Believingthatnooccasioncouldarisewhichwouldmorefullycorrespondwiththeintentionofthelaworbemorepregnantwithhappyinfluenceasanexample，IcordiallyrecommendthatCaptainLouisM。GoldsboroughreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressforhisservicesandgallantrydisplayedinthecombinedattackoftheforcescommandedbyhimandBrigadier—GeneralBurnsideinthecaptureofRoanokeIslandandthedestructionofrebelgunboatsOnthe7th，8th，and10thofFebruary，1862。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
FIRSTWRITTENNOTICEOFGRANT
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February16，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，St。Louis，Missouri：
YouhaveFortDonelsonsafe，unlessGrantshallbeoverwhelmedfromoutside；topreventwhichlatterwill，Ithink，requireallthevigilance，energy，andskillofyourselfandBuell，actinginfullco—operation。ColumbuswillnotgetatGrant，buttheforcefromBowlingGreenwill。TheyholdtherailroadfromBowlingGreentowithinafewmilesofFortDonelson，withthebridgeatClarksvilleundisturbed。ItisunsafetorelythattheywillnotdaretoexposeNashvilletoBuell。AsmallpartoftheirforcecanretireslowlytowardNashville，breakinguptherailroadastheygo，andkeepBuelloutofthatcitytwentydays。MeanwhileNashvillewillbeabundantlydefendedbyforcesfromallSouthandperhapsfromhersatManassas。
CouldnotacavalryforcefromGeneralThomasontheupperCumberlanddashacross，almostunresisted，andcuttherailroadatornearKnoxville，Tennessee？Inthemidst6fabombardmentatFortDonelson，whycouldnotagunboatrunupanddestroythebridgeatClarksville？OursuccessorfailureatFortDonelsonisvastlyimportant，andIbegyoutoputyoursoulintheeffort。IsendacopyofthistoBuell。
A。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEORDERNO。2。——INRELATIONTOSTATEPRISONERS。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，FEBRUARY27，1862
Itisordered：
First。Thataspecialcommissionoftwopersons，oneofmilitaryrankandtheotherincivillife，beappointedtoexaminethecasesofthestateprisonersremaininginthemilitarycustodyoftheUnitedStates，andtodeterminewhetherinviewofthepublicSafetyandtheexistingrebelliontheyshouldbedischarged，orremaininmilitarycustody，orberemittedtotheciviltribunalsfortrial。
Second。ThatMajor—GeneralJohnA。Dix，commandinginBaltimore，andtheHON。EdwardsPierrepont，ofNewYork，be，andtheyarehereby，appointedcommissionersforthepurposeabovementioned；andtheyareauthorizedtoexamine，hear，anddeterminethecasesaforesaidexparteandinasummarymanner，atsuchtimesandplacesasintheirdiscretiontheymayappoint，andmakefullreporttotheWarDepartment。
ByorderofthePresidentEDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
ORDERRELATINGTOCOMMERCIALINTERCOURSE。
ConsideringthattheexistingcircumstancesofthecountryallowapartialrestorationofcommercialintercoursebetweentheinhabitantsofthosepartsoftheUnitedStatesheretoforedeclaredtobeininsurrectionandthecitizensoftheloyalStatesoftheUnion，andexercisingtheauthorityanddiscretionconfidedtomebytheactofCongress，approvedJuly13，1861，entitled\"Anactfurthertoprovideforthecollectionofdutiesonimports，andforotherpurposes，\"I
herebylicenseandpermitsuchcommercialintercourseinallcaseswithintherulesandregulationswhichhavebeenormaybeprescribedbytheSecretaryoftheTreasuryforconductingandcarryingonthesameontheinlandwatersaridwaysoftheUnitedStates。
WASHINGTON，February28，1862。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
SPEECHTOTHEPERUVIANMINISTER，WASHINGTON，D。C。，MARCH4，1862
TheUnitedStateshavenoenmities，animosities，orrivalries，andnointerestswhichconflictwiththewelfare，safety，andrightsorinterestsofanyothernation。Theirownprosperity，happiness，andaggrandizementaresoughtmostsafelyandadvantageouslythroughthepreservationnotonlyofpeaceontheirownpart，butpeaceamongallothernations。ButwhiletheUnitedStatesarethusafriendtoallothernations，theydonotseektoconcealthefactthattheycherishespecialsentimentsoffriendshipfor，andsympathieswith，thosewho，likethemselves，havefoundedtheirinstitutionsontheprincipleoftheequalrightsofmen；andsuchnationsbeingmoreprominentlyneighborsoftheUnitedStates，thelatterareco—operatingwiththeminestablishingcivilizationandcultureontheAmericancontinent。SuchbeingthegeneralprincipleswhichgoverntheUnitedStatesintheirforeignrelations，youmaybeassured，sir，thatinallthingsthisgovernmentwilldealjustly，frankly，and，ifitbepossible，evenliberallywithPeru，whoseliberalsentimentstowardusyouhavesokindlyexpressed。
MESSAGETOCONGRESSRECOMMENDINGCOMPENSATEDEMANCIPATION。
March6，1862
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：——
Irecommendtheadoptionofajointresolutionbyyourhonorablebodieswhichshallbesubstantiallyasfollows：
\"Resolved，ThattheUnitedStatesoughttoco—operatewithanyStatewhichmayadoptgradualabolishmentofslavery，givingtosuchStatepecuniaryaid，tobeusedbysuchState，initsdiscretion，tocompensatefortheinconveniences，publicandprivate，producedbysuchchangeofsystem。\"
IfthepropositioncontainedintheresolutiondoesnotmeettheapprovalofCongressandthecountry，thereistheend；butifitdoescommandsuchapproval，IdeemitofimportancethattheStatesandpeopleimmediatelyinterestedshouldbeatoncedistinctlynotifiedofthefact，sothattheymaybegintoconsiderwhethertoacceptorrejectit。TheFederalGovernmentwouldfinditshighestinterestinsuchameasure，asoneofthemostefficientmeansofself—preservation。Theleadersoftheexistinginsurrectionentertainthehopethatthisgovernmentwillultimatelybeforcedtoacknowledgetheindependenceofsomepartofthedisaffectedregion，andthatalltheslaveStatesnorthofsuchpartwillthensay，\"TheUnionforwhichwehavestruggledbeingalreadygone，wenowchoosetogowiththeSouthernsection。\"Todeprivethemofthishopesubstantiallyendstherebellion，andtheinitiationofemancipationcompletelydeprivesthemofitastoalltheStatesinitiatingit。
ThepointisnotthatalltheStatestoleratingslaverywouldverysoon，ifatall，initiateemancipation；butthat，whiletheofferisequallymadetoall，themorenorthernshallbysuchinitiationmakeitcertaintothemoresouthernthatinnoeventwilltheformereverjointhelatterintheirproposedconfederacy。Isay\"initiation\"
because，inmyjudgment，gradualandnotsuddenemancipationisbetterforall。Inthemerefinancialorpecuniaryview，anymemberofCongresswiththecensustablesandtreasuryreportsbeforehimcanreadilyseeforhimselfhowverysoonthecurrentexpendituresofthiswarwouldpurchase，atfairvaluation，alltheslavesinanynamedState。SuchapropositiononthepartoftheGeneralGovernmentsetsupnoclaimofarightbyFederalauthoritytointerferewithslaverywithinStatelimits，referring，asitdoes，theabsolutecontrolofthesubjectineachcasetotheStateanditspeopleimmediatelyinterested。Itisproposedasamatterofperfectlyfreechoicewiththem。
IntheannualmessagelastDecember，Ithoughtfittosay，\"TheUnionmustbepreserved，andhenceallindispensablemeansmustbeemployed。\"Isaidthisnothastily，butdeliberately。Warhasbeenmadeandcontinuestobeanindispensablemeanstothisend。A
practicalreacknowledgmentofthenationalauthoritywouldrenderthewarunnecessary，anditwouldatoncecease。If，however，resistancecontinues，thewarmustalsocontinue；anditisimpossibletoforeseealltheincidentswhichmayattendandalltheruinwhichmayfollowit。Suchasmayseemindispensableormayobviouslypromisegreatefficiencytowardendingthestrugglemustandwillcome。
Thepropositionnowmadethoughanofferonly，IhopeitmaybeesteemednooffensetoaskwhetherthepecuniaryconsiderationtenderedwouldnotbeofmorevaluetotheStatesandprivatepersonsconcernedthanaretheinstitutionandpropertyinitinthepresentaspectofaffairs。
Whileitistruethattheadoptionoftheproposedresolutionwouldbemerelyinitiatory，andnotwithinitselfapracticalmeasure，itisrecommendedinthehopethatitwouldsoonleadtoimportantpracticalresults。InfullviewofmygreatresponsibilitytomyGodandtomycountry，IearnestlybegtheattentionofCongressandthepeopletothesubject。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
INDORSEMENTONLETTERFROMGOVERNORYATES。
STATEOFILLINOIS，EXECUTIVEDEPARTMENT，SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，March1，1862
HON。EDWINM。STANTON，SECRETARYOFWAR，Washington，D。C。
SIR：——ThegovernmentatmyspecialrequestafewmonthssincecontractedforfourteenbatteriesoftheJamesrifledgun，6—poundercalibre，andalimitedquantityoftheJamesprojectiles，weighingaboutfourteenpoundseach。Thereportsshowingthesuperiorityofthisgunandprojectile，bothasregardsrange，accuracy，andexecution，forfieldserviceoverthatofallothersatthebattleofFortDonelson，leadsmetorequestthattherebefurnishedtotheStateofIllinoisintheshortesttimepracticablesevenbatteriesof12—poundercalibreJamesrifledguns，withcarriages，harness，implements，etc。，completeandreadyforfieldservice，togetherwiththefollowingfixedammunitiontoeachgun，viz。，225shells，225
canister，and50solidprojectiles，weighingabout24poundseach，andalso200shells，100canister，and100solidprojectilesforeachofthegunsofthefourteenbatteriesnamedabove，weighingabout14poundseach，alltobeoftheJamesmodel。
Veryrespectfully，RICHARDYATES，GovernorofIllinois。
[Indorsement。]
March8，1862。
ThewithinisfromtheGovernorofIllinois。Iunderstandthesevenadditionalbatteriesnowsoughtaretobe6—gunbatteries，andtheobjectistomixthemwiththefourteenbatteriestheyalreadyhavesoastomakeeachbatteryconsistoffour6—poundersandtwo12—pounders。Ishallbeverygladtohavetherequisitionfilledifitcanbewithoutdetrimenttotheservice。
A。LINCOLN。
PRESIDENT’SGENERALWARORDERNO。2。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON
March8，1862。
Ordered：
1。Thatthemajor—generalcommandingtheArmyofthePotomacproceedforthwithtoorganizethatpartofthesaidarmydestinedtoenteruponactiveoperationsincludingthereserve，butexcludingthetroopstobeleftinthefortificationsaboutWashingtonintofourarmycorps，tobecommandedaccordingtoseniorityofrank，asfollows：
FirstCorpstoconsistoffourdivisions，andtobecommandedbyMajor—GeneralI。McDowell。
SecondCorpstoconsistofthreedivisions，andtobecommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralE。V。Sumner。
ThirdCorpstoconsistofthreedivisions，andtobecommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralS。P。Heintzelman。
FourthCorpstoconsistofthreedivisions，andtobecommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralE。D。Keyes。
2。Thatthedivisionsnowcommandedbytheofficersaboveassignedtothecommandsofarmycorpsshallbeembracedinandformpartoftheirrespectivecorps。
3。TheforcesleftforthedefenseofWashingtonwillbeplacedincommandofBrigadier—GeneralJamesS。Wadsworth，whoshallalsobemilitarygovernoroftheDistrictofColumbia。
4。ThatthisorderbeexecutedwithsuchpromptnessanddispatchasnottodelaythecommencementoftheoperationsalreadydirectedtobeunderwrittenbytheArmyofthePotomac。
5。Afiftharmycorps，tobecommandedbyMajorgeneralN。P。Banks，willbeformedfromhisownandGeneralShields’slateGeneralLander’sdivisions。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
PRESIDENT’SGENERALWARORDERNO。3。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，MARCH8，1862
Ordered：ThatnochangeofthebaseofoperationsoftheArmyofthePotomacshallbemadewithoutleavinginandaboutWashingtonsuchaforceasintheopinionofthegeneral—in—chiefandthecommandersofallthearmycorpsshallleavesaidcityentirelysecure。
Thatnomorethantwoarmycorpsabout50，000troopsofsaidArmyofthePotomacshallbemovedenrouteforanewbaseofoperationsuntilthenavigationofthePotomacfromWashingtontotheChesapeakeBayshallbefreedfromenemy’sbatteriesandotherobstructions，oruntilthePresidentshallhereaftergiveexpresspermission。
Thatanymovementsasaforesaidenrouteforanewbaseofoperationswhichmaybeorderedbythegeneral—in—chief，andwhichmaybeintendedtomoveupontheChesapeakeBay，shallbegintomoveuponthebayasearlyasthe18thdayofMarchinstant，andthegeneral—in—chiefshallberesponsiblethatitsomoveasearlyasthatday。
Ordered，Thatthearmyandnavyco—operateinanimmediateefforttocapturetheenemy’sbatteriesuponthePotomacbetweenWashingtonandtheChesapeakeBay。
A。LINCOLN
MEMORANDUMOFANINTERVIEWBETWEENTHEPRESIDENTANDSOMEBORDER
SLAVESTATEREPRESENTATIVES，BYHON。J。W。CRISFIELD。
\"DEARSIR：——Icalled，attherequestofthePresident，toaskyoutocometotheWhiteHousetomorrowmorning，atnineo’clock，andbringsuchofyourcolleaguesasareintown。\"
WASHINGTON，March10，1862。
Yesterday，onmyreturnfromchurch，IfoundMr。Postmaster—GeneralBlairinmyroom，writingtheabovenote，whichheimmediatelysuspended，andverballycommunicatedthePresident’sinvitation，andstatedthatthePresident’spurposewastohavesomeconversationwiththedelegationsofKentucky，Missouri，Maryland，Virginia，andDelaware，inexplanationofhismessageofthe6thinstant。
Thismorningthesedelegations，orsuchofthemaswereintown，assembledattheWhiteHouseattheappointedtime，andaftersomelittledelaywereadmittedtoanaudience。Mr。LearyandmyselfweretheonlymembersfromMarylandpresent，and，Ithink，weretheonlymembersofthedelegationatthattimeinthecity。IknowthatMr。
Pearoe，oftheSenate，andMessrs。WebsterandCalvert，oftheHouse，wereabsent。
Aftertheusualsalutations，andwewereseated，thePresidentsaid，insubstance，thathehadinvitedustomeethimtohavesomeconversationwithusinexplanationofhismessageofthe6th；thatsincehehadsentitinseveralofthegentlementhenpresenthadvisitedhim，buthadavoidedanyallusiontothemessage，andhethereforeinferredthattheimportofthemessagehadbeenmisunderstood，andwasregardedasinimicaltotheinterestswerepresented；andhehadresolvedhewouldtalkwithus，anddisabuseourmindsofthaterroneousopinion。
