Executive Mansion, Washington,
September 28, 1862.

Hon.  Hannibal Hamlin.

My dear sir:  Your kind letter of the 25th is just received.  It is known to some that, while I hope something from the proclamation, my expectations are not as sanguine as are those of some friends.  The time for its effect southward has not come; but northward the effect should be instantaneous.  It is six days old, and, while commendation in newspapers and by distinguished individuals is all that a vain man could wish, the stocks have declined, and troops come forward more slowly than ever.  This, looked soberly in the face, is not very satisfactory.  We have fewer troops in the field at the end of the six days than we had at the beginning—­the attrition among the old outnumbering the addition by the new.  The North responds to the proclamation sufficiently in breath; but breath alone kills no rebels.

I wish I could write more cheerfully; nor do I thank you the less for the kindness of your letter.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO GENERAL HALLECK.

McCLELLAN’S headquarters, October 3, 1862.

Major-general Halleck: 

General Stuart, of the rebel army, has sent in a few of our prisoners under a flag of truce, paroled with terms to prevent their fighting the Indians, and evidently seeking to commit us to their right to parole prisoners in that way.  My inclination is to send the prisoners back with a definite notice that we will recognize no paroles given to our prisoners by the rebels as extending beyond a prohibition against fighting them, though I wish your opinion upon it, based both upon the general law and our cartel.  I wish to avoid violations of the law and bad faith.  Answer as quickly as possible, as the thing, if done at all, should be done at once.

A. Lincoln, President

REMARKS TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AT FREDERICK, MARYLAND, OCTOBER, 4, 1862.

I am surrounded by soldiers and a little farther off by the citizens of this good City of Frederick.  Nevertheless I can only say, as I did five minutes ago, it is not proper for me to make speeches in my present position.  I return thanks to our soldiers for the good services they have rendered, the energy they have shown, the hardships they have endured, and the blood they have shed for this Union of ours; and I also return thanks, not only to the soldiers, but to the good citizens of Frederick, and to the good men, women, and children in this land of ours, for their devotion to this glorious cause; and I say this with no malice in my heart towards those who have done otherwise.  May our children and children’s children, for a thousand generations, continue to enjoy the benefits conferred upon us by a united country, and have cause yet to rejoice under these glorious institutions, bequeathed to us by Washington and his compeers.  Now, my friends, soldiers and citizens, I can only say once more-farewell.