Abraham Lincoln: “I transmit herewith, for the constitutional action of the Senate thereon, a treaty concluded at Paola, Kans., on the…”

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.

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

Important principles may and must be inflexible.