ThePresidentthendisclaimedanyintenttoinjuretheinterestsorwoundthesensibilitiesoftheslaveStates。Onthecontrary，hispurposewastoprotecttheoneandrespecttheother；thatwewereengagedinaterrible，wasting，andtediouswar；immensearmieswereinthefield，andmustcontinueinthefieldaslongasthewarlasts；thatthesearmiesmust，ofnecessity，bebroughtintocontactwithslavesintheStateswerepresentedandinotherStatesastheyadvanced；thatslaveswouldcometothecamps，andcontinualirritationwaskeptup；thathewasconstantlyannoyedbyconflictingandantagonisticcomplaints：ontheonesideacertainclasscomplainediftheslavewasnotprotectedbythearmy；personswerefrequentlyfoundwho，participatingintheseviews，actedinawayunfriendlytotheslaveholder；ontheotherhand，slaveholderscomplainedthattheirrightswereinterferedwith，theirslavesinducedtoabscondandprotectedwithinthelines；thesecomplaintswerenumerous，loudanddeep；wereaseriousannoyancetohimandembarrassingtotheprogressofthewar；thatitkeptaliveaspirithostiletothegovernmentintheStateswerepresented；strengthenedthehopesoftheConfederatesthatatsomedaytheborderStateswouldunitewiththem，andthustendtoprolongthewar；andhewasofopinion，ifthisresolutionshouldbeadoptedbyCongressandacceptedbyourStates，thesecausesofirritationandthesehopeswouldberemoved，andmorewouldbeaccomplishedtowardshorteningthewarthancouldbehopedfromthegreatestvictoryachievedbyUnionarmies；thathemadethispropositioningoodfaith，anddesiredittobeaccepted，ifatall，voluntarily，andinthesamepatrioticspiritinwhichitwasmade；thatemancipationwasasubjectexclusivelyunderthecontroloftheStates，andmustbeadoptedorrejectedbyeachforitself；thathedidnotclaimnorhadthisgovernmentanyrighttocoercethemforthatpurpose；thatsuchwasnopartofhispurposeinmakingthisproposition，andhewishedittobeclearlyunderstood；thathedidnotexpectustheretobepreparedtogivehimananswer，buthehopedwewouldtakethesubjectintoseriousconsideration，conferwithoneanother，andthentakesuchcourseaswefeltourdutyandtheinterestsofourconstituentsrequiredofus。
Mr。Noell，ofMissouri，saidthatinhisStateslaverywasnotconsideredapermanentinstitution；thatnaturalcauseswerethereinoperationwhichwouldatnodistantdayextinguishit，andhedidnotthinkthatthispropositionwasnecessaryforthat；and，besidesthat，heandhisfriendsfeltsolicitousastothemessageonaccountofthedifferentconstructionswhichtheresolutionandmessagehadreceived。TheNewYorkTribunewasforit，andunderstoodittomeanthatwemustacceptgradualemancipationaccordingtotheplansuggested，orgetsomethingworse。
ThePresidentrepliedthathemustnotbeexpectedtoquarrelwiththeNewYorkTribunebeforetherighttime；hehopednevertohavetodoit；hewouldnotanticipateevents。InrespecttoemancipationinMissouri，hesaidthatwhathadbeenobservedbyMr。Noellwasprobablytrue，buttheoperationofthesenaturalcauseshadnotpreventedtheirritatingconducttowhichhehadreferred，ordestroyedthehopesoftheConfederatesthatMissouriwouldatsometimemergeherselfalongsideofthem，which，inhisjudgment，thepassageofthisresolutionbyCongressanditsacceptancebyMissouriwouldaccomplish。
Mr。Crisfield，ofMaryland，askedwhatwouldbetheeffectoftherefusaloftheStatetoacceptthisproposal，andhedesiredtoknowifthePresidentlookedtoanypolicybeyondtheacceptanceorrejectionofthisscheme。
ThePresidentrepliedthathehadnodesignsbeyondtheactionsoftheStatesonthisparticularsubject。Heshouldlamenttheirrefusaltoacceptit，buthehadnodesignsbeyondtheirrefusalofit。
Mr。Menzies，ofKentucky，inquiredifthePresidentthoughttherewasanypowerexceptintheStatesthemselvestocarryouthisschemeofemancipation。
ThePresidentrepliedthathethoughttherecouldnotbe。Hethenwentoffintoacourseofremarksnotqualifyingtheforegoingdeclarationnormaterialtoberepeatedtoajustunderstandingofhismeaning。
Mr。CrisfieldsaidhedidnotthinkthepeopleofMarylandlookeduponslaveryasapermanentinstitution；andhedidnotknowthattheywouldbeveryreluctanttogiveitupifprovisionwasmadetomeetthelossandtheycouldberidoftherace；buttheydidnotliketobecoercedintoemancipation，eitherbythedirectactionofthegovernmentorbyindirection，asthroughtheemancipationofslavesinthisDistrict，ortheconfiscationofSouthernpropertyasnowthreatened；andhethoughtbeforetheywouldconsenttoconsiderthispropositiontheywouldrequiretobeinformedonthesepoints。
ThePresidentrepliedthat，unlesshewasexpelledbytheactofGodortheConfederatearmiesheshouldoccupythathouseforthreeyears；andaslongasheremainedthereMarylandhadnothingtofeareitherforherinstitutionsorherinterestsonthepointsreferredto。
Mr。Crisfieldimmediatelyadded：\"Mr。President，ifwhatyounowsaycouldbeheardbythepeopleofMaryland，theywouldconsideryourpropositionwithamuchbetterfeelingthanIfearwithoutittheywillbeinclinedtodo。\"
ThePresident：\"That[meaningapublicationofwhathesaid]willnotdo；itwouldforcemeintoaquarrelbeforethepropertime\"；and，againintimating，ashehadbeforedone，thataquarrelwiththe\"Greeleyfaction\"wasimpending，hesaidhedidnotwishtoencounteritbeforethepropertime，noratallifitcouldbeavoided。
[TheGreelyfactionwantedanimmediateEmancipationProclamation。
D。W。]
GovernorWickliffe，ofKentucky，thenaskedhimrespectingtheconstitutionalityofhisscheme。
ThePresidentreplied：\"Asyoumaysuppose，Ihaveconsideredthat；
andthepropositionnowsubmitteddoesnotencounteranyconstitutionaldifficulty。Itproposessimplytoco—operatewithanyStatebygivingsuchStatepecuniaryaid\"；andhethoughtthattheresolution，asproposedbyhim，wouldbeconsideredratherastheexpressionofasentimentthanasinvolvinganyconstitutionalquestion。
Mr。Hall，ofMissouri，thoughtthatifthispropositionwasadoptedatallitshouldbebythevotesofthefreeStates，andcomeasapropositionfromthemtotheslaveStates，affordingthemaninducementtoputasidethissubjectofdiscord；thatitoughtnottobeexpectedthatmembersrepresentingslaveholdingconstituenciesshoulddeclareatonce，andinadvanceofanypropositiontothem，fortheemancipationofslavery。
ThePresidentsaidhesawandfelttheforceoftheobjection；itwasafearfulresponsibility，andeverygentlemanmustdoashethoughtbest；thathedidnotknowhowthisschemewasreceivedbythemembersfromthefreeStates；someofthemhadspokentohimandreceiveditkindly；butforthemostparttheywereasreservedandcharyaswehadbeen，andhecouldnottellhowtheywouldvote。AndinreplytosomeexpressionofMr。Hallastohisownopinionregardingslavery，hesaidhedidnotpretendtodisguisehisanti—
slaveryfeeling；thathethoughtitwaswrong，andshouldcontinuetothinkso；butthatwasnotthequestionwehadtodealwithnow。
Slaveryexisted，andthat，too，aswellbytheactoftheNorthasoftheSouth；andinanyschemetogetridofittheNorthaswellastheSouthwasmorallyboundtodoitsfullandequalshare。Hethoughttheinstitutionwrongandoughtnevertohaveexisted；butyetherecognizedtherightsofpropertywhichhadgrownoutofit，andwouldrespectthoserightsasfullyassimilarrightsinanyotherproperty；thatpropertycanexistanddoeslegallyexist。Hethoughtsuchalawwrong，buttherightsofpropertyresultingmustberespected；hewouldgetridoftheodiouslaw，notbyviolatingtherights，butbyencouragingthepropositionandofferinginducementstogiveitup。
Heretheinterview，sofarasthissubjectisconcerned，terminatedbyMr。Crittenden’sassuringthePresidentthat，whatevermightbeourfinalaction，weallthoughthimsolelymovedbyahighpatriotismandsinceredevotiontothehappinessandgloryofhiscountry；andwiththatconvictionweshouldconsiderrespectfullytheimportantsuggestionshehadmade。
Aftersomeconversationonthecurrentwarnews，weretired，andI
immediatelyproceededtomyroomandwroteoutthispaper。
J。W。CRISFIELD。
WewerepresentattheinterviewdescribedintheforegoingpaperofMr。Crisfield，andwecertifythatthesubstanceofwhatpassedontheoccasionisinthispaperfaithfullyandfullygiven。
J。W。MENZIES，J。J。CRITTENDEN，R。MALLORY。
March10，1862。
PRESIDENT’SSPECIALWARORDERNO。3。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，March11，1862。
Major—GeneralMcClellanhavingpersonallytakenthefieldattheheadoftheArmyofthePotomac，untilotherwiseorderedheisrelievedfromthecommandoftheothermilitarydepartments，heretainingcommandoftheDepartmentofthePotomac。
Orderedfurther，ThatthedepartmentsnowundertherespectivecommandsofGeneralsHalleckandHunter，togetherwithsomuchofthatunderGeneralBuellaslieswestofanorthandsouthlineindefinitelydrawnthroughKnoxville，Tenn。，beconsolidatedanddesignatedtheDepartmentoftheMississippi，andthatuntilotherwiseorderedMajorGeneralHalleckhavecommandofsaiddepartment。
Orderedalso，ThatthecountrywestoftheDepartmentofthePotomacandeastoftheDepartmentoftheMississippibeamilitarydepartment，tobecalledtheMountainDepartment，andthatthesamebecommandedbyMajor—GeneralFremont。
Thatallthecommandersofdepartments，afterthereceiptofthisorderbythem，respectivelyreportseverallyanddirectlytotheSecretaryofWar，andthatprompt，full，andfrequentreportswillbeexpectedofallandeachofthem。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
FROMSECRETARYSTANTONTOGENERALMCCLELLAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，March13，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。MCCLELLAN：
ThePresident，havingconsideredtheplanofoperationsagreeduponbyyourselfandthecommandersofarmycorps，makesnoobjectiontothesamebutgivesthefollowingdirectionsastoitsexecution：
1。LeavesuchforceatManassasJunctionasshallmakeitentirelycertainthattheenemyshallnorepossesshimselfofthatpositionandlineofcommunication。
2。LeaveWashingtonentirelysecure。
3。MovetheremainderoftheforcedownthePotomac，choosinganewbaseatFortressMonroeoranywherebetweenhereandthere，or，atallevents，movesuchremainderofthearmyatonceinpursuitoftheenemybysomeroute。
EDWARDM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
SPEECHTOAPARTYOFMASSACHUSETTSGENTLEMAN
WASHINGTON，MARCH13，1862
Ithankyou，Mr。Train，foryourkindnessinpresentingmewiththistrulyelegantandhighlycreditablespecimenofthehandiworkofthemechanicsofyourStateofMassachusetts，andIbegofyoutoexpressmyheartythankstothedonors。ItdisplaysaperfectionofworkmanshipwhichIreallywishIhadtimetoacknowledgeinmorefittingwords，andImightthenfollowyourideathatitissuggestive，foritisevidentlyexpectedthatagooddealofwhippingistobedone。Butaswemeetheresociallyletusnotthinkonlyofwhippingrebels，orofthosewhoseemtothinkonlyofwhippingnegroes，butofthosepleasantdays，whichitistobehopedareinstoreforus，whenseatedbehindagoodpairofhorseswecancrackourwhipsanddrivethroughapeaceful，happy，andprosperousland。
Withthisidea，gentlemen，Imustleaveyouformybusinessduties。
[ItwaslikelyaBuggy—WhipD。W。]
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTONCITY，March20，1862。
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
Thethirdsectionofthe\"ActfurthertopromotetheefficiencyoftheNavy，\"approvedDecember21，1861，provides：
\"ThatthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，byandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，shallhavetheauthoritytodetailfromtheretiredlistofthenavyforthecommandofsquadronsandsingleshipssuchofficersashemaybelievethegoodoftheservicerequirestobethusplacedincommand；andsuchofficersmay，ifupontherecommendationofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatestheyshallreceiveavoteofthankscfCongressfortheirservicesandgallantryinactionagainstanenemy，berestoredtotheactivelist，andnototherwise。\"
Inconformitywiththislaw，CaptainSamuelF。DuPont，ofthenavy，wasnominatedtotheSenateforcontinuanceastheflag—officerincommandofthesquadronwhichrecentlyrenderedsuchimportantservicetotheUnionintheexpeditiontothecoastsofSouthCarolina，Georgia，andFlorida。
Believingthatnooccasioncouldarisewhichwouldmorefullycorrespondwiththeintentionofthelaworbemorepregnantwithhappyinfluenceasanexample，IcordiallyrecommendthatCaptainSamuelF。DuPontreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressforhisserviceandgallantrydisplayedinthecapturesincethe21stDecember，1861，ofvariousportsonthecoastsofGeorgiaandFlorida，particularlyBrunswick，CumberlandIslandandSound，AmeliaIsland，thetownsofSt。Mary’s，St。Augustine，andJacksonvilleandFernandina。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，MARCH31，1862
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN。
MYDEARSIR：—ThismorningIfeltconstrainedtoorderBlenker’sdivisiontoFremont，andIwritethistoassureyouIdidsowithgreatpain，understandingthatyouwouldwishitotherwise。Ifyoucouldknowthefullpressureofthecase，Iamconfidentthatyouwouldjustifyit，evenbeyondamereacknowledgmentthatthecommander—in—chiefmayorderwhathepleases。
Yoursverytruly，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
GIFTOFSOMERABBITS
TOMICHAELCROCK。
360N。FourthSt。，Philadelphia。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，April2，1862。
MYDEARSIR：—Allowmetothankyouinbehalfofmylittlesonforyourpresentofwhiterabbits。Heisverymuchpleasedwiththem。
Yourstruly，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
INSTRUCTIONTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，April3，1862。
TheSecretaryofWarwillorderthatoneortheotherofthecorpsofGeneralMcDowellandGeneralSumnerremaininfrontofWashingtonuntilfurtherordersfromthedepartment，tooperateatorinthedirectionofManassasJunction，orotherwise，asoccasionmayrequire；thattheotherCorpsnotsoorderedtoremaingoforwardtoGeneralMcClellanasspeedilyaspossible；thatGeneralMcClellancommencehisforwardmovementsfromhisnewbaseatonce，andthatsuchincidentalmodificationsastheforegoingmayrenderproperbealsomade。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，April6，1862。
GENERALG。B。McCLELLAN：
Yoursof11A。M。todayreceived。SecretaryofWarinformsmethattheforwardingoftransportation，ammunition，andWoodbury’sbrigade，underyourorders，isnot，andwillnotbe，interferedwith。Younowhaveoveronehundredthousandtroopswithyou，independentofGeneralWool’scommand。Ithinkyoubetterbreaktheenemy’slinefromYorktowntoWarwickRiveratonce。Thiswillprobablyusetimeasadvantageouslyasyoucan。
A。LINCOLN，PresidentTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，April9，1862
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN。
MYDEARSIR——Yourdespatches，complainingthatyouarenotproperlysustained，whiletheydonotoffendme，dopainmeverymuch。
Blenker’sdivisionwaswithdrawnfromyoubeforeyoulefthere，andyouknewthepressureunderwhichIdidit，and，asIthought，acquiescedinitcertainlynotwithoutreluctance。
AfteryouleftIascertainedthatlessthan20，000unorganizedmen，withoutasinglefieldbattery，wereallyoudesignedtobeleftforthedefenseofWashingtonandManassasJunction，andpartofthiseventogotoGeneralHooker’soldposition；GeneralBanks’scorps，oncedesignedforManassasJunction，wasdividedandtieduponthelineofWinchesterandStrasburg，andcouldnotleaveitwithoutagainexposingtheupperPotomacandtheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad。
