July 27, 1861.-MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. To the Senate: In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 25th instant relative to the instructions to the ministers of the United States abroad, in reference to the rebellion now existing in the southern portion of the Union, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State. WASHINGTON, July 27, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. July 27, 1861.—MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th instant asking the grounds, reason, and evidence upon which the police commissioners of Baltimore were arrested and are now detained as prisoners at Fort McHenry, I have to state that it is judged to be incompatible with the public interest at this time to furnish the information called for by the resolution. WASHINGTON, July 27, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. July 30, 1861.-MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. To the Senate of the United States: In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 19th instant requesting information concerning the quasi armistice alluded to in my message of the 4th instant, transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy. July 30, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. July 30, 1861.-MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. To the Senate of the United States: In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 23d instant requesting information concerning the imprisonment of Lieutenant John J. Worden [John L. Worden of the United States navy, I transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy. July 30, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. August 1, 1861.-REPLY TO THE TYCOON OF JAPAN. A. LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: TO HIS MAJESTY THE TYCOON OF JAPAN. Great and good Friend: I have received the letter which you have addressed to me on the subject of a desired extension of the time stipulated by treaty for the opening of certain ports and cities in Japan. The question is surrounded with many difficulties. While it is my earnest desire to consult the convenience of your Majesty, and to accede, so far as I can, to your reasonable wishes, so kindly expressed, the interests of the United States must, nevertheless, have due consideration. Townsend Harris, minister resident near your Majesty, will be fully instructed as to the views of this government, and will make them known to you at large. I do not permit myself to doubt that these views will meet with your Majesty's approval, for they proceed not less from a just regard for the interest and prosperity of your empire than from considerations affecting our own welfare and honor. Wishing abundant prosperity and length of years to the great state over which you preside, I pray God to have your Majesty always in his safe and holy keeping. Written at the city of Washington, this 1st day of August, 1861. Your good friend, A. LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. August 1, 1861.-LETTER TO SECRETARY CAMERON. EXECUTIVE MANSION, August 1, 1861. My dear Sir: Herewith I inclose you a resolution of the Senate inquiring whether Hon. James H. Lane, of Kansas, has been appointed a general in the army of the United States; and if yea, whether he has accepted the appointment. Will you please furnish me, as soon as possible, copies of all record entries and correspondence upon the subject which are in your department, together with a brief statement of your personal knowledge of whatever may contribute to a full and fair statement of the case. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. August 2, 1861.- MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of yesterday, requesting information regarding the imprisonment of loyal citizens of the United States by the forces now in rebellion against this government, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, and the copy of a telegraphic despatch by which it was accompanied. WASHINGTON, August 2, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. August 3, 1861.-LETTER FROM SECRETARY CAMERON TO THE GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, August 3, 1861. HIS EXCELLENCY H. R. GAMBLE, Governor of Missouri, Jefferson City: In reply to your message directed to the President, I am directed to say that if by proclamation you promise security to citizens in arms who voluntarily return to their allegiance and become peaceable and loyal, this government will cause the promise to be respected. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. August 5, 1861.- MESSAGE TO THE SENATE. To the Senate of the United States: In answer to the resolution of your honorable body of date July 31, 1861, requesting the President to inform the Senate whether the Hon. James H. Lane, a member of that body from Kansas, has been appointed a brigadier-general in the army of the United States, and if so, whether he has accepted such appointment, I have the honor to transmit herewith certain papers, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, which, taken together, explain themselves, and which contain all the information I possess upon the questions propounded. It was my intention, as shown by my letter of June 20, 1861, to appoint Hon. James H. Lane, of Kansas, a brigadier-general of United States volunteers in anticipation of the act of Congress, since passed, for raising such volunteers; and I have no further knowledge upon the subject, except as derived from the papers herewith inclosed. EXECUTIVE MANSION, August 5, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. August 5, 1861.