REPLY TO MEMBERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, May [30?], 1863 T has been my happiness to receive testimo I' nies of a similar nature from, I believe, all denominations of Christians. They are all loyal, but perhaps not in the same degree or in the same numbers; but I think they all claim to be loyal. This to me is most gratifying, because from the beginning I saw that the issue of our great struggle depended on the divine interposition and favor. If we had that, all would be well. The proportions of this rebellion were not for a long time understood. I saw that it involved the greatest difficulties, and would call forth all the powers of the whole country. The end is not yet. The point made in your paper is well taken as to "the government" and "the administration" in whose hands are these interests. I fully appreciate its correctness and justice. In my administration I may have committed some errors. It' would be indeed remarkable if I had not. I have acted according to my best judgment in every case. The views expressed by the committee accord with my own; and on this principle "the government" is to be supported though "the administration" may not in every case wisely act. As a pilot I have used my best exertions to keep afloat our Ship of State, and shall be glad to resign my trust at the appointed time to another pilot more skilful and successful than I may prove. In every case and at all hazards the government must be perpetuated. Relying, as I do, upon the Almighty Power, and encouraged as I am by these resolutions which you have just read, with the support which I receive from Christian men, I shall not hesitate to use all the means at my control to secure the termination of this rebellion, and will hope for success. I sincerely thank you for this interview, this pleasant mode of presentation, and the General Assembly for their patriotic support in these resolutions. LETTER TO CHARLES SUMNER 1 EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 1, 1863. My dear Sir: In relation to the matter spoke of Saturday morning and this morning— to wit, the raising of colored troops in the North, with the understanding that they shall be commanded by General Frémont-I have to say: 1 In December, 1863, less than one year after the President proclaimed his policy of enlisting negroes as soldiers, there were in the army, about 50,000 former slaves. During the last days of the war there were 186,017 colored men in the military service. That while it is very objectionable, as a general rule, to have troops raised on any special terms, such as to serve only under a particular command or only at a particular place or places, yet I would forego the objection in this case upon a fair prospect that a large force of this sort could thereby be the more rapidly raised. That being raised, say to the number of ten thousand, I would very cheerfully send them to the field under General Frémont, assigning him a department, made or to be made, with such white force also as I might be able to put in. That with the best wishes toward General Frémont, I cannot now give him a department, because I have not spare troops to furnish a new department, and I have not, as I think, justifiable ground to relieve the present commander of any old one. In the raising of the colored troops, the same consent of governors would have to be obtained as in case of white troops, and the government would make the same provision for them during organization as for white troops. It would not be a point with me whether General Frémont should take charge of the organization, or take charge of the force only after the organization. If you think fit to communicate this to General Frémont, you are at liberty to do so. A. LINCOLN. Yours truly, *TELEGRAM TO COLONEL LUDLOW EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 1, 1863. Richardson and Brown, correspondents of the "Tribune" captured at Vicksburg, are detained at Richmond. Please ascertain why they are detained, and get them off if you can. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT WASHINGTON, D. C., June 2, 1863. Major-General Grant, Vicksburg: Are you in communication with General Banks? Is he coming toward you or going farther off? Is there or has there been anything to hinder his coming directly to you by water from Alexandria? A. LINCOLN. NOTE TO SECRETARY STANTON EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 4, 1863. My dear Sir: I have received additional despatches, which, with former ones, induce me to believe we should revoke or suspend the order suspending the Chicago "Times;" and if you concur in opinion, please have it done. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. |