Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
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Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln7
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln7. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 20, 2025.

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To Henry C. Wright1Jump to section

Executive Mansion, Washington, Dec 20th, 1863.

``I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress.''

Henry C. Wright ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Care of Wendell Philips

221. Washington St.

Boston- Mass.

Annotation

[1] ADS-F, ISLA. Henry C. Wright, a lecturing agent of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, wrote Lincoln on December 16, 1863:

``God bless thee, Abraham Lincoln! With all my heart, & bless thee, in the name of God & Humanity.

``But---mark! I want nothing of you---you can do nothing for me---except---this one favor . . . that you will write for me, & subscribe your name to it---with your own hand---this sentence in your late Message---i.e.

`` `I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person, who is free by the terms of the proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress.'

``I have given 30 years of my life to the Abolition of slavery---by lecturing, by public & private discussions, & by scattering, broad cast, tracts & pamphlets bearing on that subject. I regard the American Republic as the God-appointed Messiah of Liberty to the great family of Nations. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).

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