General Curtis, perhaps not of choice, being the head of one faction and Governor Gamble that of the other. After months of labor to reconcile the difficulty, it seemed to grow worse and worse, until I felt it my duty to break it up somehow; and as I could not remove Governor Gamble, I had to remove General Curtis. Now that you are in the position, I wish you to undo nothing merely because General Curtis or Governor Gamble did it, but to exercise your own judgment, and do right for the public interest. Let your military measures be strong enough to repel the invader and keep the peace, and not so strong as to unnecessarily harass and persecute the people. It is a difficult rôle, and so much greater will be the honor if you perform it well. If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO SECRETARY CHASE

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 27, 1863.

My dear Sir: The office of second comptroller is vacant by the death of Mr. Cutts. Of course I wish your concurrence whenever I shall fill it. I believe the only applicants-whose papers are now before me—are Augustin Chester, late of Connecticut, now of Chicago, and John

M. Broadhead, of this city. I herewith inclose their papers to you. I believe they are both competent and worthy gentlemen.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER

WASHINGTON, May 27, 1863. II P. M.

Major-General Hooker: Have you Rich

mond papers of this morning? If so, what A. LINCOLN.

news?

*TELEGRAM TO ERASTUS CORNING

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 28, 1863.

Hon. Erastus Corning, Albany, N. Y.: The letter of yourself and others dated the 19th and inclosing the resolutions of a public meeting held at Albany on the 16th was received night before last. I shall give the resolutions the consideration you ask, and shall try to find time and make a respectful response.

Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS WASHINGTON, May 28, 1863.

Major-General Rosecrans, Murfreesborough, Tenn.: I would not push you to any rashness, but I am very anxious that you do your utmost, short of rashness, to keep Bragg from getting off to help Johnston against Grant. A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 28, 1863. My dear Sir: I have but a slight personal acquaintance with Colonel Jaquess, though I know him very well by character.

Such a mission as he proposes I think promises good, if it were free from difficulties, which I fear it cannot be.

First. He cannot go with any government authority whatever. This is absolute and imperative.

Secondly. If he goes without authority, he takes a great deal of personal risk-he may be condemned and executed as a spy.

If, for any reason, you think fit to give Colonel Jaquess a furlough, and any authority from me for that object is necessary, you hereby have it for any length of time you see fit.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON

WASHINGTON, May 29, 1863.

Governor Andrew Johnson, Louisville, Ky.: General Burnside has been frequently informed lately that the division under General Getty cannot be spared. I am sorry to have to tell you this, but it is true, and cannot be helped. A. LINCOLN.

LETTER TO J. K. DUBOIS AND OTHERS1

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 29, 1863.

Gentlemen: Agree among yourselves upon any two of your own number-one of whom to be quartermaster and the other to be commissary -to serve at Springfield, Illinois, and send me their names, and I will appoint them.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE WASHINGTON, May 29, 1863.

Major-General Burnside, Cincinnati, O.: Your despatch of to-day received. When I shall wish to supersede you I will let you know. All the cabinet regretted the necessity of arresting, for instance, Vallandigham, some perhaps doubting there was a real necessity for it; but, being done, all were for seeing you through with it. A. LINCOLN.

1 Besides Dubois, the above letter was addressed to O. M. Hatch, John Williams, Jacob Bunn, John Bunn, George R. Weber, William Yates, S. M. Cullom, Charles W. Matheny, William F. Elkin, Francis Springer, B. A. Watson, Eliphalet Hawley and James Campbell.