IdeemitofimportancethattheloyalregionsofeastTennesseeandwesternNorthCarolinashouldbeconnectedwithKentuckyandotherfaithfulpartsoftheUnionbyrail—road。Ithereforerecommend，asamilitarymeasure，thatCongressprovidefortheconstructionofsuchrail—roadasspeedilyaspossible。Kentuckywillnodoubtco—operate，andthroughherLegislaturemakethemostjudiciousselectionofaline。Thenorthernterminusmustconnectwithsomeexistingrailroad，andwhethertherouteshallbefromLexingtonorNicholasvilletotheCumberlandGap，orfromLebanontotheTennesseeline，inthedirectionofKnoxville，oronsomestilldifferentline，caneasilybedetermined。KentuckyandtheGeneralGovernmentco—operating，theworkcanbecompletedinaveryshorttime，andwhendoneitwillbenotonlyofvastpresentusefulnessbutalsoavaluablepermanentimprovement，worthitscostinallthefuture。
Sometreaties，designedchieflyfortheinterestsofcommerce，andhavingnogravepoliticalimportance，havebeennegotiated，andwillbesubmittedtotheSenatefortheirconsideration。
Althoughwehavefailedtoinducesomeofthecommercialpowerstoadoptadesirablemeliorationoftherigorofmaritimewar，wehaveremovedallobstructionsfromthewayofthishumanereformexceptsuchasaremerelyoftemporaryandaccidentaloccurrence。
IinviteyourattentiontothecorrespondencebetweenherBritannicMajesty’sministeraccreditedtothisgovernmentandtheSecretaryofStaterelativetothedetentionoftheBritishshipPerthshireinJunelastbytheUnitedStatessteamerMassachusettsforasupposedbreachoftheblockade。Asthisdetentionwasoccasionedbyanobviousmisapprehensionofthefacts，andasjusticerequiresthatweshouldcommitnobelligerentactnotfoundedinstrictrightassanctionedbypubliclaw，Irecommendthatanappropriationbemadetosatisfythereasonabledemandoftheownersofthevesselforherdetention。
IrepeattherecommendationofmypredecessorinhisannualmessagetoCongressinDecemberlastinregardtothedispositionofthesurpluswhichwillprobablyremainaftersatisfyingtheclaimsofAmericancitizensagainstChina，pursuanttotheawardsofthecommissionersundertheactofthe3dofMarch，1859。If，however，itshouldnotbedeemedadvisabletocarrythatrecommendationintoeffect，Iwouldsuggestthatauthoritybegivenforinvestingtheprincipal，ortheproceedsofthesurplusreferredto，ingoodsecurities，withaviewtothesatisfactionofsuchotherjustclaimsofourcitizensagainstChinaasarenotunlikelytoarisehereafterinthecourseofourextensivetradewiththatempire。
Bytheactofthe5thofAugustlastCongressauthorizedthePresidenttoinstructthecommandersofsuitablevesselstodefendthemselvesagainstandtocapturepirates。Hisauthorityhasbeenexercisedinasingleinstanceonly。ForthemoreeffectualprotectionofourextensiveandvaluablecommerceintheEasternseasespecially，itseemstomethatitwouldalsobeadvisabletoauthorizethecommandersofsailingvesselstorecaptureanyprizeswhichpiratesmaymakeofUnitedStatesvesselsandtheircargoes，andtheconsularcourtsnowestablishedbylawinEasterncountriestoadjudicatethecasesintheeventthatthisshouldnotbeobjectedtobythelocalauthorities。
IfanygoodreasonexistswhyweshouldperseverelongerinwithholdingourrecognitionoftheindependenceandsovereigntyofHaitiandLiberia，Iamunabletodiscernit。Unwilling，however，toinaugurateanovelpolicyinregardtothemwithouttheapprobationofCongress，Isubmitforyourconsiderationtheexpediencyofanappropriationformaintainingacharged’affairesneareachofthosenewStates。Itdoesnotadmitofdoubtthatimportantcommercialadvantagesmightbesecuredbyfavorabletreatieswiththem。
Theoperationsofthetreasuryduringtheperiodwhichhaselapsedsinceyouradjournmenthavebeenconductedwithsignalsuccess。Thepatriotismofthepeoplehasplacedatthedisposalofthegovernmentthelargemeansdemandedbythepublicexigencies。Muchofthenationalloanhasbeentakenbycitizensoftheindustrialclasses，whoseconfidenceintheircountry’sfaithandzealfortheircountry’sdeliverancefrompresentperilhaveinducedthemtocontributetothesupportofthegovernmentthewholeoftheirlimitedacquisitions。Thisfactimposespeculiarobligationstoeconomyindisbursementandenergyinaction。
Therevenuefromallsources，includingloans，forthefinancialyearendingonthe30thofJune，1861，was$86，835，900。27，andtheexpendituresforthesameperiod，includingpaymentsonaccountofthepublicdebt，were$84，578，834。47，leavingabalanceinthetreasuryonthe1stofJulyof$2，257，065。80。Forthefirstquarterofthefinancialyearendingonthe3othofSeptember，1861，thereceiptsfromallsources，includingthebalanceofthe1stofJuly，were$102，532，509。27，andtheexpenses$98，239733。09，leavingabalanceonthe1stofOctober，1861，of$4，292，776。18。
Estimatesfortheremainingthreequartersoftheyearandforthefinancialyear1863，togetherwithhisviewsofwaysandmeansformeetingthedemandscontemplatedbythem，willbesubmittedtoCongressbytheSecretaryoftheTreasury。Itisgratifyingtoknowthattheexpendituresmadenecessarybytherebellionarenotbeyondtheresourcesoftheloyalpeople，andtobelievethatthesamepatriotismwhichhasthusfarsustainedthegovernmentwillcontinuetosustainittillpeaceandunionshallagainblesstheland。
IrespectfullyrefertothereportoftheSecretaryofWarforinformationrespectingthenumericalstrengthofthearmyandforrecommendationshavinginviewanincreaseofitsefficiencyandthewell—beingofthevariousbranchesoftheserviceintrustedtohiscare。Itisgratifyingtoknowthatthepatriotismofthepeoplehasprovedequaltotheoccasion，andthatthenumberoftroopstenderedgreatlyexceedstheforcewhichCongressauthorizedmetocallintothefield。
Ireferwithpleasuretothoseportionsofhisreportwhichmakeallusiontothecreditabledegreeofdisciplinealreadyattainedbyourtroopsandtotheexcellentsanitaryconditionoftheentirearmy。
TherecommendationoftheSecretaryforanorganizationofthemilitiauponauniformbasisisasubjectofvitalimportancetothefuturesafetyofthecountry，andiscommendedtotheseriousattentionofCongress。
Thelargeadditiontotheregulararmy，inconnectionwiththedefectionthathassoconsiderablydiminishedthenumberofitsofficers，givespeculiarimportancetohisrecommendationforincreasingthecorpsofcadetstothegreatestcapacityoftheMilitaryAcademy。
Bymereomission，Ipresume，Congresshasfailedtoprovidechaplainsforhospitalsoccupiedbyvolunteers。Thissubjectwasbroughttomynotice，andIwasinducedtodrawuptheformofaletter，onecopyofwhich，properlyaddressed，hasbeendeliveredtoeachofthepersons，andatthedatesrespectivelynamedandstatedinaschedule，containingalsotheformoftheletter，markedA，andherewithtransmitted。
Thesegentlemen，Iunderstand，entereduponthedutiesdesignatedatthetimesrespectivelystatedintheschedule，andhavelaboredfaithfullythereineversince。Ithereforerecommendthattheybecompensatedatthesamerateaschaplainsinthearmy。Ifurthersuggestthatgeneralprovisionbemadeforchaplainstoserveathospitals，aswellaswithregiments。
ThereportoftheSecretaryoftheNavypresentsindetailtheoperationsofthatbranchoftheservice，theactivityandenergywhichhavecharacterizeditsadministration，andtheresultsofmeasurestoincreaseitsefficiencyandpowersuchhavebeentheadditions，byconstructionandpurchase，thatitmayalmostbesaidanavyhasbeencreatedandbroughtintoservicesinceourdifficultiescommenced。
Besidesblockadingourextensivecoast，squadronslargerthaneverbeforeassembledunderourflaghavebeenputafloatandperformeddeedswhichhaveincreasedournavalrenown。
IwouldinvitespecialattentiontotherecommendationoftheSecretaryforamoreperfectorganizationofthenavybyintroducingadditionalgradesintheservice。
Thepresentorganizationisdefectiveandunsatisfactory，andthesuggestionssubmittedbythedepartmentwill，itisbelieved，ifadopted，obviatethedifficultiesalludedto，promoteharmony，andincreasetheefficiencyofthenavy。
