tant service to the Union in the expedition to the coast of North Carolina. Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention of the law, or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Louis M. Goldsborough receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and gallantry displayed in the combined attack of the forces commanded by him and Brigadier-General Burnside in the capture of Roanoke Island and the destruction of rebel gunboats on the 7th, 8th, and 10th of February, 1862. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. NOTE CONCERNING "CONTRABANDS," February 15, 1862 I shall be obliged if the Secretary of the Treasury will in his discretion give Mr. Pierce such instructions in regard to Port Royal contrabands as may seem judicious. A. LINCOLN. LETTER TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 16, 1862. Major-General Halleck, St. Louis, Mo.: You have Fort Donelson safe, unless Grant shall be overwhelmed from outside; to prevent which latter will, I think, require all the vigilance, energy, and skill of yourself and Buell, acting in full coöperation. Columbus will not get at from Bowling Green will. Grant, but the force road from Bowling Green to within a few miles of Fort Donelson, with the bridge at Clarksville undisturbed. It is unsafe to rely that they will not dare to expose Nashville to Buell. A small part of their force can retire slowly toward Nashville, breaking up the railroad as they go, and keep Buell out of that city twenty days. Meanwhile Nashville will be abundantly defended by forces from all South and perhaps from here at Ma nassas. Could not a cavalry force from General Thomas on the Upper Cumberland dash across, almost unresisted, and cut the railroad at or near Knoxville, Tennessee? In the midst of a bombardment at Fort Donelson, why could not a gunboat run up and destroy the bridge at Clarksville? Our success or failure at Fort Donelson is vastly important, and I beg you to put your soul in the effort. I send a copy of this to Buell. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN. PROCLAMATION CONCERNING WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, February 19, 1862 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Proclamation It is recommended to the people of the United States that they assemble in their customary places of meeting for public solemnities on the 22d day of February instant, and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Father of his Country, by causing to be read to them his immortal farewell address. Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the 19th day of February, in the year of our [L. S.] Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty sixth. By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, February 25, 1862 To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit to Congress a copy of an instruction from Prince Gortchacow to Mr. de Stoeckl, the minister of his Imperial Majesty the Em peror of Russia accredited to this government, and of a note of the Secretary of State to the latter, relative to the adjustment of the question between the United States and Great Britain, growing out of the removal of certain of our citizens from the British mail-steamer Trent by order of the commander of the United States war-steamer San Jacinto. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, February 26, 1862 To the Senate and House of Representatives: In transmitting to Congress the accompanying copy of two letters, bearing date of the 14th of February, 1861, from his Majesty the Major King of Siam to the President of the United States, and of the President's answer thereto, I submit for their consideration the question as to the proper place of deposit of the gifts received with the royal letters referred to. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2.-IN RELATION TO STATE PRISONERS WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., February 27, 1862. It is ordered: First. That a special commission of two persons, one of military rank and the other in civil life, be appointed to examine the cases of the state prisoners remaining in the military custody of the United States, and to determine whether in view of the public safety and the existing rebellion they should be discharged, or remain in military custody, or be remitted to the civil tribunals for trial. Second. That Major-General John A. Dix, commanding in Baltimore, and the Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, of New York, be, and they are hereby appointed, commissioners for the purpose above mentioned; and they are authorized to examine, hear, and determine the cases aforesaid ex parte and in a summary manner, at such times and places as in their discretion they may appoint, and make full report to the War Department. By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. ORDER RELATING TO COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE, February 28, 1862 Considering that the existing circumstances of the country allow a partial restoration of commercial intercourse between the inhabitants of those parts of the United States heretofore declared to be in insurrection and the citizens of the loyal States of the Union, and exercising the authority and discretion confided to me by the Act of Congress, approved July 13, 1861, entitled "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other pur |