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To the Senate of the United States: May 1--- 1862
In answer to the Resolution of the Senate in relation to Brigadier General Stone, I have the honor to state that he was arrested, and imprisoned under my general authority, and upon evidence which, whether he be guilty or innocent, required, as appears to me, such proceedings to be had against him for the public safety. I deem it incompatable with the public interest, as also perhaps, unjust to General Stone, to make a more particular statement of the evidence.
He has not been tried because in the state of military operations, at the time of his arrest and since, the officers to constitute a court-martial, and for witnesses, could not be withdrawn from duty without serious injury to the service. He will be allowed a trial without any unnecessary delay; the charges and specifications will be furnished him in due season; and every facility for his defence will be afforded him by the War Department.
Annotation
[1] ADf, DLC-RTL. This message is a revision of Lincoln's letter to Hamlin, April 28, supra, in answer to a resolution passed by the Senate on April 22. It was read in the Senate on May 2, and ordered to lie on the table and be printed. General Charles P. Stone was not released from arrest until August 16, 1862, and did not return to duty until May, 1863.