Abraham Lincoln

Congress, on my recommendation, passed a resolution, approved 7th February, 1863, tendering its thanks to Commander D. D. Porter for the bravery and skill displayed in the attack on the post of Arkansas on the 10th January, 1863.

I have thought it proper, subject to the approval of the Senate, to concur with the interested commercial powers in an arrangement for the liquidation of the Scheldt dues, upon the principles which have been heretofore adopted in regard to…

It is believed that so far as American ports and American citizens are concerned that inhuman and odious traffic has been brought to an end.

For these, and especially for the improved condition of our national affairs, our renewed and profoundest gratitude to God is due.

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act

I most cordially recommend that Captain John Rodgers, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the eminent skill and gallantry exhibited by him

Questions of great intricacy and importance have arisen out of the blockade and other belligerent operations between the Government and several of the maritime powers, but they have been discussed and, as far as was possible, accommodated…

I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress.

It is especially gratifying that our prize courts, by the impartiality of their adjudications, have commanded the respect and confidence of maritime powers.

To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish a lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith.

I recommend that all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of worship and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God for this great advancement of the national cause.

It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that…

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

We are met on a great battle-field of that war.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.