Abraham Lincoln: “I submit the whole subject to Congress, deeming that their attention thereto is almost imperatively demanded.”

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

If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

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.