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

Annotation

[1]   AES, DLC-RTL. Lincoln's endorsement is written on a letter from Assistant Adjutant General James A. Hardie to Assistant Surgeon James Phillips, April 23, 1863, informing him that his commission expired on March 4, and that his name was not submitted to the Senate for reappointment. On July 28, Stanton endorsed in reply: ``Dr. Phillips was appointed in the place of Dr [James] King who was expected to be retired. It happened that Dr King was not retired and therefore the nomination fell. Dr Phillips is not reappointed because he is not a citizen of the United States but is believed to be a British

subject. As the subjects of Great Britain claim under the sanction of their government exemptions from Military Service it is not deemed expedient to appoint them to offices and open a door to the interference of their Government in case they should be displeased at any time with action of their military superiors.''