Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

To Gideon Welles1Jump to section

Hon. Sec. of the Navy Executive Mansion,
My dear Sir Washington, July 7, 1863.

The gentlemen named in the attached resolution, have presented it to me this morning. It explains itself. Please carefully consider the subject, and do the best in regard to it which you can consistently with the general public service. Yours truly

A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1]   ALS, DNA WR NB RG 45, Executive Letters, No. 22. The attached newspaper clipping reads: ``Resolved, That Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Vice-President of the United States, and our two Senators in Congress, be requested to repair

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immediately to Washington, for the purpose of urging upon the President the importance and necessity of placing along the coast a sufficient naval and military force to protect the commerce of the country from piratical depredations of the rebels, and to have the same accomplished in such manner as shall be most efficient and expeditious.'' Welles' Diary records on July 8, 1863, ``I yesterday informed Vice-President Hamlin and the Maine Senators we should try to keep a couple of steamers and two sailing-vessels cruising off New England during the fishing season; that we could not furnish a gunboat to every place; that the shore defenses belonged properly to the War Department, etc. They on the whole seemed satisfied.''