Washington, June 21 1862 6 pm.

Major-general George B. McCLELLAN: 

Your despatch of yesterday (2 P. M.) was received this morning.  If it would not divert too much of your time and attention from the army under your immediate command, I would be glad to have your views as to the present state of military affairs throughout the whole country, as you say you would be glad to give them.  I would rather it should be by letter than by telegraph, because of the better chance of secrecy.  As to the numbers and positions of the troops not under your command in Virginia and elsewhere, even if I could do it with accuracy, which I cannot, I would rather not transmit either by telegraph or by letter, because of the chances of its reaching the enemy.  I would be very glad to talk with you, but you cannot leave your camp, and I cannot well leave here.

A. Lincoln, President

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS.

War department, June 22, 1862

Major-general banks, Middletown: 

I am very glad you are looking well to the west for a movement of the enemy in that direction.  You know my anxiety on that point.

All was quiet at General McClellan’s headquarters at two o’clock to-day.

A. Lincoln.

TREATY WITH MEXICO

Message to the Senate.

Washington, June 23, 1862.

To the Senate of the united states: 

On the 7th day of December, 1861, I submitted to the Senate the project of a treaty between the United States and Mexico which had been proposed to me by Mr. Corwin, our minister to Mexico, and respectfully requested the advice of the Senate thereupon.

On the 25th day of February last a resolution was adopted by the Senate to the effect: 

“That it is not advisable to negotiate a treaty that will require the United States to assume any portion of the principal or interest of the debt of Mexico, or that will require the concurrence of European powers.”

This resolution having been duly communicated to me, notice thereof was immediately given by the Secretary of State to Mr. Corwin, and he was informed that he was to consider his instructions upon the subject referred to modified by this resolution and would govern his course accordingly.  That despatch failed to reach Mr. Corwin, by reason of the disturbed condition of Mexico, until a very recent date, Mr. Corwin being without instructions, or thus practically left without instructions, to negotiate further with Mexico.