Abraham Lincoln: “Ordered,That Brigadier-General Ellet report to Rear-Admiral Porter for instructions, and act under his direction until…”

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.

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

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

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.