Abraham Lincoln said...

The expediency of any legislation upon the subject is submitted for your consideration.

He thought this measure was a very fitting if not an indispensable adjunct to the winding up of the great difficulty.

I transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of War, which, with my permission, has been delayed until the present ti...

of your military necessities you must judge and execute, but please do so in the spirit and with the purpose above indic...