PREFACE.

DURING the Presidential canvass of 1864, the author of this work prepared for its publishers a volume upon the Allministration of President Lincoln. Its main object was to afford the American people the materials for forming an intelligent judgment as to the wisdom of continuing Mr. Lincoln, for four years more, in the Presidential office.

That canvass resulted in his re-election. But he had scarcely entered upon the duties and responsibilities of his second term, when his career was closed by assassination. He had lived long enough, however, to finish the great work which had devolved upon him. Before his eyes were closed, they beheld the overthrow of the rebellion, the extirpation of slavery, and the restoration, over all the land, of the authority of the Constitution of the United States.

Not the people of his own country alone, but all the world, will study with interest the life and public acts of one whose work was at once so great and so successful. The principles which guided his conduct, and the policy by which he sought to carry them outthe temper and character which were the secret sources of his strength-will be sought and found in the acts and words of his public life. For more truly, perhaps,

than any other man of his own or of any other time, Mr. Lincoln had but one character and one mode of action, in public and private affairs.

It is the purpose of this work, so far as possible, to facilitate this inquiry. Every public speech, message, letter, or document of any sort from his pen, so far as accessible, will be found included in its pages. These documents, with the narrative by which they are accompanied, may, it is hoped, aid the public in understanding aright the character and conduct of the most illustrious actor, in the most important era, of American history.

NTENTS.

CHAPTER I

- IIis Own Record. His Ancestry.--Changes uneral of his Mother.- Entrance upon PolitLegislature and of Congress. — The Mexican

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CHAPTER II. NCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE. ---Douglas at Springfield in 1857.-Lincoln's --Eloquent Defence of the Doctrines of the f the Contest..

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CHAPTER III

LN AND THE PRESIDENCY.

.-Mr. Lincoln's Speeches at Columbus and le East.-In New York City.—The Great -Mr. Lincoln nominated for the Presidency.

Poughkeepsie.—In New York.—Reply to the Mayor of New York.—IJ
New Jersey.- Arrival at Philadelphia. -Speech in Philadelphia.—At
Harrisburg.- Arrival and Reception at Washington....

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CHAPTER VI.

FROM THE INAUGURATION TO THE MEETING OF CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1861.

The Inaugural Address.-Organization of the Government.—The Bombard

ment of Fort Sumter.—Passage of Troops through Baltimore.--Interview with the Mayor of Baltimore.—The Blockade of Rebel Ports.—The President and the Virginia Commissioners.-Instruction to our Ministers abroad.—Recognition of the Rebels as Belligorents.—Rights of Neutrals...

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CHAPTER VII.

THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS, AND THE MILITARY EVENTS OF THE SUMMER

OF 1861.

First Annual Message.-Action of Congress.-Slavery and Confiscation.—The

Defeat at Bull Run.—Treatment of the Slavery Question.—General Fromont and the President. -Tho Trent Affair...

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CHAPTER VIII.

THE REGULAR SESSION OF CONGRESS, DECEMBER, 1861.--THE MESSAGE.

DEBATES, ETO.

Meeting of Congress.—President's Message.—Disposition of Congress.

Slavery in Territories and District of Columbia.—Proposed Aid to Emancipation by Slave States.--The Debate in Congress.—The President and General Hunter.—The Border State Representatives.—The Border Str.te Reply.— The Finances.- Tho Confiscation Bill.—The President's Action and Opinions. The President's Message.- Message in Regard to Mr. Cameron.—The President and his Cabinet.-Close of the Session of Cou. gress.—The President's Letter to .Mr. Greeley.—The President and the Chicago Convention.-- Proclamation of Emancipation...