Astoconductingthedraftbytownships，Ifinditwouldrequiresuchawasteoflaboralreadydone，andsuchanadditionalamountofit，andsuchalossoftime，astomakeit，Ifear，inadmissible。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
P。S。——Sincewritingtheabove，gettingadditionalinformation，Iamenabledtosaythatthedraftmaybemadeinsubdistricts，astheenrolmenthasbeenmade，orisinprocessofmaking。Thiswillamountpracticallytodraftingbytownships，astheenrollmentsubdistrictsaregenerallyabouttheextentoftownships。
A。L。
ToGENERALG。G。MEADE。
Private。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July27，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE：
IhavenotthrownGeneralHookeraway；andthereforeIwouldliketoknowwhetheritwouldbeagreeabletoyou，allthingsconsidered，forhimtotakeacorpsunderyou，ifhehimselfiswillingtodoso。
Writemeinperfectfreedom，withtheassurancethatIwillnotsubjectyoutoanyembarrassmentbymakingyourletteroritscontentsknowntoanyone。IwishtoknowyourwishesbeforeI
decidewhethertobreakthesubjecttohim。Donotleanahair’sbreadthagainstyourownfeelings，oryourjudgmentofthepublicservice，ontheideaofgratifyingme。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。B。BURNSIDE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，July27，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，Cincinnati，O。：
Letmeexplain。InGeneralGrant’sfirstdespatchafterthefallofVicksburg，hesaid，amongotherthings，hewouldsendtheNinthCorpstoyou。Thinkingitwouldbepleasanttoyou，IaskedtheSecretaryofWartotelegraphyouthenews。ForsomereasonsnevermentionedtousbyGeneralGrant，theyhavenotbeensent，thoughwehaveseenoutsideintimationsthattheytookpartintheexpeditionagainstJackson。GeneralGrantisacopiousworkerandfighter，butaverymeagerwriterortelegrapher。NodoubthechangedhispurposeinregardtotheNinthCorpsforsomesufficientreason，buthasforgottentonotifyusofit。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，July29，1863
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
SeeingGeneralMeade’sdespatchofyesterdaytoyourselfcausesmetofearthathesupposestheGovernmenthereisdemandingofhimtobringonageneralengagementwithLeeassoonaspossible。Iamclaimingnosuchthingofhim。Infact，myjudgmentisagainstit；
whichjudgment，ofcourse，Iwillyieldifyoursandhisarethecontrary。IfhecouldnotsafelyengageLeeatWilliamsport，itseemsabsurdtosupposehecansafelyengagehimnow，whenhehasscarcelymorethantwothirdsoftheforcehehadatWilliamsport，whileitmustbethatLeehasbeenreinforced。True，IdesiredGeneralMeadetopursueLeeacrossthePotomac，hoping，ashasprovedtrue，thathewouldtherebycleartheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad，andgetsomeadvantagesbyharassinghimonhisretreat。Thesebeingpast，Iamunwillingheshouldnowgetintoageneralengagementontheimpressionthatweherearepressinghim，andIshallbegladforyoutosoinformhim，unlessyourownjudgmentisagainstit。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
H。W。HALLECK，General—in—Chief。
TOSECRETARYSTANTON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July29，1863
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR。
SIR：——CanwenotrenewtheefforttoorganizeaforcetogotowesternTexas？
Pleaseconsultwiththegeneral—in—chiefonthesubject。
IftheGovernorofNewJerseyshallfurnishanynewregiments，mightnottheybeputintosuchanexpedition？Pleasethinkofit。
Ibelievenolocalobjectisnowmoredesirable。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
ORDEROFRETALIATION。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July30，1863。
Itisthedutyofeverygovernmenttogiveprotectiontoitscitizens，ofwhateverclass，color，orcondition，andespeciallytothosewhoaredulyorganizedassoldiersinthepublicservice。Thelawofnationsandtheusagesandcustomsofwar，ascarriedonbycivilizedpowers，permitnodistinctionastocolorinthetreatmentofprisonersofwaraspublicenemies。Tosellorenslaveanycapturedperson，onaccountofhiscolorandfornooffenseagainstthelawsofwar，isarelapseintobarbarism，andacrimeagainstthecivilizationoftheage。
TheGovernmentoftheUnitedStateswillgivethesameprotectiontoallitssoldiers；andiftheenemyshallsellorenslaveanyonebecauseofhiscolor，theoffenseshallbepunishedbyretaliationupontheenemy’sprisonersinourpossession。
ItisthereforeorderedthatforeverysoldieroftheUnitedStateskilledinviolationofthelawsofwar，arebelsoldiershallbeexecuted；andforeveryoneenslavedbytheenemyorsoldintoslavery，arebelsoldiershallbeplacedathardlaboronthepublicworks，andcontinuedatsuchlaboruntiltheothershallbereleasedandreceivethetreatmentduetoaprisonerofwar。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOGENERALS。A。HURLBUT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，July31，1863。
MYDEARGENERALHURLBUT：
YourletterbyMr。Danawasdulyreceived。InowlearnthatyourresignationhasreachedtheWarDepartment。IalsolearnthatanactivecommandhasbeenassignedyoubyGeneralGrant。TheSecretaryofWarandGeneralHalleckareverypartialtoyou，asyouknowI
alsoam。Weallwishyoutoreconsiderthequestionofresigning；
notthatwewouldwishtoretainyougreatlyagainstyourwishandinterest，butthatyourdecisionmaybeatleastaverywell—
consideredone。
IunderstandthatSenator[WilliamK。]Sebastian，ofArkansas，thinksofofferingtoresumehisplaceintheSenate。OfcoursetheSenate，andnotI，woulddecidewhethertoadmitorrejecthim。StillI
shouldfeelgreatinterestinthequestion。Itmaybesopresentedastobeoneoftheverygreatestnationalimportance；anditmaybeotherwisesopresentedastobeofnomorethantemporarypersonalconsequencetohim。
TheEmancipationProclamationappliestoArkansas。Ithinkitisvalidinlaw，andwillbesoheldbythecourts。IthinkIshallnotretractorrepudiateit。ThosewhoshallhavetastedactualfreedomIbelievecanneverbeslavesorquasi—slavesagain。Fortherest，I
believesomeplansubstantiallybeinggradualemancipationwouldbebetterforbothwhiteandblack。TheMissouriplanrecentlyadopted，Idonotobjecttoonaccountofthetimeforendingtheinstitution；butIamsorrythebeginningshouldhavebeenpostponedforsevenyears，leavingallthattimetoagitatefortherepealofthewholething。Itshouldbeginatonce，givingatleastthenew—bornavestedinterestinfreedomwhichcouldnotbetakenaway。
IfSenatorSebastiancouldcomewithsomethingofthissortfromArkansas，I，atleast，shouldtakegreatinterestinhiscase；andI
believeasingleindividualwillhavescarcelydonetheworldsogreataservice。Seehimifyoucan，andreadthistohim；butchargehimnottomakeitpublicforthepresent。Writemeagain。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMGOVERNORSEYMOUR。
ALBANY，August1，1863。Recvd2P。M。
TOTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
IaskthatthedraftbesuspendedinthisStateuntilIcansendyouacommunicationIampreparing。
HORATIOSEYMOUR。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORSEYMOUR
WASHINGTON，D。C。，August1，1863。4P。M。
HISEXCELLENCYGOVERNORSEYMOUR，Albany，N。Y。：
BywhatdaymayIexpectyourcommunicationtoreachme？Areyouanxiousaboutanypartexceptthecityandvicinity？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFOSTER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August3，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALFOSTERorwhoevermaybeincommandofthemilitarydepartmentwithheadquartersatFortMonroe，Va。：
IfDr。Wright，ontrialatNorfolk，hasbeenorshallbeconvicted，sendmeatranscriptofhistrialandconviction，anddonotletexecutionbedoneuponhimuntilmyfurtherorder。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August5，1863。
MYDEARGENERALBANKS：
