Whereas，forthereasonsassignedinmyproclamationofthenineteenthinstant，ablockadeoftheportsoftheStatesofSouthCarolina，Georgia，Florida，Alabama，Louisiana，Mississippi，andTexaswasorderedtobeestablished：
Andwhereas，sincethatdate，publicpropertyoftheUnitedStateshasbeenseized，thecollectionoftherevenueobstructed，anddulycommissionedofficersoftheUnitedStates，whileengagedinexecutingtheordersoftheirsuperiors，havebeenarrestedandheldincustodyasprisoners，orhavebeenimpededinthedischargeoftheirofficialduties，withoutduelegalprocess，bypersonsclaimingtoactunderauthoritiesoftheStatesofVirginiaandNorthCarolina：
AnefficientblockadeoftheportsofthoseStateswillalsobeestablishedInwitnesswhereofIhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thistwentyseventhdayofApril，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—one，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—fifth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
REMARKSTOAMILITARYCOMPANY，WASHINGTON，APRIL27，1861
Ihavedesiredassincerelyasanyman，andIsometimesthinkmorethananyotherman，thatourpresentdifficultiesmightbesettledwithoutthesheddingofblood。Iwillnotsaythatallhopehasyetgone；butifthealternativeispresentedwhethertheUnionistobebrokeninfragmentsandthelibertiesofthepeoplelost，orbloodbeshed，youwillprobablymakethechoicewithwhichIshallnotbedissatisfied。
LOCALIZEDREPEALOFWRITOFHABEASCORPUS
TOGENERALSCOTT。
TOTHECOMMANDINGGENERAL，ARMYOFTHEUNITEDSTATES。
YouareengagedinsuppressinganinsurrectionagainstthelawsoftheUnitedStates。IfatanypointonorinthevicinityofanymilitarylinewhichisnoworwhichshallbeusedbetweentheCityofPhiladelphiaandthecityofWashingtonyoufindresistancewhichrendersitnecessarytosuspendthewritofhabeascorpusforthepublicsafety，youpersonally，orthroughtheofficerincommandatthepointatwhichresistanceoccurs，areauthorizedtosuspendthatwrit。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
WASHINGTON，April17，1861
MILITARYENROLLMENTOFST。LOUISCITIZENS
FROMTHESECRETARYOFWAR
WARDEPARTMENT，April30，1861
TOCAPTAINNATHANIELLYON。
CAPT。NATHANIELLYON，CommandingDepartmentoftheWest。
SIR：——ThePresidentoftheUnitedStatesdirectsthatyouenrollinthemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStatestheloyalcitizensofSaintLouisandvicinity，notexceeding，withthoseheretoforeenlisted，tenthousandinnumber，forthepurposeofmaintainingtheauthorityoftheUnitedStates；fortheprotectionofthepeacefulinhabitantsofMissouri；andyouwill，ifdeemednecessaryforthatpurposebyyourself，byMessrs。OliverF。Ferny，JohnHow，JamesO。Broadhead，SamuelT。Glover，J。Wilzie，FrancisP。Blair，Jr。，proclaimmartiallawinthecityofSaintLouis。
Theadditionalforceherebyauthorizedshallbedischargedinpartorinwhole，ifenlisted。AssoonasitappearstoyouandthegentlemenabovementionedthatthereisnodangerofanattemptonthepartoftheenemiesoftheGovernmenttotakemilitarypossessionofthecityofSaintLouis，orputthecityincontrolofthecombinationagainsttheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates；andwhilstsuchadditionalforceremainsintheservicethesameshallbegovernedbytheRulesandArticlesofWar，andsuchspecialregulationsasyoumayprescribe。Ishallliketheforcehereafterdirectedtobeenrolledtobeunderyourcommand。
ThearmsandothermilitarystoresintheSaintLouisArsenalnotneededfortheforcesoftheUnitedStatesinMissourimustberemovedtoSpringfield，orsomeothersafeplaceofdepositintheStateofIllinois，asspeedilyaspracticable，bytheordnanceofficersinchargeatSaintLouis。
Indorsement。
Itisrevolutionarytimes，andthereforeIdonotobjecttotheirregularityofthis。W。S。
Approved，April30，1861。A。LINCOLN。
ColonelThomaswillmakethisorder。
SIMONCAMERON，SecretaryofWar。
CONDOLENCEOVERFAILUREOFFT。SUMTERRELIEF
TOGUSTAVUSV。FOX。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，May1，1861
CAPTAING。V。Fox。
MYDEARSIR：——IsincerelyregretthatthefailureofthelateattempttoprovisionFortSumtershouldbethesourceofanyannoyancetoyou。
Thepracticabilityofyourplanwasnot，infact，broughttoatest。
Byreasonofagale，wellknowninadvancetobepossibleandnotimprobable，thetugs，anessentialpartoftheplan，neverreachedtheground；while，byanaccidentforwhichyouwereinnowiseresponsible，andpossiblyItosomeextentwas，youweredeprivedofawarvessel，withhermen，whichyoudeemedofgreatimportancetotheenterprise。
Imostcheerfullyandtrulydeclarethatthefailureoftheundertakinghasnotloweredyouaparticle，whilethequalitiesyoudevelopedintheefforthavegreatlyheightenedyouinmyestimation。
Foradaringanddangerousenterpriseofasimilarcharacteryouwouldto—daybethemanofallmyacquaintanceswhomIwouldselect。
YouandIbothanticipatedthatthecauseofthecountrywouldbeadvancedbymakingtheattempttoprovisionFortSumter，evenifitshouldfail；anditisnosmallconsolationnowtofeelthatouranticipationisjustifiedbytheresult。
Verytrulyyourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONCALLINGFOR42，034VOLUNTEERS，MAY3，1861
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES。
AProclamation……
WhereasexistingexigenciesdemandimmediateandadequatemeasuresfortheprotectionoftheNationalConstitutionandthepreservationoftheNationalUnionbythesuppressionoftheinsurrectionarycombinationsnowexistinginseveralStatesforopposingthelawsoftheUnionandobstructingtheexecutionthereof，towhichendamilitaryforceinadditiontothatcalledforthbymyproclamationofthe15thdayofAprilinthepresentyearappearstobeindispensablynecessary：
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStatesandCommanderinChiefoftheArmyandNavythereofandofthemilitiaoftheseveralStateswhencalledintoactualservice，doherebycallintotheserviceoftheUnitedStates42，034volunteerstoservefortheperiodofthreeyears，unlesssoonerdischarged，andtobemusteredintoserviceasinfantryandcavalry。TheproportionsofeacharmandthedetailsofenrollmentandorganizationwillbemadeknownthroughtheDepartmentofWar。
AndIalsodirectthattheRegularArmyoftheUnitedStatesbeincreasedbytheadditionofeightregimentsofinfantry，oneregimentofcavalry，andoneregimentofartillery，makingaltogetheramaximumaggregateincreaseof22，714officersandenlistedmen，thedetailsofwhichincreasewillalsobemadeknownthroughtheDepartmentofWar。
AndIfurtherdirecttheenlistmentfornotlessthanoneormorethanthreeyearsof18，000seamen，inadditiontothepresentforce，forthenavalserviceoftheUnitedStates。ThedetailsoftheenlistmentandorganizationwillbemadeknownthroughtheDepartmentoftheNavy。
ThecallforvolunteersherebymadeandthedirectionfortheincreaseoftheRegularArmyandfortheenlistmentofseamenherebygiven，togetherwiththeplanoforganizationadoptedforthevolunteerandfortheregularforcesherebyauthorized，willbesubmittedtoCongressassoonasassembled。
InthemeantimeIearnestlyinvoketheco—operationofallgoodcitizensinthemeasuresherebyadoptedfortheeffectualsuppressionofunlawfulviolence，fortheimpartialenforcementofconstitutionallaws，andforthespeediestpossiblerestorationofpeaceandorder，andwiththeseofhappinessandprosperity，throughoutourcountry。
IntestimonywhereofIhavehereuntosetmybandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
COMMUNICATIONWITHVICE—PRESIDENT
TOVICE—PRESIDENTHAMLIN。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，May6，1861
HON。H。HAMLIN，NewYork。
MYDEARSIR：—Pleaseadvisemeatthecloseofeachdaywhattroopsleftduringtheday，wheregoing，andbywhatroute；whatremainingatNewYork，andwhatexpectedinthenextday。Givethenumbers，asnearasconvenient，andwhatcorpstheyare。Thisinformation，reachingusdaily，willbeveryusefulaswellassatisfactory。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
ORDERTOCOLONELANDERSON，MAY7，1861
TOALLWHOSHALLSEETHESEPRESENTS，GREETING：
Knowyethat，reposingspecialtrustandconfidenceinthepatriotism，valor，fidelity，andabilityofColonelRobertAnderson，U。S。Army，Ihaveempoweredhim，anddoherebyempowerhim，toreceiveintothearmyoftheUnitedStatesasmanyregimentsofvolunteertroopsfromtheStateofKentuckyandfromthewesternpartoftheStateofVirginiaasshallbewillingtoengageintheServiceoftheUnitedStatesforthetermofthreeyears，uponthetermsandaccordingtotheplanproposedbytheproclamationofMay3，1861，andGeneralOrdersNo。15，fromtheWarDepartment，ofMay4，1861。
Thetroopswhomhereceivesshallbeonthesamefootingineveryrespectasthoseofthelikekindcalledforintheproclamationabovecited，exceptthattheofficersshallbecommissionedbytheUnitedStates。Heisthereforecarefullyanddiligentlytodischargethedutyherebydevolveduponhimbydoingandperformingallmannerofthingsthereuntobelonging。
Givenundermyhand，atthecityofWashington，this7thdayofMay，A。D。1861，andintheeighty—fifthyearoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStates。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
SIMONCAMERON，SecretaryofWar，PROCLAMATIONSUSPENDINGTHEWRITOFHABEAS
CORPUSINFLORIDA，MAY10，1861。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOPAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereasaninsurrectionexistsintheStateofFlorida，bywhichthelives，liberty，andpropertyofloyalcitizensoftheUnitedStatesareendangered：
AndwhereasitisdeemedproperthatallneedfulmeasuresshouldbetakenfortheprotectionofsuchcitizensandallofficersoftheUnitedStatesinthedischargeoftheirpublicdutiesintheStateaforesaid：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLINCOLN，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doherebydirectthecommanderoftheforcesoftheUnitedStatesontheFloridacoasttopermitnopersontoexerciseanyofficeorauthorityupontheislandsofKeyWest，theTortugas，andSantaRosa，whichmaybeinconsistentwiththelawsandConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，authorizinghimatthesametime，ifheshallfinditnecessary，tosuspendtherethewritofhabeascorpus，andtoremovefromthevicinityoftheUnitedStatesfortressesalldangerousorsuspectedpersons。
Inwitnesswhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TOSECRETARYWELLES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，May11，1861
TOTHESECRETARYOFTHENAVY。
SIR：—Lieut。D。D。PorterwasplacedincommandofthesteamerPowhatan，andCaptainSamuelMercerwasdetachedtherefrom，bymyspecialorder，andneitherofthemisresponsibleforanyapparentorrealirregularityontheirpartorinconnectionwiththatvessel。
HereafterCaptainPorterisrelievedfromthatspecialserviceandplacedunderthedirectionoftheNavyDepartment，fromwhichhewillreceiveinstructionsandtowhichhewillreport。
Veryrespectfully，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
PRESIDENTLINCOLN’SCORRECTIONSOFADIPLOMATICDESPATCHWRITTENBY
THESECRETARYOFSTATETOMINISTERADAMS
NO。10。
DEPARTMENTOFSTATE。
WASHINGTON，May21，1861
SIR：———Mr。Dallas，inabriefdespatchofMay2dNo。333，tellsusthatLordJohnRussellrecentlyrequestedaninterviewwithhimonaccountofthesolicitudewhichhislordshipfeltconcerningtheeffectofcertainmeasuresrepresentedaslikelytobeadoptedbythePresident。InthatconversationtheBritishsecretarytoldMr。
DallasthatthethreerepresentativesoftheSouthernConfederacyweretheninLondon，thatLordJohnRussellhadnotyetseenthem，butthathewasnotunwillingtoseethemunofficially。HefurtherinformedMr。DallasthatanunderstandingexistsbetweentheBritishandFrenchgovernmentswhichwouldleadbothtotakeoneandthesamecourseastorecognition。HislordshipthenreferredtotherumorofameditatedblockadebyusofSouthernports，andadiscontinuanceofthemasportsofentry。Mr。Dallasansweredthatheknewnothingonthosetopics，andthereforeThePresident’scorrections，bothinnotesandtext，areincaps。Allmatterbetweenbracketswastobemarkedout。
couldsaynothing。Headdedthatyouwereexpectedtoarriveintwoweeks。UponthisstatementLordJohnRussellacquiescedintheexpediencyofwaitingforthefullknowledgeyouwereexpectedtobring。
Mr。DallastransmittedtoussomenewspaperreportsofministerialexplanationsmadeinParliament。
Youwillbasenoproceedingsonparliamentarydebatesfurtherthantoseekexplanationswhennecessaryandcommunicatethemtothisdepartment。[WeintendtohaveaclearandsimplerecordofwhateverissuemayarisebetweenusandGreatBritain。]
ThePresident[issurprisedandgrieved]regretsthatMr。DallasdidnotprotestagainsttheproposedunofficialintercoursebetweentheBritishGovernmentandthemissionariesoftheinsurgents[aswellasagainstthedemandforexplanationsmadebytheBritishGovernment]。
Itisdue，however，toMr。Dallastosaythatourinstructionshadbeengivenonlytoyouandnottohim，andthathisloyaltyandfidelity，toorareinthesetimes[amongourlaterepresentativesabroad，areconfessedand]areappreciated。
Intercourseofanykindwiththeso—calledcommissionersisliabletobeconstruedasarecognitionoftheauthoritywhichappointedthem。
Suchintercoursewouldbenonetheless[wrongful]hurtfultousforbeingcalledunofficial，anditmightbeevenmoreinjurious，becauseweshouldhavenomeansofknowingwhatpointsmightberesolvedbyit。Moreover，unofficialintercourseisuselessandmeaninglessifitisnotexpectedtoripenintoofficialintercourseanddirectrecognition。Itisleftdoubtfulherewhethertheproposedunofficialintercoursehasyetactuallybegun。Yourown[present]
antecedentinstructionsaredeemedexplicitenough，anditishopedthatyouhavenotmisunderstoodthem。Youwillinanyeventdesistfromallintercoursewhatever，unofficialaswellasofficial，withtheBritishGovernment，solongasitshallcontinueintercourseofeitherkindwiththedomesticenemiesofthiscountry[confiningyourselftoadeliveryofacopyofthispapertotheSecretaryofState。Afterdoingthis。]Whenintercourseshallhavebeenarrestedforthiscause，youwillcommunicatewiththisdepartmentandreceivefurtherdirections。
LordJohnRussellhasinformedusofanunderstandingbetweentheBritishandFrenchgovernmentsthattheywillacttogetherinregardtoouraffairs。Thiscommunication，however，losessomethingofitsvaluefromthecircumstancethatthecommunicationwaswithhelduntilafterknowledgeofthefacthadbeenacquiredbyusfromothersources。Weknowalsoanotherfactthathasnotyetbeenofficiallycommunicatedtous——namely，thatotherEuropeanStatesareapprisedbyFranceandEnglandoftheiragreement，andareexpectedtoconcurwithorfollowtheminwhatevermeasurestheyadoptonthesubjectofrecognition。TheUnitedStateshavebeenimpartialandjustinalltheirconducttowardtheseveralnationsofEurope。Theywillnotcomplain，however，ofthecombinationnowannouncedbythetwoleadingpowers，althoughtheythinktheyhadarighttoexpectamoreindependent，ifnotamorefriendly，coursefromeachofthem。Youwilltakenonoticeofthatoranyotheralliance。WhenevertheEuropeangovernmentsshallseefittocommunicatedirectlywithus，weshallbe，asheretofore，frankandexplicitinourreply。
Astotheblockade，youwillsaythatby[the]ourownlaws[ofnature]andthelawsofnatureandthelawsofnations，thisGovernmenthasaclearrighttosuppressinsurrection。Anexclusionofcommercefromnationalportswhichhavebeenseizedbytheinsurgents，intheequitableformofblockade，isthepropermeanstothatend。Youwill[admit]notinsistthatourblockadeis[not]toberespectedifitbenotmaintainedbyacompetentforce；butpassingbythatquestionasnotnowapractical，oratleastanurgent，one，youwilladdthat[it]theblockadeisnow，anditwillcontinuetobesomaintained，andthereforeweexpectittoberespectedbyGreatBritain。YouwilladdthatwehavealreadyrevokedtheexequaturofaRussianconsulwhohadenlistedinthemilitaryserviceoftheinsurgents，andweshalldismissordemandtherecallofeveryforeignagent，consularordiplomatic，whoshalleitherdisobeytheFederallawsordisowntheFederalauthority。
Astotherecognitionoftheso—calledSouthernConfederacy，itisnottobemadeasubjectoftechnicaldefinition。Itis，ofcourse，[quasidirectrecognitiontopublishanacknowledgmentofthesovereigntyandindependenceofanewpower。Itis[quasi]directrecognitiontoreceiveitsambassadors，ministers，agents，orcommissionersofficially。Aconcessionofbelligerentrightsisliabletobeconstruedasarecognitionofthem。Nooneoftheseproceedingswill[beborne]pass[unnoticed]unquestionedbytheUnitedStatesinthiscase。
Hithertorecognitionhasbeenmovedonlyontheassumptionthattheso—calledConfederateStatesaredefactoaself—sustainingpower。
Now，afterlongforbearance，designedtosoothediscontentandaverttheneedofcivilwar，thelandandnavalforcesoftheUnitedStateshavebeenputinmotiontorepresstheinsurrection。ThetruecharacterofthepretendednewStateisatoncerevealed。Itisseentobeapowerexistinginpronunciamentoonly，Ithasneverwonafield。Ithasobtainednofortsthatwerenotvirtuallybetrayedintoitshandsorseizedinbreachoftrust。Itcommandsnotasingleportonthecoastnoranyhighwayoutfromitspretendedcapitalbyland。UnderthesecircumstancesGreatBritainiscalledupontointerveneandgiveitbodyandindependencebyresistingourmeasuresofsuppression。BritishrecognitionwouldbeBritishinterventiontocreatewithinourownterritoryahostilestatebyoverthrowingthisrepublicitself。[Whenthisactofinterventionisdistinctlyperformed，wefromthathourshallceasetobefriends，andbecomeoncemore，aswehavetwicebeforebeenforcedtobe，enemiesofGreatBritain。]
Astothetreatmentofprivateersintheinsurgentservice，youwillsaythatthisisaquestionexclusivelyourown。Wetreatthemaspirates。Theyareourowncitizens，orpersonsemployedbyourcitizens，preyingonthecommerceofourcountry。IfGreatBritainshallchoosetorecognizethemaslawfulbelligerents，andgivethemshelterfromourpursuitandpunishment，thelawsofnationsaffordanadequateandproperremedy[andweshallavailourselvesofit。
Andwhileyouneednotsaythisinadvance，besurethatyousaynothinginconsistentwithit。]
Happily，however，herBritannicMajesty’sgovernmentcanavoidallthesedifficulties。Itinvitedusin1856toaccedetothedeclarationoftheCongressofParis，ofwhichbodyGreatBritainwasherselfamember，abolishingprivateeringeverywhereinallcasesandforever。Youalreadyhaveourauthoritytoproposetoherouraccessiontothatdeclaration。Ifsherefusetoreceiveit，itcanonlybebecausesheiswillingtobecomethepatronofprivateeringwhenaimedatourdevastation。
Thesepositionsarenotelaboratelydefendednow，becausetovindicatethemwouldimplyapossibilityofourwaivingthem。
1Wearenotinsensibleofthegraveimportanceof1Dropallfromthislinetotheend，andinlieuofitwrite，\"Thispaperisforyourownguidanceonly，andnot[sic]tobereadorshowntoanyone。
SecretarySeward，whenthedespatchwasreturnedtohim，addedanintroductoryparagraphstatingthatthedocumentwasstrictlyconfidential。Forthisreasontheselasttwoparagraphsremainedastheyarehereprinted。
thisoccasion。Weseehow，upontheresultofthedebateinwhichweareengaged，awarmayensuebetweentheUnitedStatesandone，two，orevenmoreEuropeannations。WarinanycaseisasexceptionablefromthehabitsasitisrevoltingfromthesentimentsoftheAmericanpeople。Butifitcome，itwillbefullyseenthatitresultsfromtheactionofGreatBritain，notourown；thatGreatBritainwillhavedecidedtofraternizewithourdomesticenemy，eitherwithoutwaitingtohearfromyouourremonstrancesandourwarnings，orafterhavingheardthem。Warindefenseofnationallifeisnotimmoral，andwarindefenseofindependenceisaninevitablepartofthedisciplineofnations。
ThedisputewillbebetweentheEuropeanandtheAmericanbranchesoftheBritishrace。Allwhobelongtothatracewillespeciallydeprecateit，astheyought。Itmaywellbebelievedthatmenofeveryraceandkindredwilldeploreit。Awarnotunlikeitbetweenthesamepartiesoccurredatthecloseofthelastcentury。EuropeatonedbyfortyyearsofsufferingfortheerrorthatGreatBritaincommittedinprovokingthatcontest。Ifthatnationshallnowrepeatthesamegreaterror，thesocialconvulsionswhichwillfollowmaynotbesolong，buttheywillbemoregeneral。Whentheyshallhaveceased，itwill，wethink，beseen，whatevermayhavebeenthefortunesofothernations，thatitisnottheUnitedStatesthatwillhavecomeoutofthemwithitspreciousConstitutionalteredoritshonestlyobtaineddominioninanydegreeabridged。GreatBritainhasbuttowaitafewmonthsandallherpresentinconvenienceswillceasewithallourowntroubles。Ifshetakeadifferentcourse，shewillcalculateforherselftheultimateaswellastheimmediateconsequences，andwillconsiderwhatpositionshewillholdwhensheshallhaveforeverlostthesympathiesandtheaffectionsoftheonlynationonwhosesympathiesandaffectionsshehasanaturalclaim。
Inmakingthatcalculationshewilldowelltorememberthatinthecontroversysheproposestoopenweshallbeactuatedbyneitherpride，norpassion，norcupidity，norambition；butweshallstandsimplyontheprincipleofself—preservation，andthatourcausewillinvolvetheindependenceofnationsandtherightsofhumannature。
Iam，Sir，respectfullyyourobedientservant，W。H。S。
CHARLESFRANCISADAMS，Esq。，etc，TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR，EXECUTIVEMANSION，May21，1861。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
MYDEARSIR：——WhycannotColonelSmall’sPhiladelphiaregimentbereceived？Isincerelywishitcould。Thereissomethingstrangeaboutit。Givethesegentlemenaninterview，andtaketheirregiment。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORMORGAN。
WASHINGTON，May12，1861
GOVERNORE。D。MORGAN，Albany，N。Y。
IwishtoseeyoufacetofacetoclearthesedifficultiesaboutforwardingtroopsfromNewYork。
A。LINCOLN。
TOCAPTAINDAHLGREEN。
EXECUTIVE，MANSION，May23，1863。
CAPT。DAHLGREEN。
MYDEARSIR：——AllowmetointroduceCol。J。A。McLernand，M。C。ofmyowndistrictinIllinois。IfheshoulddesiretovisitFortressMonroe，pleaseintroducehimtothecaptainofoneofthevesselsinourservice，andpasshimdownandback。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
LETTEROFCONDOLENCETOONEOFFIRSTCASUALTIES
TOCOLONELELLSWORTH’SPARENTS，WASHINGTON，D。C。，May25，1861
TOTHEFATHERANDMOTHER
OFCOL。ELMERE。ELLSWORTH。
MYDEARSIRANDMADAME：——Intheuntimelylossofyournobleson，ourafflictionhereisscarcelylessthanyourown。Somuchofpromisedusefulnesstoone’scountry，andofbrighthopesforone’sselfandfriends，haveneverbeensosuddenlydashedasinhisfall。Insize，inyears，andinyouthfulappearanceaboyonly，hispowertocommandmenwassurpassinglygreat。Thispower，combinedwithafineintellectualandindomitableenergy，andatastealtogethermilitary，constitutedinhim，asseemedtome，thebestnaturaltalentinthatdepartmentIeverknew。Andyethewassingularlymodestanddeferentialinsocialintercourse。Myacquaintancewithhimbeganlessthantwoyearsago；yet，throughthelatterhalfoftheinterveningperiod，itwasasintenseasthedisparityofouragesandmyengrossingengagementswouldpermit。Tomeheappearedtohavenoindulgencesorpastimes，andIneverheardhimutteraprofaneoranintemperateword。Whatwasconclusiveofhisgoodheart，heneverforgothisparents。Thehonorshelaboredforsolaudably，andforwhich，inthesadend，hesogallantlygavehislife，hemeantforthemnolessthanforhimself。
Inthehopethatitmaybenointrusionuponthesacrednessofyoursorrow，Ihaveventuredtoaddressyouthistributetothememoryofmyyoungfriendandyourbraveandearlyfallenson。
MayGodgiveyoutheconsolationwhichisbeyondallearlypower。
Sincerelyyourfriendincommonaffliction，A。LINCOLN。
TOCOLONELBARTLETT。
WASHINGTON，May27，1861
COL。W。A。BARTLETT，NewYork。
TheNavalBrigadewastogotoFortMonroewithouttroubletothegovernment，andmustsogoornotatall。
A。LINCOLN。
MEMORANDUMABOUTINDIANAREGIMENTS。
WASHINGTON，JUNE11，1861