ThispresentedorwouldpresentwhenMcDowellandSumnershouldbegoneagreattemptationtotheenemytoturnbackfromtheRappahannockandsackWashington。MyexplicitorderthatWashingtonshould，bythejudgmentofalltheCommandersofcorps，beleftentirelysecure，hadbeenneglected。ItwaspreciselythisthatdrovemetodetainMcDowell。
IdonotforgetthatIwassatisfiedwithyourarrangementtoleaveBanksatManassasJunction；butwhenthatarrangementwasbrokenupandnothingsubstitutedforit，ofcourseIwasnotsatisfied。Iwasconstrainedtosubstitutesomethingforitmyself。
Andnowallowmetoask，doyoureallythinkIshouldpermitthelinefromRichmondviaManaasasJunctiontothiscitytobeentirelyopen，exceptwhatresistancecouldbepresentedbylessthan20，000
unorganizedtroops？Thisisaquestionwhichthecountrywillnotallowmetoevade。
Thereisacuriousmysteryaboutthenumberofthetroopsnowwithyou。WhenItelegraphedyouonthe6th，sayingyouhadover100，000
withyou，IhadjustobtainedfromtheSecretaryofWarastatement，takenashesaidfromyourownreturns，making108，000thenwithyouandenroutetoyou。Younowsayyouwillhavebut85，000whenallenroutetoyoushallhavereachedyou。Howcanthisdiscrepancyof23，000beaccountedfor？
AstoGeneralWool’scommand，Iunderstanditisdoingforyoupreciselywhatalikenumberofyourownwouldhavetodoifthatcommandwasaway。Isupposethewholeforcewhichhasgoneforwardtoyouiswithyoubythistime；andifso，Ithinkitistheprecisetimeforyoutostrikeablow。Bydelaytheenemywillrelativelygainuponyou——thatis，hewillgainfasterbyfortificationsandreinforcementsthanyoucanbyreinforcementsalone。
Andoncemoreletmetellyouitisindispensabletoyouthatyoustrikeablow。Iampowerlesstohelpthis。YouwilldomethejusticetorememberIalwaysinsistedthatgoingdownthebayinsearchofafield，insteadoffightingatornearManassas，wasonlyshiftingandnotsurmountingadifficulty；thatwewouldfindthesameenemyandthesameorequalentrenchmentsateitherplace。Thecountrywillnotfailtonote——isnotingnow——thatthepresenthesitationtomoveuponanentrenchedenemyisbutthestoryofManassasrepeated。
IbegtoassureyouthatIhaveneverwrittenyouorspokentoyouingreaterkindnessoffeelingthannow，norwithafullerpurposetosustainyou，sofarasinmymostanxiousjudgmentIconsistentlycan；butyoumustact。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，April9，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，SaintLouis，Mo。：
IftherigoroftheconfinementofMagoffinGovernorofKentuckyatAltonisendangeringhislife，ormateriallyimpairinghishealth，I
wishitmitigatedasfarasitcanbeconsistentlywithhissafedetention。
A。LINCOLN。
Pleasesendabove，byorderofthePresident。
JOHNHAY。
PROCLAMATIONRECOMMENDINGTHANKSGIVINGFORVICTORIES，APRIL10，1862。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamationIthaspleasedAlmightyGodtovouchsafesignalvictoriestothelandandnavalforcesengagedinsuppressing，aninternalrebellion，andatthesametimetoavertfromourcountrythedangersofforeigninterventionandinvasion。
ItisthereforerecommendedtothepeopleoftheUnitedStatesthatattheirnextweeklyassemblagesintheiraccustomedplacesofpublicworshipwhichshalloccurafternoticeofthisproclamationshallhavebeenreceived，theyespeciallyacknowledgeandrenderthankstoourHeavenlyFatherfortheseinestimableblessings，thattheythenandthereimplorespiritualconsolationinbehalfofallwhohavebeenbroughtintoafflictionbythecasualtiesandcalamitiesofseditionandcivilwar，andthattheyreverentlyinvokethedivineguidanceforournationalcounsels，totheendthattheymayspeedilyresultintherestorationofpeace，harmony，andunitythroughoutourbordersandhastentheestablishmentoffraternalrelationsamongallthecountriesoftheearth。
InwitnesswhereofIhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thistenthdayofApril，A。D。1862，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—sixth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
ABOLISHINGSLAVERYINWASHINGTON，D。C。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
April16，1862。
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
Theactentitled\"AnactforthereliefofcertainpersonsheldtoserviceorlaborintheDistrictofColumbia\"hasthisdaybeenapprovedandsigned。
IhaveneverdoubtedtheconstitutionalauthorityofCongresstoabolishslaveryinthisDistrict，andIhaveeverdesiredtoseethenationalcapitalfreedfromtheinstitutioninsomesatisfactoryway。
Hencetherehasneverbeeninmymindanyquestiononthesubjectexcepttheoneofexpediency，arisinginviewofallthecircumstances。Iftherebematterswithinandaboutthisactwhichmighthavetakenacourseorshapemoresatisfactorytomyjudgment，Idonotattempttospecifythem。Iamgratifiedthatthetwoprinciplesofcompensationandcolonizationarebothrecognizedandpracticallyappliedintheact。
Inthematterofcompensation，itisprovidedthatclaimsmaybepresentedwithinninetydaysfromthepassageoftheact，\"butnotthereafter\"；andthereisnosavingforminors，femmescovert，insaneorabsentpersons。Ipresumethisisanomissionbymereoversight，andIrecommendthatitbesuppliedbyanamendatoryorsupplementalact。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，April21，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourdespatchofthe19thwasreceivedthatday。Fredericksburgisevacuatedandthebridgesdestroyedbytheenemy，andasmallpartofMcDowell’scommandoccupiesthissideoftheRappahannock，oppositethetown。Hepurposesmovinghiswholeforcetothatpoint。
A。LINCOLN。
TOPOSTMASTER—GENERAL
A。LINCOLN。EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，April24，1862。
Hon。POSTMASTER—GENERAL。
MYDEARSIR：——ThememberofCongressfromthedistrictincludingTiffin，O。，callsonmeaboutthepostmasteratthatplace。
IbelieveIturnedoveradespatchtoyoufromsomepersonsthere，askingasuspension，soasforthemtobeheard，orsomethingofthesort。Ifnothing，ornothingamountingtoanything，hasbeendone，I
thinkthesuspensionmightnowbesuspended，andthecommissiongoforward。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，April29，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
WoulditderangeorembarrassyouroperationsifIweretoappointCaptainCharlesGriffinabrigadier—generalofvolunteers？Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOTHESENATE，MAY1，1862。
TOTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
InanswertotheresolutionoftheSenate[ofApril22]inrelationtoBrigadier—GeneralStone，Ihavethehonortostatethathewasarrestedandimprisonedundermygeneralauthority，anduponevidencewhichwhetherhebeguiltyorinnocent，required，asappearstome，suchproceedingstobehadagainsthimforthepublicsafety。I
deemitincompatiblewiththepublicinterest，asalso，perhaps，unjusttoGeneralStone，tomakeamoreparticularstatementoftheevidence。
Hehasnotbeentriedbecause，inthestateofmilitaryoperationsatthetimeofhisarrestandsince，theofficerstoconstituteacourtmartialandforwitnessescouldnotbewithdrawnfromdutywithoutseriousinjurytotheservice。Hewillbeallowedatrialwithoutanyunnecessarydelay；thechargesandspecificationswillbefurnishedhimindueseason，andeveryfacilityforhisdefensewillbeaffordedhimbytheWarDepartment。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN，WASHINGTON，MAY1，1862
