This straightforward document, while it clearly demonstrated the perfect readiness of the President to afford full opportunity for the suggestion of any measures looking towards peace, at the same time pricked the hollow pretences of these pseudo-embassadors, who responded to it in a tone of ill-temper which betrayed their bitter disappointment at the failure of their nice little trap to catch Mr. Lincoln "napping." Their complaints, however, had no other effect than to render them ridiculous in the sight of the world, and their labors went for naught.

The presidential election took place upon the 8th of November, 1864; General Fremont having withdrawn from the field, on the 21st of September preceding, the contest rested solely between Mr. Lincoln, Republican, and General McClellan, Democrat. It resulted in the triumph of Mr. Lincoln in every loyal State, except Kentucky, New Jersey, and Delaware. These three States, altogether, gave to the Democratic candidate but twenty-one electoral votes; while the Republican candidate carried twenty-two States, giving him two hundred and thirteen electoral votes; thus allowing Mr. Lincoln a majority in the Electoral College of one hundred and ninety-two votes, although but one hundred and eighteen were all that were necessary to secure him the victory.

In some of the States their soldiers in the field were allowed to vote, the military vote, in such cases, being almost invariably cast for Lincoln and Johnson.

The official returns for the entire vote polled, summed up four million and thirty-four thousand, seven hundred and eighty-nine; of which Mr. Lincoln received two millions two hundred and twenty-three thousand and

thirty-five, and McClellan one million eight hundred and eleven thousand seven hundred and fifty-four, leaving a majority of four hundred and eleven thousand two hundred and eighty-one on the popular vote. Mr. Lincoln, who in 1860 was elected by a plurality vote, received in 1864 a most decided and unmistakable majority, being the sixth President of the United States who had been elected to serve a second term.

This gratifying result was accepted as a full indorsement of the policy of Mr. Lincoln's Administration, and the prosecution of the war received new vigor and strength, from this time forward.

At a late hour on the night of the election, the President was serenaded by a club of Pennsylvanians, who notified him of the fact of his being the choice of the people for a second term. He responded as follows:

"FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:-Even before I had been informed by you that this compliment was paid me by loyal citizens of Pennsylvania friendly to me, I had inferred that you were of that portion of my countrymen who think that the best interests of the nation are to be subserved by the support of the present Administration. I do not pretend to say that you, who think so, embrace all the patriotism and loyalty of the country; but I do believe, and I trust without personal interest, that the welfare of the country does require that such support and indorsement be given. I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's work, if it be as you assume, and as now seems probable, will be to the lasting advantage if not to the very salvation of the country. I cannot, at this hour, say what has been the result of the election, but whatever it may be, I have no desire to modify this opinion: that all who have labored to-day in behalf of the Union organization, have wrought for the best interest of their country and the

world, not only for the present but for all future ages. I am thankful to God for this approval of the people; but while deeply grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know my heart, my gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph. I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one, but I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of the people's resolution to stand by free government and the rights of humanity."

CHAPTER XV.

FROM MR. LINCOLN'S RE-ELECTION TO THE CONCLUSION OF

THE WAR.

The Annual Message of 1864-5.-The Fortress Monroe Peace Negotiations. Mr. Lincoln's and Mr. Seward's accounts of the Conference.-The account given by one of the Rebel Commissioners, Hon. Alexander S. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy.-Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration, March 4th, 1865. His second Inaugural Address.-Military Events.-Sherman's March to Savannah.-Thomas's defeat of Hood.The Expeditions against Wilmington.-Operations of the Army of the Potomac against Richmond and Petersburg.-Capture of these Cities.— Lee's flight, pursuit, and defeat.-He surrenders to General Grant.Sherman's March through the Carolinas.-He receives Johnston's sur render.-Collapse of the Rebellion.-The President visits the Army.— Is present at the fall of Richmond.-Enters that City.-Returns to Washington. His last Speech to the People, on occasion of the public rejoicings at Washington.

BOTH Houses of Congress assembled on Monday, the fifth of December, 1864, and after some preliminary business, adjourned to Tuesday, when the following message was received from the President:

"FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:-Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest gratitude to Almighty God.

"The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably satis factory.

"Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil war. While our political relations with that country have undergone no change, we have at the same time strictly maintained neutrality between the belligerents.

*

"Official correspondence has been freely opened with Liberia, and it gives us a pleasing view of social and political progress in that republic. It may be expected to derive new vigor from American influence, improved by the rapid disappearance of slavery in the United States. I solicit your authority to furnish to the republic a gunboat, at a moderate cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by instalments. Such a vessel is needed for the safety of that State against the native African races, and in Liberian hands it would be more effective in arresting the African slave trade than a squadron in our own hands.

"The possession of the least organized naval force would stimulate a generous ambition in the republic, and the confidence which we should manifest by furnishing it would win forbearance and favor toward the colony from all civilized nations.

*

"I learn, with much satisfaction, that the noble design of a telegraphic communication between the eastern coast of America and Great Britain has been renewed, with full expectation of its early accomplishment.

"Thus it is hoped that with the return of domestic peace, the country will be able to resume with energy and advantage her former high career of commerce and civilization.

"The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina, and Pensacola have been opened by proclamation. It is hoped that foreign merchants will now consider whether it is not safe and more profitable to themselves, as well as just to the United States, to resort to these and other open ports, than it is to pursue, through many hazards, and at vast cost, a contraband trade with other ports which are closed, if not by actual military operations, at least by a lawful and effective blockade.

"For myself, I have no doubt of the power and duty of the Executive, under the law of nations, to exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum in the United States. If Congress