EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, March 1,1864.
GENERAL L. THOMAS:
This introduces Mr. Lewis, mentioned in my despatch sent you at Louisville
some days ago. I have but little personal acquaintance with him; but he
has the confidence of several members of Congress here who seem to know
him well. He hopes to be useful, without charge to the government, in
facilitating the introduction of the free-labor system on the Mississippi
plantations. He is acquainted with, and has access to, many of the
planters who wish to adopt the system. He will show you two letters of
mine on this subject, one somewhat General, and the other relating to
named persons; they are not different in principle. He will also show you
some suggestions coming from some of the planters themselves. I desire
that all I promise in these letters, so far as practicable, may be in good
faith carried out, and that suggestions from the planters may be heard
and adopted, so far as they may not contravene the principles stated, nor
justice, nor fairness, to laborers. I do not herein intend to overrule
your own mature judgment on any point.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL STEELE.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 3, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE, Little Rock, Ark.:
Yours including address to people of Arkansas is received. I approve the
address and thank you for it. Yours in relation to William M. Randolph
also received. Let him take the oath of December 8, and go to work for the
new constitution, and on your notifying me of it, I will immediately issue
the special pardon for him.
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 4,1864. MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort
Monroe, Va.:
Admiral Dahlgren is here, and of course is very anxious about his son.
Please send me at once all you know or can learn of his fate.
A. LINCOLN.
ORDER IN REGARD TO THE EXPORTATION OF TOBACCO BELONGING TO THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, March 7, 1864.
Whereas, by an Executive order of the 10th of November last permission was
given to export certain tobacco belonging to the French government from
insurgent territory, which tobacco was supposed to have been purchased
and paid for prior to the 4th day of March, 1861; but whereas it was
subsequently ascertained that a part at least of the said tobacco had
been purchased subsequently to that date, which fact made it necessary to
suspend the carrying into effect of the said order; but whereas, pursuant
to mutual explanations, a satisfactory understanding upon the subject has
now been reached, it is directed that the order aforesaid may be carried
into effect, it being understood that the quantity of French tobacco so to
be exported shall not exceed seven thousand hogsheads, and that it is
the same tobacco respecting the exportation of which application Was
originally made by the French government.
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO UNITED STATES MARSHAL, LOUISVILLE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 7, 1864.
U.S. MARSHAL, Louisville, Ky.:
Until further order suspend sale of property and further proceedings in
cases of the United States against Dr. John B. English, and S. S. English,
qt al., sureties for John L. Hill. Also same against same sureties for
Thomas A. Ireland.
A. LINCOLN.
MAJOR ECKERT: Please send the above dispatch. JNO. G. NICOLAY, Private
Secretary
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 9, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE, Army of Potomac:
New York City votes ninety-five hundred majority for allowing soldiers
to vote, and the rest of the State nearly all on the same side. Tell the
soldiers.
A. LINCOLN.
MESSAGE TO SENATE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 9, 1864.
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 1st instant,
respecting the points of commencement of the Union Pacific Railroad, on
the one hundredth degree of west longitude, and of the branch road,
from the western boundary of Iowa to the said one hundredth degree of
longitude, I transmit the accompanying report from the Secretary of the
Interior, containing the information called for.
I deem it proper to add that on the 17th day of November last an Executive
order was made upon this subject and delivered to the vice-president of
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which fixed the point on the western
boundary of the State of Iowa from which the company should construct
their branch road to the one hundredth degree of west longitude, and
declared it to be within the limits of the township in Iowa opposite the
town of Omaha, in Nebraska. Since then the company has represented to me
that upon actual surveys made it has determined upon the precise point of
departure of their said branch road from the Missouri River, and located
the same as described in the accompanying report of the Secretary of the
Interior, which point is within the limits designated in the order of
November last; and inasmuch as that order is not of record in any of the
Executive Departments, and the company having desired a more definite one,
I have made the order of which a copy is herewith, and caused the same to
be filed in the Department of the Interior.
A. LINCOLN.
ADDRESS TO GENERAL GRANT,
MARCH 9, 1864.
GENERAL GRANT:--The expression of the nation's approbation of what you
have already done, and its reliance on you for what remains to do in
the existing great struggle, is now presented with this commission
constituting you Lieutenant-General of the Army of the United States.
With this high honor, devolves on you an additional responsibility. As the
country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you. I scarcely
need add, that with what I here speak for the country, goes my own hearty
personal concurrence.
GENERAL GRANT'S REPLY.
Mr. PRESIDENT:--I accept this commission, with gratitude for the high
honor conferred.
With the aid of the noble armies that have fought on so many fields for
our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your
expectations.
I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me, and I
know that if they are met, it will be due to those armies; and above all,
to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men.
ORDER ASSIGNING U. S. GRANT COMMAND OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 10, 1864.
Under the authority of an act of Congress to revive the grade of
lieutenant-General in the United States Army, approved February 29, 1864,
Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, United States Army, is assigned to
the command of the Armies of the United States.
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MURPHY.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12, 1864.
GOVERNOR MURPHY, Little Rock, Arkansas:
I am not appointing officers for Arkansas now, and I will try to remember
your request. Do your best to get out the largest vote possible, and of
course as much of it as possible on the right side.
A. LINCOLN.
TO GENERAL HAHN. (Private.)
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 13, 1864
HON. MICHAEL HAHN.
MY DEAR SIR:--I congratulate you on having fixed your name in history as
the first free-state governor of Louisiana. Now, you are about to have
a convention, which among other things will probably define the elective
franchise. I barely suggest for your private consideration, whether some
of the colored people may not be let in,--as, for instance, the very
intelligent, and especially those who have fought gallantly in our ranks.
They would probably help, in some trying time to come, to keep the
jewel of liberty within the family of freedom. But this is only a
suggestion,--not to the public, but to you alone.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
CALL FOR TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, MARCH 14, 1864.
In order to supply the force required to be drafted for the Navy and to
provide an adequate reserve force for all contingencies, in addition
to the five hundred thousand men called for February 1, 1864, a call
is hereby made and a draft ordered for two hundred thousand men for the
military service (Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) of the United States.
The proportional quotas for the different wards, towns, townships,
precincts, or election districts, or counties, will be made known through
the Provost Marshal-General's Bureau, and account will be taken of the
credits and deficiencies on former quotas.
The 15th day of April, 1864, is designated as the time up to which the
numbers required from each ward of a city, town, etc., may be raised by
voluntary enlistment, and drafts will be made in each ward of a city,
town, etc., which shall not have filled the quota assigned to it within
the time designated for the number required to fill said quotas. The
drafts will be commenced as soon after the 15th of April as practicable.
The Government bounties as now paid continue until April I, 1864, at which
time the additional bounties cease. On and after that date one hundred
dollars bounty only will be paid, as provided by the act approved July 22,
1861.
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
(Private.)
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Nashville, Tenn.:
General McPherson having been assigned to the command of a department,
could not General Frank Blair, without difficulty or detriment to the
service, be assigned to command the Corps he commanded a while last
autumn?
A. LINCOLN.
PASS FOR GENERAL D. E. SICKLES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864.
WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Major-General Sickles is making a tour for me from here by way of Cairo,
New Orleans, and returning by the gulf, and ocean, and all land and naval
officers and, employees are directed to furnish reasonable transportation
and other reasonable facilities to himself and personal staff not
inconsistent with the public service.
A. LINCOLN.
ORDER TO GOVERNOR HAHN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 15, 1864.
HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL HAHN, Governor of Louisiana
Until further order, you are hereby invested with the powers exercised
hitherto by the military governor of Louisiana.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
REMARKS AT A FAIR IN THE PATENT OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, MARCH 16, 1864.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
I appear to say but a word. This extraordinary war in which we are engaged
falls heavily upon all classes of people but the most heavily upon the
soldier. For it has been said, "All that a man hath will he give for his
life;" and while all contribute of their substance, the soldier puts his
life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest
merit, then, is due to the soldier.
In this extraordinary war, extraordinary developments have manifested
themselves, such as have not been seen in former wars; and among these
manifestations nothing has been more remarkable than these fairs for the
relief of suffering soldiers and their families. And the chief agents of
these fairs are the women of America.
I am not accustomed to the use of language of eulogy: I have never studied
the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say, that if all that
has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in
praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do them
justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God
bless the women of America.
REPLY TO A COMMITTEE FROM THE WORKINGMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK,
MARCH 21, 1864.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:
The honorary membership in your association, as generously tendered, is
gratefully accepted.
You comprehend, as your address shows, that the existing rebellion means
more and tends to do more than the perpetuation of African slavery--that
it is, in fact, a war upon the rights of all working people. Partly to
show that this view has not escaped my attention, and partly that I cannot
better express myself, I read a passage from the message to Congress in
December, 1861:
"It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if not
exclusively, a war upon the first principle of popular government, the
rights of the people. Conclusive evidence of this is found in the most
grave and maturely considered public documents, as well as in the General
tone of the insurgents. In those documents we find the abridgment of the
existing right of suffrage, and the denial to the people of all right to
participate in the selection of public officers, except the legislature,
boldly advocated, with labored argument to prove that large control of the
people in government is the source of all political evil. Monarchy itself
is sometimes hinted at as a possible refuge from the power of the people.
In my present position I could scarcely be justified were I to omit
raising a warning voice against this approach of returning despotism.
"It is not needed, nor fitting here, that a General argument should be
made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point, with its
connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which I ask a brief
attention. It is the effort to place capital on an equal footing, if not
above labor, in the structure of government. It is assumed that labor
is available only in connection with capital; that nobody labors unless
somebody else, owning capital, somehow by the use of it induces him to
labor. This assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that capital
shall hire laborers, and thus induce them to work by their own consent or
buy them, and drive them to it without their consent. Having proceeded so
it is naturally concluded that all laborers are either hired laborers, or
what we call slaves. And, further, it is assumed that whoever is once a
hired laborer, is fixed in that condition for life. Now there is no such
relation between capital and labor as assumed, nor is there any such thing
as a free man being fixed for life in the condition of a hired laborer.
Both these assumptions are false, and all inferences from them are
groundless.
"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit
of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.
Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher
consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection
as any other rights. Nor is it denied that there is, and probably always
will be, a relation between capital and labor, producing mutual benefits.
The error is in assuming that the whole labor of a community exists within
that relation. A few men own capital, and that few avoid labor themselves,
and, with their capital, hire or buy another few to labor for them. A
large majority belong to neither class--neither work for others, nor have
others working for them. In most of the Southern States, a majority of the
whole people, of all colors, are neither slaves nor masters; while in the
Northern, a large majority are neither hirers nor hired. Men with their
families, wives, sons, and daughters--work for themselves, on their
farms, in their houses, and in their shops, taking the whole product to
themselves, and asking no favors of capital on the one hand, nor of hired
laborers or slaves on the other. It is not forgotten that a considerable
number of persons mingle their own labor with capital; that is, they labor
with their own hands, and also buy or hire others to labor for them, but
this is only a mixed and not a distinct class. No principle stated is
disturbed by the existence of this mixed class.
"Again, as has already been said, there is not, of necessity, any such
thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition for life.
Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few years back in their
lives, were hired laborers. The prudent penniless beginner in the world
labors for wages a while, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land
for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at length
hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just and generous
and prosperous system which opens the way to all--gives hope to all, and
consequent energy and progress, and improvement of condition to all.
No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from
poverty--none less inclined to touch or take aught which they have not
honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political power they
already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close
the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities
and burdens upon them, till all of liberty shall be lost."
The views then expressed remain unchanged, nor have I much to add. None
are so deeply interested to resist the present rebellion as the working
people. Let them beware of prejudices, working division and hostility
among themselves. The most notable feature of a disturbance in your
city last summer was the hanging of some working people by other working
people. It should never be so. The strongest bond of human sympathy,
outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people,
of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead to a war
upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor;
property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some
should be rich shows that others may become rich, and, hence, is just
encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless
pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build
one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from
violence when built.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 22, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL BUTLER, Fort Monroe, Va.:
Hon. W. R. Morrison says he has requested you by letter to effect a
special exchange of Lieut. Col. A. F. Rogers, of Eightieth Illinois
Volunteers, now in Libby Prison, and I shall be glad if you can effect it.
A. LINCOLN.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL C. SCHURZ.
( Private.)
WASHINGTON, March 13, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL SCHURZ.
