The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-22
TEN YEARS OF ALABAMA
No. 3-Administratio of Governor Parsons
1865-1875

As an agent of Governor Watts, VII liam Crawford Bibb of Montgomery. il the last weeks before the fall of th Confederacy made his way through arm! lines to Washington. Authority was vest cd in him by the governor to trade cot ton in the port of Mobile for shoes ant clothing for Confederate soldiers 4 steamer flying the flag of the United States actually came to the wharf a Mobile for the cotton,
 Bibb arrived at Washington while Pres ident Lincoln was absent on his historic trip to Richmond. The President returned in the forenoon of the 11th. A vas throng appeared that night in front O the White House to hear him tell of his visit. Bibb stood on the front line, i'm mediately in front of the orator.
 After the President closed his remarks from the porch, he announced to the throng that Frederick Seward, assistant secretary of state, would read his proc lamatlon, declaring what would be his policy of dealing with the states lately in rebellion" He gave notice also that
 
 next morning. the 12th. in the morning papers of Washington. Seward read from high window.
 Blob had an appointment to meet Mir Lincoln in his private office on the fore noon next day, the 12th. I will say here MT. Bibb was gentleman of rare cul- ture and excellent tact. He himself wrote out for publication and did publish the facts here quoted.
 The morning papers never received the proclamation No publication has ever been made. The night upon which it was read politicians sought the President and protested against publication. Lincoln told Bibb next day, the 18th, that he felt bound to gratify his friends for the time being, but it will be published soon, he added.
 The next day April 12 the President received his visitor from Alabama with greatest frankness. The meeting was fin the private office. The President came in alone, bade Bbb take a seat, drew close up an arm chair and throwing both long legs over 1t, bade him talk Bibb explained that unantielpated fortunes of
  go. The President seized the lapels of his coat and commanded him to "be seated. U Mr Lincoln had found one of the most interesting men the south contained and him he desired to approach the people of the south with a message of hope.
 "Mr President, what will be your course toward the southern states? Will you appoint governors and reorganize them?'
 No You have a governor and legisla- ture in Alabama: I shall not disturb the existing conditions of government there. :"
 No part of American history, from first to last, is more instructive in state craft than this. It discovered great man.
 Lincoln had been consistent through out On July S. 1864 the war was in full progress. the state of Arkansas was in the Confederate Congress. He issued proclamation promising to appoint military governor for that state. He had appointed Andrew Johnson mili- tary governor of Tennessee in 1862, under like conditions. But after the flight of the Confederate government and It's dissolu- ton and the surrender of all it's armed forces. Lincoln proposed to accept the situation as de facto restoration of the union. The states involved should re- turn to the government. He dictated to Grant and sherman the terms of the rap