Abraham Lincoln: “This correspondence may be considered as a sequel to that previously communicated to Congress relating to the same…”

I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.

Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps towards it, than by running backward over them?

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.

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.