“Whatever policy we adopt, there must be an energetic prosecution of it.

“For this purpose it must be somebody’s business to pursue and direct it incessantly.

“Either the President must do it himself, and be all the while active in it, or,

“Devolve it on some member of his Cabinet.  Once adopted, debates on it must end, and all agree and abide”—­

I remark that if this must be done, I must do it.  When a general line of policy is adopted, I apprehend there is no danger of its being changed without good reason, or continuing to be a subject of unnecessary debate; still, upon points arising in its progress I wish, and suppose I am entitled to have, the advice of all the Cabinet.

Your obedient servant,

A. Lincoln.

REPLY TO A COMMITTEE FROM THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, APRIL 13, 1861

Hon.  William Ballard Preston, Alexander H. H. Stuart, George W. Randolph,
Esq.

Gentlemen:—­As a committee of the Virginia Convention now in Session, you present me a preamble and resolution in these words: 

“Whereas, in the opinion of this Convention, the uncertainty which prevails in the public mind as to the policy which the Federal Executive intends to pursue toward the seceded States is extremely injurious to the industrial and commercial interests of the country, tends to keep up an excitement which is unfavorable to the adjustment of pending difficulties, and threatens a disturbance of the public peace:  therefore

“Resolved, that a committee of three delegates be appointed by this Convention to wait upon the President of the United States, present to him this preamble and resolution, and respectfully ask him to communicate to this Convention the policy which the Federal Executive intends to pursue in regard to the Confederate States.

“Adopted by the Convention of the State of Virginia, Richmond, April 8, 1861.”

In answer I have to say that, having at the beginning of my official term expressed my intended policy as plainly as I was able, it is with deep regret and some mortification I now learn that there is great and injurious uncertainty in the public mind as to what that policy is, and what course I intend to pursue.  Not having as yet seen occasion to change, it is now my purpose to pursue the course marked out in the inaugural address.  I commend a careful consideration of the whole document as the best expression I can give of my purposes.

As I then and therein said, I now repeat:  “The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what is necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.”  By the words “property and places belonging to the Government,” I chiefly allude to the military posts and property which were in the possession of the Government when it came to my hands.