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

To Andrew Johnson1Jump to section

[c. January 15, 1864]

I send by Judge John S. Brien a blank book and some other blanks to facilitate the taking oath of Dec. 8. He will verbally explain the mode of using them. He particularly wishes to have Mr. Benjamin C. Robertson to take the oath. I hope you may find Judge Brien useful, in carrying forward the work generally. I assume that anyone in military commission may administer the oaths. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1]   Hertz, II, 872. The date assigned to this undated communication is supplied on the basis of John S. Brien's letter to Lincoln of January 26, 1864:

``You will see by the inclosed slip [newspaper clipping] that my fears as to the death of Benjamin C. Robertson have been realized. He died on 22nd. inst. which was two days before I reached home. It is said to me today by a friend who was at his bedside when he died, that his greatest regret was, that he had not the opportunity afforded him to take the oath before his death. . . .

``But he is gone---his estate is also well-nigh gone. And his good wife and children will feel ever grateful to you, that you have saved that little to them by his pardon. Please inclose the pardon to me upon receipt of this.

``There is great rejoicing here that your book has arrived. I delivered the book and letter to Gov. Johnson on yesterday morning.'' (DLC-RTL).

On January 30, Brien wrote Lincoln again:

``On my arrival in this city, on the 25th instant, I presented your book and letter of instructions to Gov. Johnson and made the suggestions as directed by you.

``It was soon known all over the city that the book had arrived, and that an opportunity would be afforded the citizens to manifest their desire for the establishment of law and order and the Government of the United States, and to place upon record the evidence of their true and hearty return to the old Government and to once more enjoy the rights of freemen. . . .

``The next day or two,. . . . Gov. Johnson issued the enclosed proclamation, in which you observe, he prescribed an oath to be taken by every citizen in order to [establish] his qualification to vote. This produced considerable confusion. . . .

``Now, Mr. President, what I ask of you is to state, in some form which may be made public, the necessary steps to be taken by the people of Tennessee to entitle them to the exercise of the elective franchise.

``Does the taking. . . . the oath prescribed. . . . restore the party to his original status . . . ? If not, to what extent is he benefitted?

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``Are the elections to be held under the laws of Tennessee, until they are changed by the people in some proper form? As a matter of course, they must be held under the laws of the state passed prior to the rebellion, or then by some rule established by you.

``I need not say that you will see the importance of settling these questions promptly. . . .

``May I ask of you to state as an order what you stated in the letter to Gov. Johnson: that any commissioned officer is qualified to administer the oath, and that he do so whenever called upon by those entitled to its benefits.

``Please let me hear from you at once, I write on behalf of the people of the State.'' (ibid.).

See Lincoln to Johnson, January 25, infra.