Abraham Lincoln: “The command of the Army of Virginia is specially assigned to Major-General John Pope, as commanding general.”

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?

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.

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