gether, as the rightful legislature of the State, to settle all differences with the United States. I have done no such thing. I spoke of them, not as a legislature, but as "the gentlemen who have acted as the legislature of Virginia in support of the rebellion." I did this on purpose to exclude the assumption that I was recognizing them as a rightful body. I dealt with them as men having power de facto to do a specific thing, to-wit: "To withdraw the Virginia troops and other support from resistance to the General Government," for which, in the paper handed Judge Campbell, I promised a specific equivalent, to-wit: a remission to the people of the State, except in certain cases, of the confiscation of their property. I meant this, and no more. Inasmuch, however, as Judge Campbell misconstrues this, and is still pressing for an armistice, contrary to the explicit statement of the paper I gave him, and particularly as General Grant has since captured the Virginia troops, so that giving a consideration for their withdrawal is no longer applicable, let my letter to you and the paper to Judge Campbell both be withdrawn, or countermanded, and he be notified of it. Do not now allow them to assemble, but if any have come, allow them safe return to their homes.

A. LINCOLN.

*NOTE TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT

EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 14, 1865. Lieutenant-General Grant: Please call at II A. M. to-day instead of 9 as agreed last evening. A. LINCOLN.

Yours truly,

*LETTER TO GENERAL VAN ALEN1

WASHINGTON, April 14th, 1865.

I

My dear Sir: I intend to adopt the advice of my friends and use due precaution. thank you for the assurance you give me that I shall be supported by conservative men like yourself, in the efforts I may make to restore the Union, so as to make it, to use your language, a Union of hearts and hands as well as of States. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.

*NOTE TO GEO. ASHMUN 2

Allow Mr. Ashmun and his friends to come in at 9 A. M. to-morrow.

April 14, 1865.

A. LINCOLN.

1 General Van Alen wrote Lincoln, requesting him, for the sake of his friends and the nation, to guard his life and not expose it to assassination as he had by going to Richmond. The above reply was written on the very day Lincoln was assassinated. Its discovery is due to the enthusiastic research of Mr. Gilbert A. Tracy, of Putnam, Conn.

2 Card written just before leaving the White House for Ford's Theatre. The last recorded writing of Lincoln.

Engraved from the Original Photograph taken on the Balcony of the White House, March

6, 1865.

Appendix