The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-17
WRITTEN ON A cARD.
General Singleton Carried Commission
From Lincoln That Was Never Eek scuted.

General Singleton Carried a Commission
From Lincoln That Was Never Eek seuted.
! From the New York Sun.
A daughter of the late Gen. James
w. Singleton has a card which is his
eorically of great interest. II is a pass
written by President Lincoln late on
April 10. 1865, and is more than prob
ably the last pass he ever wrote. 1t
reads:
ALLOW General Singleton to pass to
Richmond and return. A. Lincoln
April Is. 1861
The war was practically ended Lee,
I with his SCARED and battered le-
gions," awaited the end that was
swiftly approaching. The surrender
was a question of time. Weary of
bloodshed with malice toward none,
with charity for ALL" Mr.. Lincoln, in
the interests of peace. had summoned
| to his aid Gen. James w. Singleton OF
Quincy. Ill, Virgianian by birth and
I personally known to prominent men of
the confederacy. and also intimately
associated with the president in his
western home.
Already he had made several trips to
Richmond (unofficially, of course). and
there was a chance that the negOtia-
lions would bear good fruit and tend to
a speedy and peaceful adjustment Of
| better acquainted with each other.
4 At General Singleton's request Mr..
! Lincoln had given him letter stating.
! in substance. that il Virginia or any
of the southern states would reccg-
I nize the authority of the United States
J and elect senators and members CT
+ congress such sen9 tors and members
/ of congress would be entitled to take
/ their eats
! "Mr. President" said General Single
I ton, referring to this letter. when l
Z go South l shall be asked how your
3 promise in this letter can consistently
+ stand alongside of your emancipation
| proclamation. What shall l tell
them?"
Singleton" said Mr. Lincoln, Il
have explained, and will now say
again, that l have issued that proc.a-
1 nation, and If IL have any legal effect
| / have no power to recall IL. If " have
not any legal effect. 1t is of no conse-
quence. / would not take il back If L
could and ] could not IL l would"
He continued: my duty is simply
| to enforce the laws. | want TO s2e heSe
states and all these people came back
and submit to the constitution, ana
then my duty is dore. | am dhe eXecu-
tive part of the government, and w'1en
/ have enforced the laws the other de-
partnents will relieve me of all re-
spoons ibilty.
On April IA he instructed General
Singleton 10 assure che people Of Vir-
ginia shet he would favor the return
of the state into the union with her
government intact. and tn same on the
Iart of the seeded states"
Il cannot do everything at once, he
said, for l am impeded by the fact
that everything is under martial law
at the present time. | wish you TO go
again, Immediately, 10 Richmond and
reassure the people"
Mr.. Usher, secretary of the interior,
was present at this interview, and was
| to accompany General Singleton 10
| Richmond They took leave OF the
| president and went out together.
Later in the evening. going to join
| Governor Yafes of Illinois and other
| friends. with whom they We're To make
| a party for supper, they were met on
| the threshold with dying rumors OF the
assassination of Mr.. Lincoln at Ford :
| tseater.
Thus We're Mr.. Lincoln's last words
/ Tlocse- ofypeace and kindness.
20 Recocnfzng the value of that me-
| mento of the time, General Singleton
ordered a case of gold i'm one com
| partment of which, under glass, Is the
card with its significant date.