To John A. Dix1Jump to section
Fort-Monroe, Va. Washington, Dec. 31, 1862.
I hear not a word about the Congressional election of which you and I corresponded. Time nearly up. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. Dix telegraphed on the same day, ``I did not receive until Yesterday, the returns of the conductors of Election of Norfolk & Princess Anne Counties & of the Cities of Norfolk & Portsmouth. Mr [John B.] McCloud the successful Candidate, leaves for Washington to-day. I will write by mail'' (DLC-RTL). His letter of the same date added further information as follows:
``The Union men of the Second Congressional District of Virginia in the counties in our possession being desirous of an opportunity of manifesting their fidelity to the Government and of securing their exemption from the penalties of disloyalty, by electing a member of Congress so as to be represented by the 1st Jany. 1863, I issued the Proclamation of which a copy is enclosed marked A. calling an election on the 22nd inst. . . . I felt assured that my act would meet your approval.
``Previously to the election . . . Governor Pierpont . . . issued writs of elections for the day, and the election was held with all the legal sanctions of which the case was susceptible. . . . The aggregate vote cast was 1402. . . .'' (Ibid.).
John B. McCloud's election was contested by his opponent W. W. Wing. The House committee on elections recommended on February 4, 1863, that neither be seated, and on February 14 this recommendation was adopted by the House.