Abraham Lincoln said...

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 13th ultimo, requesting information upon the present condition of...

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of...

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

But there is a task yet before us---to go forward and consummate by the votes of the States that which Congress so nobly...