Abraham Lincoln: “I transmit to Congress the copy of a correspondence which has recently taken place between Her Britannic Majesty's…”

As a general rule I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.

Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there is no organized organ for us to treat with,--no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man.

I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding or even considering whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it.