Itmayberemarked——first，thatwehadthesameConstitutionthenasnow；secondly，thatwethenhadacaseofinvasion，andnowwehaveacaseofrebellion；and，thirdly，thatthepermanentrightofthepeopletopublicdiscussion，thelibertyofspeechandofthepress，thetrialbyjury，thelawofevidence，andthehabeascorpussufferednodetrimentwhateverbythatconductofGeneralJackson，oritssubsequentapprovalbytheAmericanCongress。
Andyet，letmesaythat，inmyowndiscretion，IdonotknowwhetherIwouldhaveorderedthearrestofMr。Vallandigham。WhileIcannotshifttheresponsibilityfrommyself，Iholdthat，asageneralrule，thecommanderinthefieldisthebetterjudgeofthenecessityinanyparticularcase。OfcourseImustpracticeageneraldirectoryandrevisorypowerinthematter。
Oneoftheresolutionsexpressestheopinionofthemeetingthatarbitraryarrestswillhavetheeffecttodivideanddistractthosewhoshouldbeunitedinsuppressingtherebellion，andIamspecificallycalledontodischargeMr。Vallandigham。Iregardthisas，atleast，afairappealtomeontheexpediencyofexercisingaconstitutionalpowerwhichIthinkexists。InresponsetosuchappealIhavetosay，itgavemepainwhenIlearnedthatMr。
Vallandighamhadbeenarrestedthatis，Iwaspainedthatthereshouldhaveseemedtobeanecessityforarrestinghim，andthatitwillaffordmegreatpleasuretodischargehimsosoonasIcanbyanymeansbelievethepublicsafetywillnotsufferbyit。
Ifurthersaythat，asthewarprogresses，itappearstome，opinionandaction，whichwereingreatconfusionatfirst，takeshapeandfallintomoreregularchannels，sothatthenecessityforstrongdealingwiththemgraduallydecreases。Ihaveeveryreasontodesirethatitshouldceasealtogether，andfarfromtheleastismyregardfortheopinionsandwishesofthosewho，likethemeetingatAlbany，declaretheirpurposetosustainthegovernmentineveryconstitutionalandlawfulmeasuretosuppresstherebellion。Still，Imustcontinuetodosomuchasmayseemtoberequiredbythepublicsafety。
A。LINCOLN。
TOTHESECRETARYOFTHETREASURY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，June14，1863。
HON。SECRETARYOFTHETREASURY。
SIR：——Yournoteofthismorningisreceived。Youwillco—operatebytherevenuecuttersunderyourdirectionwiththenavyinarrestingrebeldepredationsonAmericancommerceandtransportationandincapturingrebelsengagedtherein。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALTYLER。
WARDEPARTMENT，June14，1863。
GENERALTYLER，Martinsburg：
IsMilroyinvestedsothathecannotfallbacktoHarper’sFerry？
A。LINCOLN。
RESPONSETOA\"BESIEGED\"GENERAL
TELEGRAMTOGENERALTYLER。
WARDEPARTMENT，June14，1863。
GENERALTYLER，Martinsburg：
Ifyouarebesieged，howdoyoudespatchme？Whydidyounotleavebeforebeingbesieged？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALKELLEY。
WASHINGTON，June14，1863。1。27P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALKELLEY，Harper’sFerry：
AretheforcesatWinchesterandMartinsburgmakinganyefforttogettoyou？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALHOOKER。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，June14，1863。3。50P。M。，MAJOR—GENERALHOOKER：
Sofaraswecanmakeouthere，theenemyhaveMuroysurroundedatWinchester，andTyleratMartinsburg。Iftheycouldholdoutafewdays，couldyouhelpthem？IftheheadofLee’sarmyisatMartinsburgandthetailofitontheplank—roadbetweenFredericksburgandChancellorsville，theanimalmustbeveryslimsomewhere；couldyounotbreakhim？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。C。SCHENCK。
WARDEPARTMENT，June14，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALSCHENCK：
GetGeneralMilroyfromWinchestertoHarper’sFerry，ifpossible。
Hewillbe\"gobbledup\"ifheremains，ifheisnotalreadypastsalvation。
A。LINCOLN，President，UnitedStates。
NEEDSNEWTIRESONHISCARRIAGE
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，June15，1863。
MRS。LINCOLN，Philadelphia，Pa。：
Tolerablywell。Havenotrodeoutmuchyet，buthaveatlastgotnewtiresonthecarriagewheelsandperhapsshallrideoutsoon。
A。LINCOLN。
CALLFOR100，000MILITIATOSERVEFORSIXMONTHS，JUNE15，1863。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamationWhereasthearmedinsurrectionarycombinationsnowexistinginseveraloftheStatesarethreateningtomakeinroadsintotheStatesofMaryland，WestVirginia，Pennsylvania，andOhio，requiringimmediatelyanadditionalmilitaryforcefortheserviceoftheUnitedStates：
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStatesandCommander—in—ChiefoftheArmyandNavythereofandofthemilitiaoftheseveralStateswhencalledintoactualservice，doherebycallintotheserviceoftheUnitedStates100，000militiafromtheStatesfollowing，namely：
>FromtheStateofMaryland，10，000；fromtheStateofPennsylvania，50，000；fromtheStateofOhio，30，000；fromtheStateofWestVirginia，10，000——tobemusteredintotheserviceoftheUnitedStatesforthwithandtoserveforaperiodofsixmonthsfromthedateofsuchmusterintosaidservice，unlesssoonerdischarged；tobemusteredinasinfantry，artillery，andcavalry，inproportionswhichwillbemadeknownthroughtheWarDepartment，whichDepartmentwillalsodesignatetheseveralplacesofrendezvous。Thesemilitiatobeorganizedaccordingtotherulesandregulationsofthevolunteerserviceandsuchordersasmayhereafterbeissued。TheStatesaforesaidwillberespectivelycreditedundertheenrollmentactforthemilitiaservicesenteredunderthisproclamation。Intestimonywhereof……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOP。KAPPANDOTHERS。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June10，1863
FREDERICKKAPPANDOTHERS，NewYork：
TheGovernorofNewYorkpromisestosendustroops，andifhewishestheassistanceofGeneralFremontandGeneralSigel，oneorboth，hecanhaveit。Ifhedoesnotwishthemitwouldbutbreedconfusionforustosetthemtoworkindependentlyofhim。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEAGHER。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June16，1863。
GENERALT。FRANCISMEAGHER，NewYork：
Yourdespatchreceived。Shallbeverygladforyoutoraise3000
IrishtroopsifdonebytheconsentofandinconcertwithGovernorSeymour。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June16，1863。
MRS。LINCOLN，Philadelphia：
Itisamatterofchoicewithyourselfwhetheryoucomehome。Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnot，thatdidnotexistwhenyouwentaway。Asbearingonthequestionofyourcominghome，IdonotthinktheraidintoPennsylvaniaamountstoanythingatall。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELBLISS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June16，1863。