WhileIverywellknowwhatIwouldbegladforLouisianatodo，itisquiteadifferentthingformetoassumedirectionofthematter。
Iwouldbegladforhertomakeanewconstitution，recognizingtheemancipationproclamation，andadoptingemancipationinthosepartsoftheStatetowhichtheproclamationdoesnotapply。Andwhilesheisatit，Ithinkitwouldnotbeobjectionableforhertoadoptsomepracticalsystembywhichthetworacescouldgraduallylivethemselvesoutoftheiroldrelationtoeachother，andbothcomeoutbetterpreparedforthenew。Educationforyoungblacksshouldbeincludedintheplan。Afterall，thepowerorelementof\"contract\"
maybesufficientforthisprobationaryperiod，andbyitssimplicityandflexibilitymaybethebetter。
Asanantislaveryman，IhaveamotivetodesireemancipationwhichproslaverymendonothavebuteventheyhavestrongenoughreasontothusplacethemselvesagainundertheshieldoftheUnion，andtothusperpetuallyhedgeagainsttherecurrenceofthescenesthroughwhichwearenowpassing。
GovernorShepleyhasinformedmethatMr。Durantisnowtakingaregistry，withaviewtotheelectionofaconstitutionalconventioninLouisiana。This，tome，appearsproper。Ifsuchconventionweretoaskmyviews，IcouldpresentlittleelsethanwhatInowsaytoyou。Ithinkthethingshouldbepushedforward，sothat，ifpossible，itsmatureworkmayreachherebythemeetingofCongress。
Formyownpart，IthinkIshallnot，inanyevent，retracttheemancipationproclamation：nor，asexecutive，everreturntoslaveryanypersonwhoisfreebythetermsofthatproclamation，orbyanyoftheactsofCongress。
IfLouisianashallsendmemberstoCongress，theiradmissiontoseatswilldepend，asyouknow，upontherespectiveHouses，andnotuponthePresident。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORSEYMOUR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August7，1863。
HISEXCELLENCYHORATIOSEYMOUR，GovernorofNewYork：
Yourcommunicationofthe3rdinstanthasbeenreceivedandattentivelyconsidered。
IcannotconsenttosuspendthedraftinNewYork，asyourequest，because，amongotherreasons，timeistooimportant。
Bythefiguresyousend，whichIpresumearecorrect，thetwelvedistrictsrepresentedfallintotwoclassesofeightandfourrespectively。Thedisparityofthequotasforthedraftinthesetwoclassesiscertainlyverystriking，beingthedifferencebetweenanaverageof2200inoneclassand4864intheother。Assumingthatthedistrictsareequalonetoanotherinentirepopulation，asrequiredbytheplanonwhichtheyweremade，thisdisparityissuchastorequireattention。Muchofit，however，IsupposewillbeaccountedforbythefactthatsomanymorepersonsfitforsoldiersareinthecitythanareinthecountrywhohavetoorecentlyarrivedfromotherpartsoftheUnitedStatesandfromEuropetobeeitherincludedinthecensusof1860，ortohavevotedin1862。Still，makingdueallowanceforthis，Iamyetunwillingtostanduponitasanentirelysufficientexplanationofthegreatdisparity。
Ishalldirectthedrafttoproceedinallthedistricts，drawing，however，atfirstfromeachofthefourdistricts——towit，theSecond，Fourth，Sixth，andEighth——only，2200beingtheaveragequotaoftheotherclass。Afterthisdrawing，thesefourdistricts，andalsotheSeventeenthandTwenty—ninth，shallbecarefullyre—
enrolled；and，ifyouplease，agentsofyoursmaywitnesseverystepoftheprocess。Anydeficiencywhichmayappearbythenewenrolmentwillbesuppliedbyaspecialdraftforthatobject，allowingduecreditforvolunteerswhomaybeobtainedfromthesedistrictsrespectivelyduringtheinterval；andatallpoints，sofarasconsistentwithpracticalconvenience，duecreditsshallbegivenforvolunteers，andyourExcellencyshallbenotifiedofthetimefixedforcommencingthedraftineachdistrict。
IdonotobjecttoabideadecisionoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt，orofthejudgesthereof，ontheconstitutionalityofthedraftlaw。Infact，Ishouldbewillingtofacilitatetheobtainingofit。ButIcannotconsenttolosethetimewhileitisbeingobtained。Wearecontendingwithanenemywho，asIunderstand，driveseveryable—bodiedmanhecanreachintohisranks，verymuchasabutcherdrivesbullocksintotheslaughter—pen。Notimeiswasted，noargumentisused。Thisproducesanarmywhichwillsoonturnuponournowvictorioussoldiersalreadyinthefield，iftheyshallnotbesustainedbyrecruitsastheyshouldbe。Itproducesanarmywitharapiditynottobematchedonoursideifwefirstwastetimetore—experimentwiththevolunteersystem，alreadydeemedbyCongress，andpalpably，infact，sofarexhaustedastobeinadequate；andthenmoretimetoobtainacourtdecisionastowhetheralawisconstitutional，whichrequiresapartofthosenotnowintheservicetogototheaidofthosewhoarealreadyinit；
andstillmoretimetodeterminewithabsolutecertaintythatwegetthosewhoaretogointhepreciselylegalproportiontothosewhoarenottogo。Mypurposeistobeinmyactionjustandconstitutional，andyetpractical，inperformingtheimportantdutywithwhichIamcharged，ofmaintainingtheunityandthefreeprinciplesofourcommoncountry。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，August9，1863。
MYDEARGENERALGRANT：
IseebyadespatchofyoursthatyouinclinequitestronglytowardanexpeditionagainstMobile。Thiswouldappeartemptingtomealso，wereitnotthatinviewofrecenteventsinMexicoIamgreatlyimpressedwiththeimportanceofre—establishingthenationalauthorityinwesternTexasassoonaspossible。Iamnotmakinganorder，however；thatIleave，forthepresentatleast，tothegeneral—in—chief。
Aworduponanothersubject：GeneralThomashasgoneagaintotheMississippiValley，withtheviewofraisingcoloredtroops。Ihavenoreasontodoubtthatyouaredoingwhatyoureasonablycanuponthesamesubject。Ibelieveitisaresourcewhichifvigorouslyappliednowwillsoonclosethecontest。Itworksdoubly，weakeningtheenemyandstrengtheningus。Wewerenotfullyripeforituntiltheriverwasopened。Now，Ithinkatleastonehundredthousandcanandoughttoberapidlyorganizedalongitsshores，relievingallwhitetroopstoserveelsewhere。Mr。DanaunderstandsyouasbelievingthattheEmancipationProclamationhashelpedsomeinyourmilitaryoperations。Iamverygladifthisisso。
Didyoureceiveashortletterfrommedatedthe13thofJuly？
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August10，1863。
MYDEARGENERALROSECRANS：
Yoursofthe1stwasreceivedtwodaysago。IthinkyoumusthaveinferredmorethanGeneralHalleckhasintended，astoanydissatisfactionofminewithyou。Iamsureyou，asareasonableman，wouldnothavebeenwoundedcouldyouhaveheardallmywordsandseenallmythoughtsinregardtoyou。Ihavenotabatedinmykindfeelingforandconfidenceinyou。IhaveseenmostofyourdespatchestoGeneralHalleck——probablyallofthem。AfterGrantinvestedVicksburgIwasveryanxiouslestJohnstonshouldoverwhelmhimfromtheoutside，andwhenitappearedcertainthatpartofBragg’sforcehadgoneandwasgoingtoJohnston，itdidseemtomeitwasexactlythepropertimeforyoutoattackBraggwithwhatforcehehadleft。Inallkindnessletmesayitsoseemstomeyet。
FindingfromyourdespatchestoGeneralHalleckthatyourjudgmentwasdifferent，andbeingveryanxiousforGrant，I，ononeoccasion，toldGeneralHalleckIthoughtheshoulddirectyoutodecideatoncetoimmediatelyattackBraggortostandonthedefensiveandsendpartofyourforcetoGrant。Herepliedhehadalreadysodirectedinsubstance。Soonafter，despatchesfromGrantabatedmyanxietyforhim，andinproportionabatedmyanxietyaboutanymovementofyours。Whenafterward，however，IsawadespatchofyoursarguingthattherighttimeforyoutoattackBraggwasnotbefore，butwouldbeafter，thefallofVicksburg，itimpressedmeverystrangely，andIthinkIsostatedtotheSecretaryofWarandGeneralHalleck。ItseemednootherthanthepropositionthatyoucouldbetterfightBraggwhenJohnstonshouldbeatlibertytoreturnandassisthimthanyoucouldbeforehecouldsoreturntohisassistance。
SinceGranthasbeenentirelyrelievedbythefallofVicksburg，bywhichJohnstonisalsorelieved，ithasseemedtomethatyourchanceforastrokehasbeenconsiderablydiminished，andIhavenotbeenpressingyoudirectlyorindirectly。True，IamveryanxiousforEastTennesseetobeoccupiedbyus；butIseeandappreciatethedifficultiesyoumention。Thequestionoccurs，Canthethingbedoneatall？Doespreparationadvanceatall？Doyounotconsumesuppliesasfastasyougetthemforward？Haveyoumoreanimalsto—
daythanyouhadatthebattleofStone’sRiver？Andyethavenotmorebeenfurnishedyousincethenthanyourentirepresentstock？I
askthesamequestionsastoyourmountedforce。
Donotmisunderstand：Iamnotcastingblameuponyou；IratherthinkbygreatexertionyoucangettoEastTennessee；butaveryimportantquestionis，Canyoustaythere？Imakenoorderinthecase——thatI
leavetoGeneralHalleckandyourself。
AndnowbeassuredoncemorethatIthinkofyouinallkindnessandconfidence，andthatIamnotwatchingyouwithanevileye。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORSEYMOUR。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，August11。1863。
HISEXCELLENCYHORATIOSEYMOUR，GovernorofNewYork：
Yoursofthe8th，withJudge—Advocate—Genera1Waterbury’sreport，wasreceivedto—day。
AskingyoutorememberthatIconsidertimeasbeingveryimportant，bothtothegeneralcauseofthecountryandtothesoldiersinthefield，IbegtoremindyouthatIwaited，atyourrequest，fromthe1stuntilthe6thinst。，toreceiveyourcommunicationdatedthe3d。
Inviewofitsgreatlength，andtheknowntimeandapparentcaretakeninitspreparation，Ididnotdoubtthatitcontainedyourfullcaseasyoudesiredtopresentit。Itcontainedthefiguresfortwelvedistricts，omittingtheothernineteen，asIsuppose，becauseyoufoundnothingtocomplainofastothem。Iansweredaccordingly。
IndoingsoIlaiddowntheprincipletowhichIpurposeadhering，whichistoproceedwiththedraft，atthesametimeemployinginfalliblemeanstoavoidanygreatwrong。Withthecommunicationreceivedto—dayyousendfiguresfortwenty—eightdistricts，includingthetwelvesentbefore，andstillomittingthree，forwhichIsupposetheenrolmentsarenotyetreceived。Inlookingoverthefullerlistoftwenty—eightdistricts，Ifindthatthequotasforsixteenofthemareabove2000andbelow2700，while，oftherest，sixareabove2700andsixarebelow2000。Applyingtheprincipletothesenewfacts，theFifthandSeventhdistrictsmustbeaddedtothefourinwhichthequotashavealreadybeenreducedto2200forthefirstdraft；andwiththesefourothersjustbeaddedtothosetobere—enrolled。Thecorrectcasewillthenstand：thequotasoftheSecond，Fourth，Fifth，Sixth，Seventh，andEighthdistrictsfixedat2200forthefirstdraft。TheProvost—Marshal—GeneralinformsmethatthedrawingisalreadycompletedintheSixteenth，Seventeenth，Eighteenth，Twenty—second，Twenty—fourth，Twenty—sixth，Twenty—
seventh，Twenty—eighth，Twenty—ninth，andThirtiethdistricts。Intheothers，exceptthethreeoutstanding，thedrawingwillbemadeuponthequotasasnowfixed。Afterthefirstdraft，theSecond，Fourth，Fifth，Sixth，Seventh，Eighth，Sixteenth，Seventeenth，Twenty—first，Twenty—fifth，Twenty—ninth，andThirty—firstwillbeenrolledforthepurposeandinthemannerstatedinmyletterofthe7thinst。Thesameprinciplewillbeappliedtothenowoutstandingdistrictswhentheyshallcomein。Nopartofmyformerletterisrepudiatedbyreasonofnotbeingrestatedinthis，orforanyothercause。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。A。McCLERNAND。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August12，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLERNAND。
MYDEARSIR：——OurfriendWilliamG。Greenehasjustpresentedakindletterinregardtoyourself，addressedtomebyourotherfriendsYates，Hatch，andDubois。
Idoubtwhetheryourpresentpositionismorepainfultoyouthantomyself。Gratefulforthepatrioticstandsoearlytakenbyyouinthislife—and—deathstruggleofthenation，Ihavedonewhateverhasappearedpracticabletoadvanceyouandthepublicinteresttogether。
Nocharges，withaviewtoatrial，havebeenpreferredagainstyoubyanyone；nordoIsupposeanywillbe。Allthereis，sofarasI
haveheard，isGeneralGrant’sstatementofhisreasonsforrelievingyou。AndeventhisIhavenotseenorsoughttosee；becauseitisacase，asappearstome，inwhichIcoulddonothingwithoutdoingharm。GeneralGrantandyourselfhavebeenconspicuousinourmostimportantsuccesses；andformetointerfereandthusmagnifyabreachbetweenyoucouldnotbutbeofevileffect。Betterleaveitwherethelawofthecasehasplacedit。FormetoforceyoubackuponGeneralGrantwouldbeforcinghimtoresign。Icannotgiveyouanewcommand，becausewehavenoforcesexceptsuchasalreadyhavecommanders。
Iamconstantlypressedbythosewhoscoldbeforetheythink，orwithoutthinkingatall，togivecommandsrespectivelytoFremont，McClellan，Butler，Sigel，Curtis，Hunter，Hooker，andperhapsothers，when，allelseoutoftheway，Ihavenocommandstogivethem。Thisisnowyourcase；which，asIhavesaid，painsmenotlessthanitdoesyou。Mybeliefisthatthepermanentestimateofwhatageneraldoesinthefieldisfixedbythe\"cloudofwitnesses\"whohavebeenwithhiminthefield，andthat，relyingonthese，hewhohastherightneedsnottofear。
Yourfriendasever，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORSEYMOUR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，AUGUST16，1863。
GOVERNORSEYMOUR，NewYork：
Yourdespatchofthismorningisjustreceived，andIfearIdonotperfectlyunderstandit。
Myviewoftheprincipleisthateverysoldierobtainedvoluntarilyleavesonelesstobeobtainedbydraft。Theonlydifficultyisinapplyingtheprincipleproperly。Lookingtotime，asheretofore，I
amunwillingtogiveupadraftedmannow，evenforthecertainty，muchlessforthemerechance，ofgettingavolunteerhereafter。
Again，afterthedraftinanydistrict，woulditnotmaketroubletotakeanydraftedmanoutandputavolunteerin——forhowshallitbedeterminedwhichdraftedmanistohavetheprivilegeofthusgoingout，totheexclusionofalltheothers？Andevenbeforethedraftinanydistrictthequotamustbefixed；andthedraftmustbepostponedindefinitelyifeverytimeavolunteerisofferedtheofficersmuststopandreconstructthequota。AtleastIfeartheremightbethisdifficulty；but，atallevents，letcreditsforvolunteersbegivenuptothelastmomentwhichwillnotproduceconfusionordelay。Thattheprincipleofgivingcreditsforvolunteersshallbeappliedbydistrictsseemsfairandproper，thoughIdonotknowhowfarbypresentstatisticsitispracticable。
Whenforanycauseafaircreditisnotgivenatonetime，itshouldbegivenassoonthereafteraspracticable。Mypurposeistobejustandfair，andyettonotlosetime。
A。LINCOLN
ToJ。H。HACKETT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON
August17，1863。
JAMESH。HACKETT，Esq。
MYDEARSIR：——MonthsagoIshouldhaveacknowledgedthereceiptofyourbookandaccompanyingkindnote；andInowhavetobegyourpardonfornothavingdoneso。
ForoneofmyageIhaveseenverylittleofthedrama。ThefirstpresentationofFalstaffIeversawwasyourshere，lastwinterorspring。PerhapsthebestcomplimentIcanpayistosay，asItrulycan，Iamveryanxioustoseeitagain。SomeofShakespeare’splaysIhaveneverread，whileothersIhavegoneoverperhapsasfrequentlyasanyun—professionalreader。AmongthelatterareLear，RichardIII。，HenryVIII。，Hamlet，andespeciallyMacbeth。IthinknothingequalsMacbeth。Itiswonderful。
Unlikeyougentlemenoftheprofession，IthinkthesoliloquyinHamletcommencing\"Oh，myoffenseisrank，\"surpassesthatcommencing\"Tobeornottobe。\"Butpardonthissmallattemptatcriticism。I
shouldliketohearyoupronouncetheopeningspeechofRichardIII。
WillyounotsoonvisitWashingtonagain？Ifyoudo，pleasecallandletmemakeyourpersonalacquaintance。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN
TOF。F。LOWE。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，August17，1863。
HON。P。F。LOWE，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
