtremainsThatraisedtheeo’erthebrute；
ThypiercingshrieksandsoothingstrainsArelike，forevermute。
Nowfaretheewell！MorethouthecauseThansubjectnowofwoe。
Allmentalpangsbytime’skindlawsHastlostthepowertoknow。
ODeath！thouawe—inspiringprinceThatkeepsttheworldinfear，Whydostthoutearmoreblestoneshence，Andleavehimlingeringhere？
SECONDCHILD
TOJOSHUAP。SPEED
SPRINGFIELD，October22，1846。
DEARSPEED：——You，nodoubt，assignthesuspensionofourcorrespondencetothetruephilosophiccause；thoughitmustbeconfessedbybothofusthatthisisratheracoldreasonforallowingafriendshipsuchasourstodieoutbydegrees。I
proposenowthat，uponreceiptofthis，youshallbeconsideredinmydebt，andunderobligationstopaysoon，andthatneithershallremainlonginarrearshereafter。Areyouagreed？
BeingelectedtoCongress，thoughIamverygratefultoourfriendsforhavingdoneit，hasnotpleasedmeasmuchasI
expected。
Wehaveanotherboy，bornthe10thofMarch。HeisverymuchsuchachildasBobwasathisage，ratherofalongerorder。
Bobis\"shortandlow，\"andIexpectalwayswillbe。Hetalksveryplainly，——almostasplainlyasanybody。Heisquitesmartenough。Isometimesfearthatheisoneofthelittlerare—ripesortthataresmarterataboutfivethaneverafter。Hehasagreatdealofthatsortofmischiefthatistheoffspringofsuchanimalspirits。SinceIbeganthisletter，amessengercametotellmeBobwaslost；butbythetimeIreachedthehousehismotherhadfoundhimandhadhimwhipped，andbynow，verylikely，heisrunawayagain。Maryhasreadyourletter，andwishestoberememberedtoMrs。Speedandyou，inwhichImostsincerelyjoinher。
Aseveryours，A。LINCOLN。
TOMORRISANDBROWN
SPRINGFIELD，October21，1847。
MESSRS。MORRISANDBROWN。
GENTLEMEN：——YoursecondletteronthematterofThorntonandothers，cametohandthismorning。IwentatoncetoseeLogan，andfoundthatheisnotengagedagainstyou，andthathehassosentyouwordbyMr。Butterfield，ashesays。Hesaysthatsometimeago，ayoungmanwhoheknowsnotcametohim，withacopyoftheaffidavit，toengagehimtoaidingettingtheGovernortograntthewarrant；andthathe，Logan，toldtheman，thatinhisopinion，theaffidavitwasclearlyinsufficient，uponwhichtheyoungmanleft，withoutmakinganyengagementwithhim。IftheGovernorshallarrivebeforeIleave，LoganandIwillbothattendtothematter，andhewillattendtoit，ifhedoesnotcometillafterIleave；allupontheconditionthattheGovernorshallnothaveacteduponthematter，beforehisarrivalhere。I
mentionthisconditionbecause，IlearnedthismorningfromtheSecretaryofState，thatheisforwardingtotheGovernor，atPalestine，allpapershereceivesinthecase，asfastashereceivesthem。AmongthepapersforwardedwillbeyourlettertotheGovernororSecretaryof，Ibelieve，thesamedateandaboutthesamecontentsofyourlastlettertome；sothattheGovernorwill，atalleventshaveyourpointsandauthorities。Thecaseisaclearoneonourside；butwhethertheGovernorwillviewitsoisanotherthing。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON
WASHINGTON，December5，1847。
DEARWILLIAM：——YoumayrememberthataboutayearagoamanbythenameofWilsonJamesWilson，IthinkpaidustwentydollarsasanadvancefeetoattendtoacaseintheSupremeCourtforhim，againstaMr。Campbell，therecordofwhichcasewasinthehandsofMr。DixonofSt。Louis，whoneverfurnishedittous。
WhenIwasatBloomingtonlastfallImetafriendofWilson，whomentionedthesubjecttome，andinducedmetowritetoWilson，tellinghimIwouldleavethetendollarswithyouwhichhadbeenleftwithmetopayformakingabstractsinthecase，sothatthecasemaygoonthiswinter；butIcameaway，andforgottodoit。
WhatIwantnowistosendyouthemoney，tobeusedaccordingly，ifanyonecomesontostartthecase，ortoberetainedbyyouifnoonedoes。
Thereisnothingofconsequencenewhere。Congressistoorganizeto—morrow。LastnightweheldaWhigcaucusfortheHouse，andnominatedWinthropofMassachusettsforspeaker，SargentofPennsylvaniaforsergeant—at—arms，HomerofNewJerseydoor—keeper，andMcCormickofDistrictofColumbiapostmaster。
TheWhigmajorityintheHouseissosmallthat，togetherwithsomelittledissatisfaction，[it]leavesitdoubtfulwhetherwewillelectthemall。
Thispaperistoothicktofold，whichisthereasonIsendonlyahalf—sheet。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON。
WASHINGTON，December13，1847
DEARWILLIAM：——Yourletter，advisingmeofthereceiptofourfeeinthebankcase，isjustreceived，andIdon’texpecttohearanotherasgoodapieceofnewsfromSpringfieldwhileIamaway。
Iamundernoobligationstothebank；andIthereforewishyoutobuybankcertificates，andpaymydebtthere，soastopayitwiththeleastmoneypossible。IwouldassoonyoushouldbuythemofMr。Ridgely，oranyotherpersonatthebank，asofanyoneelse，providedyoucangetthemascheaply。Isuppose，afterthebankdebtshallbepaid，therewillbesomemoneyleft，outofwhichIwouldliketohaveyoupayLavelyandStouttwentydollars，andPriestandsomebodyoil—makerstendollars，formaterialsgotforhouse—painting。Ifthereshallstillbeanyleft，keepittillyouseeorhearfromme。
IshallbeginsendingdocumentssosoonasIcangetthem。I
wroteyouyesterdayabouta\"CongressionalGlobe。\"Asyouareallsoanxiousformetodistinguishmyself，Ihaveconcludedtodosobeforelong。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
RESOLUTIONSINTHEUNITEDSTATESHOUSEOF
REPRESENTATIVES，DECEMBER22，1847
Whereas，ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates，inhismessageofMay11，1846，hasdeclaredthat\"theMexicanGovernmentnotonlyrefusedtoreceivehim[theenvoyoftheUnitedStates]，ortolistentohispropositions，but，afteralong—continuedseriesofmenaces，hasatlastinvadedourterritoryandshedthebloodofourfellow—citizensonourownsoil\"；
Andagain，inhismessageofDecember8，1846，that\"wehadamplecauseofwaragainstMexicolongbeforethebreakingoutofhostilities；buteventhenweforboretotakeredressintoourownhandsuntilMexicoherselfbecametheaggressor，byinvadingoursoilinhostilearray，andsheddingthebloodofourcitizens\"；
Andyetagain，inhismessageofDecember7，1847，that\"theMexicanGovernmentrefusedeventohearthetermsofadjustmentwhichhe[ourministerofpeace]wasauthorizedtopropose，andfinally，underwhollyunjustifiablepretexts，involvedthetwocountriesinwar，byinvadingtheterritoryoftheStateofTexas，strikingthefirstblow，andsheddingthebloodofourcitizensonourownsoil\"；
Andwhereas，ThisHouseisdesiroustoobtainafullknowledgeofallthefactswhichgotoestablishwhethertheparticularspotonwhichthebloodofourcitizenswassoshedwasorwasnotatthattimeourownsoil：therefore，Resolved，BytheHouseofRepresentatives，thatthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesberespectfullyrequestedtoinformthisHouse：
First。Whetherthespotonwhichthebloodofourcitizenswasshed，asinhismessagedeclared，wasorwasnotwithintheterritoryofSpain，atleastafterthetreatyof1819，untiltheMexicanrevolution。
Second。WhetherthatspotisorisnotwithintheterritorywhichwaswrestedfromSpainbytherevolutionarygovernmentofMexico。
Third。Whetherthatspotisorisnotwithinasettlementofpeople，whichsettlementhasexistedeversincelongbeforetheTexasrevolution，anduntilitsinhabitantsfledbeforetheapproachoftheUnitedStatesarmy。
Fourth。WhetherthatsettlementisorisnotisolatedfromanyandallothersettlementsbytheGulfandtheRioGrandeonthesouthandwest，andbywideuninhabitedregionsonthenorthandeast。
Fifth。Whetherthepeopleofthatsettlement，oramajorityofthem，oranyofthem，haveeversubmittedthemselvestothegovernmentorlawsofTexasoroftheUnitedStates，byconsentorbycompulsion，eitherbyacceptingoffice，orvotingatelections，orpayingtax，orservingonjuries，orhavingprocessserveduponthem，orinanyotherway。
