ines.

I send by Mr. Hay this letter and a blank-book and some other blanks, the
way of using which I propose for him to explain verbally better than I can
in writing.

Yours, very truly,

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 5, 1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE:

If not inconsistent with the service, please allow General William Harrow
as long a leave of absence as the rules permit with the understanding that
I may lengthen it if I see fit. He is an acquaintance and friend of mine,
and his family matters very urgently require his presence.

A. LINCOLN.

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,

JANUARY 5, 1864.

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

By a joint resolution of your honorable bodies approved December 23, 1863,
the paying of bounties to veteran volunteers, as now practiced by the
War Department, is, to the extent of three hundred dollars in each case,
prohibited after this 5th day of the present month. I transmit for your
consideration a communication from the Secretary of War, accompanied by
one from the Provost-Marshal General to him, both relating to the subject
above mentioned. I earnestly recommend that the law be so modified as to
allow bounties to be paid as they now are, at least until the ensuing 1st
day of February.

I am not without anxiety lest I appear to be importunate in thus recalling
your attention to a subject upon which you have so recently acted, and
nothing but a deep conviction that the public interest demands it could
induce me to incur the hazard of being misunderstood on this point. The
Executive approval was given by me to the resolution mentioned, and it
is now by a closer attention and a fuller knowledge of facts that I feel
constrained to recommend a reconsideration of the subject.

A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 6, 1864. 2 P.M.

GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE, Frankfort, Kentucky:

Yours of yesterday received. Nothing is known here about General Foster's
order, of which you complain, beyond the fair presumption that it comes
from General Grant, and that it has an object which, if you understood,
you would be loath to frustrate. True, these troops are, in strict law,
only to be removed by my order; but General Grant's judgment would be the
highest incentive to me to make such order. Nor can I understand how doing
so is bad faith and dishonor, nor yet how it