Thereseemstobeconsiderablemisunderstandingabouttherecentmovementtotakepossessionofthe\"NewAlmaden\"mine。Ithasnoreferencetoanyothermineormines。
Inregardtominesandminersgenerally，nochangeofpolicybytheGovernmenthasbeendecidedon，oreventhoughtof，sofarasIknow。
The\"NewAlmaden\"minewaspeculiarinthis：thatitsoccupantsclaimedtobethelegalownersofitonaMexicangrant，andwentintocourtonthatclaim。ThecasefounditswayintotheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates，andlastterm，inandbythatcourt，theclaimoftheoccupantswasdecidedtobeutterlyfraudulent。
ThereuponitwasconsideredthedutyoftheGovernmentbytheSecretaryoftheInterior，theAttorney—General，andmyselftotakepossessionofthepremises；andtheAttorney—GeneralcarefullymadeoutthewritandIsignedit。Itwasnotobtainedsurreptitiously，althoughIsupposeGeneralHalleckthoughtithadbeen，whenhetelegraphed，simplybecausehethoughtpossessionwasaboutbeingtakenbyamilitaryorder，whileheknewnosuchorderhadpassedthroughhishandsasgeneral—in—chief。
Thewritwassuspended，uponurgentrepresentationsfromCalifornia，simplytokeepthepeace。Itneverhadanydirectorindirectreferencetoanymine，place，orperson，exceptthe\"NewAlmaden\"
mineandthepersonsconnectedwithit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August21，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Warrenton，Va。：
AtthislatemomentIamappealedtoinbehalfofWilliamThompsonofCompanyK，ThirdMarylandVolunteers，inTwelfthArmyCorps，saidtobeatKelly’sFord，undersentencetobeshotto—dayasadeserter。
Heisrepresentedtometobeveryyoung，withsymptomsofinsanity。
Pleasepostponetheexecutiontillfurtherorder。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，August22，1863。
GENERALSCHOFIELD，SaintLouis，Mo。：
PleasesendmeifyoucanatranscriptoftherecordinthecaseofMcQuinandBell，convictedofmurderbyamilitarycommission。I
telegraphedGeneralStrongforit，buthedoesnotanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。GRIMSLEY。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August24，1863。
MRS。ELIZABETHJ。GRIMSLEY，Springfield，Ill。：
Imailthepaperstoyouto—dayappointingJohnnytotheNavalschool。
A。LINCOLN
TOCRITICSOFEMANCIPATION
ToJ。C。CONKLING。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August26，1863。
HON。JAMESC。CONKLING。
MYDEARSIR：——YourletterinvitingmetoattendamassmeetingofunconditionalUnionmen，tobeheldatthecapitalofIllinois，onthe3ddayofSeptember，hasbeenreceived。Itwouldbeveryagreeableformethustomeetmyoldfriendsatmyownhome，butI
cannotjustnowbeabsentfromheresolongasavisittherewouldrequire。
ThemeetingistobeofallthosewhomaintainunconditionaldevotiontotheUnion，andIamsurethatmyoldpoliticalfriendswillthankmefortendering，asIdo，thenation’sgratitudetothoseothernoblemenwhomnopartisanmaliceorpartisanhopecanmakefalsetothenation’slife。
Therearethosewhoaredissatisfiedwithme。TosuchIwouldsay：
Youdesirepeace，andyoublamemethatwedonothaveit。Buthowcanweobtainit？Therearebutthreeconceivableways：
First——tosuppresstherebellionbyforceofarms。ThisIamtryingtodo。Areyouforit？Ifyouare，sofarweareagreed。Ifyouarenotforit，asecondwayistogiveuptheUnion。Iamagainstthis。Areyouforit？Ifyouareyoushouldsaysoplainly。Ifyouarenotforforcenoryetfordissolution，thereonlyremainssomeimaginablecompromise。
IdonotbelievethatanycompromiseembracingthemaintenanceoftheUnionisnowpossible。AllthatIlearnleadstoadirectlyoppositebelief。Thestrengthoftherebellionisitsmilitary，itsarmy。
Thatarmydominatesallthecountryandallthepeoplewithinitsrange。Anyofferoftermsmadebyanymanormenwithinthatrange，inoppositiontothatarmy，issimplynothingforthepresent；
becausesuchmanormenhavenopowerwhatevertoenforcetheirsideofacompromise，ifoneweremadewiththem。
Toillustrate：SupposerefugeesfromtheSouthandpeacemenoftheNorthgettogetherinconvention，andframeandproclaimacompromiseembracingarestorationoftheUnion。InwhatwaycanthatcompromisebeusedtokeepLee’sarmyoutofPennsylvania？Meade’sarmycankeepLee’sarmyoutofPennsylvania，and，Ithink，canultimatelydriveitoutofexistence。ButnopapercompromisetowhichthecontrollersofLee’sarmyarenotagreedcanatallaffectthatarmy。Inaneffortatsuchcompromisewewouldwastetime，whichtheenemywouldimprovetoourdisadvantage；andthatwouldbeall。
Acompromise，tobeeffective，mustbemadeeitherwiththosewhocontroltherebelarmy，orwiththepeople，firstliberatedfromthedominationofthatarmybythesuccessofourownarmy。Nowallowmetoassureyouthatnowordorintimationfromthatrebelarmy，orfromanyofthemencontrollingit，inrelationtoanypeacecompromise，hasevercometomyknowledgeorbelief。Allchargesandinsinuationstothecontraryaredeceptiveandgroundless。AndI
promiseyouthatifanysuchpropositionshallhereaftercome，itshallnotberejectedandkeptasecretfromyou。Ifreelyacknowledgemyselftobetheservantofthepeople，accordingtothebondofservice，theUnitedStatesConstitution，andthat，assuch，I
amresponsibletothem。
But，tobeplain：Youaredissatisfiedwithmeaboutthenegro。
Quitelikelythereisadifferenceofopinionbetweenyouandmyselfuponthatsubject。Icertainlywishthatallmencouldbefree，whileyou，Isuppose，donot。Yet，Ihaveneitheradoptednorproposedanymeasurewhichisnotconsistentwithevenyourview，providedyouarefortheUnion。Isuggestedcompensatedemancipation；towhichyourepliedyouwishednottobetaxedtobuynegroes。ButIhadnotaskedyoutobetaxedtobuynegroes，exceptinsuchwayastosaveyoufromgreatertaxationtosavetheUnionexclusivelybyothermeans。
YoudisliketheEmancipationProclamation，andperhapswouldhaveitretracted。Yousayitisunconstitutional。Ithinkdifferently。I
thinktheConstitutioninvestsitscommander—in—chiefwiththelawofwarintimeofwar。Themostthatcanbesaid，ifsomuch，is，thatslavesareproperty。Isthere，hasthereeverbeen，anyquestionthatbythelawofwar，property，bothofenemiesandfriends，maybetakenwhenneeded？Andisitnotneededwheneverithelpsusandhurtstheenemy？Armies，theworldover，destroyenemies’propertywhentheycannotuseit，andevendestroytheirowntokeepitfromtheenemy。Civilizedbelligerentsdoallintheirpowertohelpthemselvesorhurttheenemy，exceptafewthingsregardedasbarbarousorcruel。Amongtheexceptionsarethemassacreofvanquishedfoesandnon—combatants，maleandfemale。
Buttheproclamation，aslaw，eitherisvalidorisnotvalid。Ifitisnotvaliditneedsnoretraction。Ifitisvaliditcannotberetracted，anymorethanthedeadcanbebroughttolife。SomeofyouprofesstothinkitsretractionwouldoperatefavorablyfortheUnion，whybetteraftertheretractionthanbeforetheissue？Therewasmorethanayearandahalfoftrialtosuppresstherebellionbeforetheproclamationwasissued，thelastonehundreddaysofwhichpassedunderanexplicitnoticethatitwascoming，unlessavertedbythoseinrevoltreturningtotheirallegiance。Thewarhascertainlyprogressedasfavorablyforussincetheissueoftheproclamationasbefore。
Iknow，asfullyasonecanknowtheopinionsofothers，thatsomeofthecommandersofourarmiesinthefield，whohavegivenusourmostimportantvictories，believetheemancipationpolicyandtheuseofcoloredtroopsconstitutetheheaviestblowsyetdealttotherebellion，andthatatleastoneofthoseimportantsuccessescouldnothavebeenachievedwhenitwasbutfortheaidofblacksoldiers。
Amongthecommanderswhoholdtheseviewsaresomewhohaveneverhadanyaffinitywithwhatiscalled\"Abolitionism，\"orwith\"RepublicanPartypolitics，\"butwhoholdthempurelyasmilitaryopinions。I
submittheiropinionsareentitledtosomeweightagainsttheobjectionsoftenurgedthatemancipationandarmingtheblacksareunwiseasmilitarymeasures，andwerenotadoptedassuchingoodfaith。