TherearethreevacanciesonthebenchoftheSupremeCourt——twobythedeceaseofJusticesDanielandMcLeanandonebytheresignationofJusticeCampbell。IhavesofarforbornemakingnominationstofillthesevacanciesforreasonswhichIwillnowstate。TwooftheoutgoingjudgesresidedwithintheStatesnowoverrunbyrevolt，sothatifsuccessorswereappointedinthesamelocalitiestheycouldnotnowserveupontheircircuits；andmanyofthemostcompetentmenthereprobablywouldnottakethepersonalhazardofacceptingtoserve，evenhere，upontheSupremebench。Ihavebeenunwillingtothrowalltheappointmentsnorth—ward，thusdisablingmyselffromdoingjusticetotheSouthonthereturnofpeace；althoughImayremarkthattotransfertotheNorthonewhichhasheretoforebeenintheSouthwouldnot，withreferencetoterritoryandpopulation，beunjust。
DuringthelongandbrilliantjudicialcareerofJudgeMcLeanhiscircuitgrewintoanempire—altogethertoolargeforanyonejudgetogivethecourtsthereinmorethananominalattendance——risinginpopulationfrom1，470，018in1830to6，151，405in1860。
Besidesthis，thecountrygenerallyhasoutgrownourpresentjudicialsystem。Ifuniformitywasatallintended，thesystemrequiresthatalltheStatesshallbeaccommodatedwithcircuitcourts，attendedbySupremejudges，while，infact，Wisconsin，Minnesota，Iowa，Kansas，Florida，Texas，California，andOregonhaveneverhadanysuchcourts。Norcanthiswellberemediedwithoutachangeinthesystem，becausetheaddingofjudgestotheSupremeCourt，enoughfortheaccommodationofallpartsofthecountrywithcircuitcourts，wouldcreateacourtaltogethertoonumerousforajudicialbodyofanysort。Andtheevil，ifitbeone，willincreaseasnewStatescomeintotheUnion。Circuitcourtsareusefulortheyarenotuseful。Ifuseful，noStateshouldbedeniedthem；ifnotuseful，noStateshouldhavethem。Letthembeprovidedforallorabolishedastoall。
Threemodificationsoccurtome，eitherofwhich，Ithink，wouldbeanimprovementuponourpresentsystem。LettheSupremeCourtbeofconvenientnumberineveryevent；then，first，letthewholecountrybedividedintocircuitsofconvenientsize，theSupremejudgestoserveinanumberofthemcorrespondingtotheirownnumber，andindependentcircuitjudgesbeprovidedforalltherest；or，secondly，lettheSupremejudgesberelievedfromcircuitdutiesandcircuitjudgesprovidedforallthecircuits；or，thirdly，dispensewithcircuitcourtsaltogether，leavingthejudicialfunctionswhollytothedistrictcourtsandanindependentSupremeCourt。
IrespectfullyrecommendtotheconsiderationofCongressthepresentconditionofthestatutelaws，withthehopethatCongresswillbeabletofindaneasyremedyformanyoftheinconveniencesandevilswhichconstantlyembarrassthoseengagedinthepracticaladministrationofthem。SincetheOrganizationofthegovernment，Congresshasenactedsome5000actsandjointresolutions，whichfillmorethan6000closelyprintedpagesandarescatteredthroughmanyvolumes。Manyoftheseactshavebeendrawninhasteandwithoutsufficientcaution，sothattheirprovisionsareoftenobscureinthemselvesorinconflictwitheachother，oratleastsodoubtfulastorenderitverydifficultforeventhebest—informedpersonstoascertainpreciselywhatthestatutelawreallyis。
Itseemstomeveryimportantthatthestatutelawsshouldbemadeasplainandintelligibleaspossible，andbereducedtoassmallacompassasmayconsistwiththefullnessandprecisionofthewilloftheLegislatureandtheperspicuityofitslanguage。Thiswelldonewould，Ithink，greatlyfacilitatethelaborsofthosewhosedutyitistoassistintheadministrationofthelaws，andwouldbealastingbenefittothepeople，byplacingbeforetheminamoreaccessibleandintelligibleformthelawswhichsodeeplyconcerntheirinterestsaridtheirduties。
IaminformedbysomewhoseopinionsIrespectthatalltheactsofCongressnowinforceandofapermanentandgeneralnaturemightberevisedandrewrittensoastobeembracedinonevolumeoratmosttwovolumesofordinaryandconvenientsize；andIrespectfullyrecommendtoCongresstoconsiderofthesubject，andifmysuggestionbeapprovedtodevisesuchplanastotheirwisdomshallseemmostproperfortheattainmentoftheendproposed。
Oneoftheunavoidableconsequencesofthepresentinsurrectionistheentiresuppressioninmanyplacesofalltheordinarymeansofadministeringciviljusticebytheofficersandintheformsofexistinglaw。Thisisthecase，inwholeorinpart，inalltheinsurgentStates；andasourarmiesadvanceuponandtakepossessionofpartsofthoseStatesthepracticalevilbecomesmoreapparent。
TherearenocourtsorofficerstowhomthecitizensofotherStatesmayapplyfortheenforcementoftheirlawfulclaimsagainstcitizensoftheinsurgentStates，andthereisavastamountofdebtconstitutingsuchclaims。Somehaveestimateditashighas$200，000，000，dueinlargepartfrominsurgentsinopenrebelliontoloyalcitizenswhoareevennowmakinggreatsacrificesinthedischargeoftheirpatrioticdutytosupportthegovernment。
UnderthesecircumstancesIhavebeenurgentlysolicitedtoestablish，bymilitarypower，courtstoadministersummaryjusticeinsuchcases。Ihavethusfardeclinedtodoit，notbecauseIhadanydoubtthattheendproposed——thecollectionofthedebts——wasjustandrightinitself，butbecauseIhavebeenunwillingtogobeyondthepressureofnecessityintheunusualexerciseofpower。ButthepowersofCongress，Isuppose，areequaltotheanomalousoccasion，andthereforeIreferthewholemattertoCongress，withthehopethataplanmaybedevisedfortheadministrationofjusticeinallsuchpartsoftheinsurgentStatesandTerritoriesasmaybeunderthecontrolofthisgovernment，whetherbyavoluntaryreturntoallegianceandorderorbythepowerofourarms；this，however，nottobeapermanentinstitution，butatemporarysubstitute，andtoceaseassoonastheordinarycourtscanbereestablishedinpeace。
Itisimportantthatsomemoreconvenientmeansshouldbeprovided，ifpossible，fortheadjustmentofclaimsagainstthegovernment，especiallyinviewoftheirincreasednumberbyreasonofthewar。
Itisasmuchthedutyofgovernmenttorenderpromptjusticeagainstitselfinfavorofcitizensasitistoadministerthesamebetweenprivateindividuals。Theinvestigationandadjudicationofclaimsintheirnaturebelongtothejudicialdepartment。Besides，itisapparentthattheattentionofCongresswillbemorethanusuallyengagedforsometimetocomewithgreatnationalquestions。ItwasintendedbytheorganizationoftheCourtofClaimsmainlytoremovethisbranchofbusinessfromthehallsofCongress；but，whilethecourthasprovedtobeaneffectiveandvaluablemeansofinvestigation，itingreatdegreefailstoeffecttheobjectofitscreationforwantofpowertomakeitsjudgmentsfinal。
Fullyawareofthedelicacy，nottosaythedangerofthesubject，I
commendtoyourcarefulconsiderationwhetherthispowerofmakingjudgmentsfinalmaynotproperlybegiventothecourt，reservingtherightofappealonquestionsoflawtotheSupremeCourt，withsuchotherprovisionsasexperiencemayhaveshowntobenecessary。
IaskattentiontothereportofthePostmastergeneral，thefollowingbeingasummarystatementoftheconditionofthedepartment：
TherevenuefromallsourcesduringthefiscalyearendingJune30，1861，includingtheannualpermanentappropriationof$700，000forthetransportationof\"freemailmatter，\"was$9，049，296。40，beingabout2percent。lessthantherevenuefor1860。
Theexpenditureswere$13，606，759。11，showingadecreaseofmorethan8percent。ascomparedwiththoseofthepreviousyearandleavinganexcessofexpenditureovertherevenueforthelastfiscalyearof$4，557，462。71。
ThegrossrevenuefortheyearendingJune30，1863，isestimatedatanincreaseof4percent。onthatof1861，making$8，683，000，towhichshouldbeaddedtheearningsofthedepartmentincarryingfreematter，viz。，$700，000，making$9，383，000。
Thetotalexpendituresfor1863areestimatedat$12，528，000，leavinganestimateddeficiencyof$3，145，000tobesuppliedfromthetreasuryinadditiontothepermanentappropriation。
Thepresentinsurrectionshows，Ithink，thattheextensionofthisDistrictacrossthePotomacRiveratthetimeofestablishingthecapitalherewaseminentlywise，andconsequentlythattherelinquishmentofthatportionofitwhichlieswithintheStateofVirginiawasunwiseanddangerous。IsubmitforyourconsiderationtheexpediencyofregainingthatpartoftheDistrictandtherestorationoftheoriginalboundariesthereofthroughnegotiationswiththeStateofVirginia。
ThereportoftheSecretaryoftheInterior，withtheaccompanyingdocuments，exhibitstheconditionoftheseveralbranchesofthepublicbusinesspertainingtothatdepartment。ThedepressinginfluencesoftheinsurrectionhavebeenspeciallyfeltintheoperationsofthePatentandGeneralLandOffices。Thecashreceiptsfromthesalesofpubliclandsduringthepastyearhaveexceededtheexpensesofourlandsystemonlyabout$200，000。ThesaleshavebeenentirelysuspendedintheSouthernStates，whiletheinterruptionstothebusinessofthecountryandthediversionoflargenumbersofmenfromlabortomilitaryservicehaveobstructedsettlementsinthenewStatesandTerritoriesoftheNorthwest。
ThereceiptsofthePatentOfficehavedeclinedinninemonthsabout$100，000。00renderingalargereductionoftheforceemployednecessarytomakeitself—sustaining。
ThedemandsuponthePensionOfficewillbelargelyincreasedbytheinsurrection。Numerousapplicationsforpensions，baseduponthecasualtiesoftheexistingwar，havealreadybeenmade。Thereisreasontobelievethatmanywhoarenowuponthepensionrollsandinreceiptofthebountyofthegovernmentareintheranksoftheinsurgentarmyorgivingthemaidandcomfort。TheSecretaryoftheInteriorhasdirectedasuspensionofthepaymentofthepensionsofsuchpersonsuponproofoftheirdisloyalty。IrecommendthatCongressauthorizethatofficertocausethenamesofsuchpersonstobestrickenfromthepensionrolls。
TherelationsofthegovernmentwiththeIndiantribeshavebeengreatlydisturbedbytheinsurrection，especiallyinthesouthernsuperintendencyandinthatofNewMexico。TheIndiancountrysouthofKansasisinthepossessionofinsurgentsfromTexasandArkansas。
TheagentsoftheUnitedStatesappointedsincethe4thofMarchforthissuperintendencyhavebeenunabletoreachtheirposts，whilethemostofthosewhowereinofficebeforethattimehaveespousedtheinsurrectionarycause，andassumetoexercisethepowersofagentsbyvirtueofcommissionsfromtheinsurrectionists。IthasbeenstatedinthepublicpressthataportionofthoseIndianshavebeenorganizedasamilitaryforceandareattachedtothearmyoftheinsurgents。Althoughthegovernmenthasnoofficialinformationuponthissubject，lettershavebeenwrittentotheCommissionerofIndianAffairsbyseveralprominentchiefsgivingassuranceoftheirloyaltytotheUnitedStatesandexpressingawishforthepresenceofFederaltroopstoprotectthem。ItisbelievedthatupontherepossessionofthecountrybytheFederalforcestheIndianswillreadilyceaseallhostiledemonstrationsandresumetheirformerrelationstothegovernment。
Agriculture，confessedlythelargestinterestofthenation，hasnotadepartmentnorabureau，butaclerkshiponly，assignedtoitinthegovernment。Whileitisfortunatethatthisgreatinterestissoindependentinitsnatureasnottohavedemandedandextortedmorefromthegovernment，IrespectfullyaskCongresstoconsiderwhethersomethingmorecannotbegivenvoluntarilywithgeneraladvantage。
Annualreportsexhibitingtheconditionofouragriculture，commerce，andmanufactureswouldpresentafundofinformationofgreatpracticalvaluetothecountry。WhileImakenosuggestionastodetails，Iventuretheopinionthatanagriculturalandstatisticalbureaumightprofitablybeorganized。
TheexecutionofthelawsforthesuppressionoftheAfricanslavetradehasbeenconfidedtotheDepartmentoftheInterior。Itisasubjectofgratulationthattheeffortswhichhavebeenmadeforthesuppressionofthisinhumantraffichavebeenrecentlyattendedwithunusualsuccess。Fivevesselsbeingfittedoutfortheslavetradehavebeenseizedandcondemned。Twomatesofvesselsengagedinthetradeandonepersoninequippingavesselasaslaverhavebeenconvictedandsubjectedtothepenaltyoffineandimprisonment，andonecaptain，takenwithacargoofAfricansonboardhisvessel，hasbeenconvictedofthehighestgradeofoffenseunderourlaws，thepunishmentofwhichisdeath。
TheTerritoriesofColorado，Dakota，andNevada，createdbythelastCongress，havebeenorganized，andciviladministrationhasbeeninauguratedthereinunderauspicesespeciallygratifyingwhenitisconsideredthattheleavenoftreasonwasfoundexistinginsomeofthesenewcountrieswhentheFederalofficersarrivedthere。
TheabundantnaturalresourcesoftheseTerritories，withthesecurityandprotectionaffordedbyorganizedgovernment，willdoubtlessinvitetothemalargeimmigrationwhenpeaceshallrestorethebusinessofthecountrytoitsaccustomedchannels。IsubmittheresolutionsoftheLegislatureofColorado，whichevidencethepatrioticspiritofthepeopleoftheTerritory。SofartheauthorityoftheUnitedStateshasbeenupheldinalltheTerritories，asitishopeditwillbeinthefuture。IcommendtheirinterestsanddefensetotheenlightenedandgenerouscareofCongress。
IrecommendtothefavorableconsiderationofCongresstheinterestsoftheDistrictofColumbia。Theinsurrectionhasbeenthecauseofmuchsufferingandsacrificetoitsinhabitants，andastheyhavenorepresentativeinCongressthatbodyshouldnotoverlooktheirjustclaimsuponthegovernment。
AtyourlatesessionajointresolutionwasadoptedauthorizingthePresidenttotakemeasuresforfacilitatingaproperrepresentationoftheindustrialinterestsoftheUnitedStatesattheexhibitionoftheindustryofallnationstobeholdenatLondonintheyear1862。
IregrettosayIhavebeenunabletogivepersonalattentiontothissubject——asubjectatoncesointerestinginitselfandsoextensivelyandintimatelyconnectedwiththematerialprosperityoftheworld。ThroughtheSecretariesofStateandoftheInterioraplanorsystemhasbeendevisedandpartlymatured，andwhichwillbelaidbeforeyou。
UnderandbyvirtueoftheactofCongressentitled\"Anacttoconfiscatepropertyusedforinsurrectionarypurposes，\"approvedAugust6，1861，thelegalclaimsofcertainpersonstothelaborandserviceofcertainotherpersonshavebecomeforfeited，andnumbersofthelatterthusliberatedarealreadydependentontheUnitedStates，andmustbeprovidedforinsomeway。Besidesthis，itisnotimpossiblethatsomeoftheStateswillpasssimilarenactmentsfortheirownbenefitrespectively，andbyoperationofwhichpersonsofthesameclasswillbethrownuponthemfordisposal。InsuchcaseIrecommendthatCongressprovideforacceptingsuchpersonsfromsuchStates，accordingtosomemodeofvaluation，inlieu，protanto，ofdirecttaxes，oruponsomeotherplantobeagreedonwithsuchStatesrespectively；thatsuchpersons，onsuchacceptancebytheGeneralGovernment，beatoncedeemedfree，andthatinanyeventstepsbetakenforcolonizingbothclassesortheonefirstmentionediftheothershallnotbebroughtintoexistenceatsomeplaceorplacesinaclimatecongenialtothem。Itmightbewelltoconsider，too，whetherthefreecoloredpeoplealreadyintheUnitedStatescouldnot，sofarasindividualsmaydesire，beincludedinsuchcolonization。
Tocarryouttheplanofcolonizationmayinvolvetheacquiringofterritory，andalsotheappropriationofmoneybeyondthattobeexpendedintheterritorialacquisition。Havingpractisedtheacquisitionofterritoryfornearlysixtyyears，thequestionofconstitutionalpowertodosoisnolongeranopenonewithus。ThepowerwasquestionedatfirstbyMr。Jefferson，who，however，inthepurchaseofLouisiana，yieldedhisscruplesonthepleaofgreatexpediency。Ifitbesaidthattheonlylegitimateobjectofacquiringterritoryistofurnishhomesforwhitemen，thismeasureeffectsthatobject，foremigrationofcoloredmenleavesadditionalroomforwhitemenremainingorcominghere。Mr。Jefferson，however，placedtheimportanceofprocuringLouisianamoreonpoliticalandcommercialgroundsthanonprovidingroomforpopulation。
Onthiswholeproposition，includingtheappropriationofmoneywiththeacquisitionofterritory，doesnottheexpediencyamounttoabsolutenecessity——thatwithoutwhichthegovernmentitselfcannotbeperpetuated？
Thewarcontinues。InconsideringthepolicytobeadoptedforsuppressingtheinsurrectionIhavebeenanxiousandcarefulthattheinevitableconflictforthispurposeshallnotdegenerateintoaviolentandremorselessrevolutionarystruggle。IhavethereforeineverycasethoughtitpropertokeeptheintegrityoftheUnionprominentastheprimaryobjectofthecontestonourpart，leavingallquestionswhicharenotofvitalmilitaryimportancetothemoredeliberateactionoftheLegislature。
IntheexerciseofmybestdiscretionIhaveadheredtotheblockadeoftheportsheldbytheinsurgents，insteadofputtinginforcebyproclamationthelawofCongressenactedatthelatesessionforclosingthoseports。
Soalso，obeyingthedictatesofprudence，aswellastheobligationsoflaw，insteadoftranscendingIhaveadheredtotheactofCongresstoconfiscatepropertyusedforinsurrectionarypurposes。Ifanewlawuponthesamesubjectshallbeproposed，itsproprietywillbedulyconsidered。TheUnionmustbepreserved，andhenceallindispensablemeansmustbeemployed。Weshouldnotbeinhastetodeterminethatradicalandextrememeasures，whichmayreachtheloyalaswellasthedisloyal，areindispensable。
TheinauguraladdressatthebeginningoftheAdministrationandthemessagetoCongressatthelatespecialsessionwerebothmainlydevotedtotopicsdomesticcontroversyoutofwhichtheinsurrectionandconsequentwarhavesprung。Nothingnowoccurstoaddorsubtracttoorfromtheprinciplesorgeneralpurposesstatedandexpressedinthosedocuments。
ThelastrayofhopeforpreservingtheUnionpeaceablyexpiredattheassaultuponFortSumter，andageneralreviewofwhathasoccurredsincemaynotbeunprofitable。Whatwaspainfullyuncertainthenismuchbetterdefinedandmoredistinctnow，andtheprogressofeventsisplainlyintherightdirection。TheinsurgentsconfidentlyclaimedastrongsupportfromnorthofMasonandDixon’sline，andthefriendsoftheUnionwerenotfreefromapprehensiononthepoint。This，however，wassoonsettleddefinitely，andontherightside。SouthofthelinenoblelittleDelawareledoffrightfromthefirst。MarylandwasmadetoseemagainsttheUnion。Oursoldierswereassaulted，bridgeswereburned，andrailroadstornupwithinherlimits，andweweremanydaysatonetimewithouttheabilitytobringasingleregimentoverhersoiltothecapital。Nowherbridgesandrailroadsarerepairedandopentothegovernment；
shealreadygivessevenregimentstothecauseoftheUnion，andnonetotheenemy；andherpeople，ataregularelection，havesustainedtheUnionbyalargermajorityandalargeraggregatevotethantheyeverbeforegavetoanycandidateoranyquestion。Kentucky，too，forsometimeindoubt，isnowdecidedlyand，Ithink，unchangeablyrangedonthesideoftheUnion。Missouriiscomparativelyquiet，and，Ibelieve，can，notagainbeoverrunbytheinsurrectionists。
ThesethreeStatesofMaryland，Kentucky，andMissouri，neitherofwhichwouldpromiseasinglesoldieratfirst，havenowanaggregateofnotlessthanfortythousandinthefieldfortheUnion，whileoftheircitizenscertainlynotmorethanathirdofthatnumber，andtheyofdoubtfulwhereaboutsanddoubtfulexistence，areinarmsagainstus。Afterasomewhatbloodystruggleofmonths，winterclosesontheUnionpeopleofwesternVirginia，leavingthemmastersoftheirowncountry。
Aninsurgentforceofaboutfifteenhundred，formonthsdominatingthenarrowpeninsularregionconstitutingthecountiesofAccomacandNorthampton，andknownasEasternShoreofVirginia，togetherwithsomecontiguouspartsofMaryland，havelaiddowntheirarms，andthepeopletherehaverenewedtheirallegiancetoandacceptedtheprotectionoftheoldflag。ThisleavesnoarmedinsurrectionistnorthofthePotomacoreastoftheChesapeake。
AlsowehaveobtainedafootingateachoftheisolatedpointsonthesoutherncoastofHatteras，PortRoyal，TybeeIslandnearSavannah，andShipIsland；andwelikewisehavesomegeneralaccountsofpopularmovementsinbehalfoftheUnioninNorthCarolinaandTennessee。
ThesethingsdemonstratethatthecauseoftheUnionisadvancingsteadilyandcertainlysouthward。
SinceyourlastadjournmentLieutenant—GeneralScotthasretiredfromtheheadofthearmy。Duringhislonglifethenationhasnotbeenunmindfulofhismerit；yetoncallingtomindhowfaithfully，ably，andbrilliantlyhehasservedthecountry，fromatimefarbackinourhistory，whenfewofthenowlivinghadbeenborn，andthenceforwardcontinually，Icannotbutthinkwearestillhisdebtors。Isubmit，therefore，foryourconsiderationwhatfurthermarkofrecognitionisduetohim，andtoourselvesasagratefulpeople。
WiththeretirementofGeneralScottcametheExecutivedutyofappointinginhissteadageneral—in—chiefofthearmy。Itisafortunatecircumstancethatneitherincouncilnorcountrywasthere，sofarasIknow，anydifferenceofopinionastotheproperpersontobeselected。TheretiringchiefrepeatedlyexpressedhisjudgmentinfavorofGeneralMcClellanfortheposition，andinthisthenationseemedtogiveaunanimousconcurrence。ThedesignationofGeneralMcClellanisthereforeinconsiderabledegreetheselectionofthecountryaswellasoftheExecutive，andhencethereisbetterreasontohopetherewillbegivenhimtheconfidenceandcordialsupportthusbyfairimplicationpromised，andwithoutwhichhecannotwithsofullefficiencyservethecountry。
Ithasbeensaidthatonebadgeneralisbetterthantwogoodones，andthesayingistrueiftakentomeannomorethanthatanarmyisbetterdirectedbyasinglemind，thoughinferior，thanbytwosuperioronesatvarianceandcross—purposeswitheachother。
Andthesameistrueinalljointoperationswhereinthoseengagedcanhavenonebutacommonendinviewandcandifferonlyastothechoiceofmeans。Inastormatseanooneonhoardcanwishtheshiptosink，andyetnotunfrequentlyallgodowntogetherbecausetoomanywilldirectandnosinglemindcanbeallowedtocontrol。
Itcontinuestodevelopthattheinsurrectionislargely，ifnotexclusively，awaruponthefirstprincipleofpopulargovernment——
therightsofthepeople。Conclusiveevidenceofthisisfoundinthemostgraveandmaturelyconsideredpublicdocuments，aswellasinthegeneraltoneoftheinsurgents。Inthosedocumentswefindtheabridgmentoftheexistingrightofsuffrageandthedenialtothepeopleofallrighttoparticipateintheselectionofpublicofficersexceptthelegislativeboldlyadvocated，withlaboredargumentstoprovethatlargecontrolofthepeopleingovernmentisthesourceofallpoliticalevil。Monarchyitselfissometimeshintedatasapossiblerefugefromthepowerofthepeople。
InmypresentpositionIcouldscarcelybejustifiedwereItoomitraisingawarningvoiceagainstthisapproachofreturningdespotism。
Itisnotneedednorfittingherethatageneralargumentshouldbemadeinfavorofpopularinstitutions，butthereisonepoint，withitsconnections，notsohackneyedasmostothers，towhichIaskabriefattention。Itistheefforttoplacecapitalonanequalfootingwith，ifnotabove，laborinthestructureofgovernment。Itisassumedthatlaborisavailableonlyinconnectionwithcapital；
thatnobodylaborsunlesssomebodyelse，owningcapital，somehowbytheuseofitinduceshimtolabor。Thisassumed，itisnextconsideredwhetheritisbestthatcapitalshallhirelaborers，andthusinducethemtoworkbytheirownconsent，orbuythemanddrivethemtoitwithouttheirconsent。Havingproceededsofar，itisnaturallyconcludedthatalllaborersareeitherhiredlaborersorwhatwecallslaves。Andfurther，itisassumedthatwhoeverisonceahiredlaborerisfixedinthatconditionforlife。
Nowthereisnosuchrelationbetweencapitalandlaborasassumed，noristhereanysuchthingasafreemanbeingfixedforlifeintheconditionofahiredlaborer。Boththeseassumptionsarefalse，andallinferencesfromthemaregroundless。
Laborispriortoandindependentofcapital。Capitalisonlythefruitoflabor，andcouldneverhaveexistediflaborhadnotfirstexisted。Laboristhesuperiorofcapital，anddeservesmuchthehigherconsideration。Capitalhasitsrights，whichareasworthyofprotectionasanyotherrights。Norisitdeniedthatthereis，andprobablyalwayswillbe，arelationbetweenlaborandcapitalproducingmutualbenefits。Theerrorisinassumingthatthewholelaborofcommunityexistswithinthatrelation。Afewmenowncapital，andthatfewavoidlaborthemselves，andwiththeircapitalhireorbuyanotherfewtolaborforthem。Alargemajoritybelongtoneitherclass——neitherworkforothersnorhaveothersworkingforthem。InmostoftheSouthernStatesamajorityofthewholepeopleofallcolorsareneitherslavesnormasters，whileintheNorthernalargemajorityareneitherhirersnorhired。Men，withtheirfamilies——wives，sons，anddaughters，——workforthemselvesontheirfarms，intheirhouses，andintheirshops，takingthewholeproducttothemselves，andaskingnofavorsofcapitalontheonehandnorofhiredlaborersorslavesontheother。Itisnotforgottenthataconsiderablenumberofpersonsmingletheirownlaborwithcapital；
thatis，theylaborwiththeirownhandsandalsobuyorhireotherstolaborforthem；butthisisonlyamixedandnotadistinctclass。
Noprinciplestatedisdisturbedbytheexistenceofthismixedclass。
Again，ashasalreadybeensaid，thereisnotofnecessityanysuchthingasthefreehiredlaborerbeingfixedtothatconditionforlife。ManyindependentmeneverywhereintheseStatesafewyearsbackintheirliveswerehiredlaborers。Theprudent，pennilessbeginnerintheworldlaborsforwagesawhile，savesasurpluswithwhichtobuytoolsorlandforhimself，thenlaborsonhisownaccountanotherwhile，andatlengthhiresanothernewbeginnertohelphim。Thisisthejustandgenerousandprosperoussystemwhichopensthewaytoall，giveshopetoall，andconsequentenergyandprogressandimprovementofconditiontoall。Nomenlivingaremoreworthytobetrustedthanthosewhotoilupfrompoverty；nonelessinclinedtotakeortouchaughtwhichtheyhavenothonestlyearned。
Letthembewareofsurrenderingapoliticalpowerwhichtheyalreadypossess，andwhichifsurrenderedwillsurelybeusedtoclosethedoorofadvancementagainstsuchastheyandtofixnewdisabilitiesandburdensuponthemtillalloflibertyshallbelost。
>Fromthefirsttakingofournationalcensustothelastareseventyyears，andwefindourpopulationattheendoftheperiodeighttimesasgreatasitwasatthebeginning。Theincreaseofthoseotherthingswhichmendeemdesirablehasbeenevengreater。Wethushaveatoneviewwhatthepopularprinciple，appliedtogovernmentthroughthemachineryoftheStatesandtheUnion，hasproducedinagiventime，andalsowhatiffirmlymaintaineditpromisesforthefuture。TherearealreadyamongusthosewhoiftheUnionbepreservedwilllivetoseeitcontain200，000，000。Thestruggleofto—dayisnotaltogetherforto—day；itisforavastfuturealso。
WitharelianceonProvidenceallthemorefirmandearnest，letusproceedinthegreattaskwhicheventshavedevolveduponus。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTON，December20，1861。
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
ItransmittoCongressaletterfromthesecretaryoftheexecutivecommitteeofthecommissionappointedtorepresenttheinterestsofthoseAmericancitizenswhomaydesiretobecomeexhibitorsattheindustrialexhibitiontobeheldinLondonin1862，andamemorialofthatcommission，withareportoftheexecutivecommitteethereofandcopiesofcircularsannouncingthedecisionsofHerMajesty’scommissionersinLondon，givingdirectionstobeobservedinregardtoarticlesintendedforexhibition，andalsoofcircularformsofapplication，demandsforspace，approvals，etc。，accordingtotherulesprescribedbytheBritishcommissioners。
AsthesepapersfullysetforththerequirementsnecessarytoenablethosecitizensoftheUnitedStateswhomaywishtobecomeexhibitorstoavailthemselvesoftheprivilegesoftheexhibition，Icommendthemtoyourearlyconsideration，especiallyinviewofthenearapproachofthetimewhentheexhibitionwillbegin。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
LETTEROFREPRIMANDTOGENERALHUNTER
TOGENERALHUNTER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，Dec。31，1861
MAJOR—GENERALHUNTER。
DEARSIR：——Yoursofthe23disreceived，andIamconstrainedtosayitisdifficulttoanswersouglyaletteringoodtemper。Iam，asyouintimate，losingmuchofthegreatconfidenceIplacedinyou，notfromanyactoromissionofyourstouchingthepublicservice，uptothetimeyouweresenttoLeavenworth，butfromthefloodofgrumblingdespatchesandlettersIhaveseenfromyousince。IknewyouwerebeingorderedtoLeavenworthatthetimeitwasdone；andI
averthatwithastenderaregardforyourhonorandyoursensibilitiesasIhadformyown，itneveroccurredtomethatyouwerebeing\"humiliated，insulted，anddisgraced\"；norhaveI，uptothisday，heardanintimationthatyouhavebeenwronged，comingfromanyonebutyourself。NoonehasblamedyoufortheretrogrademovementfromSpringfield，norfortheinformationyougaveGeneralCameron；andthisyoucouldreadilyunderstand，ifitwerenotforyourunwarrantedassumptionthattheorderingyoutoLeavenworthmustnecessarilyhavebeendoneasapunishmentforsomefault。Ithoughtthen，andthinkyet，thepositionassignedtoyouisasresponsible，andashonorable，asthatassignedtoBuell——IknowthatGeneralMcClellanexpectedmoreimportantresultsfromit。MyimpressionisthatatthetimeyouwereassignedtothenewWesternDepartment，ithadnotbeendeterminedtoreplaceGeneralShermaninKentucky；butofthisIamnotcertain，becausetheideathatacommandinKentuckywasverydesirable，andoneinthefartherWestundesirable，hadneveroccurredtome。Youconstantlyspeakofbeingplacedincommandofonly3000。Now，tellme，isthisnotmereimpatience？
Haveyounotknownallthewhilethatyouaretocommandfourorfivetimesthatmany。
Ihavebeen，andamsincerelyyourfriend；andif，assuch，Idaretomakeasuggestion，Iwouldsayyouareadoptingthebestpossiblewaytoruinyourself。\"Actwellyourpart，thereallthehonorlies。\"Hewhodoessomethingattheheadofoneregiment，willeclipsehimwhodoesnothingattheheadofahundred。
Yourfriend，asever，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALHALLECK。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，December31，1861
GENERALH。W。HALLECK，St。Louis，Missouri：
GeneralMcClellanissick。AreGeneralBuellandyourselfinconcert？WhenhemovesonBowlingGreen，whathindersitbeingreinforcedfromColumbus？AsimultaneousmovementbyyouonColumbusmightpreventit。
A。LINCOLN。
[SimilardespatchtoBuellsamedate。]
1862
TELEGRAMTOGENERALD。C。BUELL。
WASHINGTONCITY，January1，1862
BRIGADIER—GENERALBUELL，Louisville：
GeneralMcClellanshouldnotyetbedisturbedwithbusiness。IthinkyoubettergetinconcertwithGeneralHalleckatonce。Iwriteyouto—night。IalsotelegraphandwriteHalleck。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，January1，1862
DEARGENERALHALLECK：
GeneralMcClellanisnotdangerouslyill，asIhope，butwouldbetternotbedisturbedwithbusiness。Iamveryanxiousthat，incaseofGeneralBuell’smovingtowardNashville，theenemyshallnotbegreatlyreinforced，andIthinkthereisdangerhewillbefromColumbus。ItseemstomethatarealorfeignedattackuponColumbusfromuptheriveratthesametimewouldeitherpreventthisorcompensateforitbythrowingColumbusintoourhands。IwroteGeneralBuellalettersimilartothis，meaningthatheandyoushallcommunicateandactinconcert，unlessitbeyourjudgmentandhisthatthereisnonecessityforit。YouandhewillunderstandmuchbetterthanIhowtodoit。Pleasedonotlosetimeinthismatter。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOTHEPEOPLEOFMARYLAND，InviewoftherecentdeclarationofthepeopleofMarylandoftheiradhesiontotheUnion，sodistinctlymadeintheirrecentelection，thePresidentdirectsthatalltheprisonerswhohavingheretoforebeenarrestedinthatStatearenowdetainedinmilitarycustodybythePresident’sauthority，bereleasedfromtheirimprisonmentonthefollowingconditions，namely：thatiftheywereholdinganycivilormilitaryofficeswhenarrested，thetermsofwhichhaveexpired，theyshallnotresumeorreclaimsuchoffice；andsecondly，allpersonsavailingthemselvesofthisproclamationshallengagebyoathorparoleofhonortomaintaintheUnionandtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，andinnowaytoaidorabetbyarms，counsel，conversation，orinformationofanykindtheexistinginsurrectionagainsttheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates。
Toguardagainstmisapprehensionitispropertostatethatthisproclamationdoesnotapplytoprisonersofwar。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTON，January2，1862
ToTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES
ItransmittoCongressacopyofalettertotheSecretaryofStatefromJamesR。Partridge，secretarytotheexecutivecommitteetotheinexhibitiontobeheldinLondoninthecoursepresentyear，andacopyofthecorrespondwhichitrefers，relativetoavesselfortheoftakingsucharticlesaspersonsinthiscountrymaywishtoexhibitonthatoccasion。Asitappearsnonavalvesselcanbesparedforthepurpose，Irecommendthatauthoritybegiventocharterasuitablemerchantvessel，inorderthatfacilitiessimilartothoseaffordedbythegovernmentexhibitionof1851mayalsobeextendedtocitizensoftheUnitedStateswhomaydesiretocontributetotheexhibitionofthisyear。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
MESSAGESOFDISAPPOINTMENTWITHHISGENERALS
TELEGRAMTOGENERALD。C。BUELL。
WASHINGTON，January4，1862。
GENERALBUELL：
HavearmsgoneforwardforEastTennessee？Pleasetellmetheprogressandconditionofthemovementinthatdirection。Answer。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALD。C。BUELL。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January6，1862。
BRIGADIER—GENERALBUELL。
MYDEARSIR：——Yourdespatchofyesterdayhasbeenreceived，anditdisappointsanddistressesme。IhaveshownittoGeneralMcClellan，whosayshewillwriteyouto—day。Iamnotcompetenttocriticizeyourviews，andthereforewhatIofferisinjustificationofmyself。
Ofthetwo，IwouldratherhaveapointontherailroadsouthofCumberlandGapthanNashville。First，becauseitcutsagreatarteryoftheenemy’scommunication，whichNashvilledoesnot；andsecondly，becauseitisinthemidstofloyalpeoplewhowouldrallyaroundit，whileNashvilleisnot。Again，IcannotseewhythemovementonEastTennesseewouldnotbeadiversioninyourfavorratherthanadisadvantage，assumingthatamovementtowardNashvilleisthemainobject。ButmydistressisthatourfriendsinEastTennesseearebeinghangedanddriventodespair，andevennow，Ifear，arethinkingoftakingrebelarmsforthesakeofpersonalprotection。
InthiswelosethemostvaluablestakewehaveintheSouth。Mydespatch，towhichyoursisananswer，wassentwiththeknowledgeofSenatorJohnsonandRepresentativeMaynardofEastTennessee，andtheywillbeuponmetoknowtheanswer，whichIcannotsafelyshowthem。Theywoulddespair，possiblyresigntogoandsavetheirfamiliessomehow，ordiewiththem。Idonotintendthistobeanorderinanysense，butmerely，asintimatedbefore，toshowyouthegroundsofmyanxiety。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALBUELL。
WASHINGTON，January7，1862。
BRIGADIER—GENERALD。C。BUELL，Louisville：
PleasenameasearlyadayasyousafelycanonorbeforewhichyoucanbereadytomovesouthwardinconcertwithMajor—GeneralHalleck。
Delayisruiningus，anditisindispensableformetohavesomethingdefinite。IsendalikedespatchtoMajor—GeneralHalleck。
A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTON，January10，1862
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
ItransmittoCongressatranslationofaninstructiontotheministerofhisMajestytheEmperorofAustriaaccreditedtothisgovernment，andacopyofanotetothatministerfromtheSecretaryofStaterelativetothequestionsinvolvedinthetakingfromtheBritishsteamerTrentofcertaincitizensoftheUnitedStatesbyorderofCaptainWilkesoftheUnitedStatesNavy。ThiscorrespondencemaybeconsideredasasequeltothatpreviouslycommunicatedtoCongressrelatingtothesamesubject。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
INDORSEMENTONLETTERFROMGENERALHALLECK，JANUARY10，1862。
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHEMISSOURI
ST。Louis，January6，1862。
ToHisEXCELLENCYTHEPRESIDENT：
InreplytoyourExcellency’sletterofthe1stinstant，IhavetostatethatonreceivingyourtelegramIimmediatelycommunicatedwithGeneralBuellandhavesincesenthimalltheinformationIcouldobtainoftheenemy’smovementsaboutColumbusandCampBeauregard。
NoconsiderableforcehasbeensentfromthoseplacestoBowlingGreen。Theyhaveabout22，000menatColumbus，andtheplaceisstronglyfortified。IhaveatCairo，PortHolt，andPaducahonlyabout15，000，which，afterleavingguardsattheseplaces，wouldgivemebutlittleover10，000menwithwhichtoassistGeneralBuell。Itwouldbemadnesstoattemptanythingseriouswithsuchaforce，andI
cannotatthepresenttimewithdrawanyfromMissouriwithoutriskingthelossofthisState。ThetroopsrecentlyraisedinotherStatesofthisdepartmenthave，withoutmyknowledge，beensenttoKentuckyandKansas。
IamsatisfiedthattheauthoritiesatWashingtondonotappreciatethedifficultieswithwhichwehavetocontendhere。TheoperationsofLane，Jennison，andothershavesoenragedthepeopleofMissourithatitisestimatedthatthereisamajorityof8o，oooagainstthegovernment。Wearevirtuallyinanenemy’scountry。Priceandothershaveaconsiderablearmyinthesouthwest，againstwhichIamoperatingwithallmyavailableforce。
Thiscityandmostofthemiddleandnortherncountiesareinsurrectionary，——burningbridges，destroyingtelegraphlines，etc。，—
—andcanbekeptdownonlybythepresenceoftroops。AlargeportionoftheforeigntroopsorganizedbyGeneralFremontareunreliable；indeed，manyofthemarealreadymutinous。Theyhavebeentamperedwithbypoliticians，andmadetobelievethatiftheygetupamutinyanddemandFremont’sreturnthegovernmentwillbeforcedtorestorehimtodutyhere。ItisbelievedthatsomehighofficersareintheplotIhavealreadybeenobligedtodisarmseveraloftheseorganizations，andIamdailyexpectingmoreseriousoutbreaks。Anothergravedifficultyisthewantofpropergeneralofficerstocommandthetroopsandenforceorderanddiscipline，andespeciallytoprotectpublicpropertyfromrobberyandplunder。Someofthebrigadier—generalsassignedtothisdepartmentareentirelyignorantoftheirdutiesandunfitforanycommand。Iassureyou，Mr。President，itisverydifficulttoaccomplishmuchwithsuchmeans。Iamintheconditionofacarpenterwhoisrequiredtobuildabridgewithadullaxe，abrokensaw，androttentimber。ItistruethatIhavesomeverygoodgreentimber，whichwillanswerthepurposeassoonasIcangetitintoshapeandseasonitalittle。
IknownothingofGeneralBuell’sintendedoperations，neverhavingreceivedanyinformationinregardtothegeneralplanofcampaign。
IfitbeintendedthathiscolumnshallmoveonBowlingGreenwhileanothermovesfromCairoorPaducahonColumbusorCampBeauregard，itwillbearepetitionofthesamestrategicerrorwhichproducedthedisasterofBullRun。Tooperateonexteriorlinesagainstanenemyoccupyingacentralpositionwillfail，asitalwayshasfailed，inninety—ninecasesoutofahundred。ItiscondemnedbyeverymilitaryauthorityIhaveeverread。
GeneralBuell’sarmyandtheforcesatPaducahoccupypreciselythesamepositioninrelationtoeachotherandtotheenemyasdidthearmiesofMcDowellandPattersonbeforethebattleofBullRun。
Veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，H。W。HALLECK，Major—General[Indorsement]
ThewithinisacopyofaletterjustreceivedfromGeneralHalleck。
Itisexceedinglydiscouraging。Aseverywhereelse，nothingcanbedone。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORANDREW。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，January11，1862
GOVERNORJOHNA。ANDREW，Boston：
Iwillbegreatlyobligedifyouwillarrange；somehowwithGeneralButlertoofficerhistwoun—officeredregiments。
A。LINCOLN
TOGENERALD。C。BUELL。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January13，1861
BRIGADIER—GENERALBUELL。
MYDEARSIR—Yourdespatchofyesterdayisreceived，inwhichyousay，\"IreceivedyourletterandGeneralMcClellan’s，andwillatoncedevotemyeffortstoyourviewsandhis。\"InthemidstofmymanycaresIhavenotseen，noraskedtosee，GeneralMcClellan’slettertoyou。Formyownviews，Ihavenotofferedanddonotnowofferthemasorders；andwhileIamgladtohavethemrespectfullyconsidered，Iwouldblameyoutofollowthemcontrarytoyourownclearjudgment，unlessIshouldputthemintheformoforders。AstoGeneralMcClellan’sviews，youunderstandyourdutyinregardtothembetterthanIdo。
WiththispreliminaryIstatemygeneralideaofthiswartobe，thatwehavethegreaternumbersandtheenemyhasthegreaterfacilityofconcentratingforcesuponpointsofcollision；thatwemustfailunlesswecanfindsomewayofmakingouradvantageanovermatchforhis；andthatthiscanonlybedonebymenacinghimwithsuperiorforcesatdifferentpointsatthesametime，sothatwecansafelyattackoneorbothifhemakesnochange；andifheweakensonetostrengthentheother，forbeartoattackthestrengthenedone，butseizeandholdtheweakenedone，gainingsomuch。
Toillustrate：Supposelastsummer，whenWinchesterranawaytoreinforceManassas，wehadforbornetoattackManassas，buthadseizedandheldWinchester。Imentionthistoillustrateandnottocriticise。IdidnotloseconfidenceinMcDowell，andIthinklessharshlyofPattersonthansomeothersseemto……Applyingtheprincipletoyourcase，myideaisthatHalleckshallmenaceColumbusand\"downriver\"generally，whileyoumenaceBowlingGreenandEastTennessee。IftheenemyshallconcentrateatBowlingGreen，donotretirefromhisfront，yetdonotfighthimthereeither，butseizeColumbusandEastTennessee，oneorboth，leftexposedbytheconcentrationatBowlingGreen。Itisamatterofnosmallanxietytome，andwhichIamsureyouwillnotoverlook，thattheEastTennesseelineissolongandoversobadaroad。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
Indorsement。
Havingto—daywrittenGeneralBuellaletter，itoccurstometosendGeneralHalleckacopyofit。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January1，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK。
MYDEARSIR：——TheGermansaretrueandpatrioticandsofarastheyhavegotcrossinMissouriitisuponmistakeandmisunderstanding。
Withoutaknowledgeofitscontents，GovernorKoerner，ofIllinois，willhandyouthisletter。HeisaneducatedandtalentedGermangentleman，astrueamanaslives。WithhisassistanceyoucanseteverythingrightwiththeGermans……Myclearjudgmentisthat，withreferencetotheGermanelementinyourcommand，youshouldhaveGovernorKoernerwithyou；andifagreeabletoyouandhim，Iwillmakehimabrigadier—general，sothathecanaffordtogivehistime。Hedoesnotwishtocommandinthefield，thoughhehasmoremilitaryknowledgethansomewhodo。Ifhegoesintotheplace，hewillsimplybeanefficient，zealous，andunselfishassistanttoyou。IsayallthisuponintimatepersonalacquaintancewithGovernorKoerner。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTON，January17，1862
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
ItransmittoCongressatranslationofaninstructiontotheministerofhisMajestytheKingofPrussiaaccreditedtothisgovernment，andacopyofanotetothatministerfromtheSecretaryofStaterelatingtothecaptureanddetentionofcertaincitizensoftheUnitedStates，passengersonboardtheBritishsteamerTrent，byorderofCaptainWilkesoftheUnitedStatesNavy。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
TOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
DEPARTMENTOFSTATE，WASHINGTON。
January20，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。McCLELLAN，CommandingArmiesoftheUnitedStates：
YouoranyofficeryoumaydesignatewillinyourdiscretionsuspendthewritofhabeascorpussofarasmayrelatetoMajorChase，latelyoftheEngineerCorpsoftheArmyoftheUnitedStates，nowallegedtobeguiltyoftreasonablepracticesagainstthisgovernment。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD。
PRESIDENT’SGENERALWARORDERNO。1
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January27，1862。
Ordered，Thatthe22ddayofFebruary，1862，bethedayforageneralmovementofthelandandthenavalforcesoftheUnitedStatesagainsttheinsurgentforces。
ThatespeciallythearmyatandaboutFortressMonroe，theArmyofthePotomac，theArmyofWesternVirginia，thearmynearMunfordville，Kentucky，thearmyandflotillaatCairo，andanavalforceintheGulfofMexico，bereadyforamovementonthatday。
Thatallotherforces，bothlandandnaval，withtheirrespectivecommanders，obeyexistingordersforthetime，andbereadytoobeyadditionalorderswhendulygiven。
Thattheheadsofdepartments，andespeciallytheSecretariesofWarandoftheNavy，withalltheirsubordinates，andtheGeneral—in—chief，withallothercommandersandsubordinatesoflandandnavalforces，willseverallybeheldtotheirstrictandfullresponsibilitiesforthepromptexecutionofthisorder。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOSECRETARYSTANTON，EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，January31，1862
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
MYDEARSIR：——Itismywishthattheexpeditioncommonlycalledthe\"LaneExpedition\"shallbe，asmuchashasbeenpromisedattheadjutant—general’soffice，underthesupervisionofGeneralMcClellan，andnotanymore。Ihavenotintended，anddonotnowintend，thatitshallbeagreat，exhaustingaffair，butasnug，sobercolumnof10，000or15，000。GeneralLanehasbeentoldbymemanytimesthatheisunderthecommandofGeneralHunter，andassentedtoitasoftenastold。Itwasthedistinctagreementbetweenhimandme，whenIappointedhim，thathewastobeunderHunter。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
PRESIDENT’SSPECIALWARORDERNO。1。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January31，1862。
Ordered，ThatallthedisposableforceoftheArmyofthePotomac，afterprovidingsafelyforthedefenceofWashington，beformedintoanexpeditionfortheimmediateobjectofseizingandoccupyingapointupontherailroadsouthwestwardofwhatisknownasManassasJunction，alldetailstobeinthediscretionofthecommander—in—chief，andtheexpeditiontomovebeforeoronthe22ddayofFebruarynext。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
OPPOSITIONTOMcCLELLAN’SPLANS
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN，EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February3，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMCCLELLAN。
DEARSIR—YouandIhavedistinctanddifferentplansforamovementoftheArmyofthePotomac——yourstobedowntheChesapeake，uptheRappahannocktoUrbana，andacrosslandtotheterminusoftherailroadontheYorkRiver；minetomovedirectlytoapointontherailroadsouthwestofManassas。
Ifyouwillgivemesatisfactoryanswerstothefollowingquestions，Ishallgladlyyieldmyplantoyours。
First。Doesnotyourplaninvolveagreatlylargerexpenditureoftimeandmoneythanmine？
Second。Whereinisavictorymorecertainbyyourplanthanmine？
Third。Whereinisavictorymorevaluablebyyourplanthanmine？
Fourth。Infact，woulditnotbelessvaluableinthis，thatitwouldbreaknogreatlineoftheenemy’scommunications，whileminewould？
Fifth。Incaseofdisaster，wouldnotaretreatbemoredifficultbyyourplanthanmine？
Yourstruly，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
MemorandumaccompanyingLetterofPresidentLincolntoGeneralMcClellan，datedFebruary3，1862。
First。SupposetheenemyshouldattackusinforcebeforewereachtheOccoquan，what？
Second。SupposetheenemyinforceshalldisputethecrossingoftheOccoquan，what？Inviewofthis，mightitnotbesafestforustocrosstheOccoquanatCoichester，ratherthanatthevillageofOccoquan？Thiswouldcosttheenemytwomilesoftraveltomeetus，butwould，onthecontrary，leaveustwomilesfartherfromourultimatedestination。
Third。SupposewereachMapleValleywithoutanattack，willwenotbeattackedthereinforcebytheenemymarchingbytheseveralroadsfromManassas；andifso，what？
TOWM。H。HERNDON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February3，1862。
DEARWILLIAM：——YoursofJanuary30thjustreceived。Dojustasyousayaboutthemoneymatter。
Asyouwellknow，Ihavenottimetowritealetterofrespectablelength。Godblessyou，saysYourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
RESPITEFORNATHANIELGORDON
February4，1862
ABRAHAMLINCOLN，PRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA，ToalltowhomthesePresentsshallcome，Greeting：
WhereasitappearsthatatatermoftheCircuitCourtoftheUnitedStatesofAmericafortheSouthernDistrictofNewYorkheldinthemonthofNovember，A。D。1861，NathanielGordonwasindictedandconvictedforbeingengagedintheslavetrade，andwasbythesaidcourtsentencedtobeputtodeathbyhangingbytheneck，onFridaythe7thdayofFebruary，AD。1862：
AndwhereasalargenumberofrespectablecitizenshaveearnestlybesoughtmetocommutethesaidsentenceofthesaidNathanielGordontoatermofimprisonmentforlife，whichapplicationIhavefeltittobemydutytorefuse：
AndwhereasithasseemedtomeprobablethattheunsuccessfulapplicationmadeforthecommutationofhissentencemayhavepreventedthesaidNathanielGordonfrommakingthenecessarypreparationfortheawfulchangewhichawaitshim；
Now，therefore，beitknown，thatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，havegrantedanddoherebygrantuntohim，thesaidNathanielGordon，arespiteoftheaboverecitedsentence，untilFridaythetwenty—firstdayofFebruary，A。D。1862，betweenthehoursoftwelveo’clockatnoonandthreeo’clockintheafternoonofthesaidday，whenthesaidsentenceshallbeexecuted。
Ingrantingthisrespite，itbecomesmypainfuldutytoadmonishtheprisonerthat，relinquishingallexpectationofpardonbyhumanauthority，hereferhimselfalonetothemercyofthecommonGodandFatherofallmen。
IntestimonywhereofIhavehereuntosignedmynameandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneattheCityofWashington，thisfourthdayofFebruary，A。D。
1862，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—sixth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
MESSAGETOTHESENATE。
WASHINGTONCITY，February4。1862
ToTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
Thethirdsectionofthe\"ActfurthertopromotetheefficiencyoftheNavy，\"approvedDecember21，1862，provides：
\"ThatthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，byandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，shallhavetheauthoritytodetailfromtheretiredlistofthenavyforthecommandofsquadronsandsingleshipssuchofficersashemaybelievethatthegoodoftheservicerequirestobethusplacedincommand；andsuchofficersmay，ifupontherecommendationofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatestheyshallreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressfortheirservicesandgallantryinactionagainstanenemy，berestoredtotheactivelist，andnototherwise。\"
Inconformitywiththislaw，CaptainSamuelF。DuPont，ofthenavy，wasnominatedtotheSenateforcontinuanceastheflag—officerincommandofthesquadronwhichrecentlyrenderedsuchimportantservicetotheUnionintheexpeditiontothecoastofSouthCarolina。
Believingthatnooccasioncouldarisewhichwouldmorefullycorrespondwiththeintentionofthelaw，orbemorepregnantwithhappyinfluenceasanexample，IcordiallyrecommendthatCaptainSamuelF。DuPontreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressforhisservicesandgallantrydisplayedinthecaptureofFortsWalkerandBeauregard，commandingtheentranceofPortRoyalHarbor，onthe7thofNovember，1861。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOGENERALSD。HUNTERANDJ。H。LANE。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，FEBRUARY4，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHUNTERANDBRIGADIER—GENERALLANE，Leavenworth，Kansas：
MywishhasbeenandistoavailthegovernmentoftheservicesofbothGeneralHunterandGeneralLane，and，sofaraspossible，topersonallyobligeboth。GeneralHunteristheseniorofficer，andmustcommandwhentheyservetogether；thoughinsofarashecanconsistentlywiththepublicserviceandhisownhonorobligeGeneralLane，hewillalsoobligeme。Iftheycannotcometoanamicableunderstanding，GeneralLanemustreporttoGeneralHunterforduty，accordingtotherules，ordeclinetheservice。
A。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEORDERNO。1，RELATINGTOPOLITICAL
PRISONERS。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，February14，1862。
Thebreakingoutofaformidableinsurrectionbasedonaconflictofpoliticalideas，beinganeventwithoutprecedentintheUnitedStates，wasnecessarilyattendedbygreatconfusionandperplexityofthepublicmind。Disloyaltybeforeunsuspectedsuddenlybecamebold，andtreasonastonishedtheworldbybringingatonceintothefieldmilitaryforcessuperiorinnumbertothestandingarmyoftheUnitedStates。
Everydepartmentofthegovernmentwasparalyzedbytreason。
DefectionappearedintheSenate，intheHouseofRepresentatives，intheCabinet，intheFederalcourts；ministersandconsulsreturnedfromforeigncountriestoentertheinsurrectionarycouncilsoflandornavalforces；commandingandotherofficersofthearmyandinthenavybetrayedourcouncilsordesertedtheirpostsforcommandsintheinsurgentforces。Treasonwasflagrantintherevenueandinthepost—officeservice，aswellasintheTerritorialgovernmentsandintheIndianreserves。
Notonlygovernors，judges，legislators，andministerialofficersintheStates，butevenwholeStatesrushedoneafteranotherwithapparentunanimityintorebellion。ThecapitalwasbesiegedanditsconnectionwithalltheStatescutoff。Evenintheportionsofthecountrywhichweremostloyal，politicalcombinationsandsecretsocietieswereformedfurtheringtileworkofdisunion，while，frommotivesofdisloyaltyorcupidityorfromexcitedpassionsorpervertedsympathies，individualswerefoundfurnishingmen，money，andmaterialsofwarandsuppliestotheinsurgents’militaryandnavalforces。Armies，ships，fortifications，navyyards，arsenals，militaryposts，andgarrisonsoneafteranotherwerebetrayedorabandonedtotheinsurgents。
Congresshadnotanticipated，andsohadnotprovidedfor，theemergency。Themunicipalauthoritieswerepowerlessandinactive。
Thejudicialmachineryseemedasifithadbeendesigned，nottosustainthegovernment，buttoembarrassandbetrayit。
Foreignintervention，openlyinvitedandindustriouslyinstigatedbytheabettorsoftheinsurrection，becameimminent，andhasonlybeenpreventedbythepracticeofstrictandimpartialjustice，withthemostperfectmoderation，inourintercoursewithnations。
Thepublicmindwasalarmedandapprehensive，thoughfortunatelynotdistractedordisheartened。ItseemedtobedoubtfulwhethertheFederalGovernment，whichoneyearbeforehadbeenthoughtamodelworthyofuniversalacceptance，hadindeedtheabilitytodefendandmaintainitself。
Somereverses，which，perhaps，wereunavoidable，sufferedbynewlyleviedandinefficientforces，discouragedtheloyalandgavenewhopestotheinsurgents。Voluntaryenlistmentsseemedabouttoceaseanddesertionscommenced。PartiesspeculateduponthequestionwhetherconscriptionhadnotbecomenecessarytofillupthearmiesoftheUnitedStates。
InthisemergencythePresidentfeltithisdutytoemploywithenergytheextraordinarypowerswhichtheConstitutionconfidestohimincasesofinsurrection。Hecalledintothefieldsuchmilitaryandnavalforces，unauthorizedbytheexistinglaws，asseemednecessary。Hedirectedmeasurestopreventtheuseofthepost—
officefortreasonablecorrespondence。Hesubjectedpassengerstoandfromforeigncountriestonewpassportregulations，andheinstitutedablockade，suspendedthewritofhabeascorpusinvariousplaces，andcausedpersonswhowererepresentedtohimasbeingorabouttoengageindisloyalandtreasonablepracticestobearrestedbyspecialcivilaswellasmilitaryagenciesanddetainedinmilitarycustodywhennecessarytopreventthemanddeterothersfromsuchpractices。Examinationsofsuchcaseswereinstituted，andsomeofthepersonssoarrestedhavebeendischargedfromtimetotimeundercircumstancesoruponconditionscompatible，aswasthought，withthepublicsafety。
Meantimeafavorablechangeofpublicopinionhasoccurred。Thelinebetweenloyaltyanddisloyaltyisplainlydefined。Thewholestructureofthegovernmentisfirmandstable。Apprehensionofpublicdangerandfacilitiesfortreasonablepracticeshavediminishedwiththepassionswhichpromptedheedlesspersonstoadoptthem。Theinsurrectionisbelievedtohaveculminatedandtobedeclining。
ThePresident，inviewofthesefacts，andanxioustofavorareturntothenormalcourseoftheadministrationasfarasregardforthepublicwelfarewillallow，directsthatallpoliticalprisonersorstateprisonersnowheldinmilitarycustodybereleasedontheirsubscribingtoaparoleengagingthemtorendernoaidorcomforttotheenemiesinhostilitytotheUnitedStates。
TheSecretaryofWarwill，however，inhisdiscretion，exceptfromtheeffectofthisorderanypersonsdetainedasspiesintheserviceoftheinsurgents，orotherswhosereleaseatthepresentmomentmaybedeemedincompatiblewiththepublicsafety。
Toallpersonswhoshallbesoreleased，andwhoshallkeeptheirparole，thePresidentgrantsanamnestyforanypastoffencesoftreasonordisloyaltywhichtheymayhavecomminuted。
Extraordinaryarrestswillhereafterbemadeunderthedirectionofthemilitaryauthoritiesalone。
ByorderofthePresidentEDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTONCITY，February15，1862
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
Thethirdsectionofthe\"ActfurthertopromotetheefficiencyoftheNavy，\"approvedDecember21，1861，provides\"ThatthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，byandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，shallhavetheauthoritytodetailfromtheretiredlistofthenavyforthecommandofsquadronsandsingleshipssuchofficersashemaybelievethatthegoodoftheservicerequirestobethusplacedincommand；andsuchofficersmay，ifupontherecommendationofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatestheyshallreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressfortheirservicesandgallantryinactionagainstanenemy，berestoredtotheactivelist，andnototherwise。\"
Inconformitywiththislaw，CaptainLouisM。Goldsborough，ofthenavy，wasnominatedtotheSenateforcontinuanceastheflag—officerincommandoftheNorthAtlanticBlockadingSquadron，whichrecentlyrenderedsuchimportantservicetotheUnionintheexpeditiontothecoastofNorthCarolina。