My dear sir:—­Some days ago I understood you to say that your brother, General Frank Blair, desires to be guided by my wishes as to whether he will occupy his seat in Congress or remain in the field.  My wish, then, is compounded of what I believe will be best for the country; and it is that he will come here, put his military commission in my hands, take his seat, go into caucus with our friends, abide the nominations, help elect the nominees, and thus aid to organize a House of Representatives which will really support the Government in the war.  If the result shall be the election of himself as Speaker, let him serve in that position.  If not, let him retake his commission and return to the army for the benefit of the country.

This will heal a dangerous schism for him.  It will relieve him from a dangerous position or a misunderstanding, as I think he is in danger of being permanently separated from those with whom only he can ever have a real sympathy—­the sincere opponents of slavery.

It will be a mistake if he shall allow the provocations offered him by insincere time-servers to drive him from the house of his own building.  He is young yet.  He has abundant talents—­quite enough to occupy all his time without devoting any to temper.

He is rising in military skill and usefulness.  His recent appointment to the command of a corps, by one so competent to judge as General Sherman, proves this.  In that line he can serve both the country and himself more profitably than he could as a member of Congress upon the floor.

The foregoing is what I would say if Frank Blair was my brother instead of yours.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO GOVERNOR BRADFORD.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, November 2, 1863.

His excellency A. W. Bradford, Governor of Maryland.

Sir:—­Yours of the 31st ult. was received yesterday about noon, and since then I have been giving most earnest attention to the subject-matter of it.  At my call General Schenck has attended, and he assures me it is almost certain that violence will be used at some of the voting places on election day unless prevented by his provost-guards.  He says that at some of those places Union voters will not attend at all, or run a ticket, unless they have some assurance of protection.  This makes the Missouri case, of my action in regard to which you express your approval.

The remaining point of your letter is a protest against any person offering to vote being put to any test not found in the laws of Maryland.  This brings us to a difference between Missouri and Maryland.  With the same reason in both States, Missouri has, by law, provided a test for the voter with reference to the present rebellion, while Maryland has not.  For example, General Trimble, captured fighting us