Yousaythatyouwillnotfighttofreenegroes。Someofthemseemwillingtofightforyou；butnomatter。Fightyou，then，exclusively，tosavetheUnion。IissuedtheproclamationonpurposetoaidyouinsavingtheUnion。WheneveryoushallhaveconqueredallresistancetotheUnion，ifIshallurgeyoutocontinuefighting，itwillbeanapttimethenforyoutodeclareyouwillnotfighttofreenegroes。IthoughtthatinyourstrugglefortheUnion，towhateverextentthenegroesshouldceasehelpingtheenemy，tothatextentitweakenedtheenemyinhisresistancetoyou。Doyouthinkdifferently？Ithoughtthatwhatevernegroescanbegottodoassoldiers，leavesjustsomuchlessforwhitesoldierstodoinsavingtheUnion。Doesitappearotherwisetoyou？Butnegroes，likeotherpeople，actuponmotives。Whyshouldtheydoanythingforusifwewilldonothingforthem？Iftheystaketheirlivesforustheymustbepromptedbythestrongestmotive，eventhepromiseoffreedom。Andthepromise，beingmade，mustbekept。
Thesignslookbetter。TheFatherofWatersagaingoesunvexedtothesea。ThankstothegreatNorthwestforit；noryetwhollytothem。ThreehundredmilesuptheymetNewEngland，Empire，Keystone，andJersey，hewingtheirwayrightandleft。ThesunnySouth，too，inmorecolorsthanone，alsolentahelpinghand。Onthespot，theirpartofthehistorywasjotteddowninblackandwhite。Thejobwasagreatnationalone，andletnonebeslightedwhoboreanhonorablepartinitAndwhilethosewhohaveclearedthegreatrivermaywellbeproud，eventhatisnotall。ItishardtosaythatanythinghasbeenmorebravelyandwelldonethanatAntietam，Murfreesboro，Gettysburg，andonmanyfieldsoflessnote。NormustUncleSam’sweb—feetbeforgotten。Atallthewaterymarginstheyhavebeenpresent；notonlyonthedeepsea，thebroadbay，andtherapidriver，butalsoupthenarrow，muddybayou，andwhereverthegroundwasalittledamp，theyhavebeenandmadetheirtracks。
Thankstoall。ForthegreatRepublic——fortheprincipleitlivesbyandkeepsalive——forman’svastfuture——thankstoall。
Peacedoesnotappearsodistantasitdid。Ihopeitwillcomesoon，andcometostay，andsocomeastobeworththekeepinginallfuturetime。Itwillthenhavebeenprovedthatamongfreementherecanbenosuccessfulappealfromtheballottothebullet，andthattheywhotakesuchappealaresuretolosetheircaseandpaythecost。Andtherewillbesomeblackmenwhocanrememberthatwithsilenttongue，andclinchedteeth，andsteadyeye，andwell—poisedbayonet，theyhavehelpedmankindontothisgreatconsummation；
whileIfeartherewillbesomewhiteonesunabletoforgetthatwithmalignantheartanddeceitfulspeechtheyhavestriventohinderit。
Still，letusnotbeover—sanguineofaspeedy，finaltriumph。Letusbequitesober。Letusdiligentlyapplythemeans，neverdoubtingthatajustGod，inHisowngoodtime，willgiveustherightfulresult。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOJAMESCONKLING。
Private。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，August27。1863。
HON。JAMESCONKLING。
MYDEARCONKLING：——Icannotleaveherenow。Herewithisaletterinstead。Youareoneofthebestpublicreaders。Ihavebutonesuggestion——readitveryslowly。AndnowGodblessyou，andallgoodUnionmen。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
TOSECRETARYSTANTON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August26，1863。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR
SIR：—InmycorrespondencewithGovernorSeymourinrelationtothedraft，Ihavesaidtohim，substantially，thatcreditsshallbegivenforvolunteersuptothelatestmoment，beforedrawinginanydistrict，thatcanbedonewithoutproducingconfusionordelay。Inordertodothis，letourmusteringofficersinNewYorkandelsewherebeat，onceinstructedthatwhenevertheymusterintoourserviceanynumberofvolunteers，toatoncemakereturntotheWarDepartment，bothbytelegraphandmail，thedateofthemuster，thenumbermustered，andtheCongressionalorenrolmentdistrictordistricts，oftheirresidences，givingthenumbersseparatelyforeachdistrict。Keepthesereturnsdiligentlyposted，andbythemgivefullcreditonthequotas，ifpossible，onthelastdaybeforethedraftbeginsinanydistrict。
Again，IhaveinformedGovernorSeymourthatheshallbenotifiedofthetimewhenthedraftistocommenceineachdistrictinhisState。
ThisisequallyproperforalltheStates。Inordertocarryitout，Iproposethatsosoonasthedayforcommencingthedraftinanydistrictisdefinitelydetermined，thegovernoroftheState，includingthedistrict，benotifiedthereof，bothbytelegraphandmail，informaboutasfollows：
___________________________________
___________________________1863。
Governorof___________________________________
_____________________________________
Youarenotifiedthatthedraftwillcommenceinthe____________
_______________________district，at_________onthe___________
day_____________1863，at________A。M。ofsaidday。
Pleaseacknowledgereceiptofthisbytelegraphandmail。
____________________________
____________________________
ThisnoticemaybegivenbytheProvost—Marshal—Generalhere，thesub—provost—marshal—generalsintheStates，orperhapsbythedistrictprovost—marshals。
WheneverweshallhavesofarproceededinNewYorkastomakethere—enrolmentspeciallypromisedtherepracticable，Iwishthatalsotogoforward，andIwishGovernorSeymournotifiedofit；sothatifhechoose，hecanplaceagentsofhiswithourstoseetheworkfairlydone。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORSEYMOUR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August27。1863。
HISEXCELLENCYHORATIOSEYMOUR，GovernorofNewYork：
Yoursofthe21st，withexhibits，wasreceivedonthe24th。
InthemidstofpressingdutiesIhavebeenunabletoansweritsooner。InthemeantimetheProvostMarshal—Generalhashadaccesstoyours，andhasaddressedacommunicationinrelationtoittotheSecretaryofWar，acopyofwhichcommunicationIherewithenclosetoyou。
Independentlyofthis，IaddressedaletteronthesamesubjecttotheSecretaryofWar，acopyofwhichIalsoenclosetoyou。TheSecretaryhassentmylettertotheProvost—MarshalGeneral，withdirectionthatheadoptandfollowthecoursethereinpointedout。
Itwill，ofcourse，overruleanyconflictingviewoftheProvost—Marshal—General，iftherebesuch。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
P。S。—IdonotmeantosaythatiftheProvost—Marshal—Generalcanfinditpracticabletogivecreditsbysubdistricts，Ioverrulehiminthat。Onthecontrary，Ishallbegladofit；butIwillnottaketheriskofover—burdeninghimbyorderinghimtodoit。A。L。
AbrahamLincolnTELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。M。SCHOFIELD。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，August27，18638。30P。M。
GENERALSCHOFIELD，St。LOUIS：
Ihavejustreceivedthedespatchwhichfollows，fromtwoveryinfluentialcitizensofKansas，whosenamesIomit。Thesevereblowtheyhavereceivednaturallyenoughmakesthemintemperateevenwithouttherebeinganyjustcauseforblame。Pleasedoyourutmosttogivethemfuturesecurityandtopunishtheirinvaders。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。G。MEADE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August27，18639A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Warrenton，Va。：
Walter，Rionese，Folancy，Lai，andKuhnappealedtomeformercy，withoutgivinganygroundforitwhatever。Iunderstandtheseareveryflagrantcases，andthatyoudeemtheirpunishmentasbeingindispensabletotheservice。IfIamnotmistakeninthis，pleaseletthemknowatoncethattheirappealisdenied。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOF。C。SHERMANANDJ。S。HAYES。
WASHINGTON，August27，1863。
F。C。SHERMAN，Mayor，J。S。HAVES，Comptroller，Chicago，Ill。：
Yoursofthe24th，inrelationtothedraft，isreceived。ItseemstometheGovernmentherewillbeoverwhelmedifitundertakestoconductthesematterswiththeauthoritiesofcitiesandcounties。