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，MAY1，1862
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
YourcallforParrottgunsfromWashingtonalarmsme，chieflybecauseitarguesindefiniteprocrastination。Isanythingtobedone？
ALINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
WARDEPARTMENT，MAY1，1862
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，PittsburghLanding，Tennessee：
IampressedbytheMissourimembersofCongresstogiveGeneralSchofieldindependentcommandinMissouri。Theyinsistthatforwantofthistheirlocaltroublesgraduallygrowworse。Ihaveforborne，sofar，forfearofinterferingwithandembarrassingyouroperations。Pleaseanswertellingmewhetheranything，andwhat，I
candoforthemwithoutinjuriouslyinterferingwithyou。
A。LINCOLN。
RESPONSETOEVANGELICALLUTHERANS，MAY6，1862
GENTLEMEN：——IwelcomeheretherepresentativesoftheEvangelicalLutheransoftheUnitedStates。Iacceptwithgratitudetheirassurancesofthesympathyandsupportofthatenlightened，influential，andloyalclassofmyfellowcitizensinanimportantcrisiswhichinvolves，inmyjudgment，notonlythecivilandreligiouslibertiesofourowndearland，butinalargedegreethecivilandreligiouslibertiesofmankindinmanycountriesandthroughmanyages。Youwellknow，gentlemen，andtheworldknows，howreluctantlyIacceptedthisissueofbattleforceduponmeonmyadventtothisplacebytheinternalenemiesofourcountry。Youallknow，theworldknows，theforcesandtheresourcesthepublicagentshavebroughtintoemploymenttosustainagovernmentagainstwhichtherehasbeenbroughtnotonecomplaintofrealinjurycommittedagainstsocietyathomeorabroad。Youallmayrecollectthatintakinguptheswordthusforcedintoourhandsthisgovernmentappealedtotheprayersofthepiousandthegood，anddeclaredthatitplaceditswholedependenceonthefavorofGod。Inowhumblyandreverently，inyourpresence，reiteratetheacknowledgmentofthatdependence，notdoubtingthat，ifitshallpleasetheDivineBeingwhodeterminesthedestiniesofnations，thisshallremainaunitedpeople，andthattheywill，humblyseekingthedivineguidance，maketheirprolongednationalexistenceasourceofnewbenefitstothemselvesandtheirsuccessors，andtoallclassesandconditionsofmankind。
TELEGRAMTOFLAG—OFFICERL。M。GOLDSBOROUGH。
FORTMONROE，VIRGINIA，MAY7，1862
FLAG—OFFICERGOLDSBOROUGH。
SIR：——Major—GeneralMcClellantelegraphsthathehasascertainedbyareconnaissancethatthebatteryatJamestownhasbeenabandoned，andheagainrequeststhatgunboatsmaybesentuptheJamesRiver。
IfyouhavetolerableconfidencethatyoucansuccessfullycontendwiththeMerrimacwithoutthehelpoftheGalenaandtwoaccompanyinggunboats，sendtheGalenaandtwogunboatsuptheJamesRiveratonce。Pleasereportyouractiononthistomeatonce。IshallbefoundeitheratGeneralWool’sheadquartersoronboardtheMiami。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
FURTHERREPRIMANDOFMcCLELLAN
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
FORTMONROE，VIRGINIA，May9，1862
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
MYDEARSIR：——IhavejustassistedtheSecretaryofWarinframingpartofadespatchtoyourelatingtoarmycorps，whichdespatch，ofcourse，willhavereachedyoulongbeforethiswill。Iwishtosayafewwordstoyouprivatelyonthissubject。Iorderedthearmycorpsorganizationnotonlyontheunanimousopinionofthetwelvegeneralswhomyouhadselectedandassignedasgeneralsofdivisions，butalsoontheunanimousopinionofeverymilitarymanIcouldgetanopinionfrom，andeverymodernmilitarybook，yourselfonlyexcepted。Ofcourse，Ididnotonmyownjudgmentpretendtounderstandthesubject。Inowthinkitindispensableforyoutoknowhowyourstruggleagainstitisreceivedinquarterswhichwecannotentirelydisregard。Itislookeduponasmerelyanefforttopamperoneortwopets，andtopersecuteanddegradetheirsupposedrivals。IhavehadnowordfromSumner，Heintzleman，orKeyesthecommandersofthesecorpsare，ofcourse，thethreehighestofficerswithyou；butIamconstantlytoldthatyouhavenoconsultationorcommunicationwiththem；thatyouconsultandcommunicatewithnobodybutGeneralFitzJohnPorter，andperhapsGeneralFranklin。Idonotsaythesecomplaintsaretrueorjust；butatallevents，itisproperyoushouldknowoftheirexistence。Dothecommandersofcorpsdisobeyyourordersinanything？
WhenyourelievedGeneralHamiltonofhiscommandtheotherday，youtherebylosttheconfidenceofatleastoneofyourbestfriendsintheSenate。Andhereletmesay，notasapplicabletoyoupersonally，thatSenatorsandRepresentativesspeakofmeintheirplaceswithoutquestion，andthatofficersofthearmymustceaseaddressinginsultingletterstothemfortakingnogreaterlibertywiththem。
Buttoreturn。Areyoustrongenough——areyoustrongenoughevenwithmyhelp——tosetyourfootuponthenecksofSumner，Heintzelman，andKeyesallatonce？Thisisapracticalandveryseriousquestiontoyou？
Thesuccessofyourarmyandthecauseofthecountryarethesame，and，ofcourse，Ionlydesirethegoodofthecause。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOFLAG—OFFICERL。M。GOLDSBOROUGH，FORTMONROE，VIRGINIA，May10，1862
FLAG—OFFICERGOLDSBOROUGH。
MYDEARSIR：——Isendyouthiscopyofyourreportofyesterdayforthepurposeofsayingtoyouinwritingthatyouarequiterightinsupposingthemovementmadebyyouandthereinreportedwasmadeinaccordancewithmywishesverballyexpressedtoyouinadvance。I
availmyselfoftheoccasiontothankyouforyourcourtesyandallyourconduct，sofarasknowntome，duringmybriefvisithere。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONRAISINGTHEBLOCKADEOFCERTAIN
PORTS。，May12，1862。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
Whereas，bymyproclamationofthe19thofApril，onethousandeighthundredandsixty—one，itwasdeclaredthattheportsofcertainStates，includingthoseofBeaufort，intheStateofNorthCarolina，PortRoyal，intheStateofSouthCarolina，andNewOrleans，intheStateofLouisiana，were，forreasonsthereinsetforth，intendedtobeplacedunderblockade；andwhereasthesaidportsofBeaufort，PortRoyal，andNewOrleanshavesincebeenblockaded；butastheblockadeofthesameportsmaynowbesafelyrelaxedwithadvantagetotheinterestsofcommerce：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，pursuanttotheauthorityinmevestedbythefifthsectionoftheactofCongressapprovedonthe13thofJulylast，entitled\"Anactfurthertoprovideforthecollectionofdutiesonimports，andforotherpurposes，\"doherebydeclarethattheblockadeofthesaidportsofBeaufort，PortRoyal，andNewOrleansshallsofarceaseanddetermine，fromandafterthefirstdayofJunenext，thatcommercialintercoursewiththoseports，exceptastopersons，things，andinformationcontrabandofwar，mayfromthattimebecarriedon，subjecttothelawsoftheUnitedStates，andtothelimitationsandinpursuanceoftheregulationswhichareprescribedbytheSecretaryoftheTreasuryinhisorderofthisdate，whichisappendedtothisproclamation。
Inwitnesswhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thistwelfthdayofMay，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—two，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—sixth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
