In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.

Abraham Lincoln.

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

Proclamation suspending the writ of habeas corpus, September 24, 1862.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A Proclamation

Whereas it has become necessary to call into service not only volunteers, but also portions of the militia of the States by draft, in order to suppress the insurrection existing in the United States, and disloyal persons are not adequately restrained by the ordinary processes of law from hindering this measure, and from giving aid and comfort in various ways to the insurrection: 

Now, therefore, be it ordered

First.  That during the existing insurrection, and as a necessary measure for suppressing the same, all rebels and insurgents, their aiders and abettors within the United States, and all persons discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting militia drafts, or guilty of any disloyal practice affording aid and comfort to rebels against the authority of the United States, shall be subject to martial law, and liable to trial and punishment by courts-martial or military commissions.

Second.  That the writ of habeas corpus is suspended in respect to all persons arrested, or who are now, or hereafter during the rebellion shall be, imprisoned in any fort camp, arsenal, military prison or other place of confinement by any military authority or by the sentence of any court-martial or military commission.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-fourth day of September.  A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.

Abraham Lincoln.

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

REPLY TO SERENADE, SEPTEMBER 24, 1862.

I appear before you to do little more than acknowledge the courtesy you pay me, and to thank you for it.  I have not been distinctly informed why it is that on this occasion you appear to do me this honor, though I suppose it is because of the proclamation.  What I did, I did after a very full deliberation, and under a very heavy and solemn sense of responsibility.  I can only trust in God I have made no mistake.  I shall make no attempt on this occasion to sustain what I have done or said by any comment.  It is now for the country and the world to pass judgment and, maybe, take action upon it.