[LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865)]. Message of the President of the United States, and Accompanying Documents, to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the First Session of the Thirty-Eighth Congress. Part I. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1864.

8vo. Publisher's deluxe morocco gilt, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettering in 3, "Abraham Lincoln" gilt-lettered in a different font at foot of spine, others with gilt centerpieces, all edges gilt; light rubbing at corners; some discoloration to upper cover at lower fore-corner.

LINCOLN'S THIRD ANNUAL ADDRESS TO CONGRESS, IN A DELUXE CONTEMPORARY BINDING PURPORTED TO BE HIS COPY.

This volume contains, among numerous reports and correspondence relating to foreign affairs, Lincoln's third annual message to Congress, given on 8 December 1863. In his message, Lincoln begins by acknowledging the ongoing importance of the war effort, and emphasized that despite other pressing matters, the war power remained their primary focus. "In the midst of other cares, however important, we must not lose sight of the fact that the war power is still our main reliance." He further explained that this power was crucial for instilling confidence in people living in contested regions and that without such confidence, little progress could be made toward reconstruction. Lincoln also praised the Army and Navy for their noble efforts, stating: "Until that confidence shall be established, little can be done anywhere for what is called reconstruction. Hence our chiefest care must still be directed to the army and navy, who have thus far borne their harder part so nobly and well." This opening paragraph set the tone for the rest of the message, which included updates on the war's progress and plans for the nation's future.

Also printed is President Lincoln's Proclamation of the same day, offering amnesty to Confederate citizens upon swearing loyalty to the Constitution and the United States, and for the first time, laying out plans for postwar reconstruction. This Proclamation had three major points. First, it offered a full pardon and restoration of property to all of those who participated in the rebellion, with the exception of the highest Confederate officials, upon taking an oath of allegiance to the United States. Second, it allowed states to rebuild their governments when 10 percent of their population took the aforementioned oath. And finally, it stipulated that states that reentered the Union must address the needs of their formerly enslaved citizens and make plans to integrate them into society without compromising their newfound freedom and rights. While the plan was conciliatory by design, some Radical Republicans in Congress viewed it as too lenient, and sought more strict benchmarks for reentry. Monaghan 308.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation