In Barrett’s biography of Mr. Lincoln, it is stated that the first
draft of the Emancipation Proclamation was written on board of
the steamboat returning from his 8th of July visit to the army at
Harrison’s Landing. This circumstance was not included in the statement
given me, and to others in my presence, at different times; but from
the known relations of the author with the President, it is undoubtedly
true. The original draft was written upon one side of four half sheets
of official foolscap. He flung down upon the table one day for me,
several sheets of the same, saying, “There, I believe, is some of the
very paper which was used;--if not, it was, at any rate, just like it.”
The original draft is dated September 22d, 1862, and was presented to
the Army Relief Bazaar, at Albany, N. Y., in 1864. It is in the proper
handwriting of Mr. Lincoln, excepting two interlineations in pencil, by
Secretary Seward, and the formal heading and ending, which were written
by the chief clerk of the State Department.
The final Proclamation was signed on New-Year’s Day, 1863. The
President remarked to Mr. Colfax, the same evening, that the signature
appeared somewhat tremulous and uneven. “Not,” said he, “because of any
uncertainty or hesitation on my part; but it was just after the public
reception, and three hours’ hand-shaking is not calculated to improve
a man’s chirography.” Then changing his tone, he added: “The South
had fair warning, that if they did not return to their duty, I should
strike at this pillar of their strength. The promise must now be kept,
and I shall never recall one word.”
I remember to have asked him, on one occasion, if there was not some
opposition manifested on the part of several members of the Cabinet
to this policy. He replied, “Nothing more than I have stated to you.
Mr. Blair thought we should lose the fall elections, and opposed it
on that ground only.” “I have understood,” said I, “that Secretary
Smith was not in favor of your action. Mr. Blair told me that, when
the meeting closed, he and the Secretary of the Interior went away
together, and that the latter said to him, if the President carried out
that policy, he might count on losing _Indiana_, sure!” “He never said
anything of the kind to me,” returned the President. “And what is Mr.
Blair’s opinion now?” I asked. “Oh,” was the prompt reply, “he proved
right in regard to the fall elections, but he is satisfied that we have
since gained more than we lost.” “I have been told,” I added, “that
Judge Bates doubted the constitutionality of the proclamation.” “He
never expressed such an opinion in my hearing,” replied Mr. Lincoln.
“No member of the Cabinet ever dissented from the policy, in any
conversation with me.”