The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln Part 196

A. LINCOLN

TO B. B. MALHIOT AND OTHERS.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAs.h.i.+NGTON, June 19, 1863.

MESSRS. B. B. MALHIOT, BRADISH JOHNSON, AND THOMAS COTTMAN.

GENTLEMEN:--Your letter, which follows, has been received and Considered.

"The undersigned, a committee appointed by the planters of the State of Louisiana, respectfully represent that they have been delegated to seek of the General Government a full recognition of all the rights of the State as they existed previous to the pa.s.sage of an act of secession, upon the principle of the existence of the State const.i.tution unimpaired, and no legal act having transpired that could in any way deprive them of the advantages conferred by that const.i.tution. Under this const.i.tution the State wishes to return to its full allegiance, in the enjoyment of all rights and privileges exercised by the other States under the Federal Const.i.tution. With the view of accomplis.h.i.+ng the desired object, we further request that your Excellency will, as commander-in-chief of the army of the United States, direct the Military Governor of Louisiana to order an election, in conformity with the const.i.tution and laws of the State, on the first Monday of November next, for all State and Federal officers.

"With high consideration and resect, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves,

"Your obedient servants,

"E. E. MALHIOT.

"BRADISH JOHNSON.

"THOMAS COTTMAN."

Since receiving the letter, reliable information has reached me that a respectable portion of the Louisiana people desire to amend their State const.i.tution, and contemplate holding a State convention for that object.

This fact alone, as it seems to me, is a sufficient reason why the General Government should not give the committal you seek to the existing State const.i.tution. I may add that, while I do not perceive how such committal could facilitate our military operations in Louisiana, I really apprehend it might be so used as to embarra.s.s them.

As to an election to be held next November, there is abundant time without any order or proclamation from me just now. The people of Louisiana shall not lack an opportunity for a fair election for both Federal and State officers by want of anything within my power to give them.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAs.h.i.+NGTON

June 22, 1863.

GENERAL JOHN M. SCHOFIELD. MY DEAR SIR:--Your despatch, asking in substance whether, in case Missouri shall adopt gradual emanc.i.p.ation, the General Government will protect slave owners in that species of property during the short time it shall be permitted by the State to exist within it, has been received. Desirous as I am that emanc.i.p.ation shall be adopted by Missouri, and believing as I do that gradual can be made better than immediate for both black and white, except when military necessity changes the case, my impulse is to say that such protection would be given. I cannot know exactly what shape an act of emanc.i.p.ation may take. If the period from the initiation to the final end should be comparatively short, and the act should prevent persons being sold during that period into more lasting slavery, the whole would be easier. I do not wish to pledge the General Government to the affirmative support of even temporary slavery beyond what can be fairly claimed under the Const.i.tution. I suppose, however, this is not desired, but that it is desired for the military force of the United States, while in Missouri, to not be used in subverting the temporarily reserved legal rights in slaves during the progress of emanc.i.p.ation. This I would desire also. I have very earnestly urged the slave States to adopt emanc.i.p.ation; and it ought to be, and is, an object with me not to overthrow or thwart what any of them may in good faith do to that end. You are therefore authorized to act in the spirit of this letter in conjunction with what may appear to be the military necessities of your department. Although this letter will become public at some time, it is not intended to be made so now.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON, June 22, 1863

MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER:

Operator at Leesburg just now says: "I heard very little firing this A.M.

about daylight, but it seems to have stopped now. It was in about the same direction as yesterday, but farther off."

A. LINCOLN.

TO SECRETARY OF WAR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAs.h.i.+NGTON, June 23, 1863.

HON. SECRETARY OF WAR:

You remember that Hon. W. D. Kelly and others are engaged in raising or trying to raise some colored regiments in Philadelphia. The bearer of this, Wilton M. Huput, is a friend of Judge Kelly, as appears by the letter of the latter. He is a private in the 112th Penn. and has been disappointed in a reasonable expectation of one of the smaller offices.

He now wants to be a lieutenant in one of the colored regiments. If Judge Kelly will say in writing he wishes to so have him, I am willing for him to be discharged from his present position, and be so appointed. If you approve, so indorse and let him carry the letter to Kelly.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO MAJOR VAN VLIET.

[Cipher.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, WAs.h.i.+NGTON, D. C., June 23, 1863.

MAJOR VAN VLIET, New York:

Have you any idea what the news is in the despatch of General Banks to General Halleck?

A. LINCOLN.