a full pardon is hereby granted to them and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves and in property cases where rights of third parties shall have intervened

I most cordially recommend that Captain John Rodgers, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the eminent skill and gallantry exhibited by him

I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress.

Questions of great intricacy and importance have arisen out of the blockade and other belligerent operations between the Government and several of the maritime powers, but they have been discussed and, as far as was possible, accommodated…

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act

the United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government and shall protect each of them against invasion

It is believed that so far as American ports and American citizens are concerned that inhuman and odious traffic has been brought to an end.

Congress, on my recommendation, passed a resolution, approved 7th February, 1863, tendering its thanks to Commander D. D. Porter for the bravery and skill displayed in the attack on the post of Arkansas on the 10th January, 1863.

shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment;

I do therefore, in conformity to the seventh section of the act approved 16th July, 1862, nominate Commander D. D. Porter to be a rear-admiral in the Navy on the active list from the 4th July, 1863, to fill an existing vacancy.

For these, and especially for the improved condition of our national affairs, our renewed and profoundest gratitude to God is due.

so far as it relates to State governments, has no reference to States wherein loyal State governments have all the while been maintained.

It is especially gratifying that our prize courts, by the impartiality of their adjudications, have commanded the respect and confidence of maritime powers.

To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish a lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith.

I have thought it proper, subject to the approval of the Senate, to concur with the interested commercial powers in an arrangement for the liquidation of the Scheldt dues, upon the principles which have been heretofore adopted in regard to…

I recommend that all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of worship and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God for this great advancement of the national cause.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.

You may fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.