In granting this respite, it becomes my painful duty to admonish the prisoner that, relinquishing all expectation of pardon by human authority, he refer himself alone to the mercy of the common God and Father of all men.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this fourth day of February, A.D. 1862, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-sixth.

Abraham Lincoln.

By the President: 
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE.

Washington city, February 4. 1862

To the Senate of the united states: 

The third section of the “Act further to promote the efficiency of the Navy,” approved December 21, 1862, provides: 

“That the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall have the authority to detail from the retired list of the navy for the command of squadrons and single ships such officers as he may believe that the good of the service requires to be thus placed in command; and such officers may, if upon the recommendation of the President of the United States they shall receive a vote of thanks of Congress for their services and gallantry in action against an enemy, be restored to the active list, and not otherwise.”

In conformity with this law, Captain Samuel F. Du Pont, of the navy, was nominated to the Senate for continuance as the flag-officer in command of the squadron which recently rendered such important service to the Union in the expedition to the coast of South Carolina.

Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention of the law, or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain Samuel F. Du Pont receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and gallantry displayed in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard, commanding the entrance of Port Royal Harbor, on the 7th of November, 1861.

Abraham Lincoln.

TO GENERALS D. HUNTER AND J. H. LANE.

Executive Mansion Washington, February 4, 1862.

Major-general Hunter and brigadier-general Lane, Leavenworth, Kansas: 

My wish has been and is to avail the government of the services of both General Hunter and General Lane, and, so far as possible, to personally oblige both.  General Hunter is the senior officer, and must command when they serve together; though in so far as he can consistently with the public service and his own honor oblige General Lane, he will also oblige me.  If they cannot come to an amicable understanding, General Lane must report to General Hunter for duty, according to the rules, or decline the service.