COL。WILLIAMS。BLISS，NewYorkHotel：
YourdespatchaskingwhetherIwillaccept\"theLoyalBrigadeoftheNorth\"isreceived。Ineverheardofthatbrigadebynameanddonotknowwhereitis；yet，presumingitisinNewYork，IsayIwillgladlyacceptit，iftenderedbyandwiththeconsentandapprobationoftheGovernorofthatState。Otherwisenot。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALHOOKER。
WASHINGTON，June16，1863。10P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALHOOKER：
Toremoveallmisunderstanding，InowplaceyouinthestrictmilitaryrelationtoGeneralHalleckofacommanderofoneofthearmiestothegeneral—in—chiefofallthearmies。Ihavenotintendeddifferently，butasitseemstobedifferentlyunderstoodI
shalldirecthimtogiveyouordersandyoutoobeythem。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALHOOKER。
WARDEPARTMENTWASHINGTOND。C。，June17，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHOOKER：
Mr。Eckert，superintendentinthetelegraphoffice，assuresmethathehassentandwillsendyoueverythingthatcomestotheoffice。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJOSHUATEVIS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June17，1863。
JOSHUATEVIS，Esq。，U。S。Attorney，Frankfort，Ky。：
AMr。BurknerishereshovingarecordandaskingtobedischargedfromasuitinSanFrancisco，asbailforoneThompson。UnlesstherecordshownmeisdefectivelymadeoutIthinkitcanbesuccessfullydefendedagainst。Pleaseexaminethecasecarefullyand，ifyoushallbeofopinionitcannotbesustained，dismissitandrelievemefromalltroubleaboutit。Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORTOD。
[Cipher。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June18，1863。
GOVERNORD。TOD，Columbus，O。：
Yoursreceived。Ideeplyregretthatyouwerenotrenominated，notthatIhaveaughtagainstMr。Brough。Onthecontrary，likeyourself，Isayhurrahforhim。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALDINGMAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June18，1863。
GENERALA。DINGMAN，Belleville，C。W。：
ThanksforyourofferoftheFifteenthBattalion。IdonotthinkWashingtonisindanger。
A。LINCOLN
TOB。B。MALHIOTANDOTHERS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June19，1863。
MESSRS。B。B。MALHIOT，BRADISHJOHNSON，ANDTHOMASCOTTMAN。
GENTLEMEN：——Yourletter，whichfollows，hasbeenreceivedandConsidered。
\"Theundersigned，acommitteeappointedbytheplantersoftheStateofLouisiana，respectfullyrepresentthattheyhavebeendelegatedtoseekoftheGeneralGovernmentafullrecognitionofalltherightsoftheStateastheyexistedprevioustothepassageofanactofsecession，upontheprincipleoftheexistenceoftheStateconstitutionunimpaired，andnolegalacthavingtranspiredthatcouldinanywaydeprivethemoftheadvantagesconferredbythatconstitution。UnderthisconstitutiontheStatewishestoreturntoitsfullallegiance，intheenjoymentofallrightsandprivilegesexercisedbytheotherStatesundertheFederalConstitution。Withtheviewofaccomplishingthedesiredobject，wefurtherrequestthatyourExcellencywill，ascommander—in—chiefofthearmyoftheUnitedStates，directtheMilitaryGovernorofLouisianatoorderanelection，inconformitywiththeconstitutionandlawsoftheState，onthefirstMondayofNovembernext，forallStateandFederalofficers。
\"Withhighconsiderationandresect，wehavethehonortosubscribeourselves，\"Yourobedientservants，E。E。MALHIOT。
BRADISHJOHNSON。
THOMASCOTTMAN。\"
Sincereceivingtheletter，reliableinformationhasreachedmethatarespectableportionoftheLouisianapeopledesiretoamendtheirStateconstitution，andcontemplateholdingaStateconventionforthatobject。Thisfactalone，asitseemstome，isasufficientreasonwhytheGeneralGovernmentshouldnotgivethecommittalyouseektotheexistingStateconstitution。Imayaddthat，whileIdonotperceivehowsuchcommittalcouldfacilitateourmilitaryoperationsinLouisiana，Ireallyapprehenditmightbesousedastoembarrassthem。
AstoanelectiontobeheldnextNovember，thereisabundanttimewithoutanyorderorproclamationfrommejustnow。ThepeopleofLouisianashallnotlackanopportunityforafairelectionforbothFederalandStateofficersbywantofanythingwithinmypowertogivethem。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。M。SCHOFIELD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON
June22，1863。
GENERALJOHNM。SCHOFIELD。
MYDEARSIR：——Yourdespatch，askinginsubstancewhether，incaseMissourishalladoptgradualemancipation，theGeneralGovernmentwillprotectslaveownersinthatspeciesofpropertyduringtheshorttimeitshallbepermittedbytheStatetoexistwithinit，hasbeenreceived。DesirousasIamthatemancipationshallbeadoptedbyMissouri，andbelievingasIdothatgradualcanbemadebetterthanimmediateforbothblackandwhite，exceptwhenmilitarynecessitychangesthecase，myimpulseistosaythatsuchprotectionwouldbegiven。Icannotknowexactlywhatshapeanactofemancipationmaytake。Iftheperiodfromtheinitiationtothefinalendshouldbecomparativelyshort，andtheactshouldpreventpersonsbeingsoldduringthatperiodintomorelastingslavery，thewholewouldbeeasier。IdonotwishtopledgetheGeneralGovernmenttotheaffirmativesupportofeventemporaryslaverybeyondwhatcanbefairlyclaimedundertheConstitution。Isuppose，however，thisisnotdesired，butthatitisdesiredforthemilitaryforceoftheUnitedStates，whileinMissouri，tonotbeusedinsubvertingthetemporarilyreservedlegalrightsinslavesduringtheprogressofemancipation。ThisIwoulddesirealso。IhaveveryearnestlyurgedtheslaveStatestoadoptemancipation；anditoughttobe，andis，anobjectwithmenottooverthroworthwartwhatanyofthemmayingoodfaithdotothatend。Youarethereforeauthorizedtoactinthespiritofthisletterinconjunctionwithwhatmayappeartobethemilitarynecessitiesofyourdepartment。
Althoughthisletterwillbecomepublicatsometime，itisnotintendedtobemadesonow。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。HOOKER。
WASHINGTON，June22，1863
MAJOR—GENERALHOOKER：
OperatoratLeesburgjustnowsays：\"IheardverylittlefiringthisA。M。aboutdaylight，butitseemstohavestoppednow。Itwasinaboutthesamedirectionasyesterday，butfartheroff。\"
A。LINCOLN。
TOSECRETARYOFWAR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June23，1863。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR：
YourememberthatHon。W。D。KellyandothersareengagedinraisingortryingtoraisesomecoloredregimentsinPhiladelphia。Thebearerofthis，WiltonM。Huput，isafriendofJudgeKelly，asappearsbytheletterofthelatter。Heisaprivateinthe112thPenn。andhasbeendisappointedinareasonableexpectationofoneofthesmalleroffices。Henowwantstobealieutenantinoneofthecoloredregiments。IfJudgeKellywillsayinwritinghewishestosohavehim，Iamwillingforhimtobedischargedfromhispresentposition，andbesoappointed。Ifyouapprove，soindorseandlethimcarrythelettertoKellyYourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMAJORVANVLIET。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June23，1863。
MAJORVANVLIET，NewYork：
HaveyouanyideawhatthenewsisinthedespatchofGeneralBankstoGeneralHalleck？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALCOUCH。
WARDEPARTMENT，June24，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALCOUCH，Harrisburg，Pa。：
HaveyouanyreportsoftheenemymovingintoPennsylvania？Andifany，what？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALDIX。
WASHINGTON，June24，1863
MAJOR—GENERALDix，Yorktown，Va。：
WehaveadespatchfromGeneralGrantofthe19th。Don’tthinkKirbySmithtookMilliken’sBendsince，allowingtimetogetthenewstoJoeJohnstonandfromhimtoRichmond。Butitisnotabsolutelyimpossible。AlsohavenewsfromBankstothe16th，Ithink。Hehadnotrunawaythen，northoughtofit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALPECK。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June25，1863。
GENERALPECK，Suffolk，Va。：
ColonelDerrom，oftheTwenty—fifthNewJerseyVolunteers，nowmusteredout，saysthereisamaninyourhandsunderconvictionfordesertion，whoformerlybelongedtotheabovenamedregiment，andwhosenameisTempleton——IsaacF。Templeton，Ibelieve。TheColonelandothersappealtomeforhim。Pleasetelegraphtomewhatistheconditionofthecase，andifhehasnotbeenexecutedsendmetherecordofthetrialandconviction。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSLOCUM。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June25，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALSLOCUM，Leesburg，Va。：
WasWilliamGruvier，CompanyA，Forty—sixth，Pennsylvania，oneofthemenexecutedasadeserterlastFriday？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALHOOKER。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June27，1863。8A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALHOOKER：
Itdidnotcomefromthenewspapers，nordidIbelieveit，butI
wishedtobeentirelysureitwasafalsehood。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALBURNSIDE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June28，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，Cincinnati，O。：
ThereisnothinggoingoninKentuckyonthesubjectofwhichyoutelegraph，exceptanenrolment。Beforeanythingisdonebeyondthis，IwilltakecaretounderstandthecasebetterthanInowdo。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORBOYLE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June28，1863。
GOVERNORJ。T。BOYLE，Cincinnati，O。：
ThereisnothinggoingoninKentuckyonthesubjectofwhichyoutelegraph，exceptanenrolment。Beforeanythingisdonebeyondthis，IwilltakecaretounderstandthecasebetterthanInowdo。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHENCK。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June28，1863。
MAJORGENERALSCHENCK，Baltimore，Md。：
EveryplaceintheNavalschoolsubjecttomyappointmentisfull，andIhaveoneunredeemedpromiseofmorethanhalfayear’sstanding。
A。LINCOLN。
FURTHERDEMOCRATICPARTYCRITICISM
TOM。BIRCHARDANDOTHERS。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，June29，1863。
MESSRS。M。BIRCHARD，DAVIDA。HOUK，etal：
GENTLEMEN：——TheresolutionsoftheOhioDemocraticStateconvention，whichyoupresentme，togetherwithyourintroductoryandclosingremarks，beinginpositionandargumentmainlythesameastheresolutionsoftheDemocraticmeetingatAlbany，NewYork，Ireferyoutomyresponsetothelatterasmeetingmostofthepointsintheformer。
Thisresponseyouevidentlyusedinpreparingyourremarks，andI
desirenomorethanthatitbeusedwithaccuracy。Inasinglereadingofyourremarks，Ionlydiscoveredoneinaccuracyinmatter，whichIsupposeyoutookfromthatpaper。Itiswhereyousay：\"TheundersignedareunabletoagreewithyouintheopinionyouhaveexpressedthattheConstitutionisdifferentintimeofinsurrectionorinvasionfromwhatitisintimeofpeaceandpublicsecurity。\"
ArecurrencetothepaperwillshowyouthatIhavenotexpressedtheopinionyousuppose。IexpressedtheopinionthattheConstitutionisdifferentinitsapplicationincasesofrebellionorinvasion，involvingthepublicsafety，fromwhatitisintimesofprofoundpeaceandpublicsecurity；andthisopinionIadhereto，simplybecause，bytheConstitutionitself，thingsmaybedoneintheonecasewhichmaynotbedoneintheother。
Idisliketowasteawordonamerelypersonalpoint，butImustrespectfullyassureyouthatyouwillfindyourselvesatfaultshouldyoueverseekforevidencetoproveyourassumptionthatI\"opposedindiscussionsbeforethepeoplethepolicyoftheMexicanwar。\"
Yousay：\"ExpungefromtheConstitutionthislimitationuponthepowerofCongresstosuspendthewritofhabeascorpus，andyettheotherguaranteesofpersonallibertywouldremainunchanged。\"
Doubtless，ifthisclauseoftheConstitution，improperlycalled，asIthink，alimitationuponthepowerofCongress，wereexpunged，theotherguaranteeswouldremainthesame；butthequestionisnothowthoseguaranteeswouldstandwiththatclauseoutoftheConstitution，buthowtheystandwiththatclauseremaininginit，incaseofrebellionorinvasioninvolvingthepublicsafety。Ifthelibertycouldbeindulgedofexpungingthatclause，letterandspirit，Ireallythinktheconstitutionalargumentwouldbewithyou。
MygeneralviewonthisquestionwasstatedintheAlbanyresponse，andhenceIdonotstateitnow。Ionlyaddthat，asseemstome，thebenefitofthewritofhabeascorpusisthegreatmeansthroughwhichtheguaranteesofpersonallibertyareconservedandmadeavailableinthelastresort；andcorroborativeofthisviewisthefactthatMr。Vallandigham，intheverycaseinquestion，undertheadviceofablelawyers，sawnotwhereelsetogobuttothehabeascorpus。ButbytheConstitutionthebenefitofthewritofhabeascorpusitselfmaybesuspendedwhen，incaseofrebellionorinvasion，thepublicsafetymayrequireit。
Youask，insubstance，whetherIreallyclaimthatImayoverridealltheguaranteedrightsofindividuals，onthepleaofconservingthepublicsafetywhenImaychoosetosaythepublicsafetyrequiresit。
Thisquestion，divestedofthephraseologycalculatedtorepresentmeasstrugglingforanarbitrarypersonalprerogative，iseithersimplyaquestionwhoshalldecide，oranaffirmationthatnobodyshalldecide，whatthepublicsafetydoesrequireincasesofrebellionorinvasion。
