LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
ThePresidentdirectsmetosaytoyouthathewishesyoutohavenoconferencewithGeneralLeeunlessitbeforthecapitulationofGeneralLee’sarmy，oronsomeminorandpurelymilitarymatter。Heinstructsmetosaythatyouarenottodecide，discuss，orconferuponanypoliticalquestion。SuchquestionsthePresidentholdsinhisownhands，andwillsubmitthemtonomilitaryconferencesorconventions。Meantimeyouaretopresstotheutmostyourmilitaryadvantages。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
SECONDINAUGURALADDRESS，MARCH4，1865。
FELLOW—COUNTRYMEN：——Atthissecondappearingtotaketheoathofthepresidentialofficethereislessoccasionforanextendedaddressthantherewasatthefirst。Thenastatementsomewhatindetailofacoursetobepursuedseemedfittingandproper。Now，attheexpirationoffouryears，duringwhichpublicdeclarationshavebeenconstantlycalledforthoneverypointandphaseofthegreatcontestwhichstillabsorbstheattentionandengrossestheenergiesofthenation，littlethatisnewcouldbepresented。Theprogressofourarms，uponwhichallelsechieflydepends，isaswellknowntothepublicastomyself，anditis，Itrust，reasonablysatisfactoryandencouragingtoall。Withhighhopeforthefuture，nopredictioninregardtoitisventured。
Ontheoccasioncorrespondingtothisfouryearsagoallthoughtswereanxiouslydirectedtoanimpendingcivilwar。Alldreadedit，allsoughttoavertit。Whiletheinauguraladdresswasbeingdeliveredfromthisplace，devotedaltogethertosavingtheUnionwithoutwar，insurgentagentswereinthecityseekingtodestroyitwithoutwarseekingtodissolvetheUnionanddivideeffectsbynegotiation。Bothpartiesdeprecatedwar，butoneofthemwouldmakewarratherthanletthenationsurvive，andtheotherwouldacceptwarratherthanletitperish，andthewarcame。
Oneeighthofthewholepopulationwascoloredslaves，notdistributedgenerallyovertheUnion，butlocalizedinthesouthernpartofit。Theseslavesconstitutedapeculiarandpowerfulinterest。Allknewthatthisinterestwassomehowthecauseofthewar。Tostrengthen，perpetuate，andextendthisinterestwastheobjectforwhichtheinsurgentswouldrendtheUnionevenbywar，whiletheGovernmentclaimednorighttodomorethantorestricttheterritorialenlargementofit。Neitherpartyexpectedforthewarthemagnitudeorthedurationwhichithasalreadyattained。Neitheranticipatedthatthecauseoftheconflictmightceasewithorevenbeforetheconflictitselfshouldcease。Eachlookedforaneasiertriumph，andaresultlessfundamentalandastounding。BothreadthesameBibleandpraytothesameGod，andeachinvokesHisaidagainsttheother。ItmayseemstrangethatanymenshoulddaretoaskajustGod’sassistanceinwringingtheirbreadfromthesweatofothermen’sfaces，butletusjudgenot，thatwebenotjudged。Theprayersofbothcouldnotbeanswered。Thatofneitherhasbeenansweredfully。TheAlmightyhasHisownpurposes。\"Woeuntotheworldbecauseofoffenses；foritmustneedsbethatoffensescome，butwoetothatmanbywhomtheoffensecometh。\"IfweshallsupposethatAmericanslaveryisoneofthoseoffenseswhich，intheprovidenceofGod，mustneedscome，butwhich，havingcontinuedthroughHisappointedtime，Henowwillstoremove，andthatHegivestobothNorthandSouththisterriblewarasthewoeduetothosebywhomtheoffensecame，shallwediscernthereinanydeparturefromthosedivineattributeswhichthebelieversinalivingGodalwaysascribetoHim？Fondlydowehope，ferventlydowepray，thatthismightyscourgeofwarmayspeedilypassaway。Yet，ifGodwillsthatitcontinueuntilallthewealthpiledbythebondsman’stwohundredandfiftyyearsofunrequitedtoilshallbesunk，anduntileverydropofblooddrawnwiththelashshallbepaidbyanotherdrawnwiththesword，aswassaidthreethousandyearsago，sostillitmustbesaid，\"ThejudgmentsoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether。\"
Withmalicetowardnone，withcharityforall，withfirmnessintherightasGodgivesustoseetheright，letusstriveontofinishtheworkwearein，tobindupthenation’swounds，tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattleandforhiswidowandhisorphan，todoallwhichmayachieveandcherishajustandlastingpeaceamongourselvesandwithallnations。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJOHNPOPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，March7，1865
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Louis，Missouri：
Pleasestatebriefly，bytelegraph，whatyouconcludedabouttheassessmentsinSt。LouisCounty。EarlyinthewaroneSamuelB。
ChurchillwassentfromSt。LouistoLouisville，whereIhavequitesatisfactoryevidencethathehasnotmisbehaved。StillIamtoldhispropertyatSt。Louisissubjectedtotheassessment，whichI
thinkitoughtnottobe。StillIwishtoknowwhatyouthink。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，March8，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va：
YourtwodespatchestotheSecretaryofWar，onerelatingtosuppliesfortheenemygoingbytheBlackwater，andtheothertoGeneralSingletonandJudgeHughes，havebeenlaidbeforemebyhim。AstoSingletonandHughes，IthinktheyarenotinRichmondbyanyauthority，unlessitbefromyou。Iremembernothingfrommewhichcouldaidthemingettingthere，exceptalettertoyou，asfollows，towit：
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTONCITY，February7，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
GeneralSingleton，whobearsyouthis，claimsthathealreadyhasarrangementsmade，ifyouconsent，tobringalargeamountofSouthernproducethroughyourlines。Foritsbearingonourfinances，Iwouldbegladforthistobedone，ifitcanbe，withoutinjuriouslydisturbingyourmilitaryoperations，orsupplyingtheenemy。Iwishyoutobejudgeandmasteronthesepoints。Pleaseseeandhearhimfully，anddecidewhetheranything，and，ifanything，what，canbedoneinthepremises。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
IbelieveIgaveHughesacardputtinghimwithSingletononthesameletter。Howeverthismaybe，InowauthorizeyoutogetSingletonandHughesawayfromRichmond，ifyouchoose，andcan。Ialsoauthorizeyou，byanorder，orinwhatformyouchoose，tosuspendalloperationsontheTreasurytradepermits，inallplacessoutheastwardoftheAlleghenies。Ifyoumakesuchorder，notifymeofit，givingacopy，sothatIcangivecorrespondingdirectiontotheNavy。
A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONOFFERINGPARDONTODESERTERS，MARCH11，1865