Sixth。WhetherthepeopleofthatsettlementdidordidnotfleefromtheapproachoftheUnitedStatesarmy，leavingunprotectedtheirhomesandtheirgrowingcrops，beforethebloodwasshed，asinthemessagestated；andwhetherthefirstblood，soshed，wasorwasnotshedwithintheinclosureofoneofthepeoplewhohadthusfledfromit。
Seventh。Whetherourcitizens，whosebloodwasshed，asinhismessagedeclared，wereorwerenot，atthattime，armedofficersandsoldiers，sentintothatsettlementbythemilitaryorderofthePresident，throughtheSecretaryofWar。
Eighth。WhetherthemilitaryforceoftheUnitedStateswasorwasnotsosentintothatsettlementafterGeneralTaylorhadmorethanonceintimatedtotheWarDepartmentthat，inhisopinion，nosuchmovementwasnecessarytothedefenceorprotectionofTexas。
REMARKSINTHEUNITEDSTATESHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，JANUARY5，1848。
Mr。Lincolnsaidhehadmadeaneffort，somefewdayssince，toobtainthefloorinrelationtothismeasure[resolutiontodirectPostmaster—Generaltomakearrangementswithrailroadforcarryingthemails——inCommitteeoftheWhole]，buthadfailed。
OneoftheobjectshehadthenhadinviewwasnowinagreatmeasuresupersededbywhathadfallenfromthegentlemanfromVirginiawhohadjusttakenhisseat。HebeggedtoassurehisfriendsontheothersideoftheHousethatnoassaultwhateverwasmeantuponthePostmaster—General，andhewasgladthatwhatthegentlemanhadnowsaidmodifiedtoagreatextenttheimpressionwhichmighthavebeencreatedbythelanguagehehadusedonapreviousoccasion。Hewantedtostatetogentlemenwhomighthaveentertainedsuchimpressions，thattheCommitteeonthePost—officewascomposedoffiveWhigsandfourDemocrats，andtheirreportwasunderstoodassustaining，notimpugning，thepositiontakenbythePostmaster—General。ThatreporthadmetwiththeapprobationofalltheWhigs，andofalltheDemocratsalso，withtheexceptionofone，andhewantedtogoevenfurtherthanthis。[IntimationwasinformallygivenMr。Lincolnthatitwasnotinordertomentiononthefloorwhathadtakenplaceincommittee。]Hethenobservedthatifhehadbeenoutoforderinwhathehadsaidhetookitallbacksofarashecould。Hehadnodesire，hecouldassuregentlemen，evertobeoutoforder——
thoughhenevercouldkeeplonginorder。
Mr。Lincolnwentontoobservethathedifferedinopinion，inthepresentcase，fromhishonorablefriendfromRichmond[Mr。
Botts]。Thatgentleman，hadbegunhisremarksbysayingthatifallprepossessionsinthismattercouldberemovedoutoftheway，butlittledifficultywouldbeexperiencedincomingtoanagreement。Now，hecouldassurethatgentlemanthathehadhimselfbeguntheexaminationofthesubjectwithprepossessionsallinhisfavor。Hehadlongandoftenheardofhim，and，fromwhathehadheard，wasprepossessedinhisfavor。OfthePostmaster—Generalhehadalsoheard，buthadnoprepossessionsinhisfavor，thoughcertainlynoneofanoppositekind。Hediffered，however，withthatgentlemaninpolitics，whileinthisrespectheagreedwiththegentlemanfromVirginia[Mr。Botts]，whomhewishedtoobligewheneveritwasinhispower。ThatgentlemanhadreferredtothereportmadetotheHousebythePostmaster—General，andhadintimatedanapprehensionthatgentlemenwouldbedisposedtorely，onthatreportalone，andderivetheirviewsofthecasefromthatdocumentalone。Nowitsohappenedthatapamphlethadbeenslippedintohis[Mr。
Lincoln’s]handbeforehereadthereportofthePostmaster—
General；sothat，eveninthis，hehadbegunwithprepossessionsinfavorofthegentlemanfromVirginia。
Astothereport，hehadbutoneremarktomake：hehadcarefullyexaminedit，andhedidnotunderstandthattherewasanydisputeastothefactsthereinstatedthedispute，ifheunderstoodit，wasconfinedaltogethertotheinferencestobedrawnfromthosefacts。Itwasadifferencenotaboutfacts，butaboutconclusions。Thefactswerenotdisputed。Ifhewasrightinthis，hesupposedtheHousemightassumethefactstobeastheywerestated，andthenceproceedtodrawtheirownconclusions。
ThegentlemanhadsaidthatthePostmaster—Generalhadgotintoapersonalsquabblewiththerailroadcompany。OfthisMr。Lincolnknewnothing，nordidheneedordesiretoknowanything，becauseithadnothingwhatevertodowithajustconclusionfromthepremises。ButthegentlemanhadgoneontoaskwhethersogreatagrievanceasthepresentdetentionoftheSouthernmailoughtnottoberemedied。Mr。Lincolnwouldassurethegentlemanthatiftherewasaproperwayofdoingit，nomanwasmoreanxiousthanhethatitshouldbedone。Thereportmadebythecommitteehadbeenintendedtoyieldmuchforthesakeofremovingthatgrievance。Thatthegrievancewasverygreattherewasnodisputeinanyquarter。HesupposedthatthestatementsmadebythegentlemanfromVirginiatoshowthiswereallentirelycorrectinpointoffact。Hedidsupposethattheinterruptionsofregularintercourse，andalltheotherinconveniencesgrowingoutofit，wereallasthatgentlemanhadstatedthemtobe；andcertainly，ifredresscouldberendered，itwasproperitshouldberenderedassoonaspossible。Thegentlemansaidthatinordertoeffectthisnonewlegislativeactionwasneeded；allthatwasnecessarywasthatthePostmaster—Generalshouldberequiredtodowhatthelaw，asitstood，authorizedandrequiredhimtodo。
Wecomethen，saidMr。Lincoln，tothelaw。NowthePostmaster—
Generalsayshecannotgivetothiscompanymorethantwohundredandthirty—sevendollarsandfiftycentsperrailroadmileoftransportation，andtwelveandahalfpercent。lessfortransportationbysteamboats。Heconsidershimselfasrestrictedbylawtothisamount；andhesays，further，thathewouldnotgivemoreifhecould，becauseinhisapprehensionitwouldnotbefairandjust。
1848
DESIREFORSECONDTERMINCONGRESS
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON。
WASHINGTON，January8，1848。
DEARWILLIAM：——YourletterofDecember27wasreceivedadayortwoago。Iammuchobligedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavetaken，andpromisetotakeinmylittlebusinessthere。Astospeechmaking，bywayofgettingthehangoftheHouseImadealittlespeechtwoorthreedaysagoonapost—officequestionofnogeneralinterest。Ifindspeakinghereandelsewhereaboutthesamething。Iwasaboutasbadlyscared，andnoworseasI
amwhenIspeakincourt。Iexpecttomakeonewithinaweekortwo，inwhichIhopetosucceedwellenoughtowishyoutoseeit。
ItisverypleasanttolearnfromyouthattherearesomewhodesirethatIshouldbereelected。Imostheartilythankthemfortheirkindpartiality；andIcansay，asMr。ClaysaidoftheannexationofTexas，that\"personallyIwouldnotobject\"toareelection，althoughIthoughtatthetime，andstillthink，itwouldbequiteaswellformetoreturntothelawattheendofasingleterm。ImadethedeclarationthatIwouldnotbeacandidateagain，morefromawishtodealfairlywithothers，tokeeppeaceamongourfriends，andtokeepthedistrictfromgoingtotheenemy，thanforanycausepersonaltomyself；sothatifitshouldsohappenthatnobodyelsewishestobeelected，I
couldnotrefusethepeopletherightofsendingmeagain。Buttoentermyselfasacompetitorofothers，ortoauthorizeanyonesotoentermeiswhatmywordandhonorforbid。
Igotsomelettersintimatingaprobabilityofsomuchdifficultyamongstourfriendsastoloseusthedistrict；butIremembersuchletterswerewrittentoBakerwhenmyowncasewasunderconsideration，andItrustthereisnomoregroundforsuchapprehensionnowthantherewasthen。RememberIamalwaysgladtoreceivealetterfromyou。
Mosttrulyyourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
SPEECHONDECLARATIONOFWARONMEXICO
SPEECHINTHEUNITEDSTATESHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，JANUARY12，1848。