ENDOFVOLUMEV。
TheWritingsofAbrahamLincolnbyAbrahamLincolnVOLUMESIX
WRITINGSOFABRAHAMLINCOLN
1862—1863
RECOMMENDATIONOFNAVALOFFICERS
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，May14，1862。
TOSENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
Thethirdsectionofthe\"ActfurthertopromotetheefficiencyoftheNavy，\"approved21stofDecember，1861，provides：
\"ThatthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesbyandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，shallhavetheauthoritytodetailfromtheretiredlistofthenavyforthecommandofsquadronsandsingleshipssuchofficersashemaybelievethatthegoodoftheservicerequirestobethusplacedincommand；andsuchofficersmay，ifupontherecommendationofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatestheyshallreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressfortheirservicesandgallantryinactionagainstanenemy，berestoredtotheactivelist，andnototherwise。\"
Inconformitywiththislaw，CaptainDavidG。FarragutwasnominatedtotheSenateforcontinuanceastheflag—officerincommandofthesquadronwhichrecentlyrenderedsuchimportantservicetotheUnionbyhissuccessfuloperationsonthelowerMississippiandcaptureofNewOrleans。
Believingthatnooccasioncouldarisewhichwouldmorefullycorrespondwiththeintentionofthelaworbemorepregnantwithhappyinfluenceasanexample，IcordiallyrecommendthatCaptainD。
G。FarragutreceiveavoteofthanksofCongressforhisservicesandgallantrydisplayedinthecapturesince21stDecember，1861，ofFortsJacksonandSt。Philip，cityofNewOrleans，andthedestructionofvariousrebelgunboats，rams，etc……
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
IsubmitherewithalistofnavalofficerswhocommandedvesselsengagedintherecentbrilliantoperationsofthesquadroncommandedbyFlag—officerFarragutwhichledtothecaptureofFortsJacksonandSt。Philip，cityofNewOrleans，andthedestructionofrebelgunboats，rams，etc。，inApril1862。FortheirservicesandgallantryonthoseoccasionsIcordiallyrecommendthattheyshould，byname，receiveavoteofthanksofCongress：
LIST：
CaptainTheodorusBailey。
CaptainHenryW。Morris。
CaptainThomasT。Craven。
CommanderHenryH。Bell。
CommanderSamuelPhillipsLee。
CommanderSamuelSwartwout。
CommanderMelanctonSmith。
CommanderCharlesStewartBoggsCommanderJohnDeCampCommanderJamesAlden。
CommanderDavidD。Porter。
CommanderRichardWainwright。
CommanderWilliamB。Renshaw。
LieutenantCommandingAbramD。Harrell。
LieutenantCommandingEdwardDonaldson。
LieutenantCommandingGeorgeH。Preble。
LieutenantCommandingEdwardT。Nichols。
LieutenantCommandingJonathanM。Wainwright。
LieutenantCommandingJohnGuest。
LieutenantCommandingCharlesH。B。Caldwell。
LieutenantCommandingNapoleonB。Harrison。
LieutenantCommandingAlbertN。Smith。
LieutenantCommandingPierceCrosby。
LieutenantCommandingGeorgeM。Ransom。
LieutenantCommandingWatsonSmith。
LieutenantCommandingJohnH。Russell。
LieutenantCommandingWalterW。Queen。
LieutenantCommandingK。RandolphBreese。
ActingLieutenantCommandingSeliinE。Woolworth。
ActingLieutenantCommandingCharlesH。Baldwin。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，May14，1862
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTONCITY，May15，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN，Cumberland，Virginia：
Yourlongdespatchofyesterdayisjustreceived。Iwillanswermorefullysoon。WillsaynowthatallyourdespatchestotheSecretaryofWarhavebeenpromptlyshowntome。HavedoneandshalldoallI
couldandcantosustainyou。HopedthattheopeningofJamesRiverandputtingWoolandBurnsideincommunication，withanopenroadtoRichmond，ortoyou，hadeffectedsomethinginthatdirection。IamstillunwillingtotakeallourforceoffthedirectlinebetweenRichmondandhere。
A。LINCOLN。
SPEECHTOTHE12THINDIANAREGIMENT，MAY[15？]1862
SOLDIERS，OFTHETWELFTHINDIANAREGIMENT：Ithasnotbeencustomaryheretofore，norwillitbehereafter，formetosaysomethingtoeveryregimentpassinginreview。Itoccurstoofrequentlyformetohavespeechesreadyonalloccasions。Asyouhavepaidsuchamarkofrespecttothechiefmagistrate，itappearsthatIshouldsayawordortwoinreply。Yourcolonelhasthoughtfit，onhisownaccountandinyourname，tosaythatyouaresatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichIhaveperformedmypartinthedifficultieswhichhavesurroundedthenation。ForyourkindexpressionsIamextremelygrateful，butontheotherhandIassureyouthatthenationismoreindebtedtoyou，andsuchasyou，thantome。Itisuponthebraveheartsandstrongarmsofthepeopleofthecountrythatourreliancehasbeenplacedinsupportoffreegovernmentandfreeinstitutions。
Forthepartwhichyouandthebravearmyofwhichyouareaparthave，underProvidence，performedinthisgreatstruggle，Itendermorethanksespeciallytothisregiment，whichhasbeenthesubjectofgoodreport。Thethanksofthenationwillfollowyou，andmayGod’sblessingrestuponyounowandforever。Ihopethatuponyourreturntoyourhomesyouwillfindyourfriendsandlovedoneswellandhappy。Ibidyoufarewell。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May16，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL：
Whatisthestrengthofyourforcenowactuallywithyou？
A。LINCOLN。
MEMORANDUMOFPROPOSEDADDITIONSTOINSTRUCTIONSOFABOVEDATETO
GENERALMcDOWELL，ANDGENERALMEIGS’SINDORSEMENTTHEREON。
May17，1862。
Youwillretaintheseparatecommandoftheforcestakenwithyou；
butwhileco—operatingwithGeneralMcClellanyouwillobeyhisorders，exceptthatyouaretojudge，andarenottoallowyourforcetobedisposedotherwisethansoastogivethegreatestprotectiontothiscapitalwhichmaybepossiblefromthatdistance。
[Indorsement。]
TOTHESECRETARYOFWAR：
ThePresidenthavingshownthistome，Isuggestedthatitisdangeroustodirectasubordinatenottoobeytheordersofhissuperiorinanycase，andthattogiveinstructionstoGeneralMcClellantothissameendandfurnishGeneralMcDowellwithacopythereofwouldeffecttheobjectdesiredbythePresident。HedesiredmetosaythatthesketchofinstructionstoGeneralMcClellanherewithhethoughtmadethisadditionunnecessary。
Respectfully，M。C。M。
INDORSEMENTRELATINGTOGENERALDAVIDHUNTER’S
ORDEROFMILITARYEMANCIPATION，MAY17，1862
Nocommandinggeneralshalldosuchathinguponmyresponsibilitywithoutconsultingme。
A。LINCOLN。
FROMSECRETARYSTANTONTOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May18，1862。
GENERAL：
YourdespatchtothePresident，askingreinforcements，hasbeenreceivedandcarefullyconsidered。
ThePresidentisnotwillingtouncoverthecapitalentirely；anditisbelievedthat，evenifthiswereprudent，itwouldrequiremoretimetoeffectajunctionbetweenyourarmyandthatoftheRappahannockbythewayofthePotomacandYorkriversthanbyalandmarch。Inorder，therefore，toincreasethestrengthoftheattackuponRichmondattheearliestmoment，GeneralMcDowellhasbeenorderedtomarchuponthatcitybytheshortestroute。Heisordered，keepinghimselfalwaysinpositiontosavethecapitalfromallpossibleattack，sotooperateastoputhisleftwingincommunicationwithyourrightwing，andyouareinstructedtoco—
