Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1896-05-30
GENERAL slNeLEToN,s PASS.
A Memorial Of Lincoin-A Peace Messen
ger Stopped by Iiucoln's Death.

ger Stopped by Iincoln's Death.
A daughter Of the late General James
W. Singleton has card which is his
torically of great interest. tt is pass
written by President Lincoln late on
April 19, 1865, and is more than prob
ably the last pass that he ever wrote.
The war was practically ended. Lee,
with his SCARED and battered lcgions, y
awaited the end that was swiftly ap-
preaching. The surrender was ques-
ton of time. Weary of bloodshed,
with malice toward none, with char
ity for all, - Mr. Lincoln, in the inter
ests of peace, had summoned to his aid
General james w. Singleton of Quincy,
Ills, a Virginian by birth, and person
ally known to prominent men OF the
Confederacy. aud also intimately asso-
ciated with the president i'll his western
home
Already he had made several trips to
Richmond, unofficially of course, and
there was 81 chance that the negotiations
would beur good fruit, and tend to Il
speedy and peaceful adjustment Of many
questions by making both sides better
acquainted with each other.
At General Singleton's request Mr..
Lincoln had given him letter stating
in substance that if Virginia CT amy Of
the southern states would recognize the
authority of the United States and elect
senators and members Of congress, such
senators and members Of congress would
be entitled to take their seats.
Mr.. President. said General SIN
gleton, referring to this letter, when l
so south I shall be asked how your
promise in this letter can consistently
stand alongside of your emancipation
proclamation. What shall tell them?"
Singleton, said Mr.. Lincoln, L
have explained, and will now say again,
that l have issued that proclamation.
and if it have any legal eject l have nc
power TO reach it. Ii il have not any
legal effect, it is Of 10 consequence. l
would not take it back il ! could, a1id l
could rot if | would.
Thus briefly was summed up Mr..
Lincoln S estimate OF that proclamation
that changed the dcStinics Ct millions
Of people
Ee continued; My duty is simply
to enforce the laws. 1 want to see these
states and all these people come back
and submit to the constitution, and then
my duty is done l ana the executive
part Of tie government, and when l
have enforced the laws the other de-
partmerts will relieve ne Of all respon-
sibility."
On April Ii he instructed General
Singleton to assure the people Of Vir-
ginia that he would favor the return of
the state into the Union with her gov
eminent intact, ard the same on the
part Of the seeded states.
II cannot Go everything at once, he
said, for 1 am impeded by the fact that
everything is urGor martial law at the
present time. wish you TO go again
Immediately to Richmond and reassure
the people.
Nj. USheI, secretary of the interior,
was present at this interview and was
70 accompany General SnS!eton 10
Richmond They took leave of the presi-
dent and went cut together.
Later in the evening, going to join
Governor Yates CT Illinois and other
friends, with whom they were to make
q parry fer supper, they We're met on
the threshold with flying rumors Of the
assassination CT Nj. Lincoln at Ford's
theater.
Thus were Mr.. Lincoln's last words
those e peace and kindness.
Recognizing the value Of that memen-
to Of the time, General Singleton order
ed case OF gold, in one compartment
OF which, under glass, is the card with
its significant G;ie.-New York sun.