MY DEAR SIR:--Yours of February 29 reached me only four days ago; but the
delay was of little consequence, because I found, on feeling around, I
could not invite you here without a difficulty which at least would be
unpleasant, and perhaps would be detrimental to the public service. Allow
me to suggest that if you wish to remain in the military service, it
is very dangerous for you to get temporarily out of it; because, with a
major-general once out, it is next to impossible for even the President
to get him in again. With my appreciation of your ability and correct
principle, of course I would be very glad to have your service for
the country in the approaching political canvass; but I fear we cannot
properly have it without separating you from the military.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
PROCLAMATION ABOUT AMNESTY,
MARCH 26, 1864.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
A Proclamation.
Whereas, it has become necessary to define the cases in which insurgent
enemies are entitled to the benefits of the Proclamation of the President
of the United States, which was made on the 8th day of December, 1863,
and the manner in which they shall proceed to avail themselves of these
benefits; and whereas the objects of that Proclamation were to suppress
the insurrection and to restore the authority of the United States; and
whereas the amnesty therein proposed by the President was offered with
reference to these objects alone:
Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do
hereby proclaim and declare that the said Proclamation does not apply
to the cases of persons who, at the time when they seek to obtain the
benefits thereof by taking the oath thereby prescribed, are in military,
naval, or civil confinement or custody, or under bonds, or on parole of
the civil, military, or naval authorities, or agents of the United States,
as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offences of any kind, either
before or after conviction; and that on the contrary it does apply only
to those persons who, being yet at large, and free from any arrest,
confinement, or duress, shall voluntarily come forward and take the said
oath, with the purpose of restoring peace, and establishing the national
authority.
Persons excluded from the amnesty offered in the said Proclamation may
apply to the President for clemency, like all other offenders, and their
application will receive due consideration.
I do further declare and proclaim that the oath presented in the aforesaid
proclamation of the 8th of December, 1863, may be taken and subscribed
before any commissioned officer, civil, military, or naval, in the service
of the United States, or any civil or military officer of a State or
Territory not in insurrection, who, by the laws thereof, may be qualified
for administering oaths.
All officers who receive such oaths are hereby authorized to give
certificates thereof to the persons respectively by whom they are made,
and such officers are hereby required to transmit the original records of
such oaths, at as early a day as may be convenient, to the Department of
State, where they will be deposited, and remain in the archives of the
Government.
The Secretary of State will keep a registry thereof, and will, on
application, in proper cases, issue certificates of such records in the
customary form of official certificates.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed............
A. LINCOLN.
By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
TO SECRETARY STANTON.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 28, 1864.
HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
MY DEAR SIR:--The Governor of Kentucky is here, and desires to have the
following points definitely fixed:
First. That the quotas of troops furnished, and to be furnished, by
Kentucky may be adjusted upon the basis as actually reduced by able-bodied
men of hers having gone into the rebel service; and that she be required
to furnish no more than her just quotas upon fair adjustment upon such
basis.
Second. To whatever extent the enlistment and drafting, one or both,
of colored troops may be found necessary within the State, it may be
conducted within the law of Congress; and, so far as practicable, free
from collateral embarrassments, disorders, and provocations.
I think these requests of the Governor are reasonable; and I shall be
obliged if you will give him a full hearing, and do the best you can to
effect these objects.
Yours very truly,
A. LINCOLN.
TO GENERAL G. G. MEADE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 29, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE.
MY DEAR SIR:--Your letter to Colonel Townsend, inclosing a slip from the
"Herald," and asking a court of inquiry, has been laid before me by the
Secretary of War, with the request that I would consider it. It is quite
natural that you should feel some sensibility on the subject; yet I am not
impressed, nor do I think the country is impressed, with the belief that
your honor demands, or the public interest demands, such an inquiry. The
country knows that at all events you have done good service; and I believe
it agrees with me that it is much better for you to be engaged in trying
to do more, than to be diverted, as you necessarily would be, by a court
of inquiry.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, March 29,1864.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, Army of the Potomac:
Captain Kinney, of whom I spoke to you as desiring to go on your staff,
is now in your camp, in company with Mrs. Senator Dixon. Mrs. Grant and I,
and some others, agreed last night that I should, by this despatch, kindly
call your attention to Captain Kinney.
A. LINCOLN.
TO A. G. HODGES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 4, 1864.
A. G. HODGES, ESQ., Frankfort, Kentucky:
MY DEAR SIR:--You ask me to put in writing the substance of what I
verbally said the other day, in your presence, to Governor Bramlette and
Senator Dixon. It was about as follows: