The Third Section of the ``Act further to promote the efficiency of the Navy,'' approved 21 December 1861, provides:
``That the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall have the authority to detail from the retired list of the Navy for the command of Squadrons and single ships such officers as he may believe that the good of the service requires to be thus placed in command; and such officers may, if upon the recommendation of the President of the United States they shall receive a vote of thanks of Congress for their services and gallantry in action against an enemy, be restored to the active list and not otherwise.''
In conformity with this law Captain Samuel F. DuPont, of the Navy, was nominated to the Senate for continuance as the Flag Officer in command of the Squadron which recently rendered such important service to the Union in the expedition to the Coast of South Carolina.
Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention of the law, or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain Samuel F. DuPont receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and gallantry, displayed in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard, commanding the entrance of Port Royal Harbor, on the 7 November 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Washington City
4 February 1862.