Now, therefore, be it known that I do set apart Thursday, the 6th day of August next, to be observed as a day for national thanksgiving, praise, and prayer, and I invite the people of the United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary places of worship, and, in the forms approved by their own consciences, render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation’s behalf, and invoke the influence of His Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced and so long sustained a needless and cruel rebellion, to change the hearts of the insurgents, to guide the counsels of the Government with wisdom adequate to so great a national emergency, and to visit with tender care and consolation throughout the length and breadth of our land all those who, through the vicissitudes of marches, voyages, battles, and sieges have been, brought to suffer in mind, body, or estate, and finally to lead the whole nation through the paths of repentance and submission to the Divine Will back to the perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done. at the city of Washington, this fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-eighth.

Abraham Lincoln.

By, the President
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.

Telegram to L. Swett.
[Cipher.]
War department, Washington city, July 15, 1863.

Hon.  L Swett, San Francisco, Cal.: 

Many persons are telegraphing me from California, begging me for the peace of the State to suspend the military enforcement of the writ of possession in the Almaden case, while you are the single one who urges the contrary.  You know I would like to oblige you, but it seems to me my duty in this case is the other way.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to Simon Cameron.
[Cipher.]
War department, Washington city, July 15, 1863.

Hon.  Simon Cameron, Harrisburg, Pa.: 

Your despatch of yesterday received.  Lee was already across the river when you sent it.  I would give much to be relieved of the impression that Meade, Couch, Smith, and all since the battle at Gettysburg, have striven only to get Lee over the river without another fight.  Please tell me, if you know, who was the one corps commander who was for fighting in the council of war on Sunday night.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO J. O. BROADHEAD.

Washington, D.C., July 15, 1863.

J. O. Broadhead, St. Louis, Mo.: