Abraham Lincoln

It is believed that though this instrument contains no stipulation which may not be found in some subsisting treaty between the United States and foreign powers, it will prove to be mutually advantageous.

Under the call for three-years' volunteers 50,000 men will be accepted as raised and reported by the respective State governors.

All regiments of militia or of three-months' volunteers who have offered their services under the recent call of the War Department, and who have so far perfected their organization as to be able to report for orders at St. Louis, at…

It seems, therefore, to be proper that we should show to any of them who may apply for that purpose that, compatibly with our cardinal policy and with an enlightened view of our own interests, we are willing to encourage them by…

You are also authorized to take possession of and use all railroads, engines, cars, buildings, machinery, and appurtenances within the geographical limits of the Department of the Rappahannock.

You are authorized to do whatever you may deem expedient to open for use in the shortest possible time all military railroads now or hereafter required in said department;

You are hereby appointed chief of construction and transportation in the Department of the Rappahannock, with the rank of colonel, and attached to the staff of Major-General McDowell.

You are also authorized to form a permanent corps of artificers, organized, officered, and equipped in such manner as you may prescribe;

I am not aware that a dollar of the public funds thus confided without authority of law to unofficial persons was either lost or wasted, although apprehensions of such misdirection occurred to me as objections to those extraordinary…

It is due to Mr. Cameron to say that although he fully approved the proceedings they were not moved nor suggested by himself.

There was no time to convene them.

By virtue of the authority vested by act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further order.

To the House of Representatives: I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 22d instant, calling for further correspondence relative to Mexican affairs.

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 20th instant, requesting information in regard to the indemnity obtained by the consul-general of the United States at Alexandria, Egypt, for the maltreatment of…

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 14th instant, requesting information in regard to arrests in the State of Kentucky, I transmit a report from the Secretary of War, to whom the resolution was referred.

May the vast future not have to lament that you have neglected it.

So much good has not been done by one effort in all past time as in the providence of God it is now your high privilege to do.

You cannot, if you would, be blind to the signs of the times.

I do not argue--I beseech you to make arguments for yourselves.

Whether it be competent for me, as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any State or States free, and whether at any time, in any case, it shall have become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the…

Neither General Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized by the Government of the United States to make proclamations declaring the slaves of any State free

I beg of you a calm and enlarged consideration of them, ranging, if it may be, far above personal and partisan politics.

I hope that upon your return to your homes you will find your friends and loved ones well and happy.

It has not been customary heretofore, nor will it be hereafter, for me to say something to every regiment passing in review.

For your kind expressions I am extremely grateful, but on the other hand I assure you that the nation is more indebted to you, and such as you, than to me.