TheymustbeconductedwiththegovernorsofStates，whowill，ofcourse，representtheircitiesandcounties。Meanwhileyouneednotbeuneasyuntilyouagainhearfromhere。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFOSTER。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，August28，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALFOSTER，FortMonroe，Va。：
Pleasenotify，ifyoucan，SenatorBowden，Mr。Segar，andMr。
Chandler，alloranyofthem，thatInowhavetherecordinDr。
Wright’scase，andamreadytohearthem。Whenyoushallhavegotthenoticetothem，pleaseletmeknow。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALCRAWFORD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August28，1863。
GENERALCRAWFORD，RappahannockStation，Va。：
IregretthatIcannotbepresenttowitnessthepresentationofaswordbythegallantPennsylvaniaReserveCorpstoonesoworthytoreceiveitasGeneralMeade。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOL。SWETT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，August29，1863。
HON。L。SWETT，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
IftheGovernment’srightsarereserved，theGovernmentwillbesatisfied，andatalleventsitwillconsider。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。
August29，1863。
MRS。A。LINCOLN，Manchester，N。H。：
Allquitewell。FortSumteriscertainlybattereddownandutterlyuselesstotheenemy，anditisbelievedhere，butnotentirelycertain，thatbothSumterandFortWagnerareoccupiedbyourforces。
ItisalsocertainthatGeneralGilmorehasthrownsomeshotintothecityofCharleston。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。C。CONKLING。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August31，1863。
HON。JAMESC。CONKLING，Springfield，Ill。：
Inmyletterofthe26thinsertbetweenthesentenceending\"sincetheissueoftheEmancipationProclamationasbefore\"andthenext，commencing\"Yousayyouwillnotfight，etc。，\"whatfollowsbelowmysignaturehereto。
A。LINCOLN。
\"Iknowasfullyasonecanknowtheopinionsofothersthatsomeofthecommandersofourarmiesinthefield，whohavegivenusourmostimportantsuccesses，believetheemancipationpolicyandtheuseofcoloredtroopsconstitutetheheaviestblowyetdealttotherebellion，andthatatleastoneofthoseimportantsuccessescouldnothavebeenachievedwhenitwas，butfortheaidofblacksoldiers。Amongthecommandersholdingtheseviewsaresomewhohaveneverhadanyaffinitywithwhatiscalledabolitionism，orwithRepublicanpartypolitics，butwhoholdthempurelyasmilitaryopinions。Isubmittheseopinionsasbeingentitledtosomeweightagainsttheobjections，oftenurged，thatemancipationandarmingtheblacksareunwiseasmilitarymeasuresandwerenotadoptedassuchingoodfaith。
TOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，August31，1863。
MYDEARGENERALROSECRANS：
Yoursofthe22dwasreceivedyesterday。WhenIwroteyoubefore，I
didnotintend，nordoInow，toengageinanargumentwithyouonmilitaryquestions。YouhadinformedmeyouwereimpressedthroughGeneralHalleckthatIwasdissatisfiedwithyou，andIcouldnotbluntlydenythatIwaswithoutunjustlyimplicatinghim。I
thereforeconcludedtotellyoutheplaintruth，beingsatisfiedthematterwouldthusappearmuchsmallerthanitwouldifseenbymereglimpses。Irepeatthatmyappreciationofyouhasnotabated。I
canneverforgetwhilstIrememberanything，thatabouttheendoflastyearandthebeginningofthis，yougaveusahard—earnedvictory，which，hadtherebeenadefeatinstead，thenationcouldhardlyhavelivedover。NeithercanIforgetthecheckyousoopportunelygavetoadangeroussentimentwhichwasspreadingintheNorth。
Yours，asever，A。LINCOLN
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
August31，1863
ItisnotimprobablethatretaliationfortherecentgreatoutrageatLawrence，inKansas，mayextendtoindiscriminateslaughterontheMissouriborder，unlessavertedbyveryjudiciousaction。Ishallbeobligedifthegeneral—in—chiefcanmakeanysuggestionstoGeneralSchofielduponthesubject。
A。LINCOLN。
POLITICALMOTIVATEDMISQUOTATIONINNEWSPAPER
TELEGRAMTOJ。C。CONKLING。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September3，1863。
HON。JAMESC。CONKLING，Springfield，Ill。：
IammortifiedthismorningtofindthelettertoyoubotchedupintheEasternpapers，telegraphedfromChicago。Howdidthishappen？
A。LINCOLN。
ORDERCONCERNINGCOMMERCIALREGULATIONS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September4，1863。
Ordered，ThattheexecutiveorderdatedNovember21，1862，prohibitingtheexportationfromtheUnitedStatesofarms，ammunition，ormunitionsofwar，underwhichthecommandantsofdepartmentswere，byorderoftheSecretaryofWardatedMay13，1863，directedtoprohibitthepurchaseandsale，forexportationfromtheUnitedStates，ofallhorsesandmuleswithintheirrespectivecommands，andtotakeandappropriatefortheuseoftheUnitedStatesanyhorses，mules，andlivestockdesignedforexportation，besofarmodifiedthatanyarmsheretoforeimportedintotheUnitedStatesmaybere—exportedtotheplaceoforiginalshipment，andthatanylivestockraisedinanyStateorTerritoryboundedbythePacificOceanmaybeexportedfrom，anyportofsuchStateorTerritory。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。SEGAR。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C……
September5，1863。
HON。JOSEPHSEGAR，FortMonroe，Va。：
IhavejustseenyourdespatchtotheSecretaryofWar，whoisabsent。IalsosendadespatchfromMajorHaynerofthe3dshowingthathehadnoticeofmyorder，andstatingthatthepeoplewerejubilantoverit，asavictoryovertheGovernmentextortedbyfear，andthathehadalreadycollectedabout$4000ofthemoney。Ifhehasproceededsince，Ishallholdhimaccountableforhiscontumacy。
Onthecontrary，nodollarshallberefundedbymyorderuntilitshallappearthatmyactinthecasehasbeenacceptedintherightspirit。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON。D。C。
September6，1863。
MRS。A。LINCOLN，Manchester，Vt。：
AllwellandnonewsexceptthatGeneralBurnsidehasKnoxville，Ten。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，September6，1863。6P。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR，Bedford，Pa。：
BurnsidehasKingstonandKnoxville，anddrovetheenemyacrosstheriveratLoudon，theenemydestroyingthebridgethere；capturedsomestoresandoneortwotrains；verylittlefighting；fewwoundedandnonekilled。Noothernewsofconsequence。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOF。C。SHERMANANDJ。S。HAYES。
WASHINGTON，September7，1863。
YoursofAugust29justreceived。IsupposeitwasintendedbyCongressthatthisgovernmentshouldexecutetheactinquestionwithoutdependenceuponanyothergovernment，State，city，orcounty。
Itis，however，withintherangeofpracticalconveniencetoconferwiththegovernmentsofStates，whileitisquitebeyondthatrangetohavecorrespondenceonthesubjectwithcountiesandcities。Theyaretoonumerous。Asinstances，IhavecorrespondedwithGovernorSeymour，butNotwithMayorOpdyke；withGovernorCurtin，butnotwithMayorHenry。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September8，1863。9。30
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tenn。：
Despatchofyesterdayjustreceived。Ishalltrytofindthepaperyoumentionandcarefullyconsiderit。Inthemeantimeletmeurgethatyoudoyourutmosttogeteverymanyoucan，blackandwhite，underarmsattheveryearliestmoment，toguardroads，bridges，andtrains，allowingallthebettertrainedsoldierstogoforwardtoRosecrans。OfcourseImeanforyoutoactinco—operationwithandnotindependentlyof，themilitaryauthorities。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September9，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Warrenton，Va。：
ItwouldbeagenerousthingtogiveGeneralWheatonaleaveofabsencefortenorfifteendays，andifyoucandosowithoutinjurytotheservice，pleasedoit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALWHEATON。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，September10，1863。
GENERALWHEATON，ArmyofPotomac：
YesterdayattheinstanceofMr。Blair，senator，ItelegraphedGeneralMeadeaskinghimtograntyoualeaveofabsence，towhichherepliedthatyouhadnotappliedforsuchleave，andthatyoucanhaveitwhenyoudoapply。Isupposeitisproperforyoutoknowthis。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，SEPTEMBER，11，1863
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON。
MYDEARSIR：——AllTennesseeisnowclearofarmedinsurrectionists。
YouneednottoberemindedthatitisthenickoftimeforreinauguratingaloyalStategovernment。Notamomentshouldbelost。Youandtheco—operatingfriendstherecanbetterjudgeofthewaysandmeansthancanbejudgedbyanyhere。Ionlyofferafewsuggestions。ThereinaugurationmustnotbesuchastogivecontroloftheStateanditsrepresentationinCongresstotheenemiesoftheUnion，drivingitsfriendsthereintopoliticalexile。ThewholestruggleforTennesseewillhavebeenprofitlesstobothStateandnationifitsoendsthatGovernorJohnsonisputdownandGovernorHarrisputup。Itmustnotbeso。Youmusthaveitotherwise。LetthereconstructionbetheworkofsuchmenonlyascanbetrustedfortheUnion。Excludeallothers，andtrustthatyourgovernmentsoorganizedwillberecognizedhereasbeingtheoneofrepublicanformtobeguaranteedtotheState，andtobeprotectedagainstinvasionanddomesticviolence。ItissomethingonthequestionoftimetorememberthatitcannotbeknownwhoisnexttooccupythepositionI
nowhold，norwhathewilldo。IseethatyouhavedeclaredinfavorofemancipationinTennessee，forwhichmayGodblessyou。GetemancipationintoyournewStategovernmentconstitutionandtherewillbenosuchwordasfailforyourcause。Theraisingofcoloredtroops，Ithink，willgreatlyhelpeveryway。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。E。BURNSIDE。
WASHINGTON，September11，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，CumberlandGap：
Yoursreceived。Athousandthanksforthelatesuccessesyouhavegivenus。WecannotallowyoutoresignuntilthingsshallbealittlemoresettledinEastTennessee。Ifthen，purelyonyourownaccount，youwishtoresign，wewillnotfurtherrefuseyou。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September11，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Warrenton，Va。：
ItisrepresentedtomethatThomasEdds，inyourarmy，isundersentenceofdeathfordesertion，tobeexecutednextMonday。Itisalsosaidhissupposeddesertioniscomprisedinanabsencecommencingwithhisfallingbehindlastwinter，beingcapturedandparoledbytheenemy，andthengoinghome。Ifthisbenearthetruth，pleasesuspendtheexecutiontillfurtherorderandsendintherecordofthetrial。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，September12，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEAD，Warrenton，Va。：
Thenameis\"ThomasEdds\"not\"Eddies\"asinyourdespatch。Thepapersleftwithmedonotdesignatetheregimenttowhichhebelongs。Themanwhogavemethepapers，Idonotknowhowtofindagain。HeonlytoldmethatEddsisintheArmyofthePotomac，andthathefelloutoftheranksduringBurnside’smudmarchlastwinter。IfIgetfurtherinformationIwilltelegraphagain。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOH。H。SCOTT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September13，1863。
Dr。WILLIAMH。H。SCOTT，Danville，Ill。：
Yourniece，Mrs。KateSharp，cannowhavenodifficultyingoingtoKnoxville，Tenn。，asthatplaceiswithinourmilitarylines。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。G。BLAINE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September25，1863。
J。G。BLAINE，Augusta，Me。：
Thanksbothforthegoodnewsyousendandforthesendingofit。
A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONSUSPENDINGWRITOFHABEASCORPUS，SEPTEMBER15，1863。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereastheConstitutionoftheUnitedStateshasordainedthattheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusshallnotbesuspendedunlesswhen，incasesofrebellionorinvasion，thepublicsafetymayrequireit；and：
WhereasarebellionwasexistingonthethirddayofMarch，1863，whichrebellionisstillexisting；and：
WhereasbyastatutewhichwasapprovedonthatdayitwasenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesinCongressassembledthatduringthepresentinsurrectionthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，wheneverinhisjudgmentthepublicsafetymayrequire，isauthorizedtosuspendtheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusinanycasethroughouttheUnitedStatesoranypartthereof；
and：
Whereas，inthejudgmentofthePresident，thepublicsafetydoesrequirethattheprivilegeofthesaidwritshallnewbesuspendedthroughouttheUnitedStatesinthecaseswhere，bytheauthorityofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，military，naval，andcivilofficersoftheUnitedStates，oranyofthem，holdpersonsundertheircommandorintheircustody，eitherasprisonersofwar，spies，oraidersorabettorsoftheenemy，orofficers，soldiers，orseamenenrolledordraftedormusteredorenlistedinorbelongingtothelandornavalforcesoftheUnitedStates，orasdeserterstherefrom，orotherwiseamenabletomilitarylawortherulesandarticlesofwarortherulesorregulationsprescribedforthemilitaryornavalservicesbyauthorityofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，orforresistingadraft，orforanyotheroffenseagainstthemilitaryornavalserviceNow，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doherebyproclaimandmakeknowntoallwhomitmayconcernthattheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusissuspendedthroughouttheUnitedStatesintheseveralcasesbeforementioned，andthatthissuspensionwillcontinuethroughoutthedurationofthesaidrebellionoruntilthisproclamationshall，byasubsequentonetobeissuedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，bemodifiedorrevoked。
AndIdoherebyrequireallmagistrates，attorneys，andothercivilofficerswithintheUnitedStatesandallofficersandothersinthemilitaryandnavalservicesoftheUnitedStatestotakedistinctnoticeofthissuspensionandtogiveitfulleffect，andallcitizensoftheUnitedStatestoconductandgovernthemselvesaccordinglyandinconformitywiththeConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandthelawsofCongressinsuchcasemadeandprovided。
IntestimonywhereofIhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed，thisfifteenthdayofSeptember，A。D。1863，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmericatheeighty—eighth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September13，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
IfIdidnotmisunderstandGeneralMeade’slastdespatch，hepostsyouonfactsaswellashecan，anddesiresyourviewsandthoseoftheGovernmentastowhatheshalldo。MyopinionisthatheshouldmoveuponLeeatonceinmannerofgeneralattack，leavingtodevelopmentswhetherhewillmakeitarealattack。IthinkthiswoulddevelopLee’srealconditionandpurposesbetterthanthecavalryalonecando。OfcoursemyopinionisnottocontrolyouandGeneralMeade。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。SPEED。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，September16，1862。
MRS。J。F。SPEED，Louisville，Ky。：
Mr。Holmanwillnotbejostledfromhisplacewithmyknowledgeandconsent。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September16，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，Warrenton，Va。：
IsAlbertJonesofCompanyK，ThirdMarylandVolunteers，tobeshotonFridaynext？Ifsopleasestatetomethegeneralfeaturesofthecase。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHENCK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September17，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALSCHENCK，Baltimore，Md。：
MajorHaynorlefthereseveraldaysagounderapromisetoputdowninwriting，indetail，thefactsinrelationtothemisconductofthepeopleontheeasternshoreofVirginia。Hehasnotreturned。
Pleasesendhimover。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September17，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，HeadquartersArmyofPotomac：
YoursinrelationtoAlbertJonesisreceived。IamappealedtoinbehalfofRichardM。AbramsofCompanyA，SixthNewJerseyVolunteers，byGovernorParker，Attorney—GeneralFrelinghuysen，GovernorNewell，Hon。Mr。Middleton，M。C。，ofthedistrict，andthemarshalwhoarrestedhim。IamalsoappealedtoinbehalfofJosephS。Smith，ofCompanyA，EleventhNewJerseyVolunteers，byGovernorParker，Attorney—GeneralFrelinghuysen，andHon。MarcusC。Ward。
Pleasestatethecircumstancesoftheircasestome。
A。LINCOLN。
REQUESTTOSUGGESTNAMEFORABABY
TELEGRAMTOC。M。SMITH。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，September18，1863。
C。M。SMITH，Esq。，Springfield，Ill。：
Whynotnamehimforthegeneralyoufancymost？Thisismysuggestion。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOMRS。ARMSTRONG。
WASHINGTON，September18，1863。
MRS。HANNAHARMSTRONG，Petersburg，Ill。：
IhavejustorderedthedischargeofyourboyWilliam，asyousay，nowatLouisville，Ky。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
Private。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September19。1863。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON。
MYDEARSIR：——HerewithIsendyouapaper，substantiallythesameastheonedrawnupbyyourselfandmentionedinyourdespatch，butslightlychangedintwoparticulars：First，yourswassodrawnasthatIauthorizedyoutocarryintoeffectthefourthsection，etc。，whereasIsomodifyitastoauthorizeyoutosoactastorequiretheUnitedStatestocarryintoeffectthatsection。
Secondly，youhadaclausecommittingmeinsomesorttotheStateconstitutionofTennessee，whichIfearedmightembarrassyouinmakinganewconstitution，ifyoudesire；soIdroppedthatclause。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
[Inclosure。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September19，1863。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，MilitaryGovernorofTennessee：
InadditiontothematterscontainedintheordersandinstructionsgivenyoubytheSecretaryofWar，youareherebyauthorizedtoexercisesuchpowersasmaybenecessaryandpropertoenabletheloyalpeopleofTennesseetopresentsucharepublicanformofStategovernmentaswillentitletheStatetotheguarantyoftheUnitedStatestherefor，andtobeprotectedundersuchStategovernmentbytheUnitedStatesagainstinvasionanddomesticviolence，allaccordingtothefourthSectionofthefourtharticleoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
MILITARYSTRATEGY
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTOND。C。
September19，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
ByGeneralMeade’sdespatchtoyouofyesterdayitappearsthathedesiresyourviewsandthoseofthegovernmentastowhetherheshalladvanceupontheenemy。Iamnotpreparedtoorder，orevenadvise，anadvanceinthiscase，whereinIknowsolittleofparticulars，andwhereinhe，inthefield，thinkstheriskissogreatandthepromiseofadvantagesosmall。
Andyetthecasepresentsmatterforveryseriousconsiderationinanotheraspect。Thesetwoarmiesconfronteachotheracrossasmallriver，substantiallymidwaybetweenthetwocapitals，eachdefendingitsowncapital，andmenacingtheother。GeneralMeadeestimatestheenemy’sinfantryinfrontofhimatnotlessthan40，000。
Supposeweaddfiftypercent。tothisforcavalry，artillery，andextra—dutymenstretchingasfarasRichmond，makingthewholeforceoftheenemy60，000。
GeneralMeade，asshownbythereturns，haswithhim，andbetweenhimandWashington，ofthesameclasses，ofwellmen，over90，000。
Neithercanbringthewholeofhismenintoabattle；buteachcanbringaslargeapercentageinastheother。Forabattle，then，GeneralMeadehasthreementoGeneralLee’stwo。Yet，ithavingbeendeterminedthatchoosinggroundandstandingonthedefensivegivessogreatadvantagethatthethreecannotsafelyattackthetwo，thethreeareleftsimplystandingonthedefensivealso。
Iftheenemy’s60，000aresufficienttokeepour90，000awayfromRichmond，why，bythesamerule，maynot40，000ofourskeeptheir60，000awayfromWashington，leavingus50，000toputtosomeotheruse？Havingpracticallycometothemeredefensive，itseemstobenoeconomyatalltoemploytwiceasmanymenforthatobjectasareneeded。Withnoobject，certainly，tomisleadmyself，Icanperceivenofaultinthisstatement，unlessweadmitwearenottheequaloftheenemy，manforman。Ihopeyouwillconsiderit。
Toavoidmisunderstanding，letmesaythattoattempttofighttheenemyslowlybackintohisentrenchmentsatRichmond，andthentocapturehim，isanideaIhavebeentryingtorepudiateforquiteayear。
MyjudgmentissoclearagainstitthatIwouldscarcelyallowtheattempttobemadeifthegeneralincommandshoulddesiretomakeit。MylastattemptuponRichmondwastogetMcClellan，whenhewasnearertherethantheenemywas，toruninaheadofhim。SincethenIhaveconstantlydesiredtheArmyofthePotomactomakeLee’sarmy，andnotRichmond，itsobjectivepoint。Ifourarmycannotfallupontheenemyandhurthimwhereheis，itisplaintomeitcangainnothingbyattemptingtofollowhimoverasuccessionofintrenchedlinesintoafortifiedcity。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September20，1863。
MRS。A。LINCOLN，NewYork：
Ineitherseenorhearanythingofsicknessherenow，thoughtheremaybemuchwithoutmyknowingit。Iwishyoutostayorcomejustasismostagreeabletoyourself。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C，September21，1863。
MRS。A。LINCOLN。FifthAvenueHotel。NewYork：
TheairissoclearandcoolandapparentlyhealthythatIwouldbegladforyoutocome。Nothingveryparticular，butIwouldbegladtoseeyouandTad。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSIONWASHINGTON，D。C。，September21，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
IthinkitveryimportantforGeneralRosecranstoholdhispositionatoraboutChattanooga，becauseifheldfromthatplacetoCleveland，bothinclusive，itkeepsallTennesseeclearoftheenemy，andalsobreaksoneofhismostimportantrailroadlines。Topreventtheseconsequencesissovitaltohiscausethathecannotgiveuptheefforttodislodgeusfromtheposition，thusbringinghimtousandsavingusthelabor，expense，andhazardofgoingfarthertofindhim，andalsogivingustheadvantageofchoosingourowngroundandpreparingittofighthimupon。Thedetailsmust，ofcourse，belefttoGeneralRosecrans，whilewemustfurnishhimthemeanstotheutmostofourability。Ifyouconcur，Ithinkhewouldbetterbeinformedthatwearenotpushinghimbeyondthisposition；andthat，infact，ourjudgmentisratheragainsthisgoingbeyondit。Ifhecanonlymaintainthisposition，withoutmore，thisrebellioncanonlyekeoutashortandfeebleexistence，asananimalsometimesmaywithathorninitsvitals。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。E。BURNSIDE
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September21，1863。
GENERALBURNSIDE，Greenville，Tenn。：
IfyouaretodoanygoodtoRosecransitwillnotdotowastetimewithJonesboro。Itisalreadytoolatetodothemostgoodthatmighthavebeendone，butIhopeitwillstilldosomegood。Pleasedonotloseamoment。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。E。BURNSIDE
WARDEPARTMENT，September21，1863。11A。M。
GENERALBURNSIDE，Knoxville，Tenn。：
GotoRosecranswithyourforcewithoutamoment’sdelay。
A。LINCOLN，TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS
WASHINGTON，September21，1863。12。55PM。