Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-06-26
tFrOm the Washington Chronicle.
II. LINoOLN's LAST TELEoRAM.


the clerk of the House of Representatives
transmitting to the New York Tribune a
authentic copy of the last telegram penne,
by President Lincoln.
1t is dated one day later than his las
speech on reconstruction, and is his lates
utterance on the great question to which /
relates
1t is said there is at least one other pape
in existence, (reierring to the proposed
meeting of the rebel Legislature of Vir
ginia,) which has not yet been published
and which contains positive disclaimer o
any control over the question of reconstruc
tion. But whether this he so or not, thu
telegram printed herewith is conclusive al
to the purpose with which Mr.. Lincoln Al
one time proposed to permit the rebel lie
gisature to assemble. lras aCholly NTH
out reference to reconstruction. 1t was
wholly with reference to the military naea
sure OF Withdrawing the Virginia troops
from the rebel army; and the only conside
ration he proposed 10 give was a remission
to the people of Virginia, except in certain
cases, of the confiscation of their property
~htch Id iOas expressly authorised By lau
to do.
The explanation contained in the tee
gram relieves Mr.. Lincoln from the Copper
head charge that he had indicated purpose
to reorganize the insurrectionary States on
his own terms and without reference of the
question to the law making power The
truth, on the other hand, is, that had he
lived, Congress would have been called to-
gether in extra session, and the great work
of indicating the terms of restoration would
have been performed, as in Republic 1t
Should always be performed, by the authori-
ty of law, and not by the will of one man.
MIR. Lincoln, it is well known, shortly be-
fore his DEATH expressed regret that he had
not signed the reconstruction bill passed in
the summer of 1864. And everything which
has been developed respecting his purposes
and acts, gives the weight of his great
name to the impregnable position taken by
Congress, as TO the rightful power of law in
re-establishing the foundations of the GOV.
ernment;
'I0 the Editor Of The ". T. Tribune:
SIR: Your Richmond correspondent of
the 9Th has noted and commented upon the
fact that Mr.. Lincoln's telegram to General
Weitzel, forbidding the assemblage of rebel
legislators and others in April of last year,
has never been published. 1t is document
OF historic interest, both for its subject mat
ter and for the fact that it was the last tele-
gram penned by Mr.. Lincoln.
"Some weeks ago obtained from Mr..
Secretary Stanton copy for my forthcom-
ing political manual of 1866, from the proof
sheets of which have the pleasure of ex-
tracing it:
".'OFFIcE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELE-
GRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
ID. c., April 12, 1865 --Mdj0r General Welt
eel, Richmond, Fd.; have Just seen Judge
Campbell's letter to you of the It'll He as
sumes, it appears to me, that have called
the insurgent Legislature of Virginia togeth-
er, as the rightful Legislature of the State,
to settle all differences with the United
States, | have done no such thing. | spoke
OF them not as n Legislature, but as the gen
tlemen who have acted as the Legislature of
Virginia in support of the rebellion did
this on purpose to exclude the assumption
that l was recognizing them as a TightfuI
body. l dealt with them as men having
power de fact0 to do specific thing, to wit:
TO withdraw the Virginia troops and other
support from resistance to the General Gov
ernment, for which, in the paper handed to
Judge Campbell, promised a special equiya-
lent, to wit: A remission to the people OF the
State, except in certain cases, of the confls-
cation of their property. l meant this and
no more. q lnasmuch, however, as Judge
Campbell misconstrues this, and is still
pressing for an armistice contrary to the ex-
plicit statement of thepap | gave him, and
particularly as General Grant has since cap
tured the Virginia troops, so that giving
consideration for their withdrawal is no
longer applicable, let my letter to you and
the paper to Judge Campbell both be with
drawn or countermanded, and he be notified
of it. Do not now allow them to assemble,
but if any have come allow them safe return
to their homes
"'A. LNcoLN.'
"Your correspondent seems to think that
it has been intentionally withheld. am
sure this is an error. Mr. Stanton respond
ed promptly to my request, as l have no
doubt he.would have done 10 any one else
desiring it for publication.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
edward McPHERsoN,
"Clerk H. r., L. s.
"WashinStOn, d. c., June 10, 1866"