operatesoastoestablishthiscommunicationassoonaspossiblebyextendingyourright—wingtothenorthofRichmond。
ItisbelievedthatthiscommunicationcanbesafelyestablishedeithernorthorsouthofthePamunkeyRiver。
Inanyevent，youwillbeabletopreventthemainbodyoftheenemy’sforcesfromleavingRichmondandfallinginoverwhelmingforceuponGeneralMcDowell。Hewillmovewithbetweenthirty—fiveandfortythousandmen。
AcopyoftheinstructionstoGeneralMcDowellarewiththis。Thespecifictaskassignedtohiscommandhasbeentoprovideagainstanydangertothecapitalofthenation。
Atyourearnestcallforreinforcements，heissentforwardtoco—
operateinthereductionofRichmond，butcharged，inattemptingthis，nottouncoverthecityofWashington；andyouwillgivenoorder，eitherbeforeorafteryourjunction，whichcanputhimoutofpositiontocoverthiscity。Youandhewillcommunicatewitheachotherbytelegraphorotherwiseasfrequentlyasmaybenecessaryforefficientcooperation。WhenGeneralMcDowellisinpositiononyourright，hissuppliesmustbedrawnfromWestPoint，andyouwillinstructyourstaff—officerstobepreparedtosupplyhimbythatroute。
ThePresidentdesiresthatGeneralMcDowellretainthecommandoftheDepartmentoftheRappahannockandoftheforceswithwhichhemovesforward。
ByorderofthePresident：
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。McCLELLAN，CommandingArmyofthePotomac，beforeRichmond。
PROCLAMATIONREVOKING
GENERALHUNTER’SORDER
OFMILITARYEMANCIPATION，MAY19，1862。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamationWhereasthereappearsinthepublicprintswhatpurportstobeaproclamationofMajorgeneralHunter，inthewordsandfiguresfollowing，towit：
GeneralOrdersNo。11
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHESOUTH，HILTONHEAD，PORTROYAL，S。C。，May9，1862。
\"ThethreeStatesofGeorgia，Florida，andSouthCarolina，comprisingthemilitarydepartmentoftheSouth，havingdeliberatelydeclaredthemselvesnolongerundertheprotectionoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，andhavingtakenuparmsagainstthesaidUnitedStates，itbecameamilitarynecessitytodeclaremartiallaw。Thiswasaccordinglydoneonthe25thdayofApril，1862。Slaveryandmartiallawinafreecountryarealtogetherincompatible。ThepersonsinthesethreeStates：GeorgiaFlorida，andSouthCarolina——heretoforeheldasslavesarethereforedeclaredforeverfree。
\"BycommandofMajor—GeneralD。Hunter：
\"Official。ED。W。SMITH，\"ActingAssistantAdjutant—General。\"
Andwhereasthesameisproducingsomeexcitementandmisunderstanding：therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，proclaimanddeclarethattheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates，hadnoknowledge，information，orbeliefofanintentiononthepartofGeneralHuntertoissuesuchaproclamation；norhasityetanyauthenticinformationthatthedocumentisgenuine。Andfurther，thatneitherGeneralHunternoranyothercommanderorpersonhasbeenauthorizedbytheGovernmentoftheUnitedStatestomakeaproclamationdeclaringtheslavesofanyStatefree；andthatthesupposedproclamationnowinquestion，whethergenuineorfalse，isaltogethervoidsofarasrespectssuchadeclaration。
Ifurthermakeknownthatwhetheritbecompetentforme，ascommander—in—chiefofthearmyandnavy，todeclaretheslavesofanyStateorStatesfree，andwhether，atanytime，inanycase，itshallhavebecomeanecessityindispensabletothemaintenanceofthegovernmenttoexercisesuchsupposedpower，arequestionswhichundermyresponsibilityIreservetomyself，andwhichIcannotfeeljustifiedinleavingtothedecisionofcommandersinthefield。
Thesearetotallydifferentquestionsfromthoseofpoliceregulationsinarmiesandcamps。
OnthesixthdayofMarchlast，byspecialmessage，IrecommendedtoCongresstheadoptionofajointresolution，tobesubstantiallyasfollows：
Resolved，ThattheUnitedStatesoughttoco—operatewithanyStatewhichmayadoptgradualabolishmentofslavery，givingtosuchStatepecuniaryaid，tobeusedbysuchState，initsdiscretion，tocompensatefortheinconvenience，publicandprivate，producedbysuchchangeofsystem。
TheresolutioninthelanguageabovequotedwasadoptedbylargemajoritiesinbothbranchesofCongress，andnowstandsanauthentic，definite，andsolemnproposalofthenationtotheStatesandpeoplemostimmediatelyinterestedinthesubject—matter。TothepeopleofthoseStatesInowearnestlyappeal。Idonotargue——Ibeseechyoutomakeargumentsforyourselves。Youcannot，ifyouwould，beblindtothesignsofthetimes。Ibegofyouacalmandenlargedconsiderationofthem，ranging，ifitmaybe，farabovepersonalandpartisanpolitics。Thisproposalmakescommoncauseforacommonobject，castingnoreproachesuponany。ItactsnotthePharisee。
Thechangeitcontemplateswouldcomegentlyasthedewsofheaven，notrendingorwreckinganything。Willyounotembraceit？Somuchgoodhasnotbeendone，byoneeffort，inallpasttime，asintheprovidenceofGoditisnowyourhighprivilegetodo。Maythevastfuturenothavetolamentthatyouhaveneglectedit。
Inwitnesswhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thisnineteenthdayofMay，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—two，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—sixth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。E。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May21，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Ihavejustbeenwaitedonbyalargecommitteewhopresentapetitionsignedbytwenty—threesenatorsandeighty—fourrepresentativesaskingmetorestoreGeneralHamiltontohisdivision。Iwishtodothis，andyetIdonotwishtobeunderstoodasrebukingyou。Pleaseansweratonce。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTONCITY，May22，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourlongdespatchofyesterdayjustreceived。YouwillhavejustsuchcontrolofGeneralMcDowellandhisforcesasyouthereinindicate。McDowellcanreachyoubylandsoonerthanhecouldgetaboardofboats，iftheboatswerereadyatFredericksburg，unlesshismarchshallberesisted，inwhichcasetheforceresistinghimwillcertainlynotbeconfrontingyouatRichmond。Bylandhecanreachyouinfivedaysafterstarting，whereasbywaterhewouldnotreachyouintwoweeks，judgingbypastexperience。Franklin’ssingledivisiondidnotreachyouintendaysafterIorderedit。
A。LINCOLN，PresidentUnitedStates。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May24，1862。4PM。
MAJOR—GENERALG。B。McCLELLAN：
InconsequenceofGeneralBanks’scriticalposition，IhavebeencompelledtosuspendGeneralMcDowell’smovementstojoinyou。TheenemyaremakingadesperatepushuponHarper’sFerry，andwearetryingtothrowGeneralFremont’sforceandpartofGeneralMcDowell’sintheirrear。
A。LINCOLN，President。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN
WASHINGTONMay24，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。McCLELLAN：
IleftGeneralMcDowell’scampatdarklastevening。Shields’scommandisthere，butitissowornthathecannotmovebeforeMondaymorning，the26th。WehavesothinnedourlinetogettroopsforotherplacesthatitwasbrokenyesterdayatFrontRoyal，withaprobablelosstousofoneregimentinfantry，twoCompaniescavalry，puttingGeneralBanksinsomeperil。
Theenemy’sforcesunderGeneralAndersonnowopposingGeneralMcDowell’sadvancehaveastheirlineofsupplyandretreattheroadtoRichmond。