- TELEGRAM FROM THE PRESIDENT'S PRIVATE SECRETARY TO GENERAL FRÉMONT. WASHINGTON, August 5, 1861. To Major-General Frémont: The President desires to know briefly the situation of affairs in the region of Cairo. Please answer. JNO. G. NICOLAY, Private Secretary. August 7, 1861.-LETTER TO SECRETARY CAMERON. HON. SECRETARY OF WAR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, August 7, 1861. My dear Sir: The within paper, as you see, is by Hon. John S. Phelps and Hon. Frank P. Blair, Jr., both members of the present Congress from Missouri. The object is to get up an efficient force of Missourians in the southwestern part of the State. It ought to be done, and Mr. Phelps ought to have general superintendence of it. I see by a private report to me from the department that eighteen regiments are already accepted from Missouri. Can it not be arranged that part of them (not yet organized, as I understand) may be taken from the locality mentioned and put under the control of Mr. Phelps, and let him have discretion to accept them for a shorter term than three years or the war-understanding, however, that he will get them for the full term if he can? I hope this can be done, because Mr. Phelps is too zealous and efficient and understands his ground too well for us to lose his service. Of course provision for arming, equipping, etc., must be made. Mr. Phelps is here, and wishes to carry home with him authority for this matter. August 8, 1861.-LETTER TO SECRETARY STANTON. HON. SECRETARY OF WAR. My dear Sir: Edward Ellsworth, first cousin to Colonel Ellsworth who fell at Alexandria, a non-commissioned officer in the fourth regiment of Michigan Volunteers, now stationed at the Relay House, wishes to be a second lieutenant in the army. He is present while I write this, and he is an intelligent and an exceedingly wary-appearing young man of twenty years of age. I shall be glad if a place can be found for him. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. August 12, 1861.-PROCLAMATION OF A NATIONAL FAST-DAY. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Proclamation. Whereas a joint committee of both houses of Congress has waited on the President of the United States and requested him to "recommend a day of public prayer, humiliation, and fasting, to be observed by the people of the United States with religious solemnities, and the offering of fervent supplications to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of these States, his blessings on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace": And whereas it is fit and becoming in all people, at all times, to acknowledge and revere the supreme government of God; to bow in humble submission to his chastisements; to confess and deplore their sins and transgressions, in the full conviction that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and to pray with all fervency and contrition for the pardon of their past offenses, and for a blessing upon their present and prospective action: And whereas when our own beloved country, once, by the blessing of God, united, prosperous, and happy, is now afflicted with faction and civil war, it is peculiarly fit for us to recognize the hand of God in this terrible visitation, and in sorrowful remembrance of our own faults and crimes as a nation and as individuals, to humble ourselves before him and to pray for his mercy-to pray that we may be spared further punishment, though most justly deserved; that our arms may be blessed and made effectual for the reëstablishment of law, order, and peace throughout the wide extent of our country; and that the inestimable boon of civil and religious liberty, earned under his guidance and blessing by the labors and sufferingsof our fathers, may be restored in all its original excellence: Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do appoint the last Thursday in September next as a day of humiliation, prayer, and fasting for all the people of the nation. And I do earnestly recommend to all the people, and especially to all ministers and teachers of religion, of all denominations, and to all heads of families, to observe and keep that day, according to their several creeds and modes of worship, in all humility and with all religious solemnity, to the end that the united prayer of the nation may ascend to the Throne of Grace, and bring down plentiful blessings upon our country. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed, this twelfth [L. S.] day of August, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States of America the eightysixth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. August 15, 1861.-TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR O. P. MORTON. WASHINGTON, D. C., August 15, 1861. GOVERNOR MORTON, Indiana: Start your four regiments to St. Louis at the earliest moment possible. Get such harness as may be necessary for your rifled guns. Do not delay a single regiment, but hasten everything forward as soon as any one regiment is ready. Have your three additional regiments organized at once. We shall endeavor to send you the arms this week. A. LINCOLN. August 15, 1861.-TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FRÉMONT. WASHINGTON, August 15, 1861. To Major-General Frémont: Been answering your messages since day before yesterday. Do you receive the answers? The War Department has notified all the governors you designate to forward all available force. So telegraphed you. Have you received these messages? Answer immediately. A. LINCOLN. August 15, 1861.- TELEGRAM TO JOHN A. GURLEY. JOHN A. GURLEY, Cincinnati, Ohio: Has A. LINCOLN. |