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
OFAMERICA
AProclamationWhereas，thetwenty—firstsectionoftheactofCongress，approvedonthe3dinstant，entitled\"AnActtoamendtheseveralactsheretoforepassedtoprovidefortheenrollingandcallingoutthenationalforcesandforotherpurposes，\"requiresthatinadditiontotheotherlawfulpenaltiesofthecrimeofdesertionfromthemilitaryornavalservice，allpersonswhohavedesertedthemilitaryornavalserviceoftheUnitedStateswhoshallnotreturntosaidserviceorreportthemselvestoaprovost—marshalwithinsixtydaysaftertheproclamationhereinaftermentioned，shallbedeemedandtakentohavevoluntarilyrelinquishedandforfeitedtheircitizenshipandtheirrighttobecomecitizens，andsuchdesertersshallbeforeverincapableofholdinganyofficeoftrustorprofitundertheUnitedStates，orofexercisinganyrightsofcitizensthereof；andallpersonswhoshallhereafterdesertthemilitaryornavalservice，andallpersonswho，beingdulyenrolled，shalldepartthejurisdictionofthedistrictinwhichtheyareenrolled，orgobeyondthelimitsoftheUnitedStateswithintenttoavoidanydraftintothemilitaryornavalservicedulyordered，shallbeliabletothepenaltiesofthissection；andthePresidentisherebyauthorizedandrequiredforthwith，onthepassageofthisact，toissuehisproclamationsettingforththeprovisionsofthissection，inwhichproclamationthePresidentisrequestedtonotifyalldesertersreturningwithinsixtydaysasaforesaidthattheyshallbepardonedonconditionofreturningtotheirregimentsandcompanies，ortosuchotherorganizationsastheymaybeassignedto，untiltheyshallhaveservedforaperiodoftimeequaltotheiroriginaltermofenlistment：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doissuethismyproclamationasrequiredbysaidact，orderingandrequiringalldeserterstoreturntotheirproperposts；
andIdoherebynotifythemthatalldeserterswhoshallwithinsixtydaysfromthedateofthisproclamation，viz。，onorbeforethe10thdayofMay，1865，returntoserviceorreportthemselvestoaprovost—marshal，shallbepardonedonconditionthattheyreturntotheirregimentsorcompaniesortosuchotherorganizationastheymaybeassignedto，andservetheremainderoftheiroriginaltermsofenlistment，andinadditiontheretoaperiodequaltothetimelostbydesertion。
Intestimonywhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofStateTELEGRAMTOH。T。BLOW。
WASHINGTON，March13，1865。
HON。HENRYT。BLOW，SaintLouis，Mo。：
AMissE。Snodgrass，whowasbanishedfromSaintLouisinMay，1863，wishestotaketheoathandreturnhome。Whatsayyou？
A。LINCOLN。
LETTERTOTHURLOWWEED，MARCH15，1865。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。
DEARMr。WEED：
Everyonelikesacompliment。Thankyouforyoursonmylittlenotificationspeechandontherecentinauguraladdress。Iexpectthelattertowearaswellasperhapsbetterthan——anythingIhaveproduced；butIbelieveitisnotimmediatelypopular。MenarenotflatteredbybeingshownthattherehasbeenadifferenceofpurposebetweentheAlmightyandthem。Todenyit，however，inthiscase，istodenythatthereisaGodgoverningtheworld。ItisatruthwhichIthoughtneededtobetold，and，aswhateverofhumiliationthereisinitfallsmostdirectlyonmyself，Ithoughtothersmightaffordformetotellit。
Trulyyours，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELROUGHANDOTHERS。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，March17，1865。
COL。R。M。ROUGHANDOTHERS，Chicago，Ill。：
Yoursreceived。ThebestIcandowithitis，toreferittotheWarDepartment。TheRockIslandcasereferredto，wasmyindividualenterprise；anditcausedsomuchdifficultyinsomanywaysthatI
promisedtoneverundertakeanother。
A。LINCOLN。
ADDRESSTOANINDIANAREGIMENT，MARCH17，1865。
FELLOW—CITIZENS：——ItwillbebutaveryfewwordsthatIshallundertaketosay。IwasborninKentucky，raisedinIndiana，andlivedinIllinois；andnowIamhere，whereitismybusinesstocareequallyforthegoodpeopleofalltheStates。IamgladtoseeanIndianaregimentonthisdayabletopresentthecapturedflagtotheGovernorofIndiana。Iamnotdisposed，insayingthis，tomakeadistinctionbetweentheStates，forallhavedoneequallywell。
TherearebutfewviewsoraspectsofthisgreatwaruponwhichI
havenotsaidorwrittensomethingwherebymyownopinionsmightbeknown。Butthereisone——therecentattemptofourerringbrethren，astheyaresometimescalled，toemploythenegrotofightforthem。
Ihaveneitherwrittennormadeaspeechonthatsubject，becausethatwastheirbusiness，notmine，andifIhadawishonthesubject，Ihadnotthepowertointroduceit，ormakeiteffective。
Thegreatquestionwiththemwaswhetherthenegro，beingputintothearmy，willfightforthem。Idonotknow，andthereforecannotdecide。Theyoughttoknowbetterthanme。Ihaveinmylifetimeheardmanyargumentswhythenegroesoughttobeslaves；butiftheyfightforthosewhowouldkeeptheminslavery，itwillbeabetterargumentthananyIhaveyetheard。Hewhowillfightforthat，oughttobeaslave。Theyhaveconcluded，atlast，totakeoneoutoffouroftheslavesandputtheminthearmy，andthatoneoutofthefourwhowillfighttokeeptheothersinslavery，oughttobeaslavehimself，unlessheiskilledinafight。WhileIhaveoftensaidthatallmenoughttobefree，yetwouldIallowthosecoloredpersonstobeslaveswhowanttobe，andnexttothemthosewhitepeoplewhoargueinfavorofmakingotherpeopleslaves。Iaminfavorofgivinganappointmenttosuchwhitementotryitonfortheseslaves。Iwillsayonethinginregardtothenegroesbeingemployedtofightforthem。Idoknowhecannotfightandstayathomeandmakebreadtoo。Andasoneisaboutasimportantastheothertothem，Idon’tcarewhichtheydo。Iamratherinfavorofhavingthemtrythemassoldiers。Theylackonevoteofdoingthat，andIwishIcouldsendmyvoteovertheriversothatImightcastitinfavorofallowingthenegrotofight。Buttheycannotfightandworkboth。Wemustnowseethebottomoftheenemy’sresources。
Theywillstandoutaslongastheycan，andifthenegrowillfightforthemtheymustallowhimtofight。Theyhavedrawnupontheirlastbranchofresources，andwecannowseethebottom。Iamgladtoseetheendsonearathand。IhavesaidnowmorethanI
intended，andwillthereforebidyougood—by。
PROCLAMATIONCONCERNINGINDIANS，MARCH17，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereasreliableinformationhasbeenreceivedthathostileIndians，withinthelimitsoftheUnitedStates，havebeenfurnishedwitharmsandmunitionsofwarbypersonsdwellinginconterminousforeignterritory，andaretherebyenabledtoprosecutetheirsavagewarfareupontheexposedandsparsesettlementsofthefrontier；
