RECORDEXPLAININGTHEDISMISSALOFMAJORJOHNJ。KEYFROMTHE
MILITARYSERVICEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September26，1862。
MAJORJOHNJ。KEY：
Iaminformedthat，inanswertothequestion，\"WhywasnottherebelarmybaggedimmediatelyafterthebattlenearSharpsburg？\"propoundedtoyoubyMajorLeviC。Turner，JudgeAdvocate，etc。，yousaid：
\"Thatisnotthegame。Theobjectis，thatneitherarmyshallgetmuchadvantageoftheother；thatbothshallbekeptinthefieldtilltheyareexhausted，whenwewillmakeacompromiseandsaveslavery。\"
Ishallbeveryhappyifyouwill，withintwenty—fourhoursfromthereceiptofthis，provetomebyMajorTurnerthatyoudidnot，eitherliterallyorinsubstance，maketheanswerstated。
[AbovedeliveredtoMajorKeyat10。25a。m。September27th。]
Atabout11o’clockA。M。，September27，1862，MajorKeyandMajorTurnerappearedbeforeme。MajorTurnersays：
\"AsIrememberit，theconversationwas：’WhydidwenotbagthemafterthebattleofSharpsburg？’MajorKey’sreplywas：’Thatwasnotthegame；thatweshouldtiretherebelsoutandourselves；thatthatwastheonlywaytheUnioncouldbepreserved，wecometogetherfraternally，andslaverybesaved。’\"
Oncross—examination，MajorTurnersayshehasfrequentlyheardMajorKeyconverseinregardtothepresenttroubles，andneverheardhimutterasentimentunfavorabletothemaintenanceoftheUnion。Hehasneverutteredanythingwhichhe，MajorT。，wouldcalldisloyalty。
Theparticularconversationdetailedwasaprivateone。
[Indorsementontheabove。]
Inmyview，itiswhollyinadmissibleforanygentlemanholdingamilitarycommissionfromtheUnitedStatestouttersuchsentimentsasMajorKeyiswithinprovedtohavedone。Therefore，letMajorJohnJ。KeybeforthwithdismissedfromthemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStates。
A。LINCOLN。
TOHANNIBALHAMLIN。
Strictlyprivate。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September28，1862。
HON。HANNIBALHAMLIN。
MYDEARSIR：Yourkindletterofthe25thisjustreceived。Itisknowntosomethat，whileIhopesomethingfromtheproclamation，myexpectationsarenotassanguineasarethoseofsomefriends。Thetimeforitseffectsouthwardhasnotcome；butnorthwardtheeffectshouldbeinstantaneous。Itissixdaysold，and，whilecommendationinnewspapersandbydistinguishedindividualsisallthatavainmancouldwish，thestockshavedeclined，andtroopscomeforwardmoreslowlythanever。This，lookedsoberlyintheface，isnotverysatisfactory。Wehavefewertroopsinthefieldattheendofthesixdaysthanwehadatthebeginning——theattritionamongtheoldoutnumberingtheadditionbythenew。TheNorthrespondstotheproclamationsufficientlyinbreath；butbreathalonekillsnorebels。
IwishIcouldwritemorecheerfully；nordoIthankyouthelessforthekindnessofyourletter。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALHALLECK。
McCLELLAN’SHEADQUARTERS，October3，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
GeneralStuart，oftherebelarmy，hassentinafewofourprisonersunderaflagoftruce，paroledwithtermstopreventtheirfightingtheIndians，andevidentlyseekingtocommitustotheirrighttoparoleprisonersinthatway。Myinclinationistosendtheprisonersbackwithadefinitenoticethatwewillrecognizenoparolesgiventoourprisonersbytherebelsasextendingbeyondaprohibitionagainstfightingthem，thoughIwishyouropinionuponit，basedbothuponthegenerallawandourcartel。Iwishtoavoidviolationsofthelawandbadfaith。Answerasquicklyaspossible，asthething，ifdoneatall，shouldbedoneatonce。
A。LINCOLN，PresidentREMARKSTOTHEARMYOFTHEPOTOMACAT
FREDERICK，MARYLAND，OCTOBER，4，1862。
IamsurroundedbysoldiersandalittlefartheroffbythecitizensofthisgoodCityofFrederick。NeverthelessIcanonlysay，asI
didfiveminutesago，itisnotproperformetomakespeechesinmypresentposition。Ireturnthankstooursoldiersforthegoodservicestheyhaverendered，theenergytheyhaveshown，thehardshipstheyhaveendured，andthebloodtheyhaveshedforthisUnionofours；andIalsoreturnthanks，notonlytothesoldiers，buttothegoodcitizensofFrederick，andtothegoodmen，women，andchildreninthislandofours，fortheirdevotiontothisgloriouscause；andIsaythiswithnomaliceinmyhearttowardsthosewhohavedoneotherwise。Mayourchildrenandchildren’schildren，forathousandgenerations，continuetoenjoythebenefitsconferreduponusbyaunitedcountry，andhavecauseyettorejoiceunderthesegloriousinstitutions，bequeathedtousbyWASHINGTONandhiscompeers。Now，myfriends，soldiersandcitizens，Icanonlysayoncemore—farewell。
TELEGRAMFROMGENERALHALLECK
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October6，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Iaminstructedtotelegraphyouasfollows：ThePresidentdirectsthatyoucrossthePotomacandgivebattletotheenemy，ordrivehimsouth。Yourarmymustmovenow，whiletheroadsaregood。IfyoucrosstheriverbetweentheenemyandWashington，andcoverthelatterbyyouroperation，youcanbereinforcedbythirtythousandmen。IfyoumoveupthevalleyoftheShenandoah，notmorethantwelveorfifteenthousandcanbesentyou。ThePresidentadvisestheinteriorlinebetweenWashingtonandtheenemy，butdoesnotorderit。Heisverydesirousthatyourarmymoveassoonaspossible。Youwillimmediatelyreportwhatlineyouadopt，andwhenyouintendtocrosstheriver；alsotowhatpointthereinforcementsaretobesent。Itisnecessarythattheplanofyouroperationsbepositivelydeterminedon，beforeordersaregivenforbuildingbridgesandrepairingrailroads。IamdirectedtoaddthattheSecretaryofWarandtheGeneral—in—chieffullyconcurwiththePresidentinthesedirections。
H。W。HALLECK，General—in—Chief。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October7，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN，Hdqs。ArmyofthePotomac：
YouwishtoseeyourfamilyandIwishtoobligeyou。Itmightbelefttoyourowndiscretion；certainlyso，ifMrs。M。couldmeetyouhereatWashington。
A。LINCOLN。
TOT。H。CLAY。
WARDEPARTMENT，October8，1862。
THOMASH。CLAY，Cincinnati，Ohio：
YoucannothavereflectedseriouslywhenyouaskthatIshallorderGeneralMorgan’scommandtoKentuckyasafavorbecausetheyhavemarchedfromCumberlandGap。Theprecedentestablishedbyitwouldevidentlybreakupthewholearmy。Buell’soldtroops，nowinpursuitofBragg，havedonemorehardmarchingrecently；and，infact，ifyouincludemarchingandfighting，therearescarcelyanyoldtroopseastorwestofthemountainsthathavenotdoneashardservice。Isincerelywishwarwasaneasierandpleasanterbusinessthanitis；butitdoesnotadmitofholidays。OnMorgan’scommand，whereitisnowsent，asIunderstand，dependsthequestionwhethertheenemywillgettotheOhioRiverinanotherplace。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October8，1862
MAJOR—GENERALGRANT：
Icongratulateyouandallconcernedinyourrecentbattlesandvictories。Howdoesitallsumup？IespeciallyregretthedeathofGeneralHackleman，andamveryanxioustoknowtheconditionofGeneralOglesby，whoisanintimatepersonalfriend。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。T。BOYLE。
WARDEPARTMENT，October11，1862。4P。M。
GENERALBOYLE，Louisville，Kentucky：
PleasesendanynewsyouhavefromGeneralBuellto—day。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。T。BOYLE。
WARDEPARTMENT，October12，1862。4。10P。M。
GENERALBOYLE，Louisville，Kentucky：
WeareanxioustohearfromGeneralBuell’sarmy。Wehaveheardnothingsincedaybeforeyesterday。Haveyouanything？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALCURTIS。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October12，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALCURTIS，SaintLouis，Missouri：
WouldthecompletionoftherailroadsomedistancefurtherinthedirectionofSpringfield，Mo。，beofanymilitaryadvantagetoyou？
Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October13，1862。
MYDEARSIR—YouremembermyspeakingtoyouofwhatIcalledyourover—cautiousness。Areyounotover—cautiouswhenyouassumethatyoucannotdowhattheenemyisconstantlydoing？Shouldyounotclaimtobeatleasthisequalinprowess，andactupontheclaim？
AsIunderstand，youtelegraphedGeneralHalleckthatyoucannotsubsistyourarmyatWinchesterunlesstherailroadfromHarper’sFerrytothatpointbeputinworkingorder。ButtheenemydoesnowsubsisthisarmyatWinchester，atadistancenearlytwiceasgreatfromrailroadtransportationasyouwouldhavetodo，withouttherailroadlastnamed。HenowwagonsfromCulpepperCourt—House，whichisjustabouttwiceasfarasyouwouldhavetodofromHarper’sFerry。Heiscertainlynotmorethanhalfaswellprovidedwithwagonsasyouare。IcertainlyshouldbepleasedforyoutohavetheadvantageoftherailroadfromHarper’sPerrytoWinchester；butitwastesantheremainderofautumntogiveittoyou，and，infact，ignoresthequestionoftime，whichcannotandmustnotbeignored。
Again，oneofthestandardmaximsofwar，asyouknow，is\"tooperateupontheenemy’scommunicationsasmuchaspossible，withoutexposingyourown。\"Youseemtoactasifthisappliesagainstyou，butcannotapplyinyourfavor。Changepositionswiththeenemy，andthinkyounothewouldbreakyourcommunicationwithRichmondwithinthenexttwenty—fourhours？YoudreadhisgoingintoPennsylvania。
Butifhedoessoinfullforce，hegivesuphiscommunicationstoyouabsolutely，andyouhavenothingtodobuttofollowandruinhim；ifhedoessowithlessthanfullforce，falluponandbeatwhatisleftbehindalltheeasier。
Exclusiveofthewaterline，youarenownearertoRichmondthantheenemyis，bytheroutethatyoucanandhemusttake。Whycanyounotreachtherebeforehim，unlessyouadmitthatheismorethanyourequalonamarch？Hisrouteisthearcofacircle，whileyoursisthechord。Theroadsareasgoodonyoursasonhis。
YouknowIdesired，butdidnotorder，youtocrossthePotomacbelowinsteadofabovetheShenandoahandBlueRidge。Myideawas，thatthiswouldatoncemenacetheenemy’scommunications，whichIwouldseizeifhewouldpermit。Ifheshouldmovenorthward，Iwouldfollowhimclosely，holdinghiscommunications。Ifheshouldpreventourseizinghiscommunications，andmovetowardRichmond，Iwouldpresscloselytohim，fighthimifafavorableopportunityshouldpresent，andatleasttrytobeathimtoRichmondontheinsidetrack。Isaytry；\"ifwenevertry，weshallneversucceed。IfhemakesastandatWinchester，movingneithernorthorsouth，Iwouldfighthimthere，ontheideathatifwecannotbeathimwhenhebearsthewastageofcomingtous，wenevercanwhenwebearthewastageofgoingtohim。Thispropositionisasimpletruth，andistooimportanttobelostsightofforamoment。Incomingtoushetendersusanadvantagewhichweshouldnotwaive。Weshouldnotsooperateastomerelydrivehimaway。Aswemustbeathimsomewhereorfailfinally，wecandoit，ifatall，easierneartousthanfaraway。Ifwecannotbeattheenemywherehenowis，wenevercan，heagainbeingwithintheentrenchmentsofRichmond。
[And，indeed，theenemywasletbackintoRichmondandittookanothertwoyearsandthousandsofdeadforMcClellandcowardice——ifthatwasallthatitwas。Istillsuspect，andIthinktheevidenceisoverwhelmingthathewas，eithersecretlyasupporteroftheSouth，or，whatismorelikely，apoliticianreadyingforadifferentcampaign：thatofthePresidencyoftheUnitedStates。]
RecurringtotheideaofgoingtoRichmondontheinsidetrack，thefacilityofsupplyingfromthesideawayfromtheenemyisremarkable，asitwere，bythedifferentspokesofawheelextendingfromthehubtowardtherim，andthiswhetheryoumovedirectlybythechordorontheinsidearc，huggingtheBlueRidgemoreclosely。
Thechordline，asyousee，carriesyoubyAldie，HayMarket，andFredericksburg；andyouseehowturnpikes，railroads，andfinallythePotomac，byAquiaCreek，meetyouatallpointsfromWASHINGTON；thesame，onlythelineslengthenedalittle，ifyoupressclosertotheBlueRidgepartoftheway。
ThegapsthroughtheBlueRidgeIunderstandtobeaboutthefollowingdistancesfromHarper’sFerry，towit：Vestal’s，5miles；
Gregory’s，13；Snicker’s，18；Ashby’s，28；Manassas，38；Chester，45；
andThornton’s，53。Ishouldthinkitpreferabletotaketheroutenearesttheenemy，disablinghimtomakeanimportantmovewithoutyourknowledge，andcompellinghimtokeephisforcestogetherfordreadofyou。Thegapswouldenableyoutoattackifyoushouldwish。ForagreatpartofthewayyouwouldbepracticallybetweentheenemyandbothWASHINGTONandRichmond，enablingustospareyouthegreatestnumberoftroopsfromhere。WhenatlengthrunningforRichmondaheadofhimenableshimtomovethisway，ifhedoesso，turnandattackhiminrear。ButIthinkheshouldbeengagedlongbeforesuchapointisreached。Itisalleasyifourtroopsmarchaswellastheenemy，anditisunmanlytosaytheycannotdoit。
Thisletterisinnosenseanorder。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORPIERPOINT。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，October16，1862。
GOVERNORPIERPOINT，Wheeling，Virginia：
Yourdespatchofto—dayreceived。Iamverysorrytohaveoffendedyou。Iappointedthecollector，asIthought，onyourwrittenrecommendation，andtheassessoralsowithyourtestimonyofworthiness，althoughIknowyoupreferredadifferentman。Iwillexamineto—morrowwhetherIammistakeninthis。
A。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEORDERESTABLISHINGAPROVISIONALCOURTINLOUISIANA。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTONCITY，October20，1862。
TheinsurrectionwhichhasforsometimeprevailedinseveraloftheStatesofthisUnion，includingLouisiana，havingtemporarilysubvertedandsweptawaythecivilinstitutionsofthatState，includingthejudiciaryandthejudicialauthoritiesoftheUnion，sothatithasbecomenecessarytoholdtheStateinmilitaryOccupation，anditbeingindispensablynecessarythatthereshallbesomejudicialtribunalexistingtherecapableofadministeringjustice，Ihavethereforethoughtitpropertoappoint，andIdoherebyconstitute，aprovisionalcourt，whichshallbeacourtofrecord，fortheStateofLouisiana；andIdoherebyappointCharlesA
Peabody，ofNewYork，tobeaprovisionaljudgetoholdsaidcourt，withauthoritytohear，try，anddetermineallcauses，civilandcriminal，includingcausesinlaw，equity，revenue，andadmiralty，andparticularlyallsuchpowersandjurisdictionasbelongtothedistrictandcircuitcourtsoftheUnitedStates，conforminghisproceedingssofaraspossibletothecourseofproceedingsandpracticewhichhasbeencustomaryinthecourtsoftheUnitedStatesandLouisiana，hisjudgmenttobefinalandconclusive。AndIdoherebyauthorizeandempowerthesaidjudgetomakeandestablishsuchrulesandregulationsasmaybenecessaryfortheexerciseofhisjurisdiction，andempowerthesaidjudgetoappointaprosecutingattorney，marshal，andclerkofthesaidcourt，whoshallperformthefunctionsofattorney，marshal，andclerkaccordingtosuchproceedingsandpracticeasbeforementionedandsuchrulesandregulationsasmaybemadeandestablishedbysaidjudge。TheseappointmentsaretocontinueduringthepleasureofthePresident，notextendingbeyondthemilitaryoccupationofthecityofNewOrleansortherestorationofthecivilauthorityinthatcityandintheStateofLouisiana。Theseofficersshallbepaid，outofthecontingentfundoftheWarDepartment，compensationasfollows：
Thejudgeattherateof$3500perannum；theprosecutingattorney，includingthefees，attherateof$3000perannum；themarshal，includingthefees，attherateof$3000perannum；andtheclerk，includingthefees，attherateof$2500perannum；suchcompensationstobecertifiedbytheSecretaryofWar。Acopyofthisorder，certifiedbytheSecretaryofWaranddeliveredtosuchjudge，shallbedeemedandheldtobeasufficientcommission。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN，PresidentoftheUnitedStates。
TOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October21，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALU。S。GRANT：
Thebearerofthis，ThomasR。Smith，acitizenofTennessee，goestothatStateseekingtohavesuchofthepeoplethereofasdesiretoavoidtheunsatisfactoryprospectbeforethem，andtohavepeaceagainupontheoldterms，undertheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，tomanifestsuchdesirebyelectionsofmemberstotheCongressoftheUnitedStatesparticularly，andperhapsaLegislature，Stateofficers，andaUnitedStatessenatorfriendlytotheirobject。
Ishallbegladforyouandeachofyoutoaidhim，andallothersactingforthisobject，asmuchaspossible。Inallavailablewaysgivethepeopleashowtoexpresstheirwishesattheseelections。
Followlaw，andformsoflaw，asfarasconvenient，butatalleventsgettheexpressionofthelargestnumberofthepeoplepossible。AllseehowsuchactionwillconnectwithandaffecttheproclamationofSeptember22。Ofcoursethemenelectedshouldbegentlemenofcharacter，willingtoswearsupporttotheConstitutionasofold，andknowntobeabovereasonablesuspicionofduplicity。
Yoursveryrespectfully，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJAMESON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October21，1862。
GENERALJAMESON，UpperStillwater，Me。：
Howisyourhealthnow？DoyouornotwishLieut。R。P。Crawfordtoberestoredtohisoffice？
A。LINCOLN。
GENERALMcCLELLANSTIREDHORSES
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，October24[25？]，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Ihavejustreadyourdespatchaboutsore—tonguedandfatiguedhorses。WillyoupardonmeforaskingwhatthehorsesofyourarmyhavedonesincethebattleofAntietamthatfatiguesanything？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，October26，1862。11。30amMAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yours，inreplytomineabouthorses，received。OfcourseyouknowthefactsbetterthanI；stilltwoconsiderationsremain：Stuart’scavalryoutmarchedours，havingcertainlydonemoremarkedserviceonthePeninsulaandeverywheresince。Secondly，willnotamovementofourarmybearelieftothecavalry，compellingtheenemytoconcentrateinsteadofforaginginsquadseverywhere？ButIamsorejoicedtolearnfromyourdespatchtoGeneralHalleckthatyoubegincrossingtheriverthismorning。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALDIX。
Privateandconfidential。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON
October26，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALDix，FortMonroe，Virginia：
YourdespatchtoMr。Stanton，ofwhichtheenclosedisacopy，hasbeenhandedmebyhim。Itwouldbedangerousformenowtobeginconstruingandmakingspecificapplicationsoftheproclamation。
ItisobvioustoallthatIthereinintendedtogivetimeandopportunity。Also，itisseenIleftmyselfatlibertytoexemptpartsofStates。Withoutsayingmore，IshallbeverygladifanyCongressionaldistrictwill，ingoodfaith，doasyourdespatchcontemplates。
Couldyougivemethefactswhichpromptedyoutotelegraph？
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October27，1862，12。10
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yoursofyesterdayreceived。MostcertainlyIintendnoinjusticetoany，andifIhavedoneanyIdeeplyregretit。Tobetold，aftermorethanfiveweeks’totalinactionofthearmy，andduringwhichperiodwehavesenttothearmyeveryfreshhorsewepossiblycould，amountinginthewholeto7918，thatthecavalryhorsesweretoomuchfatiguedtomove，presentsaverycheerless，almosthopeless，prospectforthefuture，anditmayhaveforcedsomethingofimpatienceinmydespatch。Ifnotrecruitedandrestedthen，whencouldtheyeverbe？Isupposetheriverisrising，andIamgladtobelieveyouarecrossing。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October27，1862。3。25pmMAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourdespatchof3P。M。to—day，inregardtofillingupoldregimentswithdraftedmen，isreceived，andtherequestthereinshallbecompliedwithasfaraspracticable。
AndnowIaskadistinctanswertothequestion，IsityourpurposenottogointoactionagainuntilthemennowbeingdraftedintheStatesareincorporatedintotheoldregiments？
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October29，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourdespatchesofnightbeforelast，yesterday，andlastnightallreceived。Iammuchpleasedwiththemovementofthearmy。Whenyougetentirelyacrosstheriverletmeknow。Whatdoyouknowoftheenemy？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORCURTIN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October30，1862。
GOVERNORCURTIN，Harrisburg：
BysomemeansIhavenotseenyourdespatchofthe27thaboutorderNo。154untilthismoment。Inowlearn，whatIknewnothingofbefore，thatthehistoryoftheorderisasfollows：
WhenGeneralMcClellantelegraphedaskingGeneralHallecktohavetheordermade，GeneralHalleckwenttotheSecretaryofWarwithit，statinghisapprovaloftheplan。TheSecretaryassentedandGeneralHalleckwrotetheorder。Itwasamilitaryquestion，whichtheSecretarysupposedtheGeneralunderstoodbetterthanhe。
IwishIcouldseeGovernorCurtin。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
WARDEPARTMENT，October31，1862。
GOV。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tenn。，viaLouisville，Ky。：
Yoursofthe29threceived。IshalltakeittoGeneralHalleck，butIalreadyknowitwillbeinconvenienttotakeGeneralMorgan’scommandfromwhereitnowis。IamgladtohearyouspeakhopefullyofTennessee。IsincerelyhopeRosecransmayfinditpossibletodosomethingforher。DavidNelson，sonoftheM。C。ofyourState，regretshisfather’sfinaldefection，andasksmeforasituation。
Doyouknowhim？CouldhebeofservicetoyouortoTennesseeinanycapacityinwhichIcouldsendhim？
A。LINCOLN。
MEMORANDUM。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November1，1862。
TOWHOMITMAYCONCERN：CaptainDerrickson，withhiscompany，hasbeenforsometimekeepingguardatmyresidence，nowattheSoldiers’Retreat。Heandhiscompanyareveryagreeabletome，andwhileitisdeemedproperforanyguardtoremain，nonewouldbemoresatisfactorythanCaptainDerricksonandhiscompany。
A。LINCOLN。
ORDERRELIEVINGGENERALG。B。McCLELLANAND
MAKINGOTHERCHANGES。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，November5，1862。
BydirectionofthePresident，itisorderedthatMajor—GeneralMcClellanberelievedfromthecommandoftheArmyofthePotomac，andthatMajor—GeneralBurnsidetakethecommandofthatarmy。AlsothatMajor—GeneralHuntertakecommandofthecorpsinsaidarmywhichisnowcommandedbyGeneralBurnside。ThatMajor—GeneralFitz。
JohnPorterberelievedfromcommandofthecorpshenowcommandsinsaidarmy，andthatMajor—GeneralHookertakecommandofsaidcorps。
Thegeneral—in—chiefisauthorized，in[his]discretion，toissueanordersubstantiallyastheaboveforthwith，orsosoonashemaydeemproper。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOM。F。ODELL。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，November5，1862。
HON。M。F。ODELL，Brooklyn，NewYork：
Youarere—elected。Iwishtoseeyouatoncewillyoucome？Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELLOWE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November7，1862。
COL。W。W。LOWE，FortHenry，Tennessee：
Yoursofyesterdayreceived。GovernorJohnson，Mr。Ethridge，andothersarelookingaftertheverythingyoutelegraphedabout。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。POPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November10，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Paul，Minnesota：
Yourdespatchgivingthenamesof300Indianscondemnedtodeathisreceived。Pleaseforwardassoonaspossiblethefullandcompleterecordoftheirconvictions；andiftherecorddoesnotfullyindicatethemoreguiltyandinfluentialoftheculprits，pleasehaveacarefulstatementmadeonthesepointsandforwardedtome。Sendallbymail。
A。LINCOLN。
TOCOMMODOREFARRAGUT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November11，1862。
COMMODOREFARRAGUT：
DEARSIR：——ThiswillintroduceMajor—GeneralBanks。HeisincommandofaconsiderablelandforceforoperatingintheSouth，andIshallbegladforyoutoco—OperatewithhimandgivehimsuchassistanceasyoucanconsistentlywithyourordersfromtheNavyDepartment。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
ORDERCONCERNINGBLOCKADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November12，1862。
Ordered，First：thatclearancesissuedbytheTreasuryDepartmentforvesselsormerchandiseboundfortheportofNorfolk，forthemilitarynecessitiesofthedepartment，certifiedbythemilitarycommandantatFortMonroe，shallbeallowedtoentersaidport。
Second：thatvesselsanddomesticproducefromNorfolk，permittedbythemilitarycommandantatFortMonroeforthemilitarypurposesofhiscommand，shallonhispermitbeallowedtopassfromsaidporttotheirdestinationinanyportnotblockadedbytheUnitedStates。
A。LINCOLN
ORDERCONCERNINGTHECONFISCATIONACT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，November13，1862。
Ordered，bythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，ThattheAttorney—GeneralbechargedwiththesuperintendenceanddirectionofallproceedingstobehadundertheactofCongressofthe17thofJuly，1862，entitled\"Anacttosuppressinsurrection，topunishtreasonandrebellion，toseizeandconfiscatethepropertyofrebels，andforotherpurposes，\"insofarasmayconcerntheseizure，prosecution，andcondemnationoftheestate，property，andeffectsofrebelsandtraitors，asmentionedandprovidedforinthefifth，sixth，andseventhsectionsofthesaidactofCongress。AndtheAttorney—GeneralisauthorizedandrequiredtogivetotheattorneysandmarshalsoftheUnitedStatessuchinstructionsanddirectionsashemayfindneedfulandconvenienttouchingallsuchseizures，prosecutions，andcondemnations，and，moreover，toauthorizeallsuchattorneysandmarshals，whenevertheremaybereasonablegroundtofearanyforcibleresistancetotheminthedischargeoftheirrespectivedutiesinthisbehalf，tocalluponanymilitaryofficerincommandoftheforcesoftheUnitedStatestogivetothemsuchaid，protection，andsupportasmaybenecessarytoenablethemsafelyandefficientlytodischargetheirrespectiveduties；andallsuchcommandingofficersarerequiredpromptlytoobeysuchcall，andtorenderthenecessaryserviceasfarasmaybeintheirpowerconsistentlywiththeirotherduties。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
EDWARDBATES，Attorney—GeneralTELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
WARDEPARTMENT，November14，1862。
GOV。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tennessee：
Yourdespatchofthe4th，aboutreturningtroopsfromwesternVirginiatoTennessee，isjustreceived，andIhavebeentoGeneralHalleckwithit。Hesaysanorderhasalreadybeenmadebywhichthosetroopshavealreadymoved，orsoonwillmove，toTennessee。
A。LINCOLN。
GENERALORDERRESPECTINGTHEOBSERVANCEOF
THESABBATHDAYINTHEARMYANDNAVY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November15，1862。
ThePresident，Commander—in—ChiefoftheArmyandNavy，desiresandenjoinstheorderlyobservanceoftheSabbathbytheofficersandmeninthemilitaryandnavalservice。Theimportanceformanandbeastoftheprescribedweeklyrest，thesacredrightsofChristiansoldiersandsailors，abecomingdeferencetothebestsentimentofaChristianpeople，andadueregardforthedivinewilldemandthatSundaylaborinthearmyandnavybereducedtothemeasureofstrictnecessity。
ThedisciplineandcharacterofthenationalforcesshouldnotsuffernorthecausetheydefendbeimperilledbytheprofanationofthedayornameoftheMostHigh。\"Atthistimeofpublicdistress，\"
adoptingthewordsofWashingtonin1776，\"menmayfindenoughtodointheserviceofGodandtheircountrywithoutabandoningthemselvestoviceandimmorality。\"ThefirstgeneralorderissuedbytheFatherofhisCountryaftertheDeclarationofIndependenceindicatesthespiritinwhichourinstitutionswerefoundedandshouldeverbedefended：
\"TheGeneralhopesandtruststhateveryofficerandmanwillendeavortoliveandactasbecomesaChristiansoldierdefendingthedearestrightsandlibertiesofhiscountry。\"
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALBLAIR
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November17，1862。
HON。F。P。BLAIR：
YourbrothersaysyouaresolicitoustobeorderedtojoinGeneralMcLernand。IsupposeyouareorderedtoHelena；thismeansthatyouaretoformpartofMcLernand’sexpeditionasitmovesdowntheriver；andGeneralMcLernandissoinformed。IwillseeGeneralHalleckastowhethertheadditionalforceyoumentioncangowithyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。A。DIX。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，November18，1861。
MAJOR—GENERALDix，FortMonroe：
PleasegivemeyourbestopinionastothenumberoftheenemynowatRichmondandalsoatPetersburg。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORSHEPLEY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November21，1862。
HON。G。F。SHEPLEY。
DEARSIR：——Dr。Kennedy，bearerofthis，hassomeapprehensionthatFederalofficersnotcitizensofLouisianamaybesetupascandidatesforCongressinthatState。Inmyviewtherecouldbenopossibleobjectinsuchanelection。WedonotparticularlyneedmembersofCongressfromtheretoenableustogetalongwithlegislationhere。WhatwedowantistheconclusiveevidencethatrespectablecitizensofLouisianaarewillingtobemembersofCongressandtoswearsupporttotheConstitution，andthatotherrespectablecitizenstherearewillingtovoteforthemandsendthem。TosendaparcelofNorthernmenhereasrepresentatives，elected，aswouldbeunderstoodandperhapsreallyso，atthepointofthebayonet，wouldbedisgustingandoutrageous；andwereI
amemberofCongresshere，Iwouldvoteagainstadmittinganysuchmantoaseat。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN，ORDERPROHIBITINGTHEEXPORTOFARMSAND
MUNITIONSOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November21，1862。