MRCHAIRMAN：——SomeifnotallthegentlemenontheothersideoftheHousewhohaveaddressedthecommitteewithinthelasttwodayshavespokenrathercomplainingly，ifIhaverightlyunderstoodthem，ofthevotegivenaweekortendaysagodeclaringthatthewarwithMexicowasunnecessarilyandunconstitutionallycommencedbythePresident。Iadmitthatsuchavoteshouldnotbegiveninmerepartywantonness，andthattheonegivenisjustlycensurableifithavenootherorbetterfoundation。Iamoneofthosewhojoinedinthatvote；andIdidsoundermybestimpressionofthetruthofthecase。HowIgotthisimpression，andhowitmaypossiblyberemedied，Iwillnowtrytoshow。Whenthewarbegan，itwasmyopinionthatallthosewhobecauseofknowingtoolittle，orbecauseofknowingtoomuch，couldnotconscientiouslyapprovetheconductofthePresidentinthebeginningofitshouldnevertheless，asgoodcitizensandpatriots，remainsilentonthatpoint，atleasttillthewarshouldbeended。SomeleadingDemocrats，includingex—
PresidentVanBuren，havetakenthissameview，asIunderstandthem；andIadheredtoitandacteduponit，untilsinceItookmyseathere；andIthinkIshouldstilladheretoitwereitnotthatthePresidentandhisfriendswillnotallowittobeso。
BesidesthecontinualeffortofthePresidenttoargueeverysilentvotegivenforsuppliesintoanindorsementofthejusticeandwisdomofhisconduct；besidesthatsingularlycandidparagraphinhislatemessageinwhichhetellsusthatCongresswithgreatunanimityhaddeclaredthat\"bytheactoftheRepublicofMexico，astateofwarexistsbetweenthatgovernmentandtheUnitedStates，\"whenthesamejournalsthatinformedhimofthisalsoinformedhimthatwhenthatdeclarationstooddisconnectedfromthequestionofsuppliessixty—sevenintheHouse，andnotfourteenmerely，votedagainstit；besidesthisopenattempttoprovebytellingthetruthwhathecouldnotprovebytellingthewholetruth—demandingofallwhowillnotsubmittobemisrepresented，injusticetothemselves，tospeakout，besidesallthis，oneofmycolleagues[Mr。Richardson]ataveryearlydayinthesessionbroughtinasetofresolutionsexpresslyindorsingtheoriginaljusticeofthewaronthepartofthePresident。UpontheseresolutionswhentheyshallbeputontheirpassageIshallbecompelledtovote；sothatIcannotbesilentifIwould。Seeingthis，Iwentaboutpreparingmyselftogivethevoteunderstandinglywhenitshouldcome。I
carefullyexaminedthePresident’smessage，toascertainwhathehimselfhadsaidandproveduponthepoint。Theresultofthisexaminationwastomaketheimpressionthat，takingfortrueallthePresidentstatesasfacts，hefallsfarshortofprovinghisjustification；andthatthePresidentwouldhavegonefurtherwithhisproofifithadnotbeenforthesmallmatterthatthetruthwouldnotpermithim。UndertheimpressionthusmadeI
gavethevotebeforementioned。IproposenowtogiveconciselytheprocessoftheexaminationImade，andhowIreachedtheconclusionIdid。ThePresident，inhisfirstwarmessageofMay，1846，declaresthatthesoilwasoursonwhichhostilitieswerecommencedbyMexico，andherepeatsthatdeclarationalmostinthesamelanguageineachsuccessiveannualmessage，thusshowingthathedeemsthatpointahighlyessentialone。IntheimportanceofthatpointIentirelyagreewiththePresident。Tomyjudgmentitistheverypointuponwhichheshouldbejustified，orcondemned。InhismessageofDecember，1846，itseemstohaveoccurredtohim，asiscertainlytrue，thattitle—
ownership—tosoiloranythingelseisnotasimplefact，butisaconclusionfollowingononeormoresimplefacts；andthatitwasincumbentuponhimtopresentthefactsfromwhichheconcludedthesoilwasoursonwhichthefirstbloodofthewarwasshed。
Accordingly，alittlebelowthemiddleofpagetwelveinthemessagelastreferredtoheentersuponthattask；forminganissueandintroducingtestimony，extendingthewholetoalittlebelowthemiddleofpagefourteen。Now，Iproposetotrytoshowthatthewholeofthis——issueandevidence——isfrombeginningtoendthesheerestdeception。Theissue，ashepresentsit，isinthesewords：\"Buttherearethosewho，concedingallthistobetrue，assumethegroundthatthetruewesternboundaryofTexasistheNueces，insteadoftheRioGrande；andthat，therefore，inmarchingourarmytotheeastbankofthelatterriver，wepassedtheTexaslineandinvadedtheterritoryofMexico。\"Nowthisissueismadeupoftwoaffirmativesandnonegative。Themaindeceptionofitisthatitassumesastruethatoneriverortheotherisnecessarilytheboundary；andcheatsthesuperficialthinkerentirelyoutoftheideathatpossiblytheboundaryissomewherebetweenthetwo，andnotactuallyateither。Afurtherdeceptionisthatitwillletinevidencewhichatrueissuewouldexclude。AtrueissuemadebythePresidentwouldbeaboutasfollows：\"Isaythesoilwasours，onwhichthefirstbloodwasshed；therearethosewhosayitwasnot。\"
InowproceedtoexaminethePresident’sevidenceasapplicabletosuchanissue。Whenthatevidenceisanalyzed，itisallincludedinthefollowingpropositions1ThattheRioGrandewasthewesternboundaryofLouisianaaswepurchaseditofFrancein1803。
2ThattheRepublicofTexasalwaysclaimedtheRioGrandeashereasternboundary。
3Thatbyvariousactsshehadclaimeditonpaper。
4ThatSantaAnnainhistreatywithTexasrecognizedtheRioGrandeasherboundary。
5ThatTexasbefore，andtheUnitedStatesafter，annexationhadexercisedjurisdictionbeyondtheNueces——betweenthetworivers。
6ThatourCongressunderstoodtheboundaryofTexastoextendbeyondtheNueces。
Nowforeachoftheseinitsturn。HisfirstitemisthattheRioGrandewasthewesternboundaryofLouisiana，aswepurchaseditofFrancein1803；andseemingtoexpectthistobedisputed，hearguesovertheamountofnearlyapagetoproveittrue，attheendofwhichheletsusknowthatbythetreatyof1803wesoldtoSpainthewholecountryfromtheRioGrandeeastwardtotheSabine。Now，admittingforthepresentthattheRioGrandewastheboundaryofLouisiana，whatunderheavenhadthattodowiththepresentboundarybetweenusandMexico？How，Mr。
Chairman，thelinethatoncedividedyourlandfromminecanstillbetheboundarybetweenusafterIhavesoldmylandtoyouistomebeyondallcomprehension。Andhowanyman，withanhonestpurposeonlyofprovingthetruth，couldeverhavethoughtofintroducingsuchafacttoprovesuchanissueisequallyincomprehensible。Hisnextpieceofevidenceisthat\"theRepublicofTexasalwaysclaimedthisriver[RioGrande]asherwesternboundary。\"Thatisnottrue，infact。Texashasclaimedit，butshehasnotalwaysclaimedit。Thereisatleastonedistinguishedexception。HerStateconstitutiontherepublic’smostsolemnandwell—consideredact，thatwhichmay，withoutimpropriety，becalledherlastwillandtestament，revokingallothers—makesnosuchclaim。Butsupposeshehadalwaysclaimedit。HasnotMexicoalwaysclaimedthecontrary？Sothatthereisbutclaimagainstclaim，leavingnothingproveduntilwegetbackoftheclaimsandfindwhichhasthebetterfoundation。
ThoughnotintheorderinwhichthePresidentpresentshisevidence，InowconsiderthatclassofhisstatementswhichareinsubstancenothingmorethanthatTexashas，byvariousactsofherConventionandCongress，claimedtheRioGrandeasherboundary，onpaper。ImeanherewhathesaysaboutthefixingoftheRioGrandeasherboundaryinheroldconstitutionnotherStateconstitution，aboutformingCongressionaldistricts，counties，etc。Nowallofthisisbutnakedclaim；andwhatI
havealreadysaidaboutclaimsisstrictlyapplicabletothis。
IfIshouldclaimyourlandbywordofmouth，thatcertainlywouldnotmakeitmine；andifIweretoclaimitbyadeedwhichIhadmademyself，andwithwhichyouhadhadnothingtodo，theclaimwouldbequitethesameinsubstance——orrather，inutternothingness。InextconsiderthePresident’sstatementthatSantaAnnainhistreatywithTexasrecognizedtheRioGrandeasthewesternboundaryofTexas。Besidesthepositionsooftentaken，thatSantaAnnawhileaprisonerofwar，acaptive，couldnotbindMexicobyatreaty，whichIdeemconclusive——besidesthis，Iwishtosaysomethinginrelationtothistreaty，socalledbythePresident，withSantaAnna。IfanymanwouldliketobeamusedbyasightofthatlittlethingwhichthePresidentcallsbythatbigname，hecanhaveitbyturningtoNiles’sRegister，vol。1，p。336。AndifanyoneshouldsupposethatNiles’sRegisterisacuriousrepositoryofsomightyadocumentasasolemntreatybetweennations，IcanonlysaythatIlearnedtoatolerabledegreeofcertainty，byinquiryattheStateDepartment，thatthePresidenthimselfneversawitanywhereelse。Bytheway，IbelieveIshouldnoterrifIweretodeclarethatduringthefirsttenyearsoftheexistenceofthatdocumentitwasneverbyanybodycalledatreaty——thatitwasneversocalledtillthePresident，inhisextremity，attemptedbysocallingittowringsomethingfromitinjustificationofhimselfinconnectionwiththeMexicanWar。Ithasnoneofthedistinguishingfeaturesofatreaty。Itdoesnotcallitselfatreaty。SantaAnnadoesnotthereinassumetobindMexico；heassumesonlytoactasthePresident——Commander—in—ChiefoftheMexicanarmyandnavy；stipulatesthatthethenpresenthostilitiesshouldcease，andthathewouldnothimselftakeuparms，norinfluencetheMexicanpeopletotakeuparms，againstTexasduringtheexistenceofthewarofindependence。HedidnotrecognizetheindependenceofTexas；hedidnotassumetoputanendtothewar，butclearlyindicatedhisexpectationofitscontinuance；hedidnotsayonewordaboutboundary，and，mostprobably，neverthoughtofit。ItisstipulatedthereinthattheMexicanforcesshouldevacuatetheterritoryofTexas，passingtotheothersideoftheRioGrande；andinanotherarticleitisstipulatedthat，topreventcollisionsbetweenthearmies，theTexasarmyshouldnotapproachnearerthanwithinfiveleagues——
ofwhatisnotsaid，butclearly，fromtheobjectstated，itisoftheRioGrande。Now，ifthisisatreatyrecognizingtheRioGrandeastheboundaryofTexas，itcontainsthesingularfeatureofstipulatingthatTexasshallnotgowithinfiveleaguesofherownboundary。
NextcomestheevidenceofTexasbeforeannexation，andtheUnitedStatesafterwards，exercisingjurisdictionbeyondtheNuecesandbetweenthetworivers。Thisactualexerciseofjurisdictionistheveryclassorqualityofevidencewewant。
Itisexcellentsofarasitgoes；butdoesitgofarenough？HetellsusitwentbeyondtheNueces，buthedoesnottellusitwenttotheRioGrande。Hetellsusjurisdictionwasexercisedbetweenthetworivers，buthedoesnottellusitwasexercisedoveralltheterritorybetweenthem。Somesimple—mindedpeoplethinkitispossibletocrossoneriverandgobeyonditwithoutgoingallthewaytothenext，thatjurisdictionmaybeexercisedbetweentworiverswithoutcoveringallthecountrybetweenthem。
Iknowaman，notveryunlikemyself，whoexercisesjurisdictionoverapieceoflandbetweentheWabashandtheMississippi；andyetsofaristhisfrombeingallthereisbetweenthoseriversthatitisjustonehundredandfifty—twofeetlongbyfiftyfeetwide，andnopartofitmuchwithinahundredmilesofeither。HehasaneighborbetweenhimandtheMississippi——thatis，justacrossthestreet，inthatdirection——whomIamsurehecouldneitherpersuadenorforcetogiveuphishabitation；butwhichneverthelesshecouldcertainlyannex，ifitweretobedonebymerelystandingonhisownsideofthestreetandclaimingit，orevensittingdownandwritingadeedforit。
ButnextthePresidenttellsustheCongressoftheUnitedStatesunderstoodtheStateofTexastheyadmittedintotheUniontoextendbeyondtheNueces。Well，Isupposetheydid。Icertainlysounderstoodit。Buthowfarbeyond？ThatCongressdidnotunderstandittoextendcleartotheRioGrandeisquitecertain，bythefactoftheirjointresolutionsforadmissionexpresslyleavingallquestionsofboundarytofutureadjustment。AnditmaybeaddedthatTexasherselfisproventohavehadthesameunderstandingofitthatourCongresshad，bythefactoftheexactconformityofhernewconstitutiontothoseresolutions。
IamnowthroughthewholeofthePresident’sevidence；anditisasingularfactthatifanyoneshoulddeclarethePresidentsentthearmyintothemidstofasettlementofMexicanpeoplewhohadneversubmitted，byconsentorbyforce，totheauthorityofTexasoroftheUnitedStates，andthatthereandtherebythefirstbloodofthewarwasshed，thereisnotonewordinallthewhichwouldeitheradmitordenythedeclaration。Thisstrangeomissionitdoesseemtomecouldnothaveoccurredbutbydesign。Mywayoflivingleadsmetobeaboutthecourtsofjustice；andthereIhavesometimesseenagoodlawyer，strugglingforhisclient’sneckinadesperatecase，employingeveryartificetoworkround，befog，andcoverupwithmanywordssomepointarisinginthecasewhichhedarednotadmitandyetcouldnotdeny。Partybiasmayhelptomakeitappearso，butwithalltheallowanceIcanmakeforsuchbias，itstilldoesappeartomethatjustsuch，andfromjustsuchnecessity，isthePresident’sstruggleinthiscase。
Sometimeaftermycolleague[Mr。Richardson]introducedtheresolutionsIhavementioned，Iintroducedapreamble，resolution，andinterrogations，intendedtodrawthePresidentout，ifpossible，onthishithertountroddenground。Toshowtheirrelevancy，IproposetostatemyunderstandingofthetrueruleforascertainingtheboundarybetweenTexasandMexico。ItisthatwhereverTexaswasexercisingjurisdictionwashers；andwhereverMexicowasexercisingjurisdictionwashers；andthatwhateverseparatedtheactualexerciseofjurisdictionoftheonefromthatoftheotherwasthetrueboundarybetweenthem。If，asisprobablytrue，TexaswasexercisingjurisdictionalongthewesternbankoftheNueces，andMexicowasexercisingitalongtheeasternbankoftheRioGrande，thenneitherriverwastheboundary：buttheuninhabitedcountrybetweenthetwowas。Theextentofourterritoryinthatregiondependednotonanytreaty—fixedboundaryfornotreatyhadattemptedit，butonrevolution。Anypeopleanywherebeinginclinedandhavingthepowerhavetherighttoriseupandshakeofftheexistinggovernment，andformanewonethatsuitsthembetter。Thisisamostvaluable，amostsacredright——arightwhichwehopeandbelieveistoliberatetheworld。Noristhisrightconfinedtocasesinwhichthewholepeopleofanexistinggovernmentmaychoosetoexerciseit。Anyportionofsuchpeoplethatcanmayrevolutionizeandmaketheirownofsomuchoftheterritoryastheyinhabit。Morethanthis，amajorityofanyportionofsuchpeoplemayrevolutionize，puttingdownaminority，intermingledwithornearaboutthem，whomayopposethismovement。SuchminoritywaspreciselythecaseoftheToriesofourownrevolution。Itisaqualityofrevolutionsnottogobyoldlinesoroldlaws，buttobreakupboth，andmakenewones。
Astothecountrynowinquestion，weboughtitofFrancein1803，andsoldittoSpainin1819，accordingtothePresident’sstatements。Afterthis，allMexico，includingTexas，revolutionizedagainstSpain；andstilllaterTexasrevolutionizedagainstMexico。Inmyview，justsofarasshecarriedherresolutionbyobtainingtheactual，willingorunwilling，submissionofthepeople，sofarthecountrywashers，andnofarther。Now，sir，forthepurposeofobtainingtheverybestevidenceastowhetherTexashadactuallycarriedherrevolutiontotheplacewherethehostilitiesofthepresentwarcommenced，letthePresidentanswertheinterrogatoriesI
proposed，asbeforementioned，orsomeothersimilarones。Lethimanswerfully，fairly，andcandidly。Lethimanswerwithfactsandnotwitharguments。LethimrememberhesitswhereWashingtonsat，andsoremembering，lethimanswerasWashingtonwouldanswer。Asanationshouldnot，andtheAlmightywillnot，beevaded，solethimattemptnoevasion——noequivocation。Andif，soanswering，hecanshowthatthesoilwasourswherethefirstbloodofthewarwasshed，——thatitwasnotwithinaninhabitedcountry，or，ifwithinsuch，thattheinhabitantshadsubmittedthemselvestothecivilauthorityofTexasoroftheUnitedStates，andthatthesameistrueofthesiteofFortBrown，thenIamwithhimforhisjustification。InthatcaseI
shallbemosthappytoreversethevoteIgavetheotherday。I
haveaselfishmotivefordesiringthatthePresidentmaydothis——Iexpecttogainsomevotes，inconnectionwiththewar，which，withouthissodoing，willbeofdoubtfulproprietyinmyownjudgment，butwhichwillbefreefromthedoubtifhedoesso。
Butifhecannotorwillnotdothis，——ifonanypretenceornopretenceheshallrefuseoromititthenIshallbefullyconvincedofwhatImorethansuspectalreadythatheisdeeplyconsciousofbeinginthewrong；thathefeelsthebloodofthiswar，likethebloodofAbel，iscryingtoheavenagainsthim；
thatoriginallyhavingsomestrongmotive——what，Iwillnotstopnowtogivemyopinionconcerningtoinvolvethetwocountriesinawar，andtrustingtoescapescrutinybyfixingthepublicgazeupontheexceedingbrightnessofmilitaryglory，——thatattractiverainbowthatrisesinshowersofblood，thatserpent’seyethatcharmstodestroy，——heplungedintoit，andwassweptonandontill，disappointedinhiscalculationoftheeasewithwhichMexicomightbesubdued，henowfindshimselfheknowsnotwhere。
Howlikethehalfinsanemumblingofafeverdreamisthewholewarpartofhislatemessage！AtonetimetellingusthatMexicohasnothingwhateverthatwecanget——butterritory；atanothershowingushowwecansupportthewarbylevyingcontributionsonMexico。Atonetimeurgingthenationalhonor，thesecurityofthefuture，thepreventionofforeigninterference，andeventhegoodofMexicoherselfasamongtheobjectsofthewar；atanothertellingusthat\"torejectindemnity，byrefusingtoacceptacessionofterritory，wouldbetoabandonallourjustdemands，andtowagethewar，bearingallitsexpenses，withoutapurposeordefiniteobject。\"Sothenthisnationalhonor，securityofthefuture，andeverythingbutterritorialindemnitymaybeconsideredtheno—purposesandindefiniteobjectsofthewar！But，havingitnowsettledthatterritorialindemnityistheonlyobject，weareurgedtoseize，bylegislationhere，allthathewascontenttotakeafewmonthsago，andthewholeprovinceofLowerCaliforniatoboot，andtostillcarryonthewartotakeallwearefightingfor，andstillfighton。Again，thePresidentisresolvedunderallcircumstancestohavefullterritorialindemnityfortheexpensesofthewar；butheforgetstotellushowwearetogettheexcessafterthoseexpensesshallhavesurpassedthevalueofthewholeoftheMexicanterritory。Soagain，heinsiststhattheseparatenationalexistenceofMexicoshallbemaintained；buthedoesnottellushowthiscanbedone，afterweshallhavetakenallherterritory。LestthequestionsIhavesuggestedbeconsideredspeculativemerely，letmebeindulgedamomentintryingtoshowtheyarenot。Thewarhasgoneonsometwentymonths；fortheexpensesofwhich，togetherwithaninconsiderableoldscore，thePresidentnowclaimsaboutonehalfoftheMexicanterritory，andthatbyfarthebetterhalf，sofarasconcernsourabilitytomakeanythingoutofit。Itiscomparativelyuninhabited；sothatwecouldestablishland—officesinit，andraisesomemoneyinthatway。Buttheotherhalfisalreadyinhabited，asI
understandit，tolerablydenselyforthenatureofthecountry，andallitslands，orallthatarevaluable，alreadyappropriatedasprivateproperty。Howthenarewetomakeanythingoutoftheselandswiththisencumbranceonthem？orhowremovetheencumbrance？Isupposenoonewouldsayweshouldkillthepeople，ordrivethemout，ormakeslavesofthem，orconfiscatetheirproperty。How，then，canwemakemuchoutofthispartoftheterritory？Iftheprosecutionofthewarhasinexpensesalreadyequalledthebetterhalfofthecountry，howlongitsfutureprosecutionwillbeinequallingthelessvaluablehalfisnotaspeculative，butapractical，question，pressingcloselyuponus。AndyetitisaquestionwhichthePresidentseemsnevertohavethoughtof。Astothemodeofterminatingthewarandsecuringpeace，thePresidentisequallywanderingandindefinite。First，itistobedonebyamorevigorousprosecutionofthewarinthevitalpartsoftheenemy’scountry；
andafterapparentlytalkinghimselftiredonthispoint，thePresidentdropsdownintoahalf—despairingtone，andtellsusthat\"withapeopledistractedanddividedbycontendingfactions，andagovernmentsubjecttoconstantchangesbysuccessiverevolutions，thecontinuedsuccessofourarmsmayfailtosecureasatisfactorypeace。\"ThenhesuggeststheproprietyofwheedlingtheMexicanpeopletodesertthecounselsoftheirownleaders，and，trustinginourprotestations，tosetupagovernmentfromwhichwecansecureasatisfactorypeace；
tellingusthat\"thismaybecome，theonlymodeofobtainingsuchapeace。\"Butsoonhefallsintodoubtofthistoo；andthendropsbackontothealreadyhalf—abandonedgroundof\"morevigorousprosecution。\"AllthisshowsthatthePresidentisinnowisesatisfiedwithhisownpositions。Firsthetakesupone，andinattemptingtoargueusintoitheargueshimselfoutofit，thenseizesanotherandgoesthroughthesameprocess，andthen，confusedatbeingabletothinkofnothingnew，hesnatchesuptheoldoneagain，whichhehassometimebeforecastoff。
Hismind，taxedbeyonditspower，isrunninghitherandthither，likesometorturedcreatureonaburningsurface，findingnopositiononwhichitcansettledownandbeatease。
Again，itisasingularomissioninthismessagethatitnowhereintimateswhenthePresidentexpectsthewartoterminate。Atitsbeginning，GeneralScottwasbythissamePresidentdrivenintodisfavorifnotdisgrace，forintimatingthatpeacecouldnotbeconqueredinlessthanthreeorfourmonths。Butnow，attheendofabouttwentymonths，duringwhichtimeourarmshavegivenusthemostsplendidsuccesses，everydepartmentandeverypart，landandwater，officersandprivates，regularsandvolunteers，doingallthatmencoulddo，andhundredsofthingswhichithadeverbeforebeenthoughtmencouldnotdo——afterallthis，thissamePresidentgivesalongmessage，withoutshowingusthatastotheendhehimselfhasevenanimaginaryconception。AsIhavebeforesaid，heknowsnotwhereheis。Heisabewildered，confounded，andmiserablyperplexedman。Godgranthemaybeabletoshowthereisnotsomethingabouthisconsciencemorepainfulthanhismentalperplexity。
Thefollowingisacopyoftheso—called\"treaty\"referredtointhespeech：
\"ArticlesofAgreemententeredintobetweenhisExcellencyDavidG。Burnet，PresidentoftheRepublicofTexas，oftheonepart，andhisExcellencyGeneralSantaAnna，President—General—
in—ChiefoftheMexicanarmy，oftheotherpart：
\"ArticleI。GeneralAntonioLopezdeSantaAnnaagreesthathewillnottakeuparms，norwillheexercisehisinfluencetocausethemtobetakenup，againstthepeopleofTexasduringthepresentwarofindependence。
\"ArticleII。AllhostilitiesbetweentheMexicanandTexantroopswillceaseimmediately，bothbylandandwater。
\"ArticleIII。TheMexicantroopswillevacuatetheterritoryofTexas，passingtotheothersideoftheRioGrandeDelNorte。
\"ArticleIV。TheMexicanarmy，initsretreat，shallnottakethepropertyofanypersonwithouthisconsentandjustindemnification，usingonlysucharticlesasmaybenecessaryforitssubsistence，incaseswhentheownermaynotbepresent，andremittingtothecommanderofthearmyofTexas，ortothecommissionerstobeappointedfortheadjustmentofsuchmatters，anaccountofthevalueofthepropertyconsumed，theplacewheretaken，andthenameoftheowner，ifitcanbeascertained。
\"ArticleV。Thatallprivateproperty，includingcattle，horses，negroslaves，orindenturedpersons，ofwhateverdenomination，thatmayhavebeencapturedbyanyportionoftheMexicanarmy，ormayhavetakenrefugeinthesaidarmy，sincethecommencementofthelateinvasion，shallberestoredtothecommanderoftheTexanarmy，ortosuchotherpersonsasmaybeappointedbytheGovernmentofTexastoreceivethem。
\"ArticleVI。Thetroopsofbotharmieswillrefrainfromcomingincontactwitheachother；andtothisendthecommanderofthearmyofTexaswillbecarefulnottoapproachwithinashorterdistancethanfiveleagues。