TheConstitutioncontemplatesthequestionaslikelytooccurfordecision，butitdoesnotexpresslydeclarewhoistodecideit。Bynecessaryimplication，whenrebellionorinvasioncomes，thedecisionistobemadefromtimetotime；andIthinkthemanwhom，forthetime，thepeoplehave，undertheConstitution，madethecommander—in—chiefoftheirarmyandnavy，isthemanwhoholdsthepowerandbearstheresponsibilityofmakingit。Ifheusesthepowerjustly，thesamepeoplewillprobablyjustifyhim；ifheabusesit，heisintheirhandstobedealtwithbyallthemodestheyhavereservedtothemselvesintheConstitution。
Theearnestnesswithwhichyouinsistthatpersonscanonly，intimesofrebellion，belawfullydealtwithinaccordancewiththerulesforcriminaltrialsandpunishmentsintimesofpeace，inducesmetoaddawordtowhatIsaidonthatpointintheAlbanyresponse。
Youclaimthatmenmay，iftheychoose，embarrassthosewhosedutyitistocombatagiantrebellion，andthenbedealtwithinturnonlyasiftherewerenorebellion。TheConstitutionitselfrejectsthisview。Themilitaryarrestsanddetentionswhichhavebeenmade，includingthoseofMr。Vallandigham，whicharenotdifferentinprinciplefromtheothers，havebeenforprevention，andnotforpunishment——asinjunctionstostayinjury，asproceedingstokeepthepeace；andhence，likeproceedingsinsuchcasesandforlikereasons，theyhavenotbeenaccompaniedwithindictments，ortrialsbyjuries，norinasinglecasebyanypunishmentwhatever，beyondwhatispurelyincidentaltotheprevention。TheoriginalsentenceofimprisonmentinMr。Vallandigham’scasewastopreventinjurytothemilitaryserviceonly，andthemodificationofitwasmadeasalessdisagreeablemodetohimofsecuringthesameprevention。
IamunabletoperceiveaninsulttoOhiointhecaseofMr。
Vallandigham。Quitesurelynothingofthesortwasorisintended。
IwaswhollyunawarethatMr。Vallandighamwas，atthetimeofhisarrest，acandidatefortheDemocraticnominationforgovernoruntilsoinformedbyyourreadingtometheresolutionsoftheconvention。
IamgratefultotheStateofOhioformanythings，especiallyforthebravesoldiersandofficersshehasgiveninthepresentnationaltrialtothearmiesoftheUnion。
Youclaim，asIunderstand，thataccordingtomyownpositionintheAlbanyresponse，Mr。Vallandighamshouldbereleased；andthisbecause，asyouclaim，hehasnotdamagedthemilitaryservicebydiscouragingenlistments，encouragingdesertions，orotherwise；andthatifhehad，heshouldhavebeenturnedovertothecivilauthoritiesundertherecentactsofCongress。IcertainlydonotknowthatMr。Vallandighamhasspecificallyandbydirectlanguageadvisedagainstenlistmentsandinfavorofdesertionandresistancetodrafting。
Weallknowthatcombinations，armedinsomeinstances，toresistthearrestofdesertersbeganseveralmonthsago；thatmorerecentlythelikehasappearedinresistancetotheenrolmentpreparatorytoadraft；andthatquiteanumberofassassinationshaveoccurredfromthesameanimus。Thesehadtobemetbymilitaryforce，andthisagainhasledtobloodshedanddeath。Andnow，underasenseofresponsibilitymoreweightyandenduringthananywhichismerelyofficial，Isolemnlydeclaremybeliefthatthishindranceofthemilitary，includingmaimingandmurder，isduetothecourseinwhichMr。Vallindighamhasbeenengagedinagreaterdegreethantoanyothercause；anditisduetohimpersonallyinagreaterdegreethantoanyotheroneman。
Thesethingshavebeennotorious，knowntoall，andofcourseknowntoMr。Vallandigham。PerhapsIwouldnotbewrongtosaytheyoriginatedwithhisspecialfriendsandadherents。Withperfectknowledgeofthem，hehasfrequentlyifnotconstantlymadespeechesinCongressandbeforepopularassemblies；andifitcanbeshownthat，withthesethingsstaringhiminthefacehehaseverutteredawordofrebukeorcounselagainstthem，itwillbeafactgreatlyinhisfavorwithme，andoneofwhichasyetIamtotallyignorant。
Whenitisknownthatthewholeburdenofhisspeecheshasbeentostirupmenagainsttheprosecutionofthewar，andthatinthemidstofresistancetoithehasnotbeenknowninanyinstancetocounselagainstsuchresistance，itisnexttoimpossibletorepeltheinferencethathehascounseleddirectlyinfavorofit。
Withallthisbeforetheireyes，theconventionyourepresenthavenominatedMr。VallandighamforgovernorofOhio，andboththeyandyouhavedeclaredthepurposetosustainthenationalUnionbyallconstitutionalmeans。Butofcoursetheyandyouincommonreservetoyourselvestodecidewhatareconstitutionalmeans；and，unliketheAlbanymeeting，youomittostateorintimatethatinyouropinionanarmyisaconstitutionalmeansofsavingtheUnionagainstarebellion，oreventointimatethatyouareconsciousofanexistingrebellionbeinginprogresswiththeavowedobjectofdestroyingthatveryUnion。Atthesametimeyournomineeforgovernor，inwhosebehalfyouappeal，isknowntoyouandtotheworldtodeclareagainsttheuseofanarmytosuppresstherebellion。Yourownattitude，therefore，encouragesdesertion，resistancetothedraft，andthelike，becauseitteachesthosewhoinclinetodesertandtoescapethedrafttobelieveitisyourpurposetoprotectthem，andtohopethatyouwillbecomestrongenoughtodoso。
Afterashortpersonalintercoursewithyou，gentlemenofthecommittee，IcannotsayIthinkyoudesirethiseffecttofollowyourattitude；butIassureyourthatbothfriendsandenemiesoftheUnionlookuponitinthislight。Itisasubstantialhope，andbyconsequencearealstrengthtotheenemy。Ifitisafalsehope，andonewhichyouwouldwillinglydispel，Iwillmakethewayexceedinglyeasy。
Isendyouduplicatesofthisletterinorderthatyou，oramajorityofyou，may，ifyouchoose，indorseyournamesupononeofthemandreturnitthusindorsedtomewiththeunderstandingthatthosesigningaretherebycommittedtothefollowingpropositionsandtonothingelse：
1。ThatthereisnowarebellionintheUnitedStates，theobjectandtendencyofwhichistodestroytheNationalUnion；andthat，inyouropinion，anarmyandnavyareconstitutionalmeansforsuppressingthatrebellion；
2。Thatnooneofyouwilldoanythingwhich，inhisownjudgment，willtendtohindertheincrease，orfavorthedecrease，orlessentheefficiencyofthearmyornavywhileengagedintheefforttosuppressthatrebellion；and3。Thateachofyouwill，inhissphere，doallhecantohavetheofficers，soldiers，andseamenofthearmyandnavy，whileengagedintheefforttosuppresstherebellion，paid，fed，clad，andotherwisewellprovidedforandsupported。
Andwiththefurtherunderstandingthatuponreceivingtheletterandnamesthusindorsed，Iwillcausethemtobepublished，whichpublicationshallbe，withinitself，arevocationoftheorderinrelationtoMr。Vallandigham。ItwillnotescapeobservationthatI
consenttothereleaseofMr。Vallandighamupontermsnotembracinganypledgefromhimorfromothersastowhathewillorwillnotdo。
