Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 12, 1864

F. B. Loomis, Esq.

My Dear sir:—­I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 28th April, in which you offer to replace the present garrison at Port Trumbull with volunteers, which you propose to raise at your own expense.  While it seems inexpedient at this time to accept this proposition on account of the special duties now devolving upon the garrison mentioned, I cannot pass unnoticed such a meritorious instance of individual patriotism.  Permit me, for the Government, to express my cordial thanks to you for this generous and public-spirited offer, which is worthy of note among the many called forth in these times of national trial.

I am very truly, your obedient servant,

A. Lincoln.

RESPONSE TO A METHODIST DELEGATION, MAY 14, 1864.

Gentlemen:-In response to your address, allow me to attest the accuracy of its historical statements, indorse the sentiments it expresses, and thank you in the nation’s name for the sure promise it gives.  Nobly sustained, as the Government has been, by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in the least appear invidious against any.  Yet without this, it may fairly be said, that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is by its greatest numbers the most important of all.  It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers to Heaven than—­any other.  God bless the Methodist Church Bless all the churches; and blessed be God, who in this our great trial giveth us the churches.

Telegram to governor Yates. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, May 18, 1864.

His excellency Richard Yates, Springfield, Ill.: 

If any such proclamation has appeared, it is a forgery.

A. Lincoln.

ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF IRRESPONSIBLE NEWSPAPER REPORTERS AND EDITORS

Order to general J. A. Dix.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 18, 1864.

Major-general John A. Dix,
Commanding at New York: 

Whereas there has been wickedly and traitorously printed and published this morning in the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce, newspapers printed and published in the city of New York, a false and spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by the President and to be countersigned by the Secretary of State, which publication is of a treasonable nature, designed to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States and to the rebels now at war against the Government