If the war continues long, as it must if the object be not sooner attained, the institution in your States will be extinguished by mere friction and abrasion,--by the mere incidents of the war.

How much better for you and for your people to take the step which at once shortens the war and secures substantial compensation for that which is sure to be wholly lost in any other event!

Our common country is in great peril, demanding the loftiest views and boldest action to bring a speedy relief.

Break that lever before their faces, and they can shake you no more forever.

To you, more than to any others, the privilege is given to assure that happiness and swell that grandeur, and to link your own names therewith forever.

I do not speak of emancipation at once, but of a decision at once to emancipate gradually.

Let the States which are in rebellion see definitely and certainly that in no event will the States you represent ever join their proposed confederacy, and they cannot much longer maintain the contest.

I intend no reproach or complaint when I assure you that, in my opinion, if you all had voted for the resolution in the gradual-emancipation message of last March, the war would now be substantially ended.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty negotiated at the Kickapoo Agency on the 28th of June, 1862, between Charles B. Keith, commissioner on the part of the United…

The public safety does require that the railroad line called and known as the Southwest Branch of the Pacific Railroad in the State of Missouri be repaired, extended, and completed.

The said line from Rolla to and across Little Piney be first completed, and as soon as possible.

Ordered, That Major-General Henry W. Halleck be assigned to command the whole land forces of the United States as General in Chief, and that he repair to this capital as soon as he can with safety to the positions and operations within the…

The portion of the said railroad line which reaches from Rolla to Lebanon be repaired, extended, and completed, so as to be made available for the military uses of the Government, as speedily as may be.

I recommend that the thanks of Congress be given to the following officers of the United States Navy

A letter of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the 10th instant is also Transmitted, suggesting amendments to the treaty for the consideration of the Senate.

I transmit to the Senate, for consideration with a view to ratification, a postal convention with Costa Rica, concluded at San Jose on the 9th June last.

Is the army secure in its present position?

What is likely to be your condition as to health in this camp?

If you desired could you remove the army safely?

What amount of force have you now?

Where is the enemy now?

Let us have faith that right makes might.

Herewith is the draft of the bill to compensate any State which may abolish slavery within its limits, the passage of which, substantially as presented, I respectfully and earnestly recommend.

My reason for so doing is that I have approved an act of the same title passed by Congress after the passage of the one first mentioned for the express purpose of correcting errors in and superseding the same, as I am informed.

I have decided to call into the service an additional force of 300,000 men.