ThegovernmenthasalreadyacceptedtenregimentsfromtheStateofIndiana。IthinkatleastsixmoreoughttobereceivedfromthatState，twotobethoseofColonelJamesW。McMillanandColonelWilliamL。Brown，andtheotherfourtobedesignatedbytheGovernoroftheStateofIndiana，andtobereceivedintothevolunteerserviceoftheUnitedStatesaccordingtothe\"PlanofOrganization\"
intheGeneralOrdersoftheWarDepartment，No。15。WhentheyreporttoMajor—GeneralMcClellaninconditiontopassmusteraccordingtothatorder，andwiththeapprovaloftheSecretaryofWartobeindorsedhereon，andleftinhisdepartment，Idirectthatthewholesix，oranysmallernumberofsuchregiments，bereceived。
A。LINCOLN。
TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，JUNE13，1861
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
MYDEARSIR：——Thereis，itseems，aregimentinMassachusettscommandedbyFletcherWebster，andwhichHON。DanielWebster’soldfriendsverymuchwishtogetintotheservice。IfitcanbereceivedwiththeapprovalofyourdepartmentandtheconsentoftheGovernorofMassachusettsIshallindeedbemuchgratified。GiveMr。
Ashmunachancetoexplainfully。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，JUNE13，1861
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
MYDEARSIR—IthinkitisentirelysafetoacceptafifthregimentfromMichigan，andwithyourapprobationIshouldsayaregimentpresentedbyCol。T。B。W。Stockton，readyforservicewithintwoweeksfromnow，willbereceived。LookatColonelStockton’stestimonials。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，June17，1861
HON。SECRETARYOfWAR。
MYDEARSIR：——Withyourconcurrence，andthatoftheGovernorofIndiana，Iaminfavorofacceptingintowhatwecallthethreeyears’serviceanynumbernotexceedingfouradditionalregimentsfromthatState。ProbablytheyshouldcomefromthetriangularregionbetweentheOhioandWabashRivers，includingmyownoldboyhoodhome。PleaseseeHON。C。M。Allen，SpeakeroftheIndianaHouseofRepresentatives，andunlessyouperceivegoodreasontothecontrary，drawupanorderforhimaccordingtotheabove。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，JUNE17，1861
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
MYDEARSIR：——Withyourconcurrence，andthatoftheGovernorofOhio，Iaminfavorofreceivingintowhatwecallthethreeyears’
serviceanynumbernotexceedingsixadditionalregimentsfromthatState，unlessyouperceivegoodreasonstothecontrary。PleaseseeHON。JohnA。Gurley，whobearsthis，andmakeanordercorrespondingwiththeabove。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TON。W。EDWARDS
WASHINGTON，D。C。，June19，1861
Hon。N。W。EDWARDS
MYDEARSIR：……
Whenyouwrotemesometimeagoinreferencetolookingupsomethinginthedepartmentshere，IthoughtIwouldinquireintothethingandwriteyou，buttheextraordinarypressureuponmedivertedmefromit，andsoonitpassedoutofmymind。Thethingyouproposed，itseemedtome，Ioughttounderstandmyselfbeforeitwassetonfootbymydirectionorpermission；andIreallyhadnotimetomakemyselfacquaintedwithit。NorhaveIyet。AndyetIamunwilling，ofcourse，thatyoushouldbedeprivedofachancetomakesomething，ifitcanbedonewithoutinjusticetotheGovernment，ortoanyindividual。IfyouchoosetocomehereandpointouttomehowthiscanbedoneIshallnotonlynotobject，butshallbegratifiedtobeabletoobligeyou。
YourfriendaseverA。LINCOLN。
TOSECRETARYCAMERON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，June20，1861。
MYDEARSIR：——SinceyouspoketomeyesterdayaboutGeneralJ。H。
Lane，ofKansas，Ihavebeenreflectinguponthesubject，andhaveconcludedthatweneedtheserviceofsuchamanoutthereatonce；
thatwehadbetterappointhimabrigadier—generalofvolunteersto—day，andsendhimoffwithsuchauthoritytoraiseaforceI
thinktworegimentsbetterthanthree，butastothisIamnotparticularasyouthinkwillgethimintoactualworkquickest。
Tellhim，whenhestarts，toputitthroughnottobewritingortelegraphingbackhere，butputitthrough。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
[Indorsement。]
GeneralLanehasbeenauthorizedtoraisetwoadditionalregimentsofvolunteers。
SIMONCAMERON，SecretaryofWar。
TOTHEKENTUCKYDELEGATION。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，June29，1861。
GENTLEMENOFTHEKENTUCKYDELEGATIONWHOAREFORTHEUNION：
IsomewhatwishtoauthorizemyfriendJesseBaylestoraiseaKentuckyregiment，butIdonotwishtodoitwithoutyourconsent。
Ifyouconsent，pleasewritesoatthebottomofthis。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
Weconsent：
R。MALLORY。
H。GRIDER。
G。W。DUNLAP。
J。S。JACKSON。
C。A。WICKLIFFE。
August5，1861。
Irepeat，IwouldlikeforCol。BaylestoraisearegimentofcavalrywhenevertheUnionmenofKentuckydesireorconsenttoit。
A。LINCOLN。
ORDERAUTHORIZINGGENERALSCOTTTOSUSPENDTHEWRITOFHABEASCORPUS，JULY2，1861
TOTHECOMMANDINGGENERAL，ARMYOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
YouareengagedinsuppressinganinsurrectionagainstthelawsoftheUnitedStates。IfatanypointonorinthevicinityofanymilitarylinewhichisnoworwhichshallbeusedbetweenthecityofNewYorkandthecityofWashingtonyoufindresistancewhichrendersitnecessarytosuspendthewritofhabeascorpusforthepublicsafety，youpersonally，orthroughtheofficerincommandatthepointwhereresistanceoccurs，areauthorizedtosuspendthatwrit。
GivenundermyhandandthesealoftheUnitedStatesatthecityofWashington，thisseconddayofJuly，A。D。1861，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—fifth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TOSECRETARYSEWARD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，JULY3，1861
HON。SECRETARYOFSTATE。
MYDEARSIR：——GeneralScotthadsentmeacopyofthedespatchofwhichyoukindlysentone。Thankstobothhimandyou。PleaseassembletheCabinetattwelveto—daytolookoverthemessageandreports。
Andnow，supposeyoustepoveratonceandletusseeGeneralScottandGeneralCameronaboutassigningapositiontoGeneralFremont。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOCONGRESSINSPECIALSESSION，JULY4，1861。
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：——Havingbeenconvenedonanextraordinaryoccasion，asauthorizedbytheConstitution，yourattentionisnotcalledtoanyordinarysubjectoflegislation。
AtthebeginningofthepresentPresidentialterm，fourmonthsago，thefunctionsoftheFederalGovernmentwerefoundtobegenerallysuspendedwithintheseveralStatesofSouthCarolina，Georgia，Alabama，Mississippi，Louisiana，andFlorida，exceptingonlythoseofthePost—OfficeDepartment。
WithintheseStatesalltheforts，arsenals，dockyards，custom—houses，andthelike，includingthemovableandstationarypropertyinandaboutthem，hadbeenseized，andwereheldinopenhostilitytothisgovernment，exceptingonlyFortsPickens，Taylor，andJefferson，onandneartheFloridacoast，andFortSumter，inCharlestonHarbor，SouthCarolina。Thefortsthusseizedhadbeenputinimprovedcondition，newoneshadbeenbuilt，andarmedforceshadbeenorganizedandwereorganizing，allavowedlywiththesamehostilepurpose。
ThefortsremaininginthepossessionoftheFederalGovernmentinandneartheseStateswereeitherbesiegedormenacedbywarlikepreparations，andespeciallyFortSumterwasnearlysurroundedbywell—protectedhostilebatteries，withgunsequalinqualitytothebestofitsown，andoutnumberingthelatterasperhapstentoone。
AdisproportionateshareoftheFederalmusketsandrifleshadsomehowfoundtheirwayintotheseStates，andhadbeenseizedtobeusedagainstthegovernment。Accumulationsofthepublicrevenuelyingwithinthemhadbeenseizedforthesameobject。Thenavywasscatteredindistantseas，leavingbutaverysmallpartofitwithintheimmediatereachofthegovernment。OfficersoftheFederalarmyandnavyhadresignedingreatnumbers；andofthoseresigningalargeproportionhadtakenuparmsagainstthegovernment。
Simultaneously，andinconnectionwithallthis，thepurposetosevertheFederalUnionwasopenlyavowed。Inaccordancewiththispurpose，anordinancehadbeenadoptedineachoftheseStates，declaringtheStatesrespectivelytobeseparatedfromthenationalUnion。AformulaforinstitutingacombinedgovernmentoftheseStateshadbeenpromulgated；andthisillegalorganization，inthecharacterofconfederateStates，wasalreadyinvokingrecognition，aid，andinterventionfromforeignpowers。
Findingthisconditionofthings，andbelievingittobeanimperativedutyupontheincomingexecutivetoprevent，ifpossible，theconsummationofsuchattempttodestroytheFederalUnion，achoiceofmeanstothatendbecameindispensable。Thischoicewasmadeandwasdeclaredintheinauguraladdress。Thepolicychosenlookedtotheexhaustionofallpeacefulmeasuresbeforearesorttoanystrongerones。Itsoughtonlytoholdthepublicplacesandpropertynotalreadywrestedfromthegovernment，andtocollecttherevenue，relyingfortherestontime，discussion，andtheballot—box。Itpromisedacontinuanceofthemails，atgovernmentexpense，totheverypeoplewhowereresistingthegovernment；anditgaverepeatedpledgesagainstanydisturbancetoanyofthepeople，oranyoftheirrights。OfallthatwhichaPresidentmightconstitutionallyandjustifiablydoinsuchacase，everythingwasforbornewithoutwhichitwasbelievedpossibletokeepthegovernmentonfoot。
Onthe5thofMarchthepresentincumbent’sfirstfulldayinoffice，aletterofMajorAnderson，commandingatFortSumter，writtenonthe28thofFebruaryandreceivedattheWarDepartmentonthe4thofMarch，wasbythatdepartmentplacedinhishands。Thisletterexpressedtheprofessionalopinionofthewriterthatreinforcementscouldnotbethrownintothatfortwithinthetimeforhisrelief，renderednecessarybythelimitedsupplyofprovisions，andwithaviewofholdingpossessionofthesame，withaforceoflessthantwentythousandgoodandwell—disciplinedmen。Thisopinionwasconcurredinbyalltheofficersofhiscommand，andtheirmemorandaonthesubjectweremadeinclosuresofMajorAnderson’sletter。ThewholewasimmediatelylaidbeforeLieutenant—GeneralScott，whoatonceconcurredwithMajorAndersoninopinion。Onreflection，however，hetookfulltime，consultingwithotherofficers，bothofthearmyandthenavy，andattheendoffourdayscamereluctantlybutdecidedlytothesameconclusionasbefore。Healsostatedatthesametimethatnosuchsufficientforcewasthenatthecontrolofthegovernment，orcouldberaisedandbroughttothegroundwithinthetimewhentheprovisionsinthefortwouldbeexhausted。Inapurelymilitarypointofview，thisreducedthedutyoftheadministrationinthecasetothemerematterofgettingthegarrisonsafelyoutofthefort。
Itwasbelieved，however，thattosoabandonthatposition，underthecircumstances，wouldbeutterlyruinous；thatthenecessityunderwhichitwastobedonewouldnotbefullyunderstood；thatbymanyitwouldbeconstruedasapartofavoluntarypolicy；thatathomeitwoulddiscouragethefriendsoftheUnion，emboldenitsadversaries，andgofartoinsuretothelatterarecognitionabroad；
thatinfact，itwouldbeournationaldestructionconsummated。Thiscouldnotbeallowed。Starvationwasnotyetuponthegarrison，andereitwouldbereachedFortPickensmightbereinforced。Thislastwouldbeaclearindicationofpolicy，andwouldbetterenablethecountrytoaccepttheevacuationofFortSumterasamilitarynecessity。AnorderwasatoncedirectedtobesentforthelandingofthetroopsfromthesteamshipBrooklynintoFortPickens。Thisordercouldnotgobyland，butmusttakethelongerandslowerroutebysea。ThefirstreturnnewsfromtheorderwasreceivedjustoneweekbeforethefallofFortSumter。ThenewsitselfwasthattheofficercommandingtheSabine，towhichvesselthetroopshadbeentransferredfromtheBrooklyn，actinguponsomequasiarmisticeofthelateadministrationandoftheexistenceofwhichthepresentadministration，uptothetimetheorderwasdespatched，hadonlytoovagueanduncertainrumorstofixattention，hadrefusedtolandthetroops。TonowreinforceFortPickensbeforeacrisiswouldbereachedatFortSumterwasimpossible——renderedsobythenearexhaustionofprovisionsinthelatter—namedfort。Inprecautionagainstsuchaconjuncture，thegovernmenthad，afewdaysbefore，commencedpreparinganexpeditionaswelladaptedasmightbetorelieveFortSumter，whichexpeditionwasintendedtobeultimatelyused，ornot，accordingtocircumstances。Thestrongestanticipatedcaseforusingitwasnowpresented，anditwasresolvedtosenditforward。Ashadbeenintendedinthiscontingency，itwasalsoresolvedtonotifythegovernorofSouthCarolinathathemightexpectanattemptwouldbemadetoprovisionthefort；andthat，iftheattemptshouldnotberesisted，therewouldbenoefforttothrowinmen，arms，orammunition，withoutfurthernotice，orincaseofanattackuponthefort。Thisnoticewasaccordinglygiven；whereuponthefortwasattackedandbombardedtoitsfall，withoutevenawaitingthearrivaloftheprovisioningexpedition。
ItisthusseenthattheassaultuponandreductionofFortSumterwasinnosenseamatterofself—defenseonthepartoftheassailants。Theywellknewthatthegarrisoninthefortcouldbynopossibilitycommitaggressionuponthem。Theyknew——theywereexpresslynotified——thatthegivingofbreadtothefewbraveandhungrymenofthegarrisonwasallwhichwouldonthatoccasionbeattempted，unlessthemselves，byresistingsomuch，shouldprovokemore。Theyknewthatthisgovernmentdesiredtokeepthegarrisoninthefort，nottoassailthem，butmerelytomaintainvisiblepossession，andthustopreservetheUnionfromactualandimmediatedissolution——trusting，ashereinbeforestated，totime，discussion，andtheballot—boxforfinaladjustment；andtheyassailedandreducedthefortforpreciselythereverseobject——todriveoutthevisibleauthorityoftheFederalUnion，andthusforceittoimmediatedissolution。Thatthiswastheirobjecttheexecutivewellunderstood；andhavingsaidtothemintheinauguraladdress，\"Youcanhavenoconflictwithoutbeingyourselvestheaggressors，\"hetookpainsnotonlytokeepthisdeclarationgood，butalsotokeepthecasesofreefromthepowerofingenioussophistrythattheworldshouldnotbeabletomisunderstandit。BytheaffairatFortSumter，withitssurroundingcircumstances，thatpointwasreached。
Thenandtherebytheassailantsofthegovernmentbegantheconflictofarms，withoutaguninsightorinexpectancytoreturntheirfire，saveonlythefewinthefortsenttothatharboryearsbeforefortheirownprotection，andstillreadytogivethatprotectioninwhateverwaslawful。Inthisact，discardingallelse，theyhaveforceduponthecountrythedistinctissue，\"immediatedissolutionorblood。\"
AndthisissueembracesmorethanthefateoftheseUnitedStates。
Itpresentstothewholefamilyofmanthequestionwhetheraconstitutionalrepublicordemocracy——agovernmentofthepeoplebythesamepeople——canorcannotmaintainitsterritorialintegrityagainstitsowndomesticfoes。Itpresentsthequestionwhetherdiscontentedindividuals，toofewinnumberstocontroladministrationaccordingtoorganiclawinanycase，canalways，uponthepretensesmadeinthiscase，oronanyotherpretenses，orarbitrarilywithoutanypretense，breakuptheirgovernment，andthuspracticallyputanendtofreegovernmentupontheearth。Itforcesustoask：Isthereinallrepublicsthisinherentandfatalweakness？Mustagovernment，ofnecessity，betoostrongforthelibertiesofitsownpeople，ortooweaktomaintainitsownexistence？
Soviewingtheissue，nochoicewasleftbuttocalloutthewarpowerofthegovernment，andsotoresistforceemployedforitsdestructionbyforceforitspreservation。
Thecallwasmade，andtheresponseofthecountrywasmostgratifying，surpassinginunanimityandspiritthemostsanguineexpectation。YetnoneoftheStatescommonlycalledslaveStates，exceptDelaware，gavearegimentthroughregularStateorganization。
AfewregimentshavebeenorganizedwithinsomeothersofthoseStatesbyindividualenterprise，andreceivedintothegovernmentservice。OfcoursethesecededStates，socalledandtowhichTexashadbeenjoinedaboutthetimeoftheinauguration，gavenotroopstothecauseoftheUnion。
TheborderStates，socalled，werenotuniformintheiraction，someofthembeingalmostfortheUnion，whileinothers——asVirginia，NorthCarolina，Tennessee，andArkansas——theUnionsentimentwasnearlyrepressedandsilenced。ThecoursetakeninVirginiawasthemostremarkable——perhapsthemostimportant。AconventionelectedbythepeopleofthatStatetoconsiderthisveryquestionofdisruptingtheFederalUnionwasinsessionatthecapitalofVirginiawhenFortSumterfell。TothisbodythepeoplehadchosenalargemajorityofprofessedUnionmen。AlmostimmediatelyafterthefallofSumter，manymembersofthatmajoritywentovertotheoriginaldisunionminority，andwiththemadoptedanordinanceforwithdrawingtheStatefromtheUnion。WhetherthischangewaswroughtbytheirgreatapprovaloftheassaultuponSumter，ortheirgreatresentmentatthegovernment’sresistancetothatassault，isnotdefinitelyknown。
Althoughtheysubmittedtheordinanceforratificationtoavoteofthepeople，tobetakenonadaythensomewhatmorethanamonthdistant，theconventionandtheLegislaturewhichwasalsoinsessionatthesametimeandplace，withleadingmenoftheStatenotmembersofeither，immediatelycommencedactingasiftheStatewerealreadyoutoftheUnion。TheypushedmilitarypreparationsvigorouslyforwardallovertheState。TheyseizedtheUnitedStatesarmoryatHarper’sFerry，andthenavy—yardatGosport，nearNorfolk。
Theyreceivedperhapsinvited——intotheirStatelargebodiesoftroops，withtheirwarlikeappointments，fromtheso—calledsecededStates。Theyformallyenteredintoatreatyoftemporaryallianceandco—operationwiththeso—called\"ConfederateStates，\"andsentmemberstotheircongressatMontgomery。Andfinally，theypermittedtheinsurrectionarygovernmenttobetransferredtotheircapitalatRichmond。
ThepeopleofVirginiahavethusallowedthisgiantinsurrectiontomakeitsnestwithinherborders；andthisgovernmenthasnochoiceleftbuttodealwithitwhereitfindsit。Andithasthelessregretastheloyalcitizenshave，indueform，claimeditsprotection。Thoseloyalcitizensthisgovernmentisboundtorecognizeandprotect，asbeingVirginia。
IntheborderStates，socalled，——infact，themiddleStates，——therearethosewhofavorapolicywhichtheycall\"armedneutrality\"；thatis，anarmingofthoseStatestopreventtheUnionforcespassingoneway，orthedisuniontheother，overtheirsoil。Thiswouldbedisunioncompleted。Figurativelyspeaking，itwouldbethebuildingofanimpassablewallalongthelineofseparation——andyetnotquiteanimpassableone，forundertheguiseofneutralityitwouldtiethehandsofUnionmenandfreelypasssuppliesfromamongthemtotheinsurrectionists，whichitcouldnotdoasanopenenemy。Atastrokeitwouldtakeallthetroubleoffthehandsofsecession，exceptonlywhatproceedsfromtheexternalblockade。Itwoulddoforthedisunioniststhatwhich，ofallthings，theymostdesire——
feedthemwellandgivethemdisunionwithoutastruggleoftheirown。ItrecognizesnofidelitytotheConstitution，noobligationtomaintaintheUnion；andwhileverymanywhohavefavoreditaredoubtlessloyalcitizens，itis，nevertheless，veryinjuriousineffect。
Recurringtotheactionofthegovernment，itmaybestatedthatatfirstacallwasmadefor75，000militia；and，rapidlyfollowingthis，aproclamationwasissuedforclosingtheportsoftheinsurrectionarydistrictsbyproceedingsinthenatureofblockade。
Sofarallwasbelievedtobestrictlylegal。Atthispointtheinsurrectionistsannouncedtheirpurposetoenteruponthepracticeofprivateering。
Othercallsweremadeforvolunteerstoserveforthreeyears，unlesssoonerdischarged，andalsoforlargeadditionstotheregulararmyandnavy。Thesemeasures，whetherstrictlylegalornot，wereventuredupon，underwhatappearedtobeapopulardemandandapublicnecessity；trustingthen，asnow，thatCongresswouldreadilyratifythem。ItisbelievedthatnothinghasbeendonebeyondtheconstitutionalcompetencyofCongress。
Soonafterthefirstcallformilitia，itwasconsideredadutytoauthorizethecommandinggeneralinpropercases，accordingtohisdiscretion，tosuspendtheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpus，or，inotherwords，toarrestanddetain，withoutresorttotheordinaryprocessesandformsoflaw，suchindividualsashemightdeemdangeroustothepublicsafety。Thisauthorityhaspurposelybeenexercisedbutverysparingly。Nevertheless，thelegalityandproprietyofwhathasbeendoneunderitarequestioned，andtheattentionofthecountryhasbeencalledtothepropositionthatonewhohasswornto\"takecarethatthelawsbefaithfullyexecuted\"
shouldnothimselfviolatethem。Ofcoursesomeconsiderationwasgiventothequestionsofpowerandproprietybeforethismatterwasactedupon。ThewholeofthelawswhichwererequiredtobefaithfullyexecutedwerebeingresistedandfailingofexecutioninnearlyonethirdoftheStates。Musttheybeallowedtofinallyfailofexecution，evenhaditbeenperfectlyclearthatbytheuseofthemeansnecessarytotheirexecutionsomesinglelaw，madeinsuchextremetendernessofthecitizen’slibertythat，practically，itrelievesmoreoftheguiltythanoftheinnocent，shouldtoaverylimitedextentbeviolated？Tostatethequestionmoredirectly，areallthelawsbutonetogounexecuted，andthegovernmentitselfgotopieceslestthatonebeviolated？Eveninsuchacase，wouldnottheofficialoathbebrokenifthegovernmentshouldbeoverthrownwhenitwasbelievedthatdisregardingthesinglelawwouldtendtopreserveit？Butitwasnotbelievedthatthisquestionwaspresented。Itwasnotbelievedthatanylawwasviolated。TheprovisionoftheConstitutionthat\"theprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusshallnotbesuspended，unlesswhen，incasesofrebellionorinvasion，thepublicsafetymayrequireit，\"isequivalenttoaprovision——isaprovision——thatsuchprivilegemaybesuspendedwhen，incaseofrebellionorinvasion，thepublicsafetydoesrequireit。Itwasdecidedthatwehaveacaseofrebellion，andthatthepublicsafetydoesrequirethequalifiedsuspensionoftheprivilegeofthewritwhichwasauthorizedtobemade。NowitisinsistedthatCongress，andnottheexecutive，isvestedwiththispower。ButtheConstitutionitselfissilentastowhichorwhoistoexercisethepower；andastheprovisionwasplainlymadeforadangerousemergency，itcannotbebelievedtheframersoftheinstrumentintendedthatineverycasethedangershouldrunitscourseuntilCongresscouldbecalledtogether，theveryassemblingofwhichmightbeprevented，aswasintendedinthiscase，bytherebellion。
Nomoreextendedargumentisnowoffered，asanopinionatsomelengthwillprobablybepresentedbytheattorney—general。Whetherthereshallbeanylegislationuponthesubject，andifany，what，issubmittedentirelytothebetterjudgmentofCongress。
TheforbearanceofthisgovernmenthadbeensoextraordinaryandsolongcontinuedastoleadsomeforeignnationstoshapetheiractionasiftheysupposedtheearlydestructionofournationalUnionwasprobable。Whilethis，ondiscovery，gavetheexecutivesomeconcern，heisnowhappytosaythatthesovereigntyandrightsoftheUnitedStatesarenoweverywherepracticallyrespectedbyforeignpowers；
andageneralsympathywiththecountryismanifestedthroughouttheworld。
ThereportsoftheSecretariesoftheTreasury，War，andtheNavywillgivetheinformationindetaildeemednecessaryandconvenientforyourdeliberationandaction；whiletheexecutiveandallthedepartmentswillstandreadytosupplyomissions，ortocommunicatenewfactsconsideredimportantforyoutoknow。
Itisnowrecommendedthatyougivethelegalmeansformakingthiscontestashortanddecisiveone：thatyouplaceatthecontrolofthegovernmentfortheworkatleastfourhundredthousandmenand$400，000，000。Thatnumberofmenisaboutone—tenthofthoseofproperageswithintheregionswhere，apparently，allarewillingtoengage；andthesumislessthanatwenty—thirdpartofthemoneyvalueownedbythemenwhoseemreadytodevotethewhole。Adebtof$6oo，ooo，ooonowisalesssumperheadthanwasthedebtofourRevolutionwhenwecameoutofthatstruggle；andthemoneyvalueinthecountrynowbearsevenagreaterproportiontowhatitwasthenthandoesthepopulation。Surelyeachmanhasasstrongamotivenowtopreserveourlibertiesaseachhadthentoestablishthem。
Arightresultatthistimewillbeworthmoretotheworldthantentimesthemenandtentimesthemoney。Theevidencereachingusfromthecountryleavesnodoubtthatthematerialfortheworkisabundant，andthatitneedsonlythehandoflegislationtogiveitlegalsanction，andthehandoftheexecutivetogiveitpracticalshapeandefficiency。Oneofthegreatestperplexitiesofthegovernmentistoavoidreceivingtroopsfasterthanitcanprovideforthem。Inaword，thepeoplewillsavetheirgovernmentifthegovernmentitselfwilldoitspartonlyindifferentlywell。
