To Edwin M. Stanton1Jump to section
Dear Sir Washington, Sep. 20, 1864.
Let Mallison, the bogus proclamation man, be discharged. Yours truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, DNA WR RG 94, Adjutant General, Letters Received, P 1064. Stanton endorsed on the bottom of the page ``Adjt Genl will issue the order immediately to Gen Dix as directed by the Prest.'' Also endorsed on the bottom of the page is the telegram of Edward D. Townsend, September 22, directing General Dix to discharge Francis A. Mallison, who had collaborated with Joseph Howard, Jr., in producing the ``bogus proclamation'' of May 17, 1864 (see Lincoln to Dix, May 18, supra).
Among several letters in the Lincoln Papers suggesting the propriety of releasing Mallison is the following from Joseph Howard, Jr.:
``I have once intruded upon your cares to thank you for your kindness in granting an order for my release from . . . Fort Lafayette & to assure you of my sincere regret at my folly & its consequences; permit me to call your attention to the case once more in behalf of the young man who was placed there at the same time as myself, but who was not include in the order for release. . . .
``I regret to say that certain `Democratic' stumpers are making a handle of his continued confinement, taking the absurd ground that he is held on account of his Democratic affiliations.
``Mr. Mallison has an aged Mother dependent upon him, was no deeper (nor