\"ArticleVII。TheMexicanarmyshallnotmakeanyotherdelayonitsmarchthanthatwhichisnecessarytotakeuptheirhospitals，baggage，etc。，andtocrosstherivers；anydelaynotnecessarytothesepurposestobeconsideredaninfractionofthisagreement。
\"ArticleVIII。Byanexpress，tobeimmediatelydespatched，thisagreementshallbesenttoGeneralVincenteFilisolaandtoGeneralT。J。Rusk，commanderoftheTexanarmy，inorderthattheymaybeapprisedofitsstipulations；andtothisendtheywillexchangeengagementstocomplywiththesame。
\"ArticleIX。ThatallTexanprisonersnowinthepossessionoftheMexicanarmy，oritsauthorities，beforthwithreleased，andfurnishedwithfreepassportstoreturntotheirhomes；inconsiderationofwhichacorrespondingnumberofMexicanprisoners，rankandfile，nowinpossessionoftheGovernmentofTexasshallbeimmediatelyreleased；theremainderoftheMexicanprisonersthatcontinueinthepossessionoftheGovernmentofTexastobetreatedwithduehumanity，——anyextraordinarycomfortsthatmaybefurnishedthemtobeatthechargeoftheGovernmentofMexico。
\"ArticleX。GeneralAntonioLopezdeSantaAnnawillbesenttoVeraCruzassoonasitshallbedeemedproper。
\"Thecontractingpartiessignthisinstrumentfortheabovementionedpurposes，induplicate，attheportofVelasco，thisfourteenthdayofMay，1836。
\"DAVIDG。BURNET，President，\"JAS。COLLINGSWORTH，SecretaryofState，\"ANTONIOLOPEZDESANTAANNA，\"B。HARDIMAN，SecretaryoftheTreasury，\"P。W。GRAYSON，Attorney—General。\"
REPORTINTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，JANUARY19，1848。
Mr。Lincoln，fromtheCommitteeonthePost—officeandPostRoads，madethefollowingreport：
TheCommitteeonthePost—officeandPostRoads，towhomwasreferredthepetitionofMessrs。SaltmarshandFuller，report：
That，asprovedtotheirsatisfaction，themailroutesfromMilledgevilletoAthens，andfromWarrentontoDecatur，intheStateofGeorgianumbered2366and2380，werelettoReesideandAveryat$1300perannumfortheformerand$1500forthelatter，forthetermoffouryears，tocommenceonthefirstdayofJanuary，1835；that，previoustothetimeforcommencingtheservice，ReesidesoldhisinterestthereintoAvery；thatontheaathofMay，1835，Averysoldthewholetothesepetitioners，SaltmarshandFuller，totakeeffectfromthebeginning，Januarya1835；thatatthistime，theAssistantPostmaster—General，beingcalledonforthatpurpose，consentedtothetransferofthecontractsfromReesideandAverytothesepetitioners，andpromisedtohaveproperentriesofthetransfermadeonthebooksofthedepartment，which，however，wasneglectedtobedone；thatthepetitioners，supposingallwasright，ingoodfaithcommencedthetransportationofthemailontheseroutes，andafterdifficultyarose，stilltrustingthatallwouldbemaderight，continuedtheservicetillDecembera1`837；thattheyperformedtheservicetotheentiresatisfactionofthedepartment，andhaveneverbeenpaidanythingforitexcept$_____；thatthedifficultyoccurredasfollows：
Mr。BarrywasPostmaster—Generalatthetimesofmakingthecontractsandtheattemptedtransferofthem；Mr。KendallsucceededMr。Barry，andfindingReesideapparentlyindebttothedepartment，andthesecontractsstillstandinginthenamesofReesideandAvery，refusedtopayfortheservicesunderthem，otherwisethanbycreditstoReeside；afterward，however，hedividedthecompensation，stillcreditingonehalftoReeside，anddirectingtheothertobepaidtotheorderofAvery，whodisclaimedallrighttoit。Afterdiscontinuingtheservice，thesepetitioners，supposingtheymighthavelegalredressagainstAvery，broughtsuitagainsthiminNewOrleans；inwhichsuittheyfailed，onthegroundthatAveryhadcompliedwithhiscontract，havingdonesomuchtowardthetransferastheyhadacceptedandbeensatisfiedwith。StilllaterthedepartmentsuedReesideonhissupposedindebtedness，andbyaverdictofthejuryitwasdeterminedthatthedepartmentwasindebtedtohiminasummuchbeyondallthecreditsgivenhimontheaccountabovestated。Underthesecircumstances，thecommitteeconsiderthepetitionersclearlyentitledtorelief，andtheyreportabillaccordingly；lest，however，thereshouldbesomemistakeastotheamountwhichtheyhavealreadyreceived，wesoframeitasthat，byadjustmentatthedepartment，theymaybepaidsomuchasremainsunpaidforservicesactuallyperformedbythemnotchargingthemwiththecreditsgiventoReeside。ThecommitteethinkitnotimprobablethatthepetitionerspurchasedtherightofAverytobepaidfortheservicefromthe1stofJanuary，tilltheirpurchaseonMay11，1835；but，theevidenceonthispointbeingveryvague，theyforbeartoreportinfavorofallowingit。
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON——LEGALWORK
WASHINGTON，January19，1848。
DEARWILLIAM：——InclosedyoufindaletterofLouisW。Chandler。
WhatiswantedisthatyoushallascertainwhethertheclaimuponthenotedescribedhasreceivedanydividendintheProbateCourtofChristianCounty，wheretheestateofMr。OverbonWilliamshasbeenadministeredon。Ifnothingispaidonit，withdrawthenoteandsendittome，sothatChandlercanseetheindorserofit。Atalleventswritemeallaboutit，tillIcansomehowgetitoffmyhands。Ihavealreadybeenboredmorethanenoughaboutit；nottheleastofwhichannoyanceishiscursed，unreadable，andungodlyhandwriting。
Ihavemadeaspeech，acopyofwhichIwillsendyoubynextmail。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
REGARDINGSPEECHONMEXICANWAR
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON。
WASHINGTON，February1，1848。
DEARWILLIAM：——Yourletterofthe19thultimowasreceivedlastnight，andforwhichIammuchobliged。TheonlythinginitthatIwishtotalktoyouatonceaboutisthatbecauseofmyvoteforAshmun’samendmentyoufearthatyouandIdisagreeaboutthewar。Iregretthis，notbecauseofanyfearweshallremaindisagreedafteryouhavereadthisletter，butbecauseifyoumisunderstandIfearothergoodfriendsmayalso。ThatvoteaffirmsthatthewarwasunnecessarilyandunconstitutionallycommencedbythePresident；andIwillstakemylifethatifyouhadbeeninmyplaceyouwouldhavevotedjustasIdid。Wouldyouhavevotedwhatyoufeltandknewtobealie？Iknowyouwouldnot。WouldyouhavegoneoutoftheHouse——skulkedthevote？Iexpectnot。Ifyouhadskulkedonevote，youwouldhavehadtoskulkmanymorebeforetheendofthesession。
Richardson’sresolutions，introducedbeforeImadeanymoveorgaveanyvoteuponthesubject，makethedirectquestionofthejusticeofthewar；sothatnomancanbesilentifhewould。
Youarecompelledtospeak；andyouronlyalternativeistotellthetruthoralie。Icannotdoubtwhichyouwoulddo。
Thisvotehasnothingtodoindeterminingmyvotesonthequestionsofsupplies。Ihavealwaysintended，andstillintend，tovotesupplies；perhapsnotinthepreciseformrecommendedbythePresident，butinabetterformforallpurposes，exceptLocofocopartypurposes。Itisinthisparticularyouseemmistaken。TheLocosareuntiringintheireffortstomaketheimpressionthatallwhovotesuppliesortakepartinthewardoofnecessityapprovethePresident’sconductinthebeginningofit；buttheWhigshavefromthebeginningmadeandkeptthedistinctionbetweenthetwo。IntheveryfirstactnearlyalltheWhigsvotedagainstthepreambledeclaringthatwarexistedbytheactofMexico；andyetnearlyallofthemvotedforthesupplies。AstotheWhigmenwhohaveparticipatedinthewar，sofarastheyhavespokeninmyhearingtheydonothesitatetodenounceasunjustthePresident’sconductinthebeginningofthewar。Theydonotsupposethatsuchdenunciationisdirectedbyundyinghatredtohim，asTheRegisterwouldhaveitbelieved。TherearetwosuchWhigsonthisfloorColonelHaskellandMajorJamesTheformerfoughtasacolonelbythesideofColonelBakeratCerroGordo，andstandssidebysidewithmeinthevotethatyouseemdissatisfiedwith。Thelatter，thehistoryofwhosecapturewithCassiusClayyouwellknow，hadnotarrivedherewhenthatvotewasgiven；but，asIunderstand，hestandsreadytogivejustsuchavotewheneveranoccasionshallpresent。Baker，too，whoisnowhere，saysthetruthisundoubtedlythatway；andwheneverheshallspeakout，hewillsayso。ColonelDoniphan，too，thefavoriteWhigofMissouri，andwhooverranallNorthernMexico，onhisreturnhomeinapublicspeechatSt。Louiscondemnedtheadministrationinrelationtothewar。IfIremember，G。T。M。Davis，whohasbeenthroughalmostthewholewar，declaresinfavorofMr。Clay；
fromwhichIinferthatheadoptsthesentimentsofMr。Clay，generallyatleast。Ontheotherhand，IhaveheardofbutoneWhigwhohasbeentothewarattemptingtojustifythePresident’sconduct。ThatonewasCaptainBishop，editoroftheCharlestonCourier，andaverycleverfellow。Idonotmeanthisletterforthepublic，butforyou。Beforeitreachesyou，youwillhaveseenandreadmypamphletspeech，andperhapsbeenscaredanewbyit。Afteryougetoveryourscare，readitoveragain，sentencebysentence，andtellmehonestlywhatyouthinkofit。IcondensedallIcouldforfearofbeingcutoffbythehourrule，andwhenIgotthroughIhadspokenbutforty—fiveminutes。
Yoursforever，A。LINCOLN。
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON。
WASHINGTON，February2，1848
DEARWILLIAM：——IjusttakemypentosaythatMr。Stephens，ofGeorgia，alittle，slim，pale—faced，consumptiveman，withavoicelikeLogan’s，hasjustconcludedtheverybestspeechofanhour’slengthIeverheard。Myoldwithereddryeyesarefulloftearsyet。
Ifhewritesitoutanythinglikehedeliveredit，ourpeopleshallseeagoodmanycopiesofit。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
ONTHEMEXICANWAR
TOWILLIAMH。HERNDON。
WASHINGTON，February15，1848。
DEARWILLIAM：——Yourletterofthe29thJanuarywasreceivedlastnight。Beingexclusivelyaconstitutionalargument，IwishtosubmitsomereflectionsuponitinthesamespiritofkindnessthatIknowactuatesyou。LetmefirststatewhatIunderstandtobeyourposition。Itisthatifitshallbecomenecessarytorepelinvasion，thePresidentmay，withoutviolationoftheConstitution，crossthelineandinvadetheterritoryofanothercountry，andthatwhethersuchnecessityexistsinanygivencasethePresidentisthesolejudge。
Beforegoingfurtherconsiderwellwhetherthisisorisnotyourposition。Ifitis，itisapositionthatneitherthePresidenthimself，noranyfriendofhis，sofarasIknow，hasevertaken。
Theironlypositionsare——first，thatthesoilwasourswhenthehostilitiescommenced；andsecond，thatwhetheritwasrightfullyoursornot，Congresshadannexedit，andthePresidentforthatreasonwasboundtodefendit；bothofwhichareasclearlyprovedtobefalseinfactasyoucanprovethatyourhouseismine。Thesoilwasnotours，andCongressdidnotannexorattempttoannexit。Buttoreturntoyourposition。AllowthePresidenttoinvadeaneighboringnationwheneverheshalldeemitnecessarytorepelaninvasion，andyouallowhimtodosowheneverhemaychoosetosayhedeemsitnecessaryforsuchpurpose，andyouallowhimtomakewaratpleasure。Studytoseeifyoucanfixanylimittohispowerinthisrespect，afterhavinggivenhimsomuchasyoupropose。Ifto—dayheshouldchoosetosayhethinksitnecessarytoinvadeCanadatopreventtheBritishfrominvadingus，howcouldyoustophim？Youmaysaytohim，——IseenoprobabilityoftheBritishinvadingus\"；
buthewillsaytoyou，\"Besilent：Iseeit，ifyoudon’t。\"
TheprovisionoftheConstitutiongivingthewarmakingpowertoCongresswasdictated，asIunderstandit，bythefollowingreasons：kingshadalwaysbeeninvolvingandimpoverishingtheirpeopleinwars，pretendinggenerally，ifnotalways，thatthegoodofthepeoplewastheobject。Thisourconventionunderstoodtobethemostoppressiveofallkinglyoppressions，andtheyresolvedtosoframetheConstitutionthatnoonemanshouldholdthepowerofbringingthisoppressionuponus。Butyourviewdestroysthewholematter，andplacesourPresidentwherekingshavealwaysstood。Writesoonagain。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
REPORTINTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，MARCH9，1848。
Mr。Lincoln，fromtheCommitteeonthePostofficeandPostRoads，madethefollowingreport：
TheCommitteeonthePost—officeandPostRoads，towhomwasreferredtheresolutionoftheHouseofRepresentativesentitled\"AnActauthorizingpostmastersatcountyseatsofjusticetoreceivesubscriptionsfornewspapersandperiodicals，tobepaidthroughtheagencyofthePost—officeDepartment，andforotherpurposes，\"begleavetosubmitthefollowingreportThecommitteehavereasontobelievethatageneralwishpervadesthecommunityatlargethatsomesuchfacilityastheproposedmeasureshouldbegrantedbyexpresslaw，forsubscribing，throughtheagencyofthePost—officeDepartment，tonewspapersandperiodicalswhichdiffusedaily，weekly，ormonthlyintelligenceofpassingevents。Compliancewiththisgeneralwishisdeemedtobeinaccordancewithourrepublicaninstitutions，whichcanbebestsustainedbythediffusionofknowledgeandthedueencouragementofauniversal，nationalspiritofinquiryanddiscussionofpubliceventsthroughthemediumofthepublicpress。Thecommittee，however，hasnotbeeninsensibletoitsdutyofguardingthePost—officeDepartmentagainstinjurioussacrificesfortheaccomplishmentofthisobject，wherebyitsordinaryefficacymightbeimpairedorembarrassed。Ithasthereforebeenasubjectofmuchconsideration；butitisnowconfidentlyhopedthatthebillherewithsubmittedeffectuallyobviatesallobjectionswhichmightexistwithregardtoalessmaturedproposition。
Thecommitteelearned，uponinquiry，thatthePost—officeDepartment，inviewofmeetingthegeneralwishonthissubject，madetheexperimentthroughoneifitsowninternalregulations，whenthenewpostagesystemwentintooperationonthefirstofJuly，1845，andthatitwascontinueduntilthethirtiethofSeptember，1847。Butthisexperiment，forreasonshereafterstated，provedunsatisfactory，anditwasdiscontinuedbyorderofthePostmaster—General。Asfarasthecommitteecanatpresentascertain，thefollowingseemtohavebeentheprincipalgroundsofdissatisfactioninthisexperiment：
1Thelegalresponsibilityofpostmastersreceivingnewspapersubscriptions，oroftheirsureties，wasnotdefined。
2Theauthoritywasopentoallpostmastersinsteadofbeinglimitedtothoseofspecificoffices。
3Theconsequenceofthisextensionofauthoritywasthat，ininnumerableinstances，themoney，withoutthepreviousknowledgeorcontroloftheofficersofthedepartmentwhoareresponsibleforthegoodmanagementofitsfinances，wasdepositedinofficeswhereitwasimpropersuchfundsshouldbeplaced；andtherepaymentwasordered，notbythefinancialofficers，butbythepostmasters，atpointswhereitwasinconvenienttothedepartmentsotodisburseitsfunds。
4Theinconvenienceofaccumulatinguncertainandfluctuatingsumsatsmallofficeswasfeltseriouslyinconsequentoverpaymentstocontractorsontheirquarterlycollectingorders；
and，incaseofprivatemailroutes，inlitigationconcerningthemisapplicationofsuchfundstothespecialserviceofsupplyingmails。
5Theaccumulationofsuchfundsondraftofficescouldnotbeknowntothefinancialclerksofthedepartmentintimetocontrolit，andtoooftenthisrendereduncertainalltheircalculationsoffundsinhand。
6Theordersofpaymentwereforthemostpartissuedupontheprincipaloffices，suchasNewYork，Philadelphia，Boston，Baltimore，etc。，wherethelargeofficesofpublishersarelocated，causinganillimitableanduncontrollabledrainofthedepartmentfundsfromthosepointswhereitwasessentialtohusbandthemforitsownregulardisbursements。InPhiladelphiaalonethisdrainaveraged$5000perquarter；andinothercitiesoftheseaboarditwasproportionate。
7Theembarrassmentofthedepartmentwasincreasedbytheillimitable，uncontrollable，andirresponsiblescatteringofitsfundsfromconcentratedpointssuitableforitsdistributions，toremote，unsafe，andinconvenientoffices，wheretheycouldnotbeagainmadeavailabletillcollectedbyspecialagents，orweretransferredatconsiderableexpenseintotheprincipaldisbursingofficesagain。
8Therewasavastincreaseofdutiesthrownuponthelimitedforcebeforenecessarytoconductthebusinessofthedepartment；
andfromthedelayofobtainingvouchersimpedimentsarosetothespeedysettlementofaccountswithpresentorretiredpost—
masters，causingpostponementswhichendangeredtheliabilityofsuretiesundertheactoflimitations，andcausingmuchdangerofanincreaseofsuchcases。
9Themostresponsiblepostmastersatthelargeofficeswereorderedbytheleastresponsibleatsmallofficestomakepaymentsupontheirvouchers，withouthavingthemeansofascertainingwhetherthesevouchersweregenuineorforged，orifgenuine，whetherthesignerswereinoroutofoffice，orsolventordefaulters。
10Thetransactionofthisbusinessforsubscribersandpublishersatthepublicexpense，antheembarrassment，inconvenience，anddelayofthdepartment’sownbusinessoccasionedbyit，werenotjustifiedbyanysufficientremunerationofrevenuetosustainthedepartment，asrequiredineveryotherrespectwithregardtoitsagency。
Thecommittee，inviewoftheseobjections，hasbeensolicitoustoframeabillwhichwouldnotbeobnoxioustotheminprincipleorinpracticaleffect。
Itisconfidentlybelievedthatbylimitingtheofficesforreceivingsubscriptionstolessthanonetenthofthenumberauthorizedbytheexperimentalreadytried，anddesignatingthecountyseatineachcountyforthepurpose，thecontrolofthedepartmentwillberenderedsatisfactory；particularlyasitwillbeinthepoweroftheAuditor，whoistheofficerrequiredbylawtochecktheaccounts，toapproveordisapproveofthedeposits，andtosanctionnotonlythepayments，buttopointouttheplaceofpayment。Ifthesepaymentsshouldcauseadrainontheprincipalofficesoftheseaboard，itwillbecompensatedbytheaccumulationoffundsatcountyseats，wherethecontractorsonthoseroutescanbepaidtothatextentbythedepartment’sdrafts，withmorelocalconveniencetothemselvesthanbydraftsontheseaboardoffices。
Thelegalresponsibilityforthesedepositsisdefined，andtheaccumulationoffundsatthepointofdeposit，andtherepaymentatpointsdrawnupon，beingknowntoandcontrolledbytheAuditor，willnotoccasionanysuchembarrassmentsaswerebeforefelt；therecordkeptbytheAuditoronthepassingofthecertificatesthroughhishandswillenablehimtosettleaccountswithoutthedelayoccasionedbyvouchersbeingwithheld；alldoubtoruncertaintyastothegenuinenessofcertificates，ortheproprietyoftheirissue，willberemovedbytheAuditor’sexaminationandapproval；andtherecanbenoriskoflossoffundsbytransmission，asthecertificatewillnotbepayabletillsanctionedbytheAuditor，andafterhissanctionthepayorneednotpayitunlessitispresentedbythepublisherorhisknownclerkoragent。
Themainprincipleofequivalentfortheagencyofthedepartmentissecuredbythepostagerequiredtobepaiduponthetransmissionofthecertificates，augmentingadequatelythepost—
officerevenue。
Thecommittee，conceivingthatinthisreportallthedifficultiesofthesubjecthavebeenfullyandfairlystated，andthatthesedifficultieshavebeenobviatedbytheplanproposedintheaccompanyingbill，andbelievingthatthemeasurewillsatisfactorilymeetthewantsandwishesofaverylargeportionofthecommunity，begleavetorecommenditsadoption。
REPORTINTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，MARCH9，1848。
Mr。Lincoln，fromtheCommitteeonthePostofficeandPostRoads，madethefollowingreport：
TheCommitteeonthePost—officeandPostRoads，towhomwasreferredthepetitionofH。M。Barney，postmasteratBrimfield，PeoriaCounty，Illinois，report：Thattheyhavebeensatisfiedbyevidence，thatonthe15thofDecember，1847，saidpetitionerhadhisstore，withsomefifteenhundreddollars’worthofgoods，togetherwithallthepapersofthepost—office，entirelydestroyedbyfire；andthatthespeciefundsoftheofficeweremelteddown，partiallylostandpartiallydestroyed；thatthislargeindividuallossentirelyprecludestheideaofembezzlement；thatthebalancesduethedepartmentofformerquartershadbeenonlyabouttwenty—fivedollars；andthatowingtothedestructionofpapers，theexactamountdueforthequarterendingDecember31，1847，cannotbeascertained。Theythereforereportajointresolution，releasingsaidpetitionerfrompayinganythingforthequarterlastmentioned。
REMARKSINTHEUNITEDSTATESHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，MARCH29，1848。
Thebillforraisingadditionalmilitaryforceforlimitedtime，etc。，wasreportedfromCommitteeonjudiciary；similarbillshadbeenreportedfromCommitteeon，PublicLandsandMilitaryCommittee。
Mr。LincolnsaidiftherewasageneraldesireonthepartoftheHousetopassthebillnowheshouldbegladtohaveitdone——
concurring，ashedidgenerally，withthegentlemanfromArkansas[Mr。Johnson]thatthepostponementmightjeopardthesafetyoftheproposition。If，however，areferencewastobemade，hewishedtomakeaveryfewremarksinrelationtotheseveralsubjectsdesiredbythegentlementobeembracedinamendmentstotheninthsectionoftheactofthelastsessionofCongress。
ThefirstamendmentdesiredbymembersofthisHousehadforitsonlyobjecttogivebountylandstosuchpersonsashadservedforatimeasprivates，buthadneverbeendischargedassuch，becausepromotedtooffice。Thatsubject，andnoother，wasembracedinthisbill。Thereweresomeotherswhodesired，whiletheywerelegislatingonthissubject，thattheyshouldalsogivebountylandstothevolunteersoftheWarof1812。HisfriendfromMarylandsaidtherewerenosuchmen。He[Mr。L。]didnotsaythereweremany，buthewasveryconfidentthereweresome。
HisfriendfromKentuckynearhim，[Mr。Gaines]toldhimhehimselfwasone。
Therewasstillanotherpropositiontouchingthismatter；thatwas，thatpersonsentitledtobountylandsshouldbylawbeentitledtolocatetheselandsinparcels，andnotberequiredtolocatetheminonebody，aswasprovidedbytheexistinglaw。
Nowhehadcarefullydrawnupabillembracingthesethreeseparatepropositions，whichheintendedtoproposeasasubstituteforallthesebillsintheHouse，orinCommitteeoftheWholeontheStateoftheUnion，atsomesuitabletime。IftherewasadispositiononthepartoftheHousetoactatonceonthisseparateproposition，herepeatedthat，withthegentlemenfromArkansas，heshouldpreferitlesttheyshouldloseall。Butiftherewastobeareference，hedesiredtointroducehisbillembracingthethreepropositions，thusenablingthecommitteeandtheHousetoactatthesametime，whetherfavorablyorunfavorably，uponall。Heinquiredwhetheranamendmentwasnowinorder。
TheSpeakerrepliedinthenegative。
TOARCHIBALDWILLIAMS。
WASHINGTON，April30，1848。
DEARWILLIAMS：——IhavenotseeninthepapersanyevidenceofamovementtosendadelegatefromyourcircuittotheJuneconvention。IwishtosaythatIthinkitall—importantthatadelegateshouldbesent。Mr。Clay’schanceforanelectionisjustnochanceatall。HemightgetNewYork，andthatwouldhaveelectedin1844，butitwillnotnow，becausehemustnow，attheleast，loseTennessee，whichhehadthen，andinadditionthefifteennewvotesofFlorida，Texas，Iowa，andWisconsin。I
knowourgoodfriendBrowningisagreatadmirerofMr。Clay，andIthereforefearheisfavoringhisnomination。Ifheis，askhimtodiscardfeeling，andtryifhecanpossibly，asamatterofjudgment，countthevotesnecessarytoelecthim。
InmyjudgmentwecanelectnobodybutGeneralTaylor；andwecannotelecthimwithoutanomination。Thereforedon’tfailtosendadelegate。Yourfriendasever，A。LINCOLN。
REMARKSINTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，MAY11，1848。
AbillfortheadmissionofWisconsinintotheUnionhadbeenpassed。