Abraham Lincoln: “I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon the following-described treaties, viz:”

I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.

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

The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse it?

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.