Your sincere friend,

A. Lincoln.

REPLY TO A COMMITTEE OF COLORED PEOPLE FROM BALTIMORE WHO PRESENTED HIM WITH A BIBLE,

September 7, 1864.

I can only say now, as I have often said before, it has always been a sentiment with me, that all mankind should be free.  So far as I have been able, so far as came within my sphere, I have always acted as I believed was just and right, and done all I could for the good of mankind.  I have, in letters sent forth from this office, expressed myself better than I can now.

In regard to the great Book, I have only to say it is the best gift which God has ever given to man.  All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book.  But for that Book, we could not know right from wrong.  All those things desirable to man are contained in it.  I return you sincere thanks for this very elegant copy of this great Book of God which you present.

TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PICKERING.

War department,
Washington, D. C., September 8, 1864: 

Governor Pickering, Olympia, W. T.: 

Your patriotic despatch of yesterday received and will be published.

A. Lincoln.

ORDER OF THANKS TO HUNDRED-DAY TROOPS FROM OHIO.

Executive Mansion,
Washington city, September 10, 1864.

The term of one hundred days for which the National Guard of Ohio volunteered having expired, the President directs an official acknowledgment to be made of their patriotic and valuable services during the recent campaigns.  The term of service of their enlistment was short, but distinguished by memorable events.  In the Valley of the Shenandoah, on the Peninsula, in the operations on the James River, around Petersburg and Richmond, in the battle of Monocacy, and in the intrenchments of Washington, and in other important service, the National Guard of Ohio performed with alacrity the duty of patriotic volunteers, for which they are entitled to and are hereby tendered, through the Governor of their State, the national thanks.

Abraham Lincoln.

TO GENERAL U.S.  GRANT.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
September 12, 1864.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT: 

Sheridan and Early are facing each other at a dead-lock.  Could we not pick up a regiment here and there, to the number of say ten thousand men, and quietly but suddenly concentrate them at Sheridan’s camp and enable him to make a strike?

This is but a suggestion.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.