A. Lincoln.

To general U.S.  Grant. 
Washington, D. C., March 8, 1865.

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va: 

Your two despatches to the Secretary of War, one relating to supplies for the enemy going by the Blackwater, and the other to General Singleton and Judge Hughes, have been laid before me by him.  As to Singleton and Hughes, I think they are not in Richmond by any authority, unless it be from you.  I remember nothing from me which could aid them in getting there, except a letter to you, as follows, to wit: 

Executive Mansion, Washington city, February 7, 1865.  Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va.:  General Singleton, who bears you this, claims that he already has arrangements made, if you consent, to bring a large amount of Southern produce through your lines.  For its bearing on our finances, I would be glad for this to be done, if it can be, without injuriously disturbing your military operations, or supplying the enemy.  I wish you to be judge and master on these points.  Please see and hear him fully, and decide whether anything, and, if anything, what, can be done in the premises.  Yours truly, A. Lincoln.

I believe I gave Hughes a card putting him with Singleton on the same letter.  However this may be, I now authorize you to get Singleton and Hughes away from Richmond, if you choose, and can.  I also authorize you, by an order, or in what form you choose, to suspend all operations on the Treasury trade permits, in all places southeastward of the Alleghenies.  If you make such order, notify me of it, giving a copy, so that I can give corresponding direction to the Navy.

A. Lincoln.

PROCLAMATION OFFERING PARDON TO DESERTERS,

MARCH 11, 1865

By the president of the united states
of America

A Proclamation

Whereas, the twenty-first section of the act of Congress, approved on the 3d instant, entitled “An Act to amend the several acts heretofore passed to provide for the enrolling and calling out the national forces and for other purposes,” requires that in addition to the other lawful penalties of the crime of desertion from the military or naval service, all persons who have deserted the military or naval service of the United States who shall not return to said service or report themselves to a provost-marshal within sixty days after the proclamation hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to have voluntarily relinquished and forfeited their citizenship and their right to become citizens, and such deserters shall be forever incapable of holding any office of trust or profit under the United States, or of exercising any rights of citizens thereof; and all persons who shall hereafter