Ordered，Thatnoarms，ammunition，ormunitionsofwarbeclearedorallowedtobeexportedfromtheUnitedStatesuntilfurtherorders。
Thatanyclearanceforarms，ammunition，ormunitionsofwarissuedheretoforebytheTreasuryDepartmentbevacated，ifthearticleshavenotpassedwithouttheUnitedStates，andthearticlesstopped。
ThattheSecretaryofWarholdpossessionofthearms，etc。，recentlyseizedbyhisorderatRouse’sPoint，boundforCanada。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
DELAYINGTACTICSOFGENERALS
TOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November22，1862。
MYDEARGENERALBANKS：——Earlylastweekyouleftmeinhighhopewithyourassurancethatyouwouldbeoffwithyourexpeditionattheendofthatweek，orearlyinthis。Itisnowtheendofthis，andI
havejustbeenoverwhelmedandconfoundedwiththesightofarequisitionmadebyyouwhich，Iamassured，cannotbefilledandgotoffwithinanhourshortoftwomonths。Iencloseyouacopyoftherequisition，insomehopethatitisnotgenuine——thatyouhaveneverseenit。MydearGeneral，thisexpandingandpilingupofimpedimentahasbeen，sofar，almostourruin，andwillbeourfinalruinifitisnotabandoned。Ifyouhadthearticlesofthisrequisitionuponthewharf，withthenecessaryanimalstomakethemofanyuse，andforagefortheanimals，youcouldnotgetvesselstogetherintwoweekstocarrythewhole，tosaynothingofyourtwentythousandmen；and，havingthevessels，youcouldnotputthecargoesaboardintwoweeksmore。And，afterall，whereyouaregoingyouhavenouseforthem。Whenyoupartedwithmeyouhadnosuchideasinyourmind。Iknowyouhadnot，oryoucouldnothaveexpectedtobeoffsosoonasyousaid。Youmustgetbacktosomethingliketheplanyouhadthen，oryourexpeditionisafailurebeforeyoustart。YoumustbeoffbeforeCongressmeets。Youwouldbebetteroffanywhere，andespeciallywhereyouaregoing，fornothavingathousandwagonsdoingnothingbuthaulingforagetofeedtheanimalsthatdrawthem，andtakingatleasttwothousandmentocareforthewagonsandanimals，whootherwisemightbetwothousandgoodsoldiers。Now，dearGeneral，donotthinkthisisanill—naturedletter；itistheveryreverse。Thesimplepublicationofthisrequisitionwouldruinyou。
Verytrulyyourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
TOCARLSCHURZ。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November24，1862。
GENERALCARLSCHURZ。
MYDEARSIR—Ihavejustreceivedandreadyourletterofthe20th。
Thepurportofitisthatwelostthelateelectionsandtheadministrationisfailingbecausethewarisunsuccessful，andthatI
mustnotflattermyselfthatIamnotjustlytoblameforit。I
certainlyknowthatifthewarfailstheadministrationfails，andthatIwillbeblamedforit，whetherIdeserveitornot。AndI
oughttobeblamedifIcoulddobetter。YouthinkIcoulddobetter；thereforeyoublamemealready。IthinkIcouldnotdobetter；thereforeIblameyouforblamingme。IunderstandyounowtobewillingtoacceptthehelpofmenwhoarenotRepublicans，providedtheyhave\"heartinit。\"Agreed。Iwantnoothers。Butwhoistobethejudgeofhearts，orof\"heartinit\"？IfImustdiscardmyownjudgmentandtakeyours，ImustalsotakethatofothersandbythetimeIshouldrejectallIshouldbeadvisedtoreject，I
shouldhavenoneleft，Republicansorothersnotevenyourself。Forbeassured，mydearsir，therearemenwhohave\"heartinit\"thatthinkyouareperformingyourpartaspoorlyasyouthinkIamperformingmine。IcertainlyhavebeendissatisfiedwiththeslownessofBuellandMcClellan；butbeforeIrelievedthemIhadgreatfearsIshouldnotfindsuccessorstothemwhowoulddobetter；
andIamsorrytoaddthatIhaveseenlittlesincetorelievethosefears。
Idonotseeclearlytheprospectofanymorerapidmovements。I
fearweshallatlastfindoutthatthedifficultyisinourcaseratherthaninparticulargenerals。Iwishtodisparagenoonecertainlynotthosewhosympathizewithme；butImustsayIneedsuccessmorethanIneedsympathy，andthatIhavenotseenthesomuchgreaterevidenceofgettingsuccessfrommysympathizersthanfromthosewhoaredenouncedasthecontrary。Itdoesseemtomethatinthefieldthetwoclasseshavebeenverymuchalikeinwhattheyhavedoneandwhattheyhavefailedtodo。Insealingtheirfaithwiththeirblood，BakerandLyonandBohienandRichardson，Republicans，didallthatmencoulddo；butdidtheyanymorethanKearnyandStevensandRenoandMansfield，noneofwhomwereRepublicans，andsomeatleastofwhomhavebeenbitterlyandrepeatedlydenouncedtomeassecessionsympathizers？Iwillnotperformtheungratefultaskofcomparingcasesoffailure。
Inanswertoyourquestion，\"Hasitnotbeenpubliclystatedinthenewspapers，andapparentlyprovedasafact，thatfromthecommencementofthewartheenemywascontinuallysuppliedwithinformationbysomeoftheconfidentialsubordinatesofasimportantanofficerasAdjutant—GeneralThomas？\"Imustsay\"No，\"asfarasmyknowledgeextends。AndIaddthatifyoucangiveanytangibleevidenceuponthesubject，Iwillthankyoutocometothiscityanddoso。
Verytrulyyourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。E。BURNSIDE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November25，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，Falmouth，Virginia：
IfIshouldbeinboatoffAquiaCreekatdarktomorrowWednesday
evening，couldyou，withoutinconvenience，meetmeandpassanhourortwowithme？
A。LINCOLN。
TOATTORNEY—GENERALBATES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November29，1862。
HON。ATTORNEY—GENERAL。
MYDEARSIR：——FewthingsperplexmemorethanthisquestionbetweenGovernorGambleandtheWarDepartment，astowhetherthepeculiarforceorganizedbytheformerinMissouriareStatetroopsorUnitedStatestroops。Now，thisiseitheranimmaterialoramischievousquestion。First，ifnomoreisdesiredthantohaveitsettledwhatnametheforceistobecalledby，itisimmaterial。Secondly，ifitisdesiredformorethanthefixinganame，itcanonlybetogetapositionfromwhichtodrawpracticalinferences；thenitismischievous。Insteadofsettlingonedisputebydecidingthequestion，Ishouldmerelyfurnishanest—fullofeggsforhatchingnewdisputes。Ibelievetheforceisnotstrictlyeither\"Statetroops\"or\"UnitedStatestroops。\"Itisofmixedcharacter。I
thereforethinkitissafer，whenapracticalquestionarises，todecidethatquestiondirectly，andnotindirectlybydecidingageneralabstractionsupposedtoincludeit，andalsoincludingagreatdealmore。WithoutdisputeGovernorGambleappointstheofficersofthisforce，andfillsvacancieswhentheyoccur。Thequestionnowpracticallyindisputeis：CanGovernorGamblemakeavacancybyremovinganofficeroracceptingaresignation？Now，whileitisproperthatthisquestionshallbesettled，IdonotperceivewhyeitherGovernorGambleorthegovernmenthereshouldcarewhichwayitissettled。Iamperplexedwithitonlybecausethereseemstobepertinacityaboutit。Itseemstomethatitmightbeeitherwaywithoutinjurytotheservice；orthattheofferoftheSecretaryofWartoletGovernorGamblemakevacancies，andhetheSecretarytoratifythemakingofthem，oughttobesatisfactory。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALCURTIS。
[Cipher。]
WASHINGTON，November30，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALCURTIS，SaintLouis，Missouri：
FrankBlairwantsManter’sThirty—second，Curly’sTwentyseventh，Boyd’sTwenty—fourthandtheNinthandTenthCavalrytogowithhimdowntheriver。Iunderstanditiswithyoutodecidewhetherheshallhavethemandifso，andifalsoitisconsistentwiththepublicservice，youwillobligemeagooddealbylettinghimhavethem。
A。LINCOLN。
ONEXECUTING300INDIANS
LETTERTOJUDGE—ADVOCATE—GENERAL。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，December1，1862。
JUDGE—ADVOCATE—GENERAL。
SIR：——ThreehundredIndianshavebeensentencedtodeathinMinnesotabyamilitarycommission，andexecutiononlyawaitsmyaction。I
wishyourlegalopinionwhetherifIshouldconcludetoexecuteonlyapartofthem，Imustmyselfdesignatewhich，orcouldIleavethedesignationtosomeofficerontheground？
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
ANNUALMESSAGETOCONGRESS，DECEMBER1，1862。
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES——Sinceyourlastannualassemblinganotheryearofhealthandbountifulharvestshaspassed；andwhileithasnotpleasedtheAlmightytoblessuswithareturnofpeace，wecanbutpresson，guidedbythebestlighthegivesus，trustingthatinhisowngoodtimeandwisewayallwillyetbewell。
Thecorrespondencetouchingforeignaffairswhichhastakenplaceduringthelastyearisherewithsubmitted，invirtualcompliancewitharequesttothateffect，madebytheHouseofRepresentativesnearthecloseofthelastsessionofCongress。
Iftheconditionofourrelationswithothernationsislessgratifyingthanithasusuallybeenatformerperiods，itiscertainlymoresatisfactorythananationsounhappilydistractedaswearemightreasonablyhaveapprehended。InthemonthofJunelastthereweresomegroundstoexpectthatthemaritimepowerswhich，atthebeginningofourdomesticdifficulties，sounwiselyandunnecessarily，aswethink，recognizedtheinsurgentsasabelligerent，wouldsoonrecedefromthatposition，whichhasprovedonlylessinjurioustothemselvesthantoourowncountry。Butthetemporaryreverseswhichafterwardbefellthenationalarms，andwhichwereexaggeratedbyourowndisloyalcitizensabroad，havehithertodelayedthatactofsimplejustice。
Thecivilwar，whichhassoradicallychanged，forthemoment，theoccupationsandhabitsoftheAmericanpeople，hasnecessarilydisturbedthesocialcondition，andaffectedverydeeplytheprosperity，ofthenationswithwhichwehavecarriedonacommercethathasbeensteadilyincreasingthroughoutaperiodofhalfacentury。Ithas，atthesametime，excitedpoliticalambitionsandapprehensionswhichhaveproducedaprofoundagitationthroughoutthecivilizedworld。Inthisunusualagitationwehaveforbornefromtakingpartinanycontroversybetweenforeignstates，andbetweenpartiesorfactionsinsuchstates。Wehaveattemptednopropagandismandacknowledgednorevolution，butwehavelefttoeverynationtheexclusiveconductandmanagementofitsownaffairs。
Ourstrugglehasbeen，ofcourse，contemplatedbyforeignnationswithreferencelesstoitsownmeritsthantoitssupposedandoftenexaggeratedeffectsandconsequencesresultingtothosenationsthemselves，nevertheless，complaintonthepartofthisgovernment，evenifitwerejust，wouldcertainlybeunwise。
ThetreatywithGreatBritainforthesuppressionoftheslavetradehasbeenputintooperationwithagoodprospectofcompletesuccess。
ItisanoccasionofspecialpleasuretoacknowledgethattheexecutionofitonthepartofherMajesty’sgovernmenthasbeenmarkedwithajealousrespectfortheauthorityoftheUnitedStatesandtherightsoftheirmoralandloyalcitizens。
TheconventionwithHanoverfortheabolitionofthestatedueshasbeencarriedintofulleffectundertheactofCongressforthatpurpose。
Ablockadeof3000milesofseacoastcouldnotbeestablishedandvigorouslyenforcedinaseasonofgreatcommercialactivitylikethepresentwithoutcommittingoccasionalmistakesandinflictingunintentionalinjuriesuponforeignnationsandtheirsubjects。
Acivilwaroccurringinacountrywhereforeignersresideandcarryontradeundertreatystipulationsisnecessarilyfruitfulofcomplaintsoftheviolationofneutralrights。Allsuchcollisionstendtoexcitemisapprehensions，andpossiblytoproducemutualreclamationsbetweennationswhichhaveacommoninterestinpreservingpeaceandfriendship。InclearcasesofthesekindsI
havesofaraspossibleheardandredressedcomplaintswhichhavebeenpresentedbyfriendlypowers。Thereisstill，however，alargeandanaugmentingnumberofdoubtfulcasesuponwhichthegovernmentisunabletoagreewiththegovernmentswhoseprotectionisdemandedbytheclaimants。Thereare，moreover，manycasesinwhichtheUnitedStatesortheircitizenssufferwrongsfromthenavalormilitaryauthoritiesofforeignnationswhichthegovernmentsofthosestatesarenotatoncepreparedtoredress。Ihaveproposedtosomeoftheforeignstatesthusinterestedmutualconventionstoexamineandadjustsuchcomplaints。ThispropositionhasbeenmadeespeciallytoGreatBritain，toFrance，toSpain，andtoPrussia。Ineachcaseithasbeenkindlyreceived，buthasnotyetbeenformallyadopted。
IdeemitmydutytorecommendanappropriationinbehalfoftheownersoftheNorwegianbarkAdmiralP。Tordenskiold，whichvesselwasinMay，1861，preventedbythecommanderoftheblockadingforceoffCharlestonfromleavingthatportwithcargo，notwithstandingasimilarprivilegehadshortlybeforebeengrantedtoanEnglishvessel。IhavedirectedtheSecretaryofStatetocausethepapersinthecasetobecommunicatedtothepropercommittees。
ApplicationshavebeenmadetomebymanyfreeAmericansofAfricandescenttofavortheiremigration，withaviewtosuchcolonizationaswascontemplatedinrecentactsofCongress，Otherparties，athomeandabroad——somefrominterestedmotives，othersuponpatrioticconsiderations，andstillothersinfluencedbyphilanthropicsentiments——havesuggestedsimilarmeasures，while，ontheotherhand，severaloftheSpanishAmericanrepublicshaveprotestedagainstthesendingofsuchcoloniestotheirrespectiveterritories。
UnderthesecircumstancesIhavedeclinedtomoveanysuchcolonytoanystatewithoutfirstobtainingtheconsentofitsgovernment，withanagreementonitsparttoreceiveandprotectsuchemigrantsinalltherightsoffreemen；andIhaveatthesametimeofferedtotheseveralstatessituatedwithintheTropics，orhavingcoloniesthere，tonegotiatewiththem，subjecttotheadviceandconsentoftheSenate，tofavorthevoluntaryemigrationofpersonsofthatclasstotheirrespectiveterritories，uponconditionswhichshallbeequal，just，andhumane。LiberiaandHaitiareasyettheonlycountriestowhichcolonistsofAfricandescentfromherecouldgowithcertaintyofbeingreceivedandadoptedascitizens；andIregrettosaysuchpersonscontemplatingcolonizationdonotseemsowillingtomigratetothosecountriesastosomeothers，norsowillingasIthinktheirinterestdemands。Ibelieve，however，opinionamongtheminthisrespectisimproving，andthaterelongtherewillbeanaugmentedandconsiderablemigrationtoboththesecountriesfromtheUnitedStates。
ThenewcommercialtreatybetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSultanofTurkeyhasbeencarriedintoexecution。
Acommercialandconsulartreatyhasbeennegotiated，subjecttotheSenate’sconsent，withLiberia，andasimilarnegotiationisnowpendingwiththeRepublicofHaiti。Aconsiderableimprovementofthenationalcommerceisexpectedtoresultfromthesemeasures。
OurrelationswithGreatBritain，France，Spain，Portugal，Russia，Prussia，Denmark，Sweden，Austria，theNetherlands，Italy，Rome，andtheotherEuropeanstatesremainundisturbed。VeryfavorablerelationsalsocontinuetobemaintainedwithTurkey，Morocco，China，andJapan。
Duringthelastyeartherehasnotonlybeennochangeofourpreviousrelationswiththeindependentstatesofourowncontinent，butmorefriendlysentimentsthanhaveheretoforeexistedarebelievedtobeentertainedbytheseneighbors，whosesafetyandprogressaresointimatelyconnectedwithourown。ThisstatementespeciallyappliestoMexico，Nicaragua，CostaRica，Honduras，Peru，andChile。
ThecommissionundertheconventionwiththeRepublicofNewGranadacloseditssessionwithouthavingauditedandpasseduponalltheclaimswhichweresubmittedtoit。Apropositionispendingtorevivetheconvention，thatitmaybeabletodomorecompletejustice。ThejointcommissionbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheRepublicofCostaRicahascompleteditslaborsandsubmitteditsreport。
IhavefavoredtheprojectforconnectingtheUnitedStateswithEuropebyanAtlantictelegraph，andasimilarprojecttoextendthetelegraphfromSanFranciscotoconnectbyaPacifictelegraphwiththelinewhichisbeingextendedacrosstheRussianEmpire。
TheTerritoriesoftheUnitedStates，withunimportantexceptions，haveremainedundisturbedbythecivilwar；andtheyareexhibitingsuchevidenceofprosperityasjustifiesanexpectationthatsomeofthemwillsoonbeinaconditiontobeorganizedasStatesandbeconstitutionallyadmittedintotheFederalUnion。
TheimmensemineralresourcesofsomeofthoseTerritoriesoughttobedevelopedasrapidlyaspossible。Everystepinthatdirectionwouldhaveatendencytoimprovetherevenuesofthegovernmentanddiminishtheburdensofthepeople。Itisworthyofyourseriousconsiderationwhethersomeextraordinarymeasurestopromotethatendcannotbeadopted。ThemeanswhichsuggestsitselfasmostlikelytobeeffectiveisascientificexplorationofthemineralregionsinthoseTerritorieswithaviewtothepublicationofitsresultsathomeandinforeigncountries——resultswhichcannotfailtobeauspicious。
Theconditionofthefinanceswinclaimyourmostdiligentconsideration。Thevastexpendituresincidenttothemilitaryandnavaloperationsrequiredforthesuppressionoftherebellionhavehithertobeenmetwithapromptitudeandcertaintyunusualinsimilarcircumstances，andthepubliccredithasbeenfullymaintained。Thecontinuanceofthewar，however，andtheincreaseddisbursementsmadenecessarybytheaugmentedforcesnowinthefielddemandyourbestreflectionsastothebestmodesofprovidingthenecessaryrevenuewithoutinjurytobusinessandwiththeleastpossibleburdensuponlabor。
ThesuspensionofspeciepaymentsbythebankssoonafterthecommencementofyourlastsessionmadelargeissuesofUnitedStatesnotesunavoidable。Innootherwaycouldthepaymentoftroopsandthesatisfactionofotherjustdemandsbesoeconomicallyorsowellprovidedfor。ThejudiciouslegislationofCongress，securingthereceivabilityofthesenotesforloansandinternaldutiesandmakingthemalegaltenderforotherdebts，hasmadethemanuniversalcurrency，andhassatisfied，partiallyatleast，andforthetime，thelong—feltwantofanuniformcirculatingmedium，savingtherebytothepeopleimmensesumsindiscountsandexchanges。
Areturntospeciepayments，however，attheearliestperiodcompatiblewithdueregardtoallinterestsconcernedshouldeverbekeptinview。Fluctuationsinthevalueofcurrencyarealwaysinjurious，andtoreducethesefluctuationstothelowestpossiblepointwillalwaysbealeadingpurposeinwiselegislation。
Convertibility，promptandcertainconvertibility，intocoinisgenerallyacknowledgedtobethebestandsurestsafeguardagainstthem；anditisextremelydoubtfulwhetheracirculationofUnitedStatesnotespayableincoinandsufficientlylargeforthewantsofthepeoplecanbepermanently，usefully，andsafelymaintained。
Isthere，then，anyothermodeinwhichthenecessaryprovisionforthepublicwantscanbemadeandthegreatadvantagesofasafeanduniformcurrencysecured？
Iknowofnonewhichpromisessocertainresultsandisatthesametimesounobjectionableastheorganizationofbankingassociations，underageneralactofCongress，wellguardedinitsprovisions。Tosuchassociationsthegovernmentmightfurnishcirculatingnotes，onthesecurityofUnitedStatesbondsdepositedinthetreasury。
Thesenotes，preparedunderthesupervisionofproperofficers，beinguniforminappearanceandsecurityandconvertiblealwaysintocoin，wouldatonceprotectlaboragainsttheevilsofaviciouscurrencyandfacilitatecommercebycheapandsafeexchanges。
AmoderatereservationfromtheinterestonthebondswouldcompensatetheUnitedStatesforthepreparationanddistributionofthenotesandageneralsupervisionofthesystem，andwouldlightentheburdenofthatpartofthepublicdebtemployedassecurities。
Thepubliccredit，moreover，wouldbegreatlyimprovedandthenegotiationofnewloansgreatlyfacilitatedbythesteadymarketdemandforgovernmentbondswhichtheadoptionoftheproposedsystemwouldcreate。
Itisanadditionalrecommendationofthemeasure，ofconsiderableweight，inmyjudgment，thatitwouldreconcileasfaraspossibleallexistinginterestsbytheopportunityofferedtoexistinginstitutionstoreorganizeundertheact，substitutingonlythesecureduniformnationalcirculationforthelocalandvariouscirculation，securedandunsecured，nowissuedbythem。
Thereceiptsintothetreasuryfromallsources，includingloansandbalancefromtheprecedingyear，forthefiscalyearendingonthe30thJune，1862，were$583，885，247。06，ofwhichsum$49，056，397。62
werederivedfromcustoms；$1，795，331。73fromthedirecttax；frompubliclands，$152，203。77；frommiscellaneoussources，$931，787。64；
fromloansinallforms，$529，692，460。50。Theremainder，$2，257，065。80，wasthebalancefromlastyear。
Thedisbursementsduringthesameperiodwere：Forcongressional，executive，andjudicialpurposes，$5，939，009。29；forforeignintercourse，$1，339，710。35；formiscellaneousexpenses，includingthemints，loans，post—officedeficiencies，collectionofrevenue，andotherlikecharges，$14，129，771。50；forexpensesundertheInteriorDepartment，$3，102，985。52；undertheWarDepartment，$394，368，407。36；
undertheNavyDepartment，$42，674，569。69；forinterestonpublicdebt，$13，190，324。45；andforpaymentofpublicdebt，includingreimbursementoftemporaryloanandredemptions，$96，096，922。09；
makinganaggregateof$570，841，700。25，andleavingabalanceinthetreasuryonthe1stdayofJuly，1862，of$13，043，546。81。
Itshouldbeobservedthatthesumof$96，096，922。09，expendedforreimbursementsandredemptionofpublicdebt，beingincludedalsointheloansmade，maybeproperlydeductedbothfromreceiptsandexpenditures，leavingtheactualreceiptsfortheyear$487，788，324。97，andtheexpenditures$474，744，778。16。
OtherinformationonthesubjectofthefinanceswillbefoundinthereportoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury，towhosestatementsandviewsIinviteyourmostcandidandconsiderateattention。
ThereportsoftheSecretariesofWarandoftheNavyareherewithtransmitted。Thesereports，thoughlengthy，arescarcelymorethanbriefabstractsoftheverynumerousandextensivetransactionsandoperationsconductedthroughthosedepartments。NorcouldIgiveasummaryofthemhereuponanyprinciplewhichwouldadmitofitsbeingmuchshorterthanthereportsthemselves。Ithereforecontentmyselfwithlayingthereportsbeforeyouandaskingyourattentiontothem。
ItgivesmepleasuretoreportadecidedimprovementinthefinancialconditionofthePost—OfficeDepartmentascomparedwithseveralprecedingyears。Thereceiptsforthefiscalyear1861amountedto$8，349，296。40，whichembracedtherevenuefromalltheStatesoftheUnionforthreequartersofthatyear。Notwithstandingthecessationofrevenuefromtheso—calledsecededStatesduringthelastfiscalyear，theincreaseofthecorrespondenceoftheloyalStateshasbeensufficienttoproducearevenueduringthesameyearof$8，299，820。90，beingonly$50，000lessthanwasderivedfromalltheStatesoftheUnionduringthepreviousyear。Theexpendituresshowastillmorefavorableresult。Theamountexpendedin1861was$13，606，759。11。Forthelastyeartheamounthasbeenreducedto$11，125，364。13，showingadecreaseofabout$2，481，000intheexpendituresascomparedwiththeprecedingyear，andabout$3，750，000ascomparedwiththefiscalyear1860。Thedeficiencyinthedepartmentforthepreviousyearwas$4，551，966。98。Forthelastfiscalyearitwasreducedto$2，112，814。57。ThesefavorableresultsareinpartowingtothecessationofmailserviceintheinsurrectionaryStatesandinparttoacarefulreviewofallexpendituresinthatdepartmentintheinterestofeconomy。Theefficiencyofthepostalservice，itisbelieved，hasalsobeenmuchimproved。ThePostmaster—GeneralhasalsoopenedacorrespondencethroughtheDepartmentofStatewithforeigngovernmentsproposingaconventionofpostalrepresentativesforthepurposeofsimplifyingtheratesofforeignpostageandtoexpeditetheforeignmails。Thisproposition，equallyimportanttoouradoptedcitizensandtothecommercialinterestsofthiscountry，hasbeenfavorablyentertainedandagreedtobyallthegovernmentsfromwhomreplieshavebeenreceived。
IasktheattentionofCongresstothesuggestionsofthePostmaster—Generalinhisreportrespectingthefurtherlegislationrequired，inhisopinion，forthebenefitofthepostalservice。
TheSecretaryoftheInteriorreportsasfollowsinregardtothepubliclands：
\"Thepubliclandshaveceasedtobeasourceofrevenue。Fromthe1stJuly，1861，tothe3othSeptember，1862，theentirecashreceiptsfromthesaleoflandswere$137，476。2——asummuchlessthantheexpensesofourlandsystemduringthesameperiod。Thehomesteadlaw，whichwilltakeeffectonthe1stofJanuarynext，offerssuchinducementstosettlersthatsalesforcashcannotbeexpectedtoanextentsufficienttomeettheexpensesoftheGeneralLandOfficeandthecostofsurveyingandbringingthelandintomarket。\"
ThediscrepancybetweenthesumherestatedasarisingfromthesalesofthepubliclandsandthesumderivedfromthesamesourceasreportedfromtheTreasuryDepartmentarises，asIunderstand，fromthefactthattheperiodsoftime，thoughapparentlywerenotreallycoincidentatthebeginningpoint，theTreasuryreportincludingaconsiderablesumnowwhichhadpreviouslybeenreportedfromtheInterior，sufficientlylargetogreatlyoverreachthesumderivedfromthethreemonthsnowreporteduponbytheInteriorandnotbytheTreasury。
TheIndiantribesuponourfrontiershaveduringthepastyearmanifestedaspiritofinsubordination，andatseveralpointshaveengagedinopenhostilitiesagainstthewhitesettlementsintheirvicinity。ThetribesoccupyingtheIndiancountrysouthofKansasrenouncedtheirallegiancetotheUnitedStatesandenteredintotreatieswiththeinsurgents。ThosewhoremainedloyaltotheUnitedStatesweredrivenfromthecountry。ThechiefoftheCherokeeshasvisitedthiscityforthepurposeofrestoringtheformerrelationsofthetribewiththeUnitedStates。Heallegesthattheywereconstrainedbysuperiorforcetoenterintotreatieswiththeinsurgents，andthattheUnitedStatesneglectedtofurnishtheprotectionwhichtheirtreatystipulationsrequired。
InthemonthofAugustlasttheSiouxIndiansinMinnesotaattackedthesettlementsintheirvicinitywithextremeferocity，killingindiscriminatelymen，women，andchildren。Thisattackwaswhollyunexpected，andthereforenomeansofdefensehadbeenprovided。Itisestimatedthatnotlessthan800personswerekilledbytheIndians，andalargeamountofpropertywasdestroyed。Howthisoutbreakwasinducedisnotdefinitelyknown，andsuspicions，whichmaybeunjust，neednottobestated。InformationwasreceivedbytheIndianBureaufromdifferentsourcesaboutthetimehostilitieswerecommencedthatasimultaneousattackwastobemadeuponwhitesettlementsbyallthetribesbetweentheMississippiRiverandtheRockyMountains。TheStateofMinnesotahassufferedgreatinjuryfromthisIndianwar。Alargeportionofherterritoryhasbeendepopulated，andaseverelosshasbeensustainedbythedestructionofproperty。ThepeopleofthatStatemanifestmuchanxietyfortheremovalofthetribesbeyondthelimitsoftheStateasaguarantyagainstfuturehostilities。TheCommissionerofIndianAffairswillfurnishfulldetails。IsubmitforyourespecialconsiderationwhetherourIndiansystemshallnotberemodeled。Manywiseandgoodmenhaveimpressedmewiththebeliefthatthiscanbeprofitablydone。
Isubmitastatementoftheproceedingsofcommissioners，whichshowstheprogressthathasbeenmadeintheenterpriseofconstructingthePacificRailroad。Andthissuggeststheearliestcompletionofthisroad，andalsothefavorableactionofCongressupontheprojectsnowpendingbeforethemforenlargingthecapacitiesofthegreatcanalsinNewYorkandIllinois，asbeingofvitalandrapidlyincreasingimportancetothewholenation，andespeciallytothevastinteriorregionhereinaftertobenoticedatsomegreaterlength。Ipurposehavingpreparedandlaidbeforeyouatanearlydaysomeinterestingandvaluablestatisticalinformationuponthissubject。ThemilitaryandcommercialimportanceofenlargingtheIllinoisandMichiganCanalandimprovingtheIllinoisRiverispresentedinthereportofColonelWebstertotheSecretaryofWar，andnowtransmittedtoCongress。Irespectfullyaskattentiontoit。
TocarryouttheprovisionsoftheactofCongressofthe15thofMaylast，IhavecausedtheDepartmentofAgricultureoftheUnitedStatestobeorganized。
TheCommissionerinformsmethatwithintheperiodofafewmonthsthisdepartmenthasestablishedanextensivesystemofcorrespondenceandexchanges，bothathomeandabroad，whichpromisestoeffecthighlybeneficialresultsinthedevelopmentofacorrectknowledgeofrecentimprovementsinagriculture，intheintroductionofnewproducts，andinthecollectionoftheagriculturalstatisticsofthedifferentStates。
Also，thatitwillsoonbepreparedtodistributelargelyseeds，cereals，plants，andcuttings，andhasalreadypublishedandliberallydiffusedmuchvaluableinformationinanticipation。ofamoreelaboratereport，whichwillinduetimebefurnished，embracingsomevaluabletestsinchemicalsciencenowinprogressinthelaboratory。
Thecreationofthisdepartmentwasforthemoreimmediatebenefitofalargeclassofourmostvaluablecitizens，andItrustthattheliberalbasisuponwhichithasbeenorganizedwillnotonlymeetyourapprobation，butthatitwillrealizeatnodistantdayallthefondestanticipationsofitsmostsanguinefriendsandbecomethefruitfulsourceofadvantagetoallourpeople。
Onthe22ddayofSeptemberlastaproclamationwasissuedbytheExecutive，acopyofwhichisherewithsubmitted。
Inaccordancewiththepurposeexpressedinthesecondparagraphofthatpaper，Inowrespectfullyrecallyourattentiontowhatmaybecalled\"compensatedemancipation。\"
Anationmaybesaidtoconsistofitsterritory，itspeople，anditslaws。Theterritoryistheonlypartwhichisofcertaindurability。
\"Onegenerationpassethawayandanothergenerationcometh，buttheearthabidethforever。\"Itisofthefirstimportancetodulyconsiderandestimatethiseverenduringpart。Thatportionoftheearth’ssurfacewhichisownedandinhabitedbythepeopleoftheUnitedStatesiswelladaptedtobethehomeofonenationalfamily，anditisnotwelladaptedfortwoormore。Itsvastextentanditsvarietyofclimateandproductionsareofadvantageinthisageforonepeople，whatevertheymighthavebeeninformerages。Steam，telegraphs，andintelligencehavebroughtthesetobeanadvantageouscombinationforoneunitedpeople。