Abraham Lincoln: “The Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy will issue the necessary directions in their respective Departments for…”

If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.

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.

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

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.