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LETTER TO GENERAL GRANT.

MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT.-My Dear General: I do not remember that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowldgement for the almost inestimable service you have done the country. I write to say a word further. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally did-march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition, and the like, could succeed. When you got below, and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf and vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join General Banks; and when you turned northward, east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right and I was wrong.

Abraham Lincoln

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HERE can be, I think, but one opinion among

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those competent to form a judgment of the general character and services of Abraham Lincoln. His native genius, the solidity of his understanding, his common sense and remarkable sagacity, his patience and courage, and above all, his incorruptible integrity and steadfast faith in God, gave him eminent administrative ability, made him a noble man, a great statesman and the second Father of his Country. This will, I doubt not, be the judgment of history.

NEWARK, 1882.

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Ray Palmer

A PROCLAMATION.

JULY 15, 1863.

It has pleased Almighty God to hearken to the supplication and prayers of an afflicted people, and to vouchsafe to the army and the navy of the United States, on the land and on the sea, victories so signal and so effective as to furnish reasonable grounds for augmentel confidence that the Union of these States will be maintained, their constitution preserved, and their peace and prosperity permanently secured. But these victories have been accorded not without sacrifice of life, limb, and liberty, incurred by brave, patriotic and loyal citizens. Domestic

affliction, in every part of the country, follows in the train of these fearful bereavements. It is meet and right to recognize and confess the presence of the Almighty Father; and the power of his hand equally in these triumphs and these sorrows.

Now, therefore, be it known, that I do set apart Thursday, the sixth day of August next, to be observed as a day for national thanksgiving, praise and prayer; and I invite the people of the United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary places of worship, and, in the form approved by their own conscience, render the homage due to the Divine Majesty, for the wonderful things he has done in the nation's behalf, and invoke the influence of his holy Spirit, to subdue the anger which has produced, and so long sustained, a

A PROCLAMATION.

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needless and cruel rebellion; to change the hearts of the insurgents; to guide the counsels of the government with wisdom adequate to so great a national emergency; and to visit with tender care and consolation, throughout the length and breadth of our land, all those who, through the vicissitudes of marches, voyages, battles, and sieges, have been brought to suffer in mind, body or estate; and finally, to lead the whole nation through paths of repentance and submission to the Divine will, back to the perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal peace.

Abraham Lincoln

PRESENTATION OF A COMMISSION AS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TO U. S.

GRANT.

GENERAL GRANT:-The nation's appreciation of what you have done, and its reliance upon you for what remains to be done in the existing great struggle, are now presented with this commission, constituting you Lieutenant-General in the Army of the United States. With this high honor devolves upon you also a corresponding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you. I scarcely need to add, that with what I here speak for the nation, goes my own hearty personal concurrence.

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