Your obedient servant,

Abraham Lincoln.

TO GENERAL P. STEELE.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, June 29, 1864

Major-general Steele: 

I understand that Congress declines to admit to seats the persons sent as Senators and Representatives from Arkansas.  These persons apprehend that, in consequence, you may not support the new State government there as you otherwise would.  My wish is that you give that government and the people there the same support and protection that you would if the members had been admitted, because in no event, nor in any view of the case, can this do any harm, while it will be the best you can do toward suppressing the rebellion.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general grant. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, June 29, 1864.

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point: 

Dr. Worster wishes to visit you with a view of getting your permission to introduce into the army “Harmon’s Sandal Sock.”  Shall I give him a pass for that object?

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to David Tod. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., June 30, 1864.

Hon.  David Tod, Youngstown, Ohio: 
I have nominated you to be Secretary of the Treasury, in place of
Governor Chase, who has resigned.  Please come without a moment’s
delay.

A. Lincoln.

TO J. L. SCRIPPS.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 4, 1864.

To John L. Scripps, Esq.

Dear sir:—­Complaint is made to me that you are using your official power to defeat Mr. Arnold’s nomination to Congress.  I am well satisfied with Mr. Arnold as a member of Congress, and I do not know that the man who might supplant him would be as satisfactory; but the correct principle, I think, is that all our friends should have absolute freedom of choice among our friends.  My wish, therefore, is that you will do just as you think fit with your own suffrage in the case, and not constrain any of your subordinates to [do] other than [as] he thinks fit with his.  This is precisely the rule I inculcated and adhered to on my part, when a certain other nomination, now recently made, was being canvassed for.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to J. W. Garrett. 
Washington, July 5, 1864.

J. W. Garrett, President [B. & 0.  R. R.], Camden Station: 

You say telegraphic communication is re-established with Sandy Hook.  Well, what does Sandy Hook say about operations of enemy and of Sigel during to-day?