let in—as, for instance, the very intelligent, and especially those who have fought gallantly in our ranks. They would probably help, in some trying time to come, to keep the jewel of liberty within the family of freedom. But this is only a suggestion, not to the public, but to you alone.
Yours truly,
A. Lincoln.
[Order.]
Executive Mansion,
Washington, March 15, 1864.
His Excellency Michael Hahn,
Governor of Louisiana:
Until further order, you are hereby invested with the powers exercised hitherto by the military governor of Louisiana.
Yours truly,
Abraham Lincoln.
[See also Banks, Nathaniel P., Aug. 5, 1863.]
Hale, J. T.
[Confidential.]
Springfield, Illinois, January 11, 1861.
Hon. J. T. Hale.
My dear Sir: Yours of the 6th is received. I answer it only because I fear you would misconstrue my silence. What is our present condition? We have just carried an election on principles fairly stated to the people. Now we are told in advance the government shall be broken up unless we surrender to those we have beaten, before we take the offices. In this they are either attempting to play upon us or they are in dead earnest. Either way, if we surrender, it is the end of us and of the government. They will