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，doherebyproclaimanddirectthatallpersonsdetectedinthatnefarioustrafficshallbearrestedandtriedbycourt—martialatthenearestmilitarypost，andifconvicted，shallreceivethepunishmentduetotheirdeserts。
Inwitnesswhereof，Ihavehereuntosetmyhand，aridcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
ORDERANNULLINGTHESENTENCEAGAINST
BENJAMING。SMITHANDFRANKLINW。SMITH，MARCH18，1865。
Iamunwillingforthesentencetostand，andbeexecuted，toanyextentinthiscase。Intheabsenceofamoreadequatemotivethantheevidencediscloses，Iamwhollyunabletobelieveintheexistenceofcriminalorfraudulentintentonthepartofmenofsuchwellestablishedgoodcharacter。Iftheevidencewentasfartoestablishaguiltyprofitofoneortwohundredthousanddollars，asitdoesofoneortwohundreddollars，thecasewould，onthequestionofguilt，bearafardifferentaspect。Thatonthiscontract，involvingsometwelvehundredthousanddollars，thecontractorswouldplan，andattempttoexecuteafraudwhich，atthemost，couldprofitthemonlyoneortwohundred，orevenonethousanddollars，istomymindbeyondthepowerofrationalbelief。Thattheydidnot，insuchacase，makefargreatergains，provesthattheydidnot，withguiltyorfraudulentintent，makeatall。Thejudgmentandsentencearedisapproved，anddeclarednull，andthedefendantsarefullydischarged。
A。LINCOLN
March18，1865。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。POPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，March19，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Louis，Missouri：
UnderstandingthattheplanofactionforMissouricontainedinyourlettertotheGovernorofthatState，andyourotherlettertome，isconcurredinbytheGovernor，itisapprovedbyme，andyouwillbesustainedinproceedinguponit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALORD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，May[March]20，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALORD，ArmyoftheJamesIsittruethatGeorgeW。LaneisdetainedatNorfolkwithoutanychargeagainsthim？Andifsowhyisitdone？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJUDGESCATES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，March21，1865。
HON。WALTERB。SCATES，Centralia，Illinois：
IfyouchoosetogotoNewMexicoandreside，Iwillappointyouchiefjusticethere。Whatsayyou？Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。HANCOCK。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，March22，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALHANCOCK，Winchester，Va。：
SeeingyourdespatchaboutGeneralCrook，andfearingthatthroughmisapprehensionsomethingunpleasantmayoccur，IsendyoubelowtwodespatchesofGeneralGrant，whichIsupposewillfullyexplainGeneralCrook’smovements。
A。LINCOLN。
ANOTHERFEMALESPY
TELEGRAMTOGENERALDODGE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，March23，1865。
GENERALDODGE，Commanding，&c，SaintLouis，Mo。：
AllowMrs。R。S。Ewellthebenefitofmyamnestyproclamationonhertakingtheoath。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，March25，1865。8。30A。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR，Washington，D。C。：
Arrivedhereallsafeabout9P。M。yesterday。Nowarnews。GeneralGrantdoesnotseemtoknowverymuchaboutYeatman，butthinksverywellofhimsofarashedoesknow。
IlikeMr。Whitingverymuch，andhencewouldwishhimtoremainorresignasbestsuitshimself。Hearingthismuchfromme，doasyouthinkbestinthematter。GeneralLeehassenttheRussellletterback，concluding，asIunderstandfromGrant，thattheirdignitydoesnotadmitoftheirreceivingthedocumentfromus。Robertjustnowtellsmetherewasalittlerumpusupthelinethismorning，endingaboutwhereitbegan。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
Cipher。
HEADQUARTERSARMYOFTHEPOTOMAC，March25，1865。Received5P。M。
HON。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar：
Iamherewithinfivemilesofthesceneofthismorning’saction。I
havenothingtoaddtowhatGeneralMeadereportsexceptthatIhaveseentheprisonersmyselfandtheylookliketheremightbethenumberhestates——1600。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VA。，March26，1865。Received11。30A。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR：
IapproveyourFortSumterprogramme。Grantdon’tseemtoknowYeatmanverywell，butthinksverywellofhimsofarasheknows。
ThinksitprobablethatY。isherenow，fortheplace。ItoldyouthisyesterdayaswellasthatyoushoulddoasyouthinkbestaboutMr。Whiting’sresignation，butIsupposeyoudidnotreceivethedispatch。Iamontheboatandhavenolaterwarnewsthanwenttoyoulastnight。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，March27，1865。3。35P。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR，Washington，D。C。：
YoursinclosingFortSumterorderreceived。Ithinkofbutonesuggestion。IfeelquiteconfidentthatSumterfellonthe13th，andnotonthe14thofApril，asyouhaveit。ItfellonSaturday，the13th；thefirstcallfortroopsonourpartwasgotuponSunday，the14th，andgivendateandissuedonMonday，the15th。Lookuptheoldalmanacandotherdata，andseeifIamnotright。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，March28，1865。12M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR，Washington，D。C。：
Afteryourexplanation，IthinkitislittleornodifferencewhethertheFortSumterceremonytakesplaceonthe13thor14th。
GeneralShermantellsmeheiswellacquaintedwithJamesYeatman，andthathethinkshimalmostthebestmaninthecountryforanythinghewillundertake。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VA。，March30，1865。7。30P。M。
Received8。30P。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR：
IbegintofeelthatIoughttobeathomeandyetIdisliketoleavewithoutseeingnearertotheendofGeneralGrant’spresentmovement。
Hehasnowbeenoutsinceyesterdaymorningandalthoughhehasnotbeendivertedfromhisprogrammenoconsiderableefforthasyetbeenproducedsofarasweknowhere。Lastnightat10。15P。M。whenitwasdarkasarainynightwithoutamooncouldbe，afuriouscannonadesoonjoinedinbyaheavymusketryfireopenednearPetersburgandlastedabouttwohours。Thesoundwasverydistincthereasalsoweretheflashesofthegunsuptheclouds。Itseemedtomeagreatbattle，buttheolderhandsherescarcelynoticeditandsureenoughthismorningitwasfoundthatverylittlehadbeendone。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA1March31，1865。3P。M。
