EXECUTIVE MANSION, JUNE 17,1861

Hon.  Secretary of war.  My dear sir:—­With your concurrence, and that of the Governor of Ohio, I am in favor of receiving into what we call the three years’ service any number not exceeding six additional regiments from that State, unless you perceive good reasons to the contrary.  Please see Hon.  John A. Gurley, who bears this, and make an order corresponding with the above.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO N. W. EDWARDS

Washington, D. C., June 19, 1861

Hon. N. W. Edwards my dear sir:  ............. .............  When you
wrote me some time ago in reference to looking up something in the
departments here, I thought I would inquire into the thing and write you,
but the extraordinary pressure upon me diverted me from it, and soon it
passed out of my mind.  The thing you proposed, it seemed to me, I ought
to understand myself before it was set on foot by my direction or
permission; and I really had no time to make myself acquainted with it. 
Nor have I yet.  And yet I am unwilling, of course, that you should be
deprived of a chance to make something, if it can be done without
injustice to the Government, or to any individual.  If you choose to come
here and point out to me how this can be done I shall not only not
object, but shall be gratified to be able to oblige you.

Your friend as ever

A. Lincoln.

TO SECRETARY CAMERON.

Executive Mansion, June 20, 1861.

My dear sir:—­Since you spoke to me yesterday about General J. H. Lane, of Kansas, I have been reflecting upon the subject, and have concluded that we need the service of such a man out there at once; that we had better appoint him a brigadier-general of volunteers to-day, and send him off with such authority to raise a force (I think two regiments better than three, but as to this I am not particular) as you think will get him into actual work quickest.  Tell him, when he starts, to put it through not to be writing or telegraphing back here, but put it through.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

HON.  SECRETARY OF WAR.

[Indorsement.]

General Lane has been authorized to raise two additional regiments of volunteers.

Simon Cameron, Secretary o f War.

TO THE KENTUCKY DELEGATION.

Executive Mansion, June 29, 1861. 
Gentlemen of the Kentucky delegation who are for the union: 

I somewhat wish to authorize my friend Jesse Bayles to raise a Kentucky regiment, but I do not wish to do it without your consent.  If you consent, please write so at the bottom of this.