Idothisbecauseheisnotpresenttospeakforhimself，ortoauthorizeotherstospeakforhim；andbecauseIshouldexpectthatonhisreturninghewouldnotputhimselfpracticallyinantagonismwiththepositionofhisfriends。ButIdoitchieflybecauseI
therebyprevailonotherinfluentialgentlemenofOhiotosodefinetheirpositionastobeofimmensevaluetothearmy——thusmorethancompensatingfortheconsequencesofanymistakeinallowingMr。
Vallandighamtoreturn；sothat，onthewhole，thepublicsafetywillnothavesufferedbyit。Still，inregardtoMr。Vallandighamandallothers，Imusthereafter，asheretofore，dosomuchasthepublicsafetymayseemtorequire。
Ihavethehonortoberespectfullyyours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORPARKER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June30，1863。10。55
GOVERNORPARKER，Trenton，N。J。：
Yourdespatchofyesterdayreceived。Ireallythinktheattitudeoftheenemy’sarmyinPennsylvaniapresentsusthebestopportunitywehavehadsincethewarbegan。IthinkyouwillnotseethefoeinNewJersey。IbegyoutobeassuredthatnooneoutofmypositioncanknowsowellasifhewereinitthedifficultiesandinvolvementsofreplacingGeneralMcClellanincommand，andthisasidefromanyimputationsuponhim。
Pleaseacceptmysincerethanksforwhatyouhavedoneandaredoingtogettroopsforward。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOA。K。McCLURE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，June30，1863。
A。K。McCLURE，Philadelphia：
Dowegainanythingbyopeningoneleaktostopanother？Dowegainanythingbyquietingonemerelytoopenanother，andprobablyalargerone？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALCOUCH。
[Cipher]
WASHINGTONCITY，June30，1863。3。23P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALCOUCH，Harrisburg，Pa。：
IjudgebyabsenceofnewsthattheenemyisnotcrossingorpressinguptotheSusquehanna。Pleasetellmewhatyouknowofhismovements。
A。LINCOLN
TOGENERALD。HUNTER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June30，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHUNTER。
MYDEARGENERAL：—Ihavejustreceivedyourletterofthe25thofJune。
Iassureyou，andyoumayfeelauthorizedinstating，thattherecentchangeofcommandersintheDepartmentoftheSouthwasmadefornoreasonswhichconveyanyimputationuponyourknownenergy，efficiency，andpatriotism；butforcauseswhichseemedsufficient，whiletheywereinnodegreeincompatiblewiththerespectandesteeminwhichIhavealwaysheldyouasamanandanofficer。
Icannot，bygivingmyconsenttoapublicationofwhosedetailsI
knownothing，assumetheresponsibilityofwhateveryoumaywrite。
Inthismatteryourownsenseofmilitaryproprietymustbeyourguide，andtheregulationsoftheserviceyourruleofconduct。
Iamverytrulyyourfriend，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALBURNSIDE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，July3，1863
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，Cincinnati，Ohio：
PrivateDowney，oftheTwentiethorTwenty—sixthKentuckyInfantry，issaidtohavebeensentencedtobeshotfordesertionto—day。Ifso，respitetheexecutionuntilIcanseetherecord。
A。LINCOLN。
REASSURINGSONINCOLLEGE
TELEGRAMTOROBERTT，LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July3，1863。
ROBERTT。LINCOLN，Esq。，Cambridge，Mass。：
Don’theuneasy。Yourmotherveryslightlyhurtbyherfall。
A。L。
Pleasesendatonce。
ANNOUNCEMENTOFNEWSFROMGETTYSBURG。
WASHINGTON，July4，10。30A。M。
ThePresidentannouncestothecountrythatnewsfromtheArmyofthePotomac，upto10P。M。ofthe3d，issuchastocoverthatarmywiththehighesthonor，topromiseagreatsuccesstothecauseoftheUnion，andtoclaimthecondolenceofallforthemanygallantfallen；andthatforthisheespeciallydesiresthatonthisdayHewhosewill，notours，shouldeverbedonebeeverywhererememberedandreverencedwithprofoundestgratitude。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFRENCH。
[Cipher]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，July5，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALFRENCH，Fredericktown，Md。：
Iseeyourdespatchaboutdestructionofpontoons。Cannottheenemyfordtheriver？
A。LINCOLN。
CONTINUEDFAILURETOPURSUEENEMY
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
SOLDIERS’HOME，WASHINGTON，JULY61863。7P。M。，MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
Ileftthetelegraphofficeagooddealdissatisfied。YouknowIdidnotlikethephrase——inOrders，No。68，Ibelieve——\"Drivetheinvadersfromoursoil。\"Sincethat，IseeadespatchfromGeneralFrench，sayingtheenemyiscrossinghiswoundedovertheriverinflats，withoutsayingwhyhedoesnotstopit，orevenintimatingathoughtthatitoughttobestopped。Stilllater，anotherdespatchfromGeneralPleasonton，bydirectionofGeneralMeade，toGeneralFrench，statingthatthemainarmyishaltedbecauseitisbelievedtherebelsareconcentrating\"ontheroadtowardsHagerstown，beyondFairfield，\"andisnottomoveuntilitisascertainedthattherebelsintendtoevacuateCumberlandValley。
ThesethingsappeartometobeconnectedwithapurposetocoverBaltimoreandWashingtonandtogettheenemyacrosstheriveragainwithoutafurthercollision，andtheydonotappearconnectedwithapurposetopreventhiscrossingandtodestroyhim。Idofeartheformerpurposeisacteduponandthelatterrejected。
Ifyouaresatisfiedthelatterpurposeisentertained，andisjudiciouslypursued，Iamcontent。Ifyouarenotsosatisfied，pleaselooktoit。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
RESPONSETOASERENADE，JULY7，1863。
FELLOW—CITIZENS：——Iamverygladindeedtoseeyouto—night，andyetIwillnotsayIthankyouforthiscall；butIdomostsincerelythankAlmightyGodfortheoccasiononwhichyouhavecalled。HowlongagoisitEighty—oddyearssince，ontheFourthofJuly，forthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftheworld，anation，byitsrepresentatives，assembledanddeclaredasaself—evidenttruththatallmenarecreatedequal。\"ThatwasthebirthdayoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。SincethentheFourthofJulyhashadseveralverypeculiarrecognitions。ThetwomenmostdistinguishedintheframingandsupportoftheDeclarationwereThomasJeffersonandJohnAdams，theonehavingpennedit，andtheothersustaineditthemostforciblyindebate——theonlytwoofthefifty—fivewhosigneditandwereelectedPresidentsoftheUnitedStates。Preciselyfiftyyearsaftertheyputtheirhandstothepaper，itpleasedAlmightyGodtotakebothfromthisstageofaction。Thiswasindeedanextraordinaryandremarkableeventinourhistory。AnotherPresident，fiveyearsafter，wascalledfromthisstageofexistenceonthesamedayandmonthoftheyear；andnowonthislastFourthofJulyjustpassed，whenwehaveagiganticrebellion，atthebottomofwhichisanefforttooverthrowtheprinciplethatallmenwerecreatedequal，wehavethesurrenderofamostpowerfulpositionandarmyonthatveryday。Andnotonlyso，butinthesuccessionofbattlesinPennsylvania，neartous，throughthreedays，sorapidlyfoughtthattheymightbecalledonegreatbattle，onthefirst，second，andthirdofthemonthofJuly；andonthefourththecohortsofthosewhoopposedtheDeclarationthatallmenarecreatedequal，\"turnedtail\"andrun。
Gentlemen，thisisaglorioustheme，andtheoccasionforaspeech，butIamnotpreparedtomakeoneworthyoftheoccasion。IwouldliketospeakintermsofpraiseduetothemanybraveofficersandsoldierswhohavefoughtinthecauseoftheUnionandlibertiesoftheircountryfromthebeginningofthewar。Thesearetryingoccasions，notonlyinsuccess，butforthewantofsuccess。I
disliketomentionthenameofonesingleofficer，lestImightdowrongtothoseImightforget。Recenteventsbringupgloriousnames，andparticularlyprominentones；buttheseIwillnotmention。
Havingsaidthismuch，Iwillnowtakethemusic。
SURRENDEROFVICKSBURGTOGENERALGRANT
TELEGRAMFROMGENERALHALLECK
TOGENERALG。C。MEADE。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，July7，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofthePotomac：
IhavereceivedfromthePresidentthefollowingnote，whichI
respectfullycommunicate：
\"WehavecertaininformationthatVicksburgsurrenderedtoGeneralGrantontheFourthofJuly。NowifGeneralMeadecancompletehiswork，sogloriouslyprosecutedthisfar，bytheliteralorsubstantialdestructionofLee’sarmy，therebellionwillbeover。
\"Yourstruly，\"A。LINCOLN。\"
H。W。HALLECK。
General—in—Chief。
TELEGRAMFROMGENERALHALLECK
TOGENERALG。C。MEADE。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，July8，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Frederick，Md。：
ThereisreliableinformationthattheenemyiscrossingatWilliamsport。Theopportunitytoattackhisdividedforcesshouldnotbelost。ThePresidentisurgentandanxiousthatyourarmyshouldmoveagainsthimbyforcedmarches。
H。W。HALLECK，Genera1—in—ChiefTELEGRAMTOGENERALTHOMAS。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，July8，1863。12。30P。M。
GENERALLORENZOTHOMAS，Harrisburg，Pa。：
YourdespatchofthismorningtotheSecretaryofWarisbeforeme。
Theforcesyouspeakofwillbeofnoimaginableserviceiftheycannotgoforwardwithalittlemoreexpedition。LeeisnowpassingthePotomacfasterthantheforcesyoumentionarepassingCarlisle。
ForcesnowbeyondCarlisletobejoinedbyregimentsstillatHarrisburg，andtheunitedforceagaintojoinPiercesomewhere，andthewholetomovedowntheCumberlandValley，willinmyunprofessionalopinionbequiteaslikelytocapturethe\"maninthemoon\"asanypartofLee’sarmy。
A。LINCOLN。
NEWSOFGRANT’SCAPTUREOFVICKSBURG
TELEGRAMTOE。D。SMITH。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，July8，1863。
E。DELAFIELDSMITH，NewYork：
Yourkinddespatchinbehalfofselfandfriendsisgratefullyreceived。CaptureofVicksburgconfirmedbydespatchfromGeneralGranthimself。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOF。F。LOWE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，July8，1863。
HON。F。F。LOWE，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
ThereisnodoubtthatGeneralMeade，nowcommandingtheArmyofthePotomac，beatLeeatGettysburg，Pa。，attheendofathreedays’
battle，andthatthelatterisnowcrossingthePotomacatWilliamsportovertheswollenstreamandwithpoormeansofcrossing，andcloselypressedbyMeade。WealsohavedespatchesrenderingitentirelycertainthatVicksburgsurrenderedtoGeneralGrantonthegloriousold4th。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOL。SWETTANDP。F。LOWE。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，July9，1863。
HON。LEONARDSWETT，HON。F。F。LOWE，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
Consulttogetheranddonothaveariot，orgreatdifficultyaboutdeliveringpossession。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。K。DUBOIS。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，July11，1863。9A。M。
HON。J。K。DUBOIS，Springfield，Ill。：
Itiscertainthat，afterthreedays’fightingatGettysburg，LeewithdrewandmadeforthePotomac，thathefoundtheriversoswollenastopreventhiscrossing；thatheisstillthisside，nearHagerstownandWilliamsport，preparingtodefendhimself；andthatMeadeiscloseuponhim，andpreparingtoattackhim，heavyskirmishinghavingoccurrednearlyalldayyesterday。
IammorethansatisfiedwithwhathashappenednorthofthePotomacsofar，andamanxiousandhopefulforwhatistocome。
A。LINCOLN。
[Nothingcame！Leewasallowedtoescapeagainandthewarwentonforanothertwoyears。D。W。]
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHENCK。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，July11，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALSCHENCK，Baltimore，Md。：
HowmanyrebelprisonerscapturedwithinMarylandandPennsylvaniahavereachedBaltimorewithinthismonthofJuly？
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALGRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July13，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALGRANT：
MYDEARGENERAL：——IdonotrememberthatyouandIevermetpersonally。IwritethisnowasagratefulacknowledgmentofthealmostinestimableserviceyouhavedonetheCountry。Iwritetosayawordfurther。WhenyoufirstreachedthevicinityofVicksburg，I
thoughtyoushoulddowhatyoufinallydid——marchthetroopsacrosstheneck，runthebatterieswiththetransports，andthusgobelow；
andIneverhadanyfaithexceptageneralhopethatyouknewbetterthanI，thattheYazooPassexpeditionandthelikecouldsucceed。
Whenyoudroppedbelow，andtookPortGibson，GrandGulf，andvicinity，IthoughtyoushouldgodowntheriverandjoinGeneralBanks；andwhenyouturnednorthward，eastoftheBigBlack，Ifeareditwasamistake。InowwishtomakethepersonalacknowledgmentthatyouwererightandIwaswrong。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。M。SCHOFIELD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，July13，1863。
GENERALSCHOFIELD。St。Louis，Mo。：
IregrettolearnofthearrestoftheDemocrateditor。IfearthislosesyouthemiddlepositionIdesiredyoutooccupy。IhavenotlearnedwhichofthetwolettersIwroteyouitwasthattheDemocratpublished，butIcareverylittleforthepublicationofanyletterI
havewritten。Pleasesparemethetroublethisislikelytobring。
A。LINCOLN。
SONINCOLLEGEDOESNOTWRITEHISPARENTS
TELEGRAMTOR。T。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTOND。C。，July14，1863。
