Page 291
To John M. Schofield1Jump to section
My dear Sir: Washington, June 22, 1863.
Your despatch, asking in substance, whether, in case Missouri shall adopt gradual emancipation, the general government will protect slave owners in that species of property during the short time it shall be permitted by the State to exist within it, has been received. Desirous as I am, that emancipation shall be adopted by Missouri, and believing as I do, that gradual can be made better than immediate for both black and white, except when military necessity changes the case, my impulse is to say that such protection would be given. I can not know exactly what shape an act of emancipation may take. If the period from the initiation to the final end, should be comparatively short, and the act should prevent persons being sold, during that period, into more lasting slavery, the whole would be easier. I do not wish to pledge the general government to the affirmative support of even temporary slavery, beyond what can be fairly claimed under the constitution. I suppose, however, this is not desired; but that it is desired for the Military force of the United States, while in Missouri, to not be used in subverting the temporarily reserved legal rights in slaves during the progress of emancipation. This I would desire also. I have very earnestly urged the slave-states to adopt emancipation; and it ought to be, and is an object with me not to overthrow, or thwart what any of them may in good faith do, to that end.
You are therefore authorized to act in the spirit of this letter, in conjunction with what may appear to be the military necessities of your Department.
Although this letter will become public at some time, it is not intended to be made so now. Yours truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS copy, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln to Schofield June 21, supra. The Missouri Constitutional Convention summoned by Governor Gamble's proclamation of April 15, 1863, to meet on June 15, adopted an ordinance abolishing those provisions of the Missouri Constitution which restricted the legislature's power over slavery and providing a plan for gradual emancipation.