EXECUTIVE MANSION,

Washington, November 2, 1863.

Hon. MONTGOMERY BLAIR.

MY DEAR SIR:  Some days ago I understood you to say that your brother, General Frank Blair, desired to be guided by my wishes as to whether he will occupy his seat in Congress or remain in the field.  My wish, then, is compounded of what I believe will be best for the country and best for him, and it is that he will come here, put his military commission in my hands, take his seat, go into caucus with our friends, abide the nominations, help elect the nominees, and thus aid to organize a House of Representatives which will really support the Government in the war.  If the result shall be the election of himself as Speaker, let him serve in that position; if not, let him retake his commission and return to the Army.  For the country, this will heal a dangerous schism.  For him, it will relieve from a dangerous position.  By a misunderstanding, as I think, he is in danger of being permanently separated from those with whom only he can ever have a real sympathy—­the sincere opponents of slavery.  It will be a mistake if he shall allow the provocations offered him by insincere timeservers to drive him from the house of his own building.  He is young yet.  He has abundant talents, quite enough to occupy all his time without devoting any to temper.  He is rising in military skill and usefulness.  His recent appointment to the command of a corps by one so competent to judge as General Sherman proves this.  In that line he can serve both the country and himself more profitably than he could as a Member of Congress upon the floor.  The foregoing is what I would say if Frank Blair were my brother instead of yours.

Yours, truly,

A. LINCOLN.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,

Baltimore, Md., November 13, 1863.

Hon. E.M.  STANTON,

Secretary of War.

SIR:  Inclosed I forward to the President my resignation, to take effect on the 5th of December.

I respectfully request, however, that I may be relieved from my command at an earlier day, say by the 20th instant, or as soon thereafter as some officer can be ordered to succeed me.  While I desire to derange the plans or hurry the action of the Department as little as possible, it will be a great convenience to me to secure some little time before the session of Congress for a necessary journey and for some preparations for myself and family in view of my approaching change of residence and occupation.  I could also spend two or three days very profitably, I think, to the service of my successor after his arrival here.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBT.  C. SCHENCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,