ROBERTT。LINCOLN：NewYork，FifthAvenueHotel：
WhydoIhearnomoreofyou？
A。LINCOLN。
INTIMATIONOFARMISTICEPROPOSALS
FROMJAMESR。GILMORE
TOGOVERNORVANCEOFNORTHCAROLINA，WITHTHEPRESIDENT’SINDORSEMENT。
PRESIDENT’SROOM，WHITEHOUSE，WASHINGTON，July[15？]1864。
HISEXCELLENCYZEBULONB。VANCE。
MYDEARSIR：——Myformerbusinesspartner，Mr。FredericKidder，ofBoston，hasforwardedtomealetterhehasrecentlyreceivedfromhisbrother，EdwardKidder，ofWilmington，inwhichEdwardKidder
saysthathehashadaninterviewwithyouinwhichyouexpressedananxietyforanypeacecompatiblewithhonor；thatyouregardslaveryasalreadydead，andtheestablishmentoftheConfederacyashopeless；andthatyoushouldexertallyourinfluencetobringaboutanyreunionthatwouldadmittheSouthontermsofperfectequalitywiththeNorth。
OnreceiptofthisletterIlostnotimeinlayingitbeforethePresidentoftheUnitedStateswhoexpressedgreatgratificationathearingsuchsentimentsfromyou，oneofthemostinfluentialandhonoredoftheSoutherngovernors，andhedesiresmetosaythathefullysharesyouranxietyfortherestorationofpeacebetweentheStatesandforareunionofalltheStatesonthebasisoftheabolitionofslavery——thebonewearefightingover——andthefullreinstatementofeveryConfederatecitizeninalltherightsofcitizenshipinourcommoncountry。Thesepointsconceded，thePresidentauthorizesmetosaythathewillbegladtoreceiveoverturesfromanyman，orbodyofmen，whohaveauthoritytocontrolthearmiesoftheConfederacy；andthatheandtheUnitedStatesCongresswillbefoundveryliberalonallcollateralpointsthatmaycomeupinthesettlement。
Hisviewsonthecollateralpointsthatmaynaturallyarise，thePresidentdesiresmetosayhewillcommunicatetoyouthroughmeifyoushouldsuggestthepersonalinterviewthatMr。EdwardKidderrecommendsinhislettertohisbrother。Inthatcaseyouwillpleaseforwardtome，throughMr。Kidder，yourofficialpermit，asGovernorofNorthCarolina，toenterandleavetheState，andtoremaininitinsafetyduringthependencyofthesenegotiations，which，Isuppose，shouldbeconductedinentiresecrecyuntiltheyassumeanofficialcharacter。Withhighconsideration，Iam，Sincerelyyours，JAMESR。GILMORE。
[Indorsement。]
Thisletterhasbeenwritteninmypresence，hasbeenreadbyme，andhasmyentireapproval。
A。L。
PROCLAMATIONFORTHANKSGIVING，JULY15，1863
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
IthaspleasedAlmightyGodtohearkentothesupplicationsandprayersofanafflictedpeople，andtovouchsafetothearmyandnavyoftheUnitedStatesvictoriesonlandandontheseasosignalandsoeffectiveastofurnishreasonablegroundsforaugmentedconfidencethattheUnionoftheseStateswillbemaintained，theirConstitutionpreserved，andtheirpeaceandprosperitypermanentlyrestored。Butthesevictorieshavebeenaccordednotwithoutsacrificesoflife，limb，health，andliberty，incurredbybrave，loyal，andpatrioticcitizens。Domesticafflictionineverypartofthecountryfollowsinthetrainofthesefearfulbereavements。ItismeetandrighttorecognizeandconfessthepresenceoftheAlmightyFather，andthepowerofHishandequallyinthesetriumphsandinthesesorrows。
Now，therefore，beitknownthatIdosetapartThursday，the6thdayofAugustnext，tobeobservedasadayfornationalthanksgiving，praise，andprayer，andIinvitethepeopleoftheUnitedStatestoassembleonthatoccasionintheircustomaryplacesofworship，and，intheformsapprovedbytheirownconsciences，renderthehomageduetotheDivineMajestyforthewonderfulthingsHehasdoneinthenation’sbehalf，andinvoketheinfluenceofHisHolySpirittosubduetheangerwhichhasproducedandsolongsustainedaneedlessandcruelrebellion，tochangetheheartsoftheinsurgents，toguidethecounselsoftheGovernmentwithwisdomadequatetosogreatanationalemergency，andtovisitwithtendercareandconsolationthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofourlandallthosewho，throughthevicissitudesofmarches，voyages，battles，andsiegeshavebeen，broughttosufferinmind，body，orestate，andfinallytoleadthewholenationthroughthepathsofrepentanceandsubmissiontotheDivineWillbacktotheperfectenjoymentofunionandfraternalpeace。
Inwitnesswhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
Done。atthecityofWashington，thisfifteenthdayofJuly，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—three，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmericatheeighty—eighth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
By，thePresidentWILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOL。SWETT。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，July15，1863。
HON。LSWETT，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
ManypersonsaretelegraphingmefromCalifornia，beggingmeforthepeaceoftheStatetosuspendthemilitaryenforcementofthewritofpossessionintheAlmadencase，whileyouarethesingleonewhourgesthecontrary。YouknowIwouldliketoobligeyou，butitseemstomemydutyinthiscaseistheotherway。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSIMONCAMERON。
[Cipher。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，JULY15，1863。
HON。SIMONCAMERON，Harrisburg，Pa。：
Yourdespatchofyesterdayreceived。Leewasalreadyacrosstheriverwhenyousentit。IwouldgivemuchtoberelievedoftheimpressionthatMeade，Couch，Smith，andallsincethebattleatGettysburg，havestrivenonlytogetLeeovertheriverwithoutanotherfight。Pleasetellme，ifyouknow，whowastheonecorpscommanderwhowasforfightinginthecouncilofwaronSundaynight。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。O。BROADHEAD。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，JULY15，1863。
J。O。BROADHEAD，St。Louis，Mo。：
TheeffectonpoliticalpositionofMcKee’sarrestwillnotberelievedanybyitsnothavingbeenmadewiththatpurpose。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALLANE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July171863。
HON。S。H。LANE。
MYDEARSIR：——GovernorCarneyhasnotaskedto[have]GeneralBluntremoved，orinterferedwith，inhismilitaryoperations。Hehasaskedthathe，theGovernor，beallowedtocommissionofficersfortroopsraisedinKansas，asothergovernorsofloyalStatesdo；andI
thinkheisrightinthis。
HehasaskedthatGeneralBluntshallnottakepersonschargedwithcivilcrimesoutofthehandsofthecourtsandturnthemovertomobstobehung；andIthinkheisrightinthisalso。HehasaskedthatGeneralEwing’sdepartmentbeextendedtoincludeallKansas；
andIhavenotdeterminedwhetherthisisrightornot。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORMORTON。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，July18，1863。
GOVERNORO。P。MORTON，Indianapolis：
WhatdoyourememberaboutthecaseofJohnO。Brown，convictedofmutinousconductandsentencedtodeath？Whatdoyoudesireaboutit？
A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORPARKER
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON
July20，1863。
HISEXCELLENCYJOELPARKER，GovernorofNewJersey。
DEARSIR：——Yoursofthe15thhasbeenreceived，andconsideredbytheSecretaryofWarandmyself。IwaspainedtobeinformedthismorningbytheProvost—Marshal—GeneralthatNewJerseyisnowbehindtwelvethousand，irrespectiveofthedraft。Ididnothavetimetoascertainbywhatrulesthiswasmadeout；andIshallbeverygladifitshall，byanymeans，provetobeincorrect。HealsotellsmethateightthousandwillbeaboutthequotaofNewJerseyonthefirstdraft；andtheSecretaryofWarsaysthefirstdraftinthatStatewouldnotbemadeforsometimeinanyevent。Aseverymanobtainedotherwiselessensthedraftsomuch，andthismaysupersedeitaltogether，Ihopeyouwillpushforwardyourvolunteerregimentsasfastaspossible。
ItisaverydelicatemattertopostponethedraftinoneState，becauseoftheargumentitfurnishesotherstohavepostponementalso。Ifwecouldhaveareasoninonecasewhichwouldbegoodifpresentedinallcases，wecouldactuponit。
Iwillthankyou，therefore，toinformme，ifyoucan，bywhatday，attheearliest，youcanpromisetohavereadytobemusteredintotheUnitedStatesservicetheeightthousandmen。
IfyoucanmakeareliablepromiseImeanonewhichyoucanrelyonyourselfofthissort，itwillbeofgreatvalue，ifthedayisnottooremote。
IbegyoutobeassuredIwishtoavoidthedifficultiesyoudreadasmuchasyourself。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN
TOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTOND。C。
JULY20，1863
MAJORGENERALJOHNM。SCHOFIELD。
MYDEARGENERAL：——Ihavereceivedandreadyourletterofthe14thofJuly。
Ithinkthesuggestionyoumake，ofdiscontinuingproceedingsagainstMr。McKee，averyproperone。WhileIadmitthatthereisanapparentimproprietyinthepublicationofthelettermentioned，withoutmyconsentoryours，itisstillacasewherenoevilcouldresult，andwhichIamentirelywillingtooverlook。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。M。SCHOFIELD
WASHINGTON，D。C。JULY22，1863
MAJORGENERALSCHOFIELD，St。Louis，Mo。：
Thefollowingdespatchhasbeenplacedinmyhands。Pleaselooktothesubjectofit。
LEXINGTON，Mo。，JULY21，1863
HON。SC。POMEROY：
UnderOrdersNo。63thesheriffisarrestingslavesofrebelsinsideourlines，andreturningthemingreatnumbers。Canhedoit？
Answer。GOULD。
A。LINCOLN
TOPOSTMASTER—GENERALBLAIR
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，JULY24，1863。
HON。POSTMASTER—GENERAL
SIR：—Yesterdaylittleindorsementsofminewenttoyouintwocasesofpostmastershipssoughtforwidowswhosehusbandshavefalleninthebattlesofthiswar。ThesecasesoccurringonthesamedaybroughtmetoreflectmoreattentivelythanIhadbeforedone，astowhatisfairlyduefromushereinthedispensingofpatronagetowardthemenwho，byfightingourbattles，bearthechiefburdenofservingourcountry。Myconclusionisthat，otherclaimsandqualificationsbeingequal，theyhavethebetterrightandthisisespeciallyapplicabletothedisabledandthesoldier，deceasedsoldier’sfamily。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN
TOSECRETARYOFTHENAVY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July25，1863。
HON。SECRETARYOFTHENAVY。
SIR：——Certainmattershavecometomynotice，andconsideredbyme，whichinducemetobelievethatitwillconducetothepublicinterestforyoutoaddtothegeneralinstructionsgiventoournavalcommandersinrelationtocontrabandtradepropositionssubstantiallyasfollows，towit：
First。Youwillavoidthereality，andasfaraspossibletheappearance，ofusinganyneutralporttowatchneutralvesselsandthentodartoutandseizethemontheirdeparture。
NOTE。——ComplaintismadethatthishasbeenpracticedattheportofStThomas，whichpractice，ifitexists，isdisapprovedandmustcease。
Second。Youwillnotinanycasedetainthecrewofacapturedneutralvesseloranyothersubjectofaneutralpoweronboardsuchvessel，asprisonersofwarorotherwise，exceptthesmallnumbernecessaryaswitnessesintheprizecourt。
NOTE。—Thepracticehereforbiddenisalsochargedtoexist，which，iftrue，isdisapprovedandmustcease。
Mydearsir，itisnotintendedtobeinsinuatedthatyouhavebeenremissintheperformanceofthearduousandresponsibledutiesofyourdepartment，which，Itakepleasureinaffirming，hasinyourhandsbeenconductedwithadmirablesuccess。Yet，whileyoursubordinatesarealmostofnecessitybroughtintoangrycollisionwiththesubjectsofforeignstates，therepresentativesofthosestatesandyourselfdonotcomeintoimmediatecontactforthepurposeofkeepingthepeace，inspiteofsuchcollisions。Atthatpointthereisanultimateandheavyresponsibilityuponme。
WhatIproposeisinstrictaccordancewithinternationallaw，andisthereforeunobjectionable；whilst，ifitdoesnoothergood，itwillcontributetosustainaconsiderableportionofthepresentBritishministryintheirplaces，who，ifdisplaced，aresuretobereplacedbyothersmoreunfavorabletous。
Yourobedientservant，ABRAHAMLINCOLN
LETTERTOGOVERNORPARKER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July25，1863。
HISEXCELLENCYGOVERNORJOELPARKER。
SIR：——Yoursofthe21stisreceived，andIhavetakentimeandconsideredanddiscussedthesubjectwiththeSecretaryofWarandProvost—MarshalGeneral，inorder，ifpossible，tomakeyouamorefavorableanswerthanIfinallyfindmyselfabletodo。
ItisavitalpointwithustonothaveaspecialstipulationwiththegovernorofanyoneState，becauseitwouldbreedtroubleinmany，ifnotall，otherStates；andmyideawaswhenIwroteyou，asitstillis，togetapointoftimetowhichwecouldwait，onthereasonthatwewerenotreadyourselvestoproceed，andwhichmightenableyoutoraisethequotaofyourState，inwhole，orinlargepart，withoutthedraft。ThepointsoftimeyoufixaremuchfartheroffthanIhadhoped。WemighthavegotalonginthewayIhaveindicatedfortwenty，orpossiblythirty，days。Asitstands，thebestIcansayisthateveryvolunteeryouwillpresentuswithinthirtydaysfromthisdate，fitandreadytobemusteredintotheUnitedStatesservice，ontheusualterms，shallbeprotantoanabatementofyourquotaofthedraft。ThatquotaIcannowstateateightthousandsevenhundredandeighty—three8783。NodraftfromNewJersey，otherthanfortheabovequota，willbemadebeforeanadditionaldraft，commonto[all]theStates，shallberequired；andImayaddthatifwegetwellthroughwiththisdraft，Ientertainastronghopethatanyfurtheronemayneverbeneeded。Thisexpressionofhope，however，mustnotbeconstruedintoapromise。