I beg you to be assured I wish to avoid the difficulties you dread as much as yourself.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN

TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD.

Executive Mansion, Washington D.C. 
July 20, 1863

Major general John M. Schofield.

My dear general:—­I have received and read your letter of the 14th of
July.

I think the suggestion you make, of discontinuing proceedings against Mr. McKee, a very proper one.  While I admit that there is an apparent impropriety in the publication of the letter mentioned, without my consent or yours, it is still a case where no evil could result, and which I am entirely willing to overlook.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD

WASHINGTON, D.C.  JULY 22, 1863

Major general Schofield, St. Louis, Mo.: 

The following despatch has been placed in my hands.  Please look to the subject of it.

Lexington, Mo., July 21, 1863
Hon.  S C. Pomeroy: 
Under Orders No.63 the sheriff is arresting slaves of rebels inside
our lines, and returning them in great numbers.  Can he do it? 
Answer.  Gould.

A. LINCOLN

TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR

Executive Mansion, Washington,
July 24, 1863.

HON.  POSTMASTER-GENERAL

Sir:-Yesterday little indorsements of mine went to you in two cases of postmasterships sought for widows whose husbands have fallen in the battles of this war.  These cases occurring on the same day brought me to reflect more attentively than I had before done, as to what is fairly due from us herein the dispensing of patronage toward the men who, by fighting our battles, bear the chief burden of serving our country.  My conclusion is that, other claims and qualifications being equal, they have the better right and this is especially applicable to the disabled and the soldier, deceased soldier’s family.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN

TO SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
July 25, 1863.

Hon.  Secretary of the navy.

Sir:—­Certain matters have come to my notice, and considered by me, which induce me to believe that it will conduce to the public interest for you to add to the general instructions given to our naval commanders in relation to contraband trade propositions substantially as follows, to wit: