THE WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. WASHINGTON, D. C., May 14, 1862. TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: The third section of the "Act further to promote the efficiency of the Navy," approved 21st of December, 1861, provides: "That the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall have the authority to detail from the retired list of the navy for the command of squadrons and single ships such officers as he may believe that the good of the service requires to be thus placed in command; and such officers may, if upon the recommendation of the President of the United States they shall receive a vote of thanks of Congress for their services and gallantry in action against an enemy, be restored to the active list, and not otherwise." In conformity with this law, Captain David G. Farragut was nominated to the Senate for continuance as the flag-officer in command of the squadron which recently rendered such important service to the Union by his successful operations on the lower Mississippi and capture of New Orleans. Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention 3 of the law or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain D. G. Farragut receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and gallantry displayed in the capture since 21st December, 1861, of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of various rebel gunboats, rams, etc. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, MAY 14, 1862. TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: I submit herewith a list of naval officers who commanded vessels engaged in the recent brilliant operations of the squadron commanded by Flag-officer Farragut which led to the capture of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of rebel gunboats, rams, etc., in April 1862. For their services and gallantry on those occasions I cordially recommend that they should, by name, receive a vote of thanks of Congress: Commander James Alden. Commander David D. Porter. Commander Richard Wainwright. Commander William B. Renshaw. Lieutenant Commanding Abram D. Harrell. Lieutenant Commanding Charles H. B. Caldwell. Lieutenant Commanding Albert N. Smith. WASHINGTON, D. C., May 14, 1862. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. MCCLELLAN. WASHINGTON CITY, May 15, 1862. MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN, Cumberland, Virginia: Your long despatch of yesterday is just received. I will answer more fully soon. Will say now that all your despatches to the Secretary of War have been promptly shown to me. Have done and shall do all I could and can to sustain you. Hoped that the opening of James River and putting Wool and Burnside in communication, with an open road to Richmond, or to you, had effected something in that direction. I am still unwilling to take all our force off the direct line between Richmond and here. A. LINCOLN. SPEECH TO THE 12TH INDIANA REGIMENT, MAY [15?] 1862.1 SOLDIERS, of the Twelfth INDIANA REGIMENT: It has not been customary heretofore, nor will it be hereafter, for me to say something to every regiment passing in review. It occurs too frequently for me to have speeches ready on all occasions. As you have paid such a mark of respect to the chief magistrate, it appears that I should say a word or two in reply. Your colonel has thought fit, on his own account and in your name, to say that you are satisfied with the manner in which I have performed my part in the difficulties which have surrounded the nation. For your kind expressions I am extremely grateful, but on the other hand I assure you that the nation is more indebted to you, and such as you, than to me. It is upon the brave hearts and strong arms of the people of the country that our reliance has been placed in support of free government and free institutions. For the part which you and the brave army of which you are a part have, under Providence, performed in this great struggle, I tender more thanksgreatest thanks that can be possibly due-and 1 New York Evening Post, May 15, 1862. ཀ |