SECRETARYSTANTON：
At12。30P。M。to—dayGeneralGranttelegraphedmeasfollows：
\"Therehasbeenmuchhardfightingthismorning。TheenemydroveourleftfromnearDabney’shousebackwelltowardtheBoydtonplankroad。Wearenowabouttotaketheoffensiveatthatpoint，andI
hopewillmorethanrecoverthelostground。\"
Laterhetelegraphedagainasfollows：
\"Ourtroops，afterbeingdrivenbacktotheBoydtonplankroad，turnedanddrovetheenemyinturn，andtooktheWhiteOakroad，whichwenowhave。Thisgivesusthegroundoccupiedbytheenemythismorning。Iwillsendyouarebelflagcapturedbyourtroopsindrivingtheenemyback。Therehavebeenfourflagscapturedto—day。\"
JudgingbythetwopointsfromwhichGeneralGranttelegraphs，I
inferthathemovedhisheadquartersaboutonemilesincehesentthefirstofthetwodespatches。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
CITYPOINT，April1，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
YourstoColonelBowersabouttheSecretaryofWarisshowntome。
Heisnothere，norhaveIanynoticethatheiscoming。IpresumethemistakecomesofthefactthattheSecretaryofStatewashere。
HestartedbacktoWashingtonthismorning。Ihaveyourtwodespatchesofthismorning，andamanxioustohearfromSheridan。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，April1，1865。12。50P。M。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR，Washington，D。C。：
IhavehadtwodespatchesfromGeneralGrantsincemylasttoyou，buttheycontainlittleadditional，exceptthatSheridanalsohadprettyhotworkyesterday，thatinfantrywassenttohissupportduringthenight，andthatheGranthasnotsinceheardfromSheridan。
Mrs。Lincolnhasstartedhome，andIwillthankyoutoseethatourcoachmanisattheArsenalwharfateighto’clockto—morrowmorning，theretowaituntilshearrives。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSEWARD。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April，1865。5。30？。M。
HON。W。H。SEWARD，SecretaryofState，FortMonroe：
Despatchjustreceived，showingthatSheridan，aidedbyWarren，had，at2P。M。，pushedtheenemyback，soastoretaketheFiveForksandbringhisownheadquartersuptoJ。Boisseau’s。TheFiveForkswerebarricadedbytheenemyandcarriedbyDevin’sdivisionofcavalry。
ThispartoftheenemyseemtonowbetryingtoworkalongtheWhiteOakroad，tojointhemainforceinfrontofGrant，whileSheridanandWarrenarepressingthemascloselyaspossible。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
CITYPOINT，April1，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
YoursshowingSheridan’ssuccessofto—dayisjustreceivedandhighlyappreciated。Havingnogreatdealtodohere，IamstillsendingthesubstanceofyourdespatchestotheSecretaryofWar。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April2，1865。8。30A。M。Received9A。M。
MRS。A。LINCOLN，ExecutiveMansion：
LastnightGeneralGranttelegraphedthatGeneralSheridanwithhiscavalryandtheFifthCorpshadcapturedthreebrigadesofinfantry，atrainofwagons，andseveralbatteries，prisonersamountingtoseveralthousand。ThismorningGeneralGranthavingorderedanattackalongthewholelinetelegraphsasfollows。
RobertyesterdaywrotealittlecheerfulnotetoCaptainPenrose，whichisallhehasheardofhimsinceyouleft。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMSTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，April2，1865。8。30A。M。
HON。E。M。STANTON，SecretaryofWar：
LastnightGeneralGranttelegraphedthatGeneralSheridan，withhiscavalryandtheFifthCorps，hadcapturedthreebrigadesofinfantry，atrainofwagons，andseveralbatteries；theprisonersamountingtoseveralthousand。
ThismorningGeneralGrant，havingorderedanattackalongthewholeline，telegraphsasfollows：
\"BothWrightandParkegotthroughtheenemy’slines。Thebattlenowragesfuriously。GeneralSheridan，withhiscavalry，theFifthcorps，andMiles’sDivisionoftheSecondCorps，whichwassenttohimthismorning，isnowsweepingdownfromthewest。
\"Allnowlookshighlyfavorable。GeneralOrdisengaged，butIhavenotyetheardtheresultinhisfront。\"
A。LINCOLN。
CITYPOINT，April1。11。00A。M。
Despatchesarefrequentlycomingin。Allisgoingonfinely。
GeneralsParke，Wright，andOrd’slinesareextendingfromtheAppomattoxtoHatcher’sRun。Theyhaveallbrokenthroughtheenemy’sintrenchedlines，takingsomeforts，guns，andprisoners。
Sheridan，withhisowncavalry，theFifthCorps，andpartoftheSecond，iscominginfromthewestontheenemy’sflank。WrightisalreadytearinguptheSouthsideRailroad。
A。LINCOLN
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，April2。2P。M。
At10。45A。M。GeneralGranttelegraphsasfollows：
\"EverythinghasbeencarriedfromtheleftoftheNinthCorps。TheSixthCorpsalonecapturedmorethanthreethousandprisoners。TheSecondandTwenty—fourthCorpscapturedforts，guns，andprisonersfromtheenemy，butIcannottellthenumbers。WearenowclosingaroundtheworksofthelineimmediatelyenvelopingPetersburg。Alllooksremarkablywell。IhavenotyetheardfromSheridan。HisheadquartershavebeenmoveduptoBanks’shouse，neartheBoydtonroad，aboutthreemilessouthwestofPetersburg。\"
A。LINCOLN。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，April2。8。30P。M。
At4。30P。M。to—dayGeneralGranttelegraphsasfollows：
\"Wearenowupandhaveacontinuouslineoftroops，andinafewhourswillbeintrenchedfromtheAppomattoxbelowPetersburgtotheriverabove。Thewholecapturessincethearmystartedoutwillnotamounttolessthantwelvethousandmen，andprobablyfiftypiecesofartillery。Idonotknowthenumberofmenandgunsaccurately，however。AportionofFoster’sDivision，TwentyFourthCorps，madeamostgallantchargethisafternoon，andcapturedaveryimportantfortfromtheenemy，withitsentiregarrison。Allseemswellwithus，andeverythingisquietjustnow。\"
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April1，1865。
MRS。LINCOLN：
At4。30P。M。to—dayGeneralGranttelegraphsthathehasPetersburgcompletelyenvelopedfromriverbelowtoriverabove，andhascaptured，sincehestartedlastWednesday，abouttwelvethousandprisonersandfiftyguns。HesuggeststhatIshallgooutandseehiminthemorning，whichIthinkIwilldo。TadandIarebothwell，andwillbegladtoseeyouandyourpartyhereatthetimeyouname。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
