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In relation to the matter spoken of Saturday morning, and this morning, towit, the raising of colored troops in the North, with
the understanding that they shall be commanded by Gen. Fremont, I have to say
That while it is very objectionable, as a general rule, to have troops raised on any special terms, such as to serve only under a particular commander, or only at a particular place or places, yet I would forego the objection in this case, upon a fair prospect that a large force of this sort could thereby be the more rapidly raised
That being raised, say to the number of ten thousand, I would very cheerfully send them to the field under Gen. Fremont, assigning him a Department, made or to be made, with such white force also as I might be able to put in.
That with the best wishes towards Gen. Fremont, I can not now give him a Department, because I have not spare troops to furnish a new Department; and I have not, as I think, justifiable ground to relieve the present commander of any old one.
In the raising of the colored troops, the same consent of Governors would have to be obtained as in case of white troops, and the government would make the same provision for them during organization, as for white troops.
It would not be a point with me whether Gen. Fremont should take charge of the organization, or take charge of the force only after the organization.
If you think fit to communicate this to Gen. Fremont you are at liberty to do so. Yours truly A. LINCOLN.
[1] ALS, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln's remarks to the New York Committee, May 30, supra. On June 9, Fremont wrote Sumner as follows: ``I have delayed a few days my reply to your kind note. . . . I was pressingly reminded of your note by a visit from the committee which had called upon Mr. Lincoln & to which he had promised this letter to you. I beg you will say to the President that this movement does not, in the remotest way originate with me. On the contrary when the Committee called . . . I declined positively to enter into it, or to consent to having my name mentioned to the President in connection with it. . . . I disapproved the project of raising and sending to the field, colored troops in scattered and weak detachments. . . . I told them that if I had been placed in the Dept. which the President & Secretary arranged for me when I was last in Washington & in which I should have had a suitable field for this organization and white troops to protect it and ensure its success---I could have undertaken it & have undoubtedly organized a formidable force. But these views were mearly in answer to the committee and ended my relation to the subject. I beg you to say to the President that I have no design to embarrass him with creating a Dept. for me. . . . this whole business is as dangerous and difficult as it is important. . . . It demands . . . some officer of ability and judgment in whom the President would be willing to give the necessary powers. He must have power and the Presidents confidence---therefore I do not propose myself for this work. . . . Will the President realize that if this summer's campaigns are not successful the Confederacy is well nigh established? I think not. . . . But pray don't let him think that I am moving in any direction, or by any persons to get this command. Enclosed I return the
President's letter---which I have shown to no one. I informed the Committee that I had rec'd it through yourself but could not communicate its purport without the authority of the President. Will you please make my thanks to the President for his friendly expressions in my favor and accept my very warm thanks to yourself. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).