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To Nathaniel P. Banks1Jump to section
Major General Banks. Dec. 2. 1864.
I know you are dissatisfied, which pains me very much; but I wish not to be argued with further. I entertain no abatement of confidence, or friendship for you. I have told you why I can not order Gen. Canby from the Department of the Gulf---that he whom I must hold responsible for military results, is not agreed. Yet I do believe that you, of all men, can best perform the part of advancing the new State government of Louisiana; and therefore I have wished you to go and try, leaving it to yourself to give up the trial at the end of a month, if you find it impracticable, or personally too disagreeable. This is certainly meant in no unkindness; but I wish to avoid further struggle about it. Yours truly
A LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, CSmH. See Lincoln to Banks, November 26, supra. Banks answered Lincoln on the same day: ``You are under some misapprehension as to my views of the command assigned to me at New Orleans. I am not at all dissatisfied. It is my wish on the contrary to do every thing in my power to aid you and your administration, whether or not it comports with my wishes or interests. The Secretary of War has said to me that in civil matters you had generally given directions yourself---with which, while he had known what was done---he did not interfere. My wish is to know from you what should be done by me in the execution of orders, that I have received. In accordance with your suggestion conveyed to me by Mr Nicolay I will call at the Executive Mansion at 7 o clock this evening.'' (DLC-RTL).