CITYPOINT，April2，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
Allowmetotendertoyouandallwithyouthenation’sgratefulthanksforthisadditionalandmagnificentsuccess。AtyourkindsuggestionIthinkIwillmeetyouto—morrow。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，April3，1865。8。30A。M。
HON。E。M。STANTON，SecretaryofWar：
ThismorningLieutenant—GeneralGrantreportsPetersburgevacuated，andheisconfidentthatRichmondalsois。Heispushingforwardtocutoff，ifpossible，theretreatingrebelarmy。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April3，1865。5P。M。
HON。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar：
Yoursreceived。Thanksforyourcaution，butIhavealreadybeentoPetersburg。StaidwithGeneralGrantanhourandahalfandreturnedhere。ItiscertainnowthatRichmondisinourhands，andIthinkI
willgothereto—morrow。Iwilltakecareofmyself。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April4，1865
Received8。45A。M。
HON。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar：
GeneralWeitzeltelegraphsfromRichmondthatofrailroadstockhefoundtheretwenty—eightlocomotives，forty—fourpassengerandbaggagecars，andonehundredandsixfreightcars。At3。30thiseveningGeneralGrant，fromSutherland’sStation，tenmilesfromPetersburgtowardBurkevllle，telegraphsasfollows：
GeneralSheridanpickeduptwelvehundredprisonersto—day，andfromthreehundredtofivehundredmorehavebeengatheredbyothertroops。ThemajorityofthearmsthatwereleftinthehandsoftheremnantofLee’sarmyarenowscatteredbetweenRichmondandwherehistroopsare。Thecountryisalsofullofstragglers；thelineofretreatmarkedwithartillery，ammunition，burnedorcharredwagons，caissons，ambulances，etc。\"
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSEWARD。
CITYPOINT，APRIL5，1865。
Received11。55PM。
HON。SECRETARYOFSTATE：
Yoursofto—dayreceived。Ithinkthereisnoprobabilityofmyremainingheremorethantwodayslonger。Ifthatistoolongcomedown。IpassedlastnightatRichmondandhavejustreturned。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES，CITYPOINT，April6，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，intheField：
SecretarySewardwasthrownfromhiscarriageyesterdayandseriouslyinjured。This，withothermatters，willtakemetoWashingtonsoon。
IwasatRichmondyesterdayandthedaybefore，whenandwhereJudgeCampbell，whowaswithMessrs。HunterandStephensinFebruary，calledonme，andmadesuchrepresentationsasinducedmetoputinhishandsaninformalpaper，repeatingthepropositionsinmyletterofinstructionstoMr。Seward，whichyouremember，andaddingthatifthewarbenowfurtherpersistedinbytherebels，confiscatedpropertyshallattheleastbeartheadditionalcost，andthatconfiscationshallberemittedtothepeopleofanyStatewhichwillnowpromptlyandingoodfaithwithdrawitstroopsandothersupportfromresistancetotheGovernment。
JudgeCampbellthoughtitnotimpossiblethattherebellegislatureofVirginiawoulddothelatterifpermitted；andaccordinglyI
addressedaprivatelettertoGeneralWeitzel，withpermissiontoJudgeCampbelltoseeit，tellinghimGeneralWeitzelthatiftheyattemptthis，topermitandprotectthem，unlesstheyattemptsomethinghostiletotheUnitedStates，inwhichcasetogivethemnoticeandtimetoleave，andtoarrestanyremainingaftersuchtime。
Idonotthinkitveryprobablethatanythingwincomeofthis，butI
havethoughtbesttonotifyyousothatifyoushouldseesignsyoumayunderstandthem。
>FromyourrecentdespatchesitseemsthatyouareprettyeffectuallywithdrawingtheVirginiatroopsfromoppositiontotheGovernment。
NothingthatIhavedone，orprobablyshalldo，istodelay，hinder，orinterferewithyourwork。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。WEITZEL。
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
CITYPOINT，April6，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALWEITZEL，Richmond，Va。：
IthasbeenintimatedtomethatthegentlemenwhohaveactedasthelegislatureofVirginiainsupportoftherebellionmaynowdesiretoassembleatRichmondandtakemeasurestowithdrawtheVirginiatroopsandothersupportfromresistancetotheGeneralGovernment。
Iftheyattemptit，givethempermissionandprotection，until，ifatall，theyattemptsomeactionhostiletotheUnitedStates，inwhichcaseyouwillnotifythem，givethemreasonabletimetoleaveandattheendofwhichtimearrestanywhoremain。AllowJudgeCampbelltoseethis，butdonotmakeitpublic。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
CITYPOINT，VA。，April7，1865
Received10。30AM。
HON。SECRETARYOFWAR：
At11。15P。M。yesterdayatBurkesvilleStation，GeneralGrantsendsmethefollowingfromGeneralSheridan：
April6，11。15P。M。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
IhavethehonortoreportthattheenemymadeastandattheintersectionoftheBurksStationroadwiththeroaduponwhichtheywereretreating。IattackedthemwithtwodivisionsoftheSixthArmyCorpsandroutedthemhandsomely，makingaconnectionwiththecavalry。Iamstillpressingonwithbothcavalryandinfantry。UptothepresenttimewehavecapturedGeneralsEwell，Kershaw，Button，Corse，DeBare，andCustisLee，severalthousandprisoners，fourteenpiecesofartillerywithcaissonsandalargenumberofwagons。IfthethingispressedIthinkLeewillsurrender。
P。H。SHERIDAN，Major—General，Commanding。\"
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES，CITYPOINT，April7，11A。M。，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
Gen。Sheridansays：
\"IfthethingispressedIthinkthatLeewillsurrender。\"
Letthethingbepressed。
A。LINCOLN。
NOTEONACARDTOSECRETARYSTANTON。
April10，1865。
Tadwantssomeflags——canhebeaccommodated？
A。LINCOLN。
RESPONSETOACALL，APRIL10，1865
Ifthecompanyhadassembledbyappointment，somemistakehadcreptintheirunderstanding。Hehadappearedbeforealargeraudiencethanthisoneto—day，andhewouldrepeatwhathethensaid，namely，hesupposedowingtothegreat，goodnews，therewouldbesomedemonstration。Hewouldpreferto—morrowevening，whenheshouldbequitewilling，andhehopedready，tosaysomething。Hedesiredtobeparticular，becauseeverythinghesaidgotintoprint。Occupyingthepositionhedid，amistakewouldproduceharm，andthereforehewantedtobecarefulnottomakeamistake。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。H。GORDON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，April11，1865。
BRIG。GEN。G。H。GORDON，Norfolk，Va。：
Sendtomeatonceafullstatementastothecauseorcausesforwhich，andbyauthorityofwhattribunalGeorgeW。Lane，CharlesWhitlock，EzraBaler，J。M。Renshaw，andothersarerestrainedoftheirliberty。Dothispromptlyandfully。
A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONCLOSINGCERTAINPORTS，APRIL11，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
Whereasbymyproclamationsofthe19thand27thdaysofApril，A。D。
1861，theportsoftheUnitedStatesintheStatesofVirginia，NorthCarolina，SouthCarolina，Georgia，Florida，Alabama，Mississippi，Louisiana，andTexasweredeclaredtobesubjecttoblockade；butWhereasthesaidblockadehas，inconsequenceofactualmilitaryoccupationbythisGovernment，sincebeenconditionallysetasideorrelaxedinrespecttotheportsofNorfolkandAlexandria，intheStateofVirginia；Beaufort，intheStateofNorthCarolina；PortRoyal，intheStateofSouthCarolina；PensacolaandFernandina，intheStateofFlorida；andNewOrleans，intheStateofLouisiana；andWhereasbythefourthsectionoftheactofCongressapprovedonthe13thofJuly，1861，entitled\"Anactfurthertoprovideforthecollectionofdutiesonimports，andforotherpurposes，\"thePresident，forthereasonsthereinsetforth，isauthorizedtoclosecertainportsofentry：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln。PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doherebyproclaimthattheportsofRichmond，Tappahannock，Cherrystone，Yorktown，andPetersburg，inVirginia；ofCamdenElizabethCity，Edenton，Plymouth，Washington，Newbern，Ocracoke，andWilmingtoninNorthCarolina；ofCharleston，Georgetown，andBeaufort，inSouthCarolina；ofSavannah，St。Marys，andBrunswickDarien，inGeorgia；ofMobile，inAlabama；ofPearlRiverShieldsboro，NatchezandVicksburg，inMississippi；ofSt。
Augustine，KeyWest，St。MarksPortLeon，St。JohnsJacksonville，andApalachicola，inFlorida；ofTecheFranklin，inLouisiana；ofGalveston，LaSalle，BrazosdeSantiagoPointIsabel，andBrownsville，inTexas，areherebyclosed，andallrightofimportation，warehousing，andotherprivilegesshall，inrespecttotheportsaforesaid，ceaseuntiltheyshallhaveagainbeenopenedbyorderofthePresident；andifwhilesaidpartsaresoclosedanyshiporvesselfrombeyondtheUnitedStatesorhavingonboardanyarticlessubjecttodutiesshallattempttoenteranysuchport，thesame，togetherwithitstackle，apparel，furniture，andcargo，shallbeforfeitedtotheUnitedStates。
InwitnesswhereofIhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thiseleventhdayofApril，A。D。，1865，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，theeighty—ninth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresidentWILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
PROCLAMATIONOPENINGTHEPORTOFKEYWEST，APRIL11，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereasbymyproclamationofthisdatetheportofKeyWest，intheStateofFlorida，wasinadvertentlyincludedamongthosewhicharenotopentocommerce：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doherebydeclareandmakeknownthatthesaidportofKeyWestisandshallremainopentoforeignanddomesticcommerceuponthesameconditionsbywhichthatcommercehastherehithertobeengoverned。
IntestimonywhereofIhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thiseleventhdayofApril，A。D。
1865，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmericatheeighty—ninth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
PROCLAMATIONCLAIMINGEQUALITYOFRIGHTS
WITHALLMARITIMENATIONS，APRIL11，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereasforsometimepastvesselsofwaroftheUnitedStateshavebeenrefusedincertainforeignports，privilegesandimmunitiestowhichtheywereentitledbytreaty，publiclaw，orthecommunityofnations，atthesametimethatvesselsofwarofthecountrywhereinthesaidprivilegesandimmunitieshavebeenwithheldhaveenjoyedthemfullyanduninterruptedlyinportsoftheUnitedStates，whichconditionofthingshasnotalwaysbeenforciblyresistedbytheUnitedStates，although，ontheotherhand，theyhavenotatanytimefailedtoprotestagainstanddeclaretheirdissatisfactionwiththesame。IntheviewoftheUnitedStates，noconditionanylongerexistswhichcanbeclaimedtojustifythedenialtothembyanyoneofsuchnationsofcustomarynavalrightsashasheretoforebeensounnecessarilypersistedin……
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，doherebymakeknownthatif，afterareasonabletimeshallhaveelapsedforintelligenceofthisproclamationtohavereachedanyforeigncountryinwhoseportsthesaidprivilegesandimmunitiesshallhavebeenrefusedasaforesaid，theyshallcontinuetobesorefused，thenandthenceforththesameprivilegesandimmunitiesshallberefusedtothevesselsofwarofthatcountryintheportsoftheUnitedStates，andthisrefusalshallcontinueuntilwarvesselsoftheUnitedStatesshallhavebeenplaceduponanentireequalityintheforeignportsaforesaidwithsimilarvesselsofothercountries。TheUnitedStates，whateverclaimorpretensemayhaveexistedheretofore，arenow，atleast，entitledtoclaimandconcedeanentireandfriendlyequalityofrightsandhospitalitieswithallmaritimenations。
Inwitnesswhereof，Ihavehereuntosetmyhand，andcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
LASTPUBLICADDRESS，APRIL11，1865
FELLOW—CITIZENS——Wemeetthiseveningnotinsorrow，butingladnessofheart。TheevacuationofPetersburgandRichmond，andthesurrenderoftheprincipalinsurgentarmy，givehopeofarighteousandspeedypeace，whosejoyousexpressioncannotberestrained。Inthemidstofthis，however，Hefromwhomblessingsflowmustnotbeforgotten。
Acallforanationalthanksgivingisbeingprepared，andwillbedulypromulgated。Normustthosewhoseharderpartgivesusthecauseofrejoicingbeoverlooked。Theirhonorsmustnotbeparceledoutwithothers。Imyselfwasnearthefront，andhadthepleasureoftransmittingmuchofthegoodnewstoyou。Butnopartofthehonorforplanorexecutionismine。ToGeneralGrant，hisskillfulofficers，andbravemen，allbelongs。Thegallantnavystoodready，butwasnotinreachtotakeactivepart。Bytheserecentsuccesses，thereinaugurationofthenationalauthority——reconstructionwhichhashadalargeshareofthoughtfromthefirst，ispressedmuchmorecloselyuponourattention。Itisfraughtwithgreatdifficulty。
Unlikeacaseofwarbetweenindependentnations，thereisnoauthorizedorganforustotreatwith——noonemanhasauthoritytogiveuptherebellionforanyotherman。Wesimplymustbeginwithandmouldfromdisorganizedanddiscordantelements。Norisitasmalladditionalembarrassmentthatwe，theloyalpeople，differamongourselvesastothemode，manner，andmeasureofreconstruction。Asageneralrule，Iabstainfromreadingthereportsofattacksuponmyself，WishingnottobeprovokedbythattowhichIcannotproperlyofferananswer。Inspiteofthisprecaution，however，itcomestomyknowledgethatIammuchcensuredforsomesupposedagencyinsettingupandseekingtosustainthenewStategovernmentofLouisiana。InthisIhavedonejustsomuchandnomorethanthepublicknows。IntheAnnualMessageofDecember，1863，andtheaccompanyingproclamation，Ipresentedaplanofreconstruction，asthephrasegoes，whichIpromised，ifadoptedbyanyState，wouldbeacceptabletoandsustainedbytheExecutiveGovernmentofthenation。Idistinctlystatedthatthiswasnottheonlyplanthatmightpossiblybeacceptable，andIalsodistinctlyprotestedthattheExecutiveclaimednorighttosaywhenorwhethermembersshouldbeadmittedtoseatsinCongressfromsuchStates。
ThisplanwasinadvancesubmittedtothethenCabinet，andapprovedbyeverymemberofit。OneofthemsuggestedthatIshouldthenandinthatconnectionapplytheEmancipationProclamationtothetheretoforeexceptedpartsofVirginiaandLouisiana；thatIshoulddropthesuggestionaboutapprenticeshipforfreedpeople，andthatI
shouldomittheprotestagainstmyownpowerinregardtotheadmissionofmembersofCongress。ButevenheapprovedeverypartandparceloftheplanwhichhassincebeenemployedortouchedbytheactionofLouisiana。ThenewconstitutionofLouisiana，declaringemancipationforthewholeState，practicallyappliestheproclamationtothepartpreviouslyexcepted。Itdoesnotadoptapprenticeshipforfreedpeople，andissilent，asitcouldnotwellbeotherwise，abouttheadmissionofmemberstoCongress。Sothat，asitappliedtoLouisiana，everymemberoftheCabinetfullyapprovedtheplan。ThemessagewenttoCongress，andIreceivedmanycommendationsoftheplan，writtenandverbal，andnotasingleobjectiontoitfromanyprofessedemancipationistcametomyknowledgeuntilafterthenewsreachedWashingtonthatthepeopleofLouisianahadbeguntomoveinaccordancewithit。FromaboutJuly，1862，IhadcorrespondedwithdifferentpersonssupposedtobeinterestedinseekingareconstructionofaStategovernmentforLouisiana。Whenthemessageof1863，withtheplanbeforementioned，reachedNewOrleans，GeneralBankswrotemethathewasconfidentthatthepeople，withhismilitaryco—operation，wouldreconstructsubstantiallyonthatplan。Iwrotetohimandsomeofthemtotryit。Theytriedit，andtheresultisknown。SuchhasbeenmyonlyagencyingettinguptheLouisianagovernment。Astosustainingitmypromiseisout，asbeforestated。But，asbadpromisesarebetterbrokenthankept，Ishalltreatthisasabadpromiseandbreakit，wheneverIshallbeconvincedthatkeepingitisadversetothepublicinterest；butIhavenotyetbeensoconvinced。Ihavebeenshownaletteronthissubject，supposedtobeanableone，inwhichthewriterexpressesregretthatmymindhasnotseemedtobedefinitelyfixeduponthequestionwhetherthesecededStates，socalled，areintheUnionoroutofit。ItwouldperhapsaddastonishmenttohisregretwerehetolearnthatsinceIhavefoundprofessedUnionmenendeavoringtoanswerthatquestion，Ihavepurposelyforborneanypublicexpressionuponit。Asappearstome，thatquestionhasnotbeennoryetisapracticallymaterialone，andthatanydiscussionofit，whileitthusremainspracticallyimmaterial，couldhavenoeffectotherthanthemischievousoneofdividingourfriends。Asyet，whateveritmaybecome，thatquestionisbadasthebasisofacontroversy，andgoodfornothingatall——amerelyperniciousabstraction。WeallagreethatthesecededStates，socalled，areoutoftheirproperpracticalrelationwiththeUnion，andthatthesoleobjectoftheGovernment，civilandmilitary，inregardtothoseStates，istoagaingetthemintotheirproperpracticalrelation。Ibelievethatitisnotonlypossible，butinfacteasier，todothiswithoutdecidingorevenconsideringwhetherthoseStateshaveeverbeenoutoftheUnion，thanwithit。Findingthemselvessafelyathome，itwouldbeutterlyimmaterialwhethertheyhadbeenabroad。LetusalljoinindoingtheactsnecessarytorestoretheproperpracticalrelationsbetweentheseStatesandtheUnion，andeachforeverafterinnocentlyindulgehisownopinionwhether，indoingtheactshebroughttheStatesfromwithoutintotheUnion，oronlygavethemproperassistance，theyneverhavingbeenoutofit。Theamountofconstituency，sotospeak，onwhichtheLouisianagovernmentrests，wouldbemoresatisfactorytoallifitcontainedfiftythousand，orthirtythousand，oreventwentythousand，insteadoftwelvethousand，asitdoes。Itisalsounsatisfactorytosomethattheelectivefranchiseisnotgiventothecoloredman。Iwouldmyselfpreferthatitwerenowconferredontheveryintelligent，andonthosewhoserveourcauseassoldiers。
Still，thequestionisnotwhethertheLouisianagovernment，asitstands，isquiteallthatisdesirable。Thequestionis，Willitbewisertotakeitasitisandhelptoimproveit，ortorejectanddisperse？CanLouisianabebroughtintoproperpracticalrelationwiththeUnionsoonerbysustainingorbydiscardinghernewStategovernment？SometwelvethousandvotersintheheretoforeSlaveStateofLouisianahaveswornallegiancetotheUnion，assumedtobetherightfulpoliticalpoweroftheState，heldelections，organizedaStategovernment，adoptedaFreeStateconstitution，givingthebenefitofpublicschoolsequallytoblackandwhite，andempoweringtheLegislaturetoconfertheelectivefranchiseuponthecoloredman。ThisLegislaturehasalreadyvotedtoratifytheConstitutionalAmendmentrecentlypassedbyCongress，abolishingslaverythroughoutthenation。ThesetwelvethousandpersonsarethusfullycommittedtotheUnionandtoperpetuatefreedomintheState——committedtotheverythings，andnearlyallthings，thenationwants——andtheyaskthenation’srecognitionanditsassistancetomakegoodthiscommittal。Now，ifwerejectandspurnthem，wedoourutmosttodisorganizeanddispersethem。We，infact，saytothewhiteman：
Youareworthlessorworse；wewillneitherhelpyounorbehelpedbyyou。Totheblackswesay：Thiscupoflibertywhichthese，youroldmasters，heldtoyourlips，wewilldashfromyou，andleaveyoutothechancesofgatheringthespilledandscatteredcontentsinsomevagueandundefinedwhen，where，andhow。Ifthiscourse，discouragingandparalyzingbothwhiteandblack，hasanytendencytobringLouisianaintoproperpracticalrelationswiththeUnion，I
havesofarbeenunabletoperceiveit。If，onthecontrary，werecognizeandsustainthenewgovernmentofLouisiana，theconverseofallthisismadetrue。Weencouragetheheartsandnervethearmsoftwelvethousandtoadheretotheirwork，andargueforit，andproselyteforit，andfightforit，andfeedit，andgrowit，andripenittoacompletesuccess。Thecoloredman，too，inseeingallunitedforhim，isinspiredwithvigilance，andenergy，anddaringtothesameend。Grantthathedesirestheelectivefranchise，willhenotattainitsoonerbysavingthealreadyadvancedstepstowardsit，thanbyrunningbackwardoverthem？ConcedethatthenewgovernmentofLouisianaisonlytowhatitshouldbeastheeggistothefowl，weshallsoonerhavethefowlbyhatchingtheeggthanbysmashingit。Again，ifwerejectLouisiana，wealsorejectonevoteinfavoroftheproposedamendmenttotheNationalConstitution。Tomeetthisproposition，ithasbeenarguedthatnomorethanthreefourthsofthoseStateswhichhavenotattemptedsecessionarenecessarytovalidlyratifytheamendment。Idonotcommitmyselfagainstthis，furtherthantosaythatsucharatificationwouldbequestionable，andsuretobepersistentlyquestioned，whilearatificationbythreefourthsofalltheStateswouldbeunquestionedandunquestionable。
Irepeatthequestion，CanLouisianabebroughtintoproperpracticalrelationwiththeUnionsoonerbysustainingorbydiscardinghernewStategovernment？WhathasbeensaidofLouisianawillapplytootherStates。AndyetsogreatpeculiaritiespertaintoeachState，andsuchimportantandsuddenchangesoccurinthesameState，andwithalsonewandunprecedentedisthewholecase，thatnoexclusiveandinflexibleplancansafelybeprescribedastodetailsandcollaterals。Suchexclusiveandinflexibleplanwouldsurelybecomeanewentanglement。Importantprinciplesmayandmustbeinflexible。
Inthepresentsituationasthephrasegoes，itmaybemydutytomakesomenewannouncementtothepeopleoftheSouth。Iamconsidering，andshallnotfailtoact，whensatisfiedthatactionwillbeproper。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。WEITZEL。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，April12，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALWEITZEL，Richmond，Va。：
IhaveseenyourdespatchtoColonelHardieaboutthematterofprayers。IdonotrememberhearingprayersspokenofwhileIwasinRichmond；butIhavenodoubtyouhaveactedinwhatappearedtoyoutobethespiritandtempermanifestedbymewhilethere。Isthereanysignoftherebellegislaturecomingtogetherontheunderstandingofmylettertoyou？Ifthereisanysuchsign，informmewhatitis；ifthereisnosuchsign，youmaywithdrawtheoffer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。WEITZEL。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，April12，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALWEITZEL，Richmond，Va。：
IhavejustseenJudgeCampbell’slettertoyouofthe7th。Heassumes，asappearstome，thatIhavecalledtheinsurgentlegislatureofVirginiatogether，astherightfullegislatureoftheState，tosettlealldifferenceswiththeUnitedStates。Ihavedonenosuchthing。Ispokeofthem，notasalegislature，butas\"thegentlemenwhohaveactedasthelegislatureofVirginiainsupportoftherebellion。\"IdidthisonpurposetoexcludetheassumptionthatIwasrecognizingthemasarightfulbody。Idealwiththemasmenhavingpowerdefactotodoaspecificthing，towit：\"TowithdrawtheVirginiatroopsandothersupportfromresistancetotheGeneralGovernment，\"forwhich，inthepaperhandedJudgeCampbell，I
promisedaspecificequivalent，towit：aremissiontothepeopleoftheState，exceptincertaincases，oftheconfiscationoftheirproperty。Imeantthis，andnomore。Inasmuch，however，asJudgeCampbellmisconstruesthis，andisstillpressingforanarmistice，contrarytotheexplicitstatementofthepaperIgavehim，andparticularlyasGeneralGranthassincecapturedtheVirginiatroops，sothatgivingaconsiderationfortheirwithdrawalisnolongerapplicable，letmylettertoyouandthepapertoJudgeCampbellbothbewithdrawn，orcountermanded，andhebenotifiedofit。Donotnowallowthemtoassemble，butifanyhavecome，allowthemsafereturntotheirhomes。
A。LINCOLN。
INTERVIEWWITHSCHUYLERCOLFAXONTHEMORNINGOFAPRIL14，1865。
Mr。Colfax，Iwantyoutotakeamessagefrommetotheminerswhomyouvisit。Ihaveverylargeideasofthemineralwealthofournation。Ibelieveitpracticallyinexhaustible。ItaboundsallovertheWesterncountry，fromtheRockyMountainstothePacific，anditsdevelopmenthasscarcelycommenced。Duringthewar，whenwewereaddingacoupleofmillionsofdollarseverydaytoournationaldebt，Ididnotcareaboutencouragingtheincreaseinthevolumeofourpreciousmetals。Wehadthecountrytosavefirst。Butnowthattherebellionisoverthrown，andweknowprettynearlytheamountofournationaldebt，themoregoldandsilverwemine，wemakethepaymentofthatdebtsomuchtheeasier。Now，\"saidhe，speakingwithmoreemphasis，\"Iamgoingtoencouragethatineverypossibleway。Weshallhavehundredsofthousandsofdisbandedsoldiers，andmanyhavefearedthattheirreturnhomeinsuchgreatnumbersmightparalyzeindustry，byfurnishing，suddenly，agreatersupplyoflaborthantherewillbedemandfor。Iamgoingtotrytoattractthemtothehiddenwealthofourmountainranges，wherethereisroomenoughforall。Immigration，whicheventhewarhasnotstopped，willlanduponourshoreshundredsofthousandsmoreperyearfromovercrowdedEurope。IintendtopointthemtothegoldandsilverthatwaitforthemintheWest。Telltheminersforme，thatIshallpromotetheirintereststotheutmostofmyability；becausetheirprosperityistheprosperityofthenation；and，\"saidhe，hiseyekindlingwithenthusiasm，\"weshallprove，inaveryfewyears，thatweareindeedthetreasuryoftheworld。\"
TOGENERALVANALLEN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，April14，1865
GENERALVANALLEN：
Iintendtoadopttheadviceofmyfriendsandusedueprecaution……
IthankyoufortheassuranceyougivemethatIshallbesupportedbyconservativemenlikeyourself，intheeffortsImaymaketorestoretheUnion，soastomakeit，touseyourlanguage，aUnionofheartsandhandsaswellasofStates。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
LINCOLN’SLASTWRITTENWORDS
AllowMr。Ashmerandfriendtocomeinat9A。M。to—morrow。
A。LINCOLN。
April14，1865
EndofVolume7
EndofTheWritingsofAbrahamLincoln