Itmightseem，atfirstthought，tobeoflittledifferencewhetherthepresentmovementattheSouthbecalled\"secession\"or\"rebellion。\"Themovers，however，wellunderstandthedifference。Atthebeginningtheyknewtheycouldneverraisetheirtreasontoanyrespectablemagnitudebyanynamewhichimpliesviolationoflaw。
Theyknewtheirpeoplepossessedasmuchofmoralsense，asmuchofdevotiontolawandorder，andasmuchprideinandreverenceforthehistoryandgovernmentoftheircommoncountryasanyothercivilizedandpatrioticpeople。Theyknewtheycouldmakenoadvancementdirectlyintheteethofthesestrongandnoblesentiments。
Accordingly，theycommencedbyaninsidiousdebauchingofthepublicmind。Theyinventedaningenioussophismwhich，ifconceded，wasfollowedbyperfectlylogicalsteps，throughalltheincidents，tothecompletedestructionoftheUnion。ThesophismitselfisthatanyStateoftheUnionmayconsistentlywiththenationalConstitution，andthereforelawfullyandpeacefully，withdrawfromtheUnionwithouttheconsentoftheUnionorofanyotherState。
Thelittledisguisethatthesupposedrightistobeexercisedonlyforjustcause，themselvestobethesolejudgesofitsjustice，istoothintomeritanynotice。
Withrebellionthussugar—coatedtheyhavebeendruggingthepublicmindoftheirsectionformorethanthirtyyears，anduntilatlengththeyhavebroughtmanygoodmentoawillingnesstotakeuparmsagainstthegovernmentthedayaftersomeassemblageofmenhaveenactedthefarcicalpretenseoftakingtheirStateoutoftheUnion，whocouldhavebeenbroughttonosuchthingthedaybefore。
Thissophismderivesmuch，perhapsthewhole，ofitscurrencyfromtheassumptionthatthereissomeomnipotentandsacredsupremacypertainingtoaState——toeachStateofourFederalUnion。OurStateshaveneithermorenorlesspowerthanthatreservedtothemintheUnionbytheConstitution——nooneofthemeverhavingbeenaStateoutoftheUnion。TheoriginalonespassedintotheUnionevenbeforetheycastofftheirBritishcolonialdependence；andthenewoneseachcameintotheUniondirectlyfromaconditionofdependence，exceptingTexas。AndevenTexasinitstemporaryindependencewasneverdesignatedaState。ThenewonesonlytookthedesignationofStatesoncomingintotheUnion，whilethatnamewasfirstadoptedfortheoldonesinandbytheDeclarationofIndependence。Thereinthe\"UnitedColonies\"weredeclaredtobe\"freeandindependentStates\"；buteventhentheobjectplainlywasnottodeclaretheirindependenceofoneanotheroroftheUnion，butdirectlythecontrary，astheirmutualpledgeandtheirmutualactionbefore，atthetime，andafterward，abundantlyshow。TheexpressplightingoffaithbyeachandalloftheoriginalthirteenintheArticlesofConfederation，twoyearslater，thattheUnionshallbeperpetual，ismostconclusive。HavingneverbeenStateseitherinsubstanceorinnameoutsideoftheUnion，whencethismagicalomnipotenceof\"Staterights，\"assertingaclaimofpowertolawfullydestroytheUnionitself？Muchissaidaboutthe\"sovereignty\"oftheStates；butthewordevenisnotinthenationalConstitution，nor，asisbelieved，inanyoftheStateconstitutions。
Whatis\"sovereignty\"inthepoliticalsenseoftheterm？Woulditbefarwrongtodefineitas\"apoliticalcommunitywithoutapoliticalsuperior\"？Testedbythis，nooneofourStatesexceptTexaseverwasasovereignty。AndevenTexasgaveupthecharacteroncomingintotheUnion；bywhichactsheacknowledgedtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，andthelawsandtreatiesoftheUnitedStatesmadeinpursuanceoftheConstitution，tobeforherthesupremelawoftheland。TheStateshavetheirstatusintheUnion，andtheyhavenootherlegalstatus。Iftheybreakfromthis，theycanonlydosoagainstlawandbyrevolution。TheUnion，andnotthemselvesseparately，procuredtheirindependenceandtheirliberty。ByconquestorpurchasetheUniongaveeachofthemwhateverofindependenceorlibertyithas。TheUnionisolderthananyoftheStates，and，infact，itcreatedthemasStates。OriginallysomedependentcoloniesmadetheUnion，and，inturn，theUnionthrewofftheirolddependenceforthem，andmadethemStates，suchastheyare。NotoneofthemeverhadaStateconstitutionindependentoftheUnion。Ofcourse，itisnotforgottenthatallthenewStatesframedtheirconstitutionsbeforetheyenteredtheUnionnevertheless，dependentuponandpreparatorytocomingintotheUnion。
UnquestionablytheStateshavethepowersandrightsreservedtotheminandbythenationalConstitution；butamongthesesurelyarenotincludedallconceivablepowers，howevermischievousordestructive，but，atmost，suchonlyaswereknownintheworldatthetimeasgovernmentalpowers；andcertainlyapowertodestroythegovernmentitselfhadneverbeenknownasagovernmental，asamerelyadministrativepower。ThisrelativematterofnationalpowerandStaterights，asaprinciple，isnootherthantheprincipleofgeneralityandlocality。Whateverconcernsthewholeshouldbeconfidedtothewhole——totheGeneralGovernment；whilewhateverconcernsonlytheStateshouldbeleftexclusivelytotheState。
Thisisallthereisoforiginalprincipleaboutit。WhetherthenationalConstitutionindefiningboundariesbetweenthetwohasappliedtheprinciplewithexactaccuracy，isnottobequestioned。
Weareallboundbythatdefining，withoutquestion。
WhatisnowcombatedisthepositionthatsecessionisconsistentwiththeConstitution——islawfulandpeaceful。Itisnotcontendedthatthereisanyexpresslawforit；andnothingshouldeverbeimpliedaslawwhichleadstounjustorabsurdconsequences。ThenationpurchasedwithmoneythecountriesoutofwhichseveraloftheseStateswereformed。Isitjustthattheyshallgooffwithoutleaveandwithoutrefunding？Thenationpaidverylargesumsintheaggregate，Ibelieve，nearlyahundredmillionstorelieveFloridaoftheaboriginaltribes。Isitjustthatsheshallnowbeoffwithoutconsentorwithoutmakinganyreturn？Thenationisnowindebtformoneyappliedtothebenefitoftheseso—calledsecedingStatesincommonwiththerest。IsitjusteitherthatcreditorsshallgounpaidortheremainingStatespaythewhole？ApartofthepresentnationaldebtwascontractedtopaytheolddebtsofTexas。
Isitjustthatsheshallleaveandpaynopartofthisherself？
Again，ifoneStatemaysecede，somayanother；andwhenallshallhaveseceded，noneislefttopaythedebts。Isthisquitejustforcreditors？Didwenotifythemofthissageviewofourswhenweborrowedtheirmoney？Ifwenowrecognizethisdoctrinebyallowingthesecederstogoinpeace，itisdifficulttoseewhatwecandoifotherschoosetogoortoextorttermsuponwhichtheywillpromisetoremain。
ThesecedersinsistthatourConstitutionadmitsofsecession。Theyhaveassumedtomakeanationalconstitutionoftheirown，inwhichofnecessitytheyhaveeitherdiscardedorretainedtherightofsecessionastheyinsistitexistsinours。Iftheyhavediscardedit，theytherebyadmitthatonprincipleitoughtnottobeinours。
Iftheyhaveretainedit，bytheirownconstructionofours，theyshowthattobeconsistenttheymustsecedefromoneanotherwhenevertheyshallfindittheeasiestwayofsettlingtheirdebts，oreffectinganyotherselfishorunjustobject。Theprincipleitselfisoneofdisintegrationanduponwhichnogovernmentcanpossiblyendure。
IfalltheStatessaveoneshouldassertthepowertodrivethatoneoutoftheUnion，itispresumedthewholeclassofsecederpoliticianswouldatoncedenythepoweranddenouncetheactasthegreatestoutrageuponStaterights。Butsupposethatpreciselythesameact，insteadofbeingcalled\"drivingtheoneout，\"shouldbecalled\"thesecedingoftheothersfromthatone，\"itwouldbeexactlywhatthesecedersclaimtodo，unless，indeed，theymakethepointthattheone，becauseitisaminority，mayrightfullydowhattheothers，becausetheyareamajority，maynotrightfullydo。
Thesepoliticiansaresubtleandprofoundontherightsofminorities。TheyarenotpartialtothatpowerwhichmadetheConstitutionandspeaksfromthepreamblecallingitself\"We，thePeople。\"
Itmaywellbequestionedwhetherthereisto—dayamajorityofthelegallyqualifiedvotersofanyStateexceptperhapsSouthCarolinainfavorofdisunion。ThereismuchreasontobelievethattheUnionmenarethemajorityinmany，ifnotineveryotherone，oftheso—
calledsecededStates。Thecontraryhasnotbeendemonstratedinanyoneofthem。ItisventuredtoaffirmthisevenofVirginiaandTennessee；fortheresultofanelectionheldinmilitarycamps，wherethebayonetsareallononesideofthequestionvotedupon，canscarcelybeconsideredasdemonstratingpopularsentiment。Atsuchanelection，allthatlargeclasswhoareatoncefortheUnionandagainstcoercionwouldbecoercedtovoteagainsttheUnion。
Itmaybeaffirmedwithoutextravagancethatthefreeinstitutionsweenjoyhavedevelopedthepowersandimprovedtheconditionofourwholepeoplebeyondanyexampleintheworld。Ofthiswenowhaveastrikingandanimpressiveillustration。Solargeanarmyasthegovernmenthasnowonfootwasneverbeforeknownwithoutasoldierinitbutwhohastakenhisplacethereofhisownfreechoice。Butmorethanthis，therearemanysingleregimentswhosemembers，oneandanother，possessfullpracticalknowledgeofallthearts，sciences，professions，andwhateverelse，whetherusefulorelegant，isknownintheworld；andthereisscarcelyonefromwhichtherecouldnotbeselectedaPresident，aCabinet，aCongress，andperhapsacourt，abundantlycompetenttoadministerthegovernmentitself。
NordoIsaythisisnottruealsointhearmyofourlatefriends，nowadversariesinthiscontest；butifitis，somuchbetterthereasonwhythegovernmentwhichhasconferredsuchbenefitsonboththemandusshouldnotbebrokenup。Whoeverinanysectionproposestoabandonsuchagovernmentwoulddowelltoconsiderindeferencetowhatprincipleitisthathedoesit；whatbetterheislikelytogetinitsstead；whetherthesubstitutewillgive，orbeintendedtogive，somuchofgoodtothepeople。Therearesomeforeshadowingsonthissubject。Ouradversarieshaveadoptedsomedeclarationsofindependenceinwhich，unlikethegoodoldone，pennedbyJefferson，theyomitthewords\"allmenarecreatedequal。\"Why？Theyhaveadoptedatemporarynationalconstitution，inthepreambleofwhich，unlikeourgoodoldone，signedbyWashington，theyomit\"We，thePeople，\"andsubstitute，\"We，thedeputiesofthesovereignandindependentStates。\"Why？Whythisdeliberatepressingoutofviewtherightsofmenandtheauthorityofthepeople？
Thisisessentiallyapeople’scontest。OnthesideoftheUnionitisastruggleformaintainingintheworldthatformandsubstanceofgovernmentwhoseleadingobjectistoelevatetheconditionofmentoliftartificialweightsfromallshoulders；toclearthepathsoflaudablepursuitforall；toaffordallanunfetteredstart，andafairchanceintheraceoflife。Yieldingtopartialandtemporarydepartures，fromnecessity；thisistheleadingobjectofthegovernmentforwhoseexistencewecontend。
Iammosthappytobelievethattheplainpeopleunderstandandappreciatethis。Itisworthyofnotethat，whileinthisthegovernment’shouroftriallargenumbersofthoseinthearmyandnavywhohavebeenfavoredwiththeofficeshaveresignedandprovedfalsetothehandwhichhadpamperedthem，notonecommonsoldierorcommonsailorisknowntohavedesertedhisflag。
Greathonorisduetothoseofficerswhoremainedtrue，despitetheexampleoftheirtreacherousassociates；butthegreatesthonor，andmostimportantfactofall，istheunanimousfirmnessofthecommonsoldiersandcommonsailors。Tothelastman，sofarasknown，theyhavesuccessfullyresistedthetraitorouseffortsofthosewhosecommands，butanhourbefore，theyobeyedasabsolutelaw。Thisisthepatrioticinstinctoftheplainpeople。Theyunderstand，withoutanargument，thatthedestroyingofthegovernmentwhichwasmadebyWashingtonmeansnogoodtothem。
Ourpopulargovernmenthasoftenbeencalledanexperiment。Twopointsinitourpeoplehavealreadysettled——thesuccessfulestablishingandthesuccessfuladministeringofit。Onestillremains——itssuccessfulmaintenanceagainstaformidableinternalattempttooverthrowit。Itisnowforthemtodemonstratetotheworldthatthosewhocanfairlycarryanelectioncanalsosuppressarebellion；thatballotsaretherightfulandpeacefulsuccessorsofbullets；andthatwhenballotshavefairlyandconstitutionallydecided，therecanbenosuccessfulappealbacktobullets；thattherecanbenosuccessfulappeal，excepttoballotsthemselves，atsucceedingelections。Suchwillbeagreatlessonofpeace：
teachingmenthatwhattheycannottakebyanelection，neithercantheytakeitbyawar；teachingallthefollyofbeingthebeginnersofawar。
LesttherebesomeuneasinessinthemindsofcandidmenastowhatistobethecourseofthegovernmenttowardtheSouthernStatesaftertherebellionshallhavebeensuppressed，theexecutivedeemsitpropertosayitwillbehispurposethen，asever，tobeguidedbytheConstitutionandthelaws；andthatheprobablywillhavenodifferentunderstandingofthepowersanddutiesoftheFederalGovernmentrelativelytotherightsoftheStatesandthepeople，undertheConstitution，thanthatexpressedintheinauguraladdress。
Hedesirestopreservethegovernment，thatitmaybeadministeredforallasitwasadministeredbythemenwhomadeit。Loyalcitizenseverywherehavetherighttoclaimthisoftheirgovernment，andthegovernmenthasnorighttowithholdorneglectit。Itisnotperceivedthatingivingitthereisanycoercion，anyconquest，oranysubjugation，inanyjustsenseofthoseterms。
TheConstitutionprovides，andalltheStateshaveacceptedtheprovision，that\"theUnitedStatesshallguaranteetoeveryStateinthisUnionarepublicanformofgovernment。\"ButifaStatemaylawfullygooutoftheUnion，havingdonesoitmayalsodiscardtherepublicanformofgovernment，sothattopreventitsgoingoutisanindispensablemeanstotheendofmaintainingtheguaranteementioned；andwhenanendislawfulandobligatory，theindispensablemeanstoitarealsolawfulandobligatory。
Itwaswiththedeepestregretthattheexecutivefoundthedutyofemployingthewarpowerindefenseofthegovernmentforceduponhim。
Hecouldbutperformthisdutyorsurrendertheexistenceofthegovernment。Nocompromisebypublicservantscould，inthiscase，beacure；notthatcompromisesarenotoftenproper，butthatnopopulargovernmentcanlongsurviveamarkedprecedentthatthosewhocarryanelectioncanonlysavethegovernmentfromimmediatedestructionbygivingupthemainpointuponwhichthepeoplegavetheelection。Thepeoplethemselves，andnottheirservants，cansafelyreversetheirowndeliberatedecisions。
Asaprivatecitizentheexecutivecouldnothaveconsentedthattheseinstitutionsshallperish；muchlesscouldheinbetrayalofsovastandsosacredatrustasthesefreepeoplehadconfidedtohim。
Hefeltthathehadnomoralrighttoshrink，noreventocountthechancesofhisownlife，inwhatmightfollow。Infullviewofhisgreatresponsibilityhehas，sofar，donewhathehasdeemedhisduty。Youwillnow，accordingtoyourownjudgment，performyours。
Hesincerelyhopesthatyourviewsandyouractionmaysoaccordwithhisastoassureallfaithfulcitizenswhohavebeendisturbedintheirrightsofacertainandspeedyrestorationtothem，undertheConstitutionandthelaws。
Andhavingthuschosenourcourse，withoutguileandwithpurepurpose，letusrenewourtrustinGod，andgoforwardwithoutfearandwithmanlyhearts。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN，July4，1861
TOTHESECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，July6，1861。
HON。SEC。OFINTERIOR。
MYDEARSIR：——PleaseasktheComr。ofIndianAffairs，andoftheGen’1LandOfficetocomewithyou，andseemeatonce。IwanttheassistanceofallofyouinoverhaulingthelistofappointmentsalittlebeforeIsendthemtotheSenate。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES。
TOTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
InanswertotheresolutionoftheHouseofRepresentativesofthe9thinstant，requestingacopyofcorrespondenceuponthesubjectoftheincorporationoftheDominicanrepublicwiththeSpanishmonarchy，ItransmitareportfromtheSecretaryofState；towhomtheresolutionwasreferred。
WASHINGTON，July11，1861。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。