of opinion that Mr. Knox's offense was technical rather than willfully wrong, and that the sentence should be revoked; now therefore said sentence is hereby so far revoked as to allow Mr. Knox to return. to General Grant's head-quarters, and to remain if General Grant shall not refuse such assent.

A. LINCOLN.

INTERNAL AND COASTWISE INTERCOURSE, BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Proclamation, March 31, 1863.

Whereas, in pursuance of the act of Congress, approved July 13, 1861, I did by proclamation, dated August 16, 1861, declare that the inhabitants of the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Florida (except the inhabitants of that part of Virginia lying west of the Alleghany Mountains, and of such other parts of that state, and the other states herein before named, as might maintain a loyal adhesion to the Union and the constitution, or might be from time to time occupied and controlled by forces of the United States engaged in the dispersion of said insurgents) were in a state of insurrection against the United States, and that all commercial intercourse between the same and the inhabitants thereof, with the exceptions aforesaid, and the citizens of other states and other parts of the United States was unlawful, and would remain unlawful until such insurrection should cease or be suppressed, and that all goods and chat

tels, wares and merchandise, coming from any of said states, with the exceptions aforesaid, into other parts of the United States, without the license and permission of the President, through the Secretary of the Treasury, or proceeding to any of said states, with the exceptions aforesaid, by land or water, together with the vessel or vehicle conveying the same to or from said states, with the exceptions aforesaid, would be forfeited to the United States.

And, whereas, experience has shown that the exceptions made in and by said proclamation embarrass the due enforcement of said act of July 13, 1861, and the proper regulation of the commercial intercourse authorized by said act with the loyal citizens of said states

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby revoke the said exceptions, and declare that the inhabitants of the States of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, and Virginia (except the forty-eight counties of Virginia designated as West Virginia, and except also the ports of New Orleans, Key West, Port Royal, and Beaufort in North Carolina) are in a state of insurrection against the United States, and that all commercial intercourse, not licensed and conducted as provided in said act, between the said states and the inhabitants thereof, with the exceptions aforesaid, and the citizens of other states and other parts of the United States, is unlawful, and will remain unlawful until such insurrection shall cease or has been suppressed, and notice thereof has been

duly given by proclamation; and all cotton, tobacco, and other products, and all other goods and chattels, wares, and merchandise coming from said states, with the exceptions aforesaid, into other parts of the United States, or proceeding to any of said states, with the exceptions aforesaid, without the license or permission of the President, through the Secretary of the Treasury, will, together with the vessel or vehicle. conveying the same, be forfeited to the United States.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this 31st day of March, A. D. 1863, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.

A. LINCOLN.

To GENERAL HUNTER AND ADMIRAL DUPONT.

Executive Mansion, Washington, April 14, 1863. This is intended to clear up an apparent inconsistency between the recent order to continue operations before Charleston and the former one to remove to another point in a certain emergency. No censure upon you or either of you is intended.

We still hope that by cordial and judicious cooperation you can take the batteries on Morris Island and Sullivan's Island and Fort Sumter. But whether you can or not, we wish the demonstration kept up for a time for a collateral and very important object. We wish the attempt to be a real one (though not a desperate one), if it affords any considerable chance. of success. But if prosecuted as a demonstration only this must not become public, or the whole effect

will be lost. Once again before Charleston do not leave till further orders from here. Of course this is not intended to force you to leave unduly exposed Hilton's Head or other near points in your charge. Yours, truly, A. LINCOLN.

TO MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER.

Executive Mansion, Washington, April 15, 1863. It is now 10:15 P. M. An hour ago I received your letter of this morning, and a few minutes later your dispatch of this evening. The later gives me considerable uneasiness. The rain and mud, of course, were to be calculated upon. General S. is not moving rapidly enough to make the expedition come to any thing. He has now been out three days, two of which were unusually fair weather, and all three without hindrance from the enemy, and yet he is not twenty-five miles from where he started. To reach his point he has still sixty to go, another river (the Rapidan) to cross, and will be hindered by the enemy. By arithmetic, how many days will it take him to do it? I do not know that any better can be done, but I greatly fear it is another failure already. Write me often. I am very anxious.

To GOVERNOR CURTIN, HARRISBURG, PA.

Executive Mansion, May 1, 1863.

The whole disposable force at Baltimore and elsewhere in reach have already been sent after the enemy which alarms you. The worst thing the enemy could do for himself would be to weaken himself be

fore Hooker, and therefore it is safe to believe he is not doing it, and the best thing he could do for himself would be to get us so scared as to bring part of Hooker's force away, and that is just what he is trying to do.

I will telegraph you in the morning about calling out the militia. A. LINCOLN.

TO GOVERNOR CURTIN, HARRISBURG, PA.

Executive Mansion, May 2, 1863. General Halleck tells me that he has a dispatch from General Schenck this morning informing him that our forces have joined, and that the enemy menacing Pennsylvania will have to fight or run today. I hope I am not less anxious to do my duty to Pennsylvania than yourself, but I really do not yet see the justification for incurring the trouble and expense of calling out the militia. I shall keep watch and try to do my duty.

A. LINCOLN. P. S. Our forces are exactly between the enemy and Pennsylvania.

To GENERAL HOOKER.

Washington, D. C., May 6, 1863, 12:30 P. M. Just as I had telegraphed you contents of Richmond papers, showing that our cavalry has not failed, I received General Butterfield's of 11 A. M. yesterday. This, with the great rain of yesterday and last night, securing your right flank, I think, puts a new phase upon your case, but you must be the judge.

A. LINCOLN,