...President, in the emancipation proclamation, dated January the first, AD 1863, recommends to the freedmen, " that in all cases, when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages," (12 vol. US 1268.) I perceive no legal distinction in the plaintiff's hiring these men to defendant,...

...including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of the said persons, and I hereby enjoin upon the people...selfdefence, and I recommend to them that in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages, and I further declare and make known that...

...to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. You will know that the Proclamation states in relevant part: "And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition [the freed slaves held by those in rebellion], will be received into the armed service of the United...

...and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities...to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable...

...and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities...to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable...

...clearly agonized over the prospect of inciting rebellion. In a draft of the proclamation, he wrote: "I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be...when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages."124 While Northern critics questioned the constitutionality and practicality of the proclamation,...

...their indecisiveness concerning black violence in behalf of freedom. On the one hand, Lincoln writes, "I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be...to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense." On the other, he announces that enslaved men "of suitable conditions, will be received...

...parts of States, are, and henceforward forever shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities...recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons and will do no act, or acts to repress said persons, or any of them, in any suitable efforts they may make...

...authorities would simply recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. The Proclamation would then enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain...when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages?5 Otherwise, the final draft simply executed the threat contained in the preliminary Emancipation...

...Lincoln entered a special line right in the Proclamation specifically to warn against such actions. "...And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared...to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense." Lincoln was taking no chances and as we now know in the end he must have realized that...