the legal rights of those citizens who remained
individually innocent of treason or rebellion. But I mean no more now than
to merely call attention to this point.

Yours respectfully,

A. LINCOLN.

TO GENERAL P. STEELE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 20, 1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL STEELE:

Sundry citizens of the State of Arkansas petition me that an election may
be held in that State, at which to elect a Governor; that it be assumed
at that election, and thenceforward, that the constitution and laws of
the State, as before the rebellion, are in full force, except that the
constitution is so modified as to declare that there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment of crimes
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; that the General
Assembly may make such provisions for the freed people as shall recognize
and declare their permanent freedom, and provide for their education, and
which may yet be construed as a temporary arrangement suitable to their
condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class; that said election
shall be held on the 28th of March, 1864, at all the usual places of the
State, or all such as voters may attend for that purpose, that the voters
attending at eight o'clock in the morning of said day may choose judges
and clerks of election for such purpose; that all persons qualified
by said constitution and laws, and taking the oath presented in the
President's proclamation of December 8, 1863, either before or at the
election, and none others, may be voters; that each set of judges and
clerks may make returns directly to you on or before the --th day of ----
next; that in all other respects said election may be conducted according
to said constitution and laws: that on receipt of said returns, when five
thousand four hundred and six votes shall have been cast, you can receive
said votes, and ascertain all who shall thereby appear to have been
elected; that on the --th day of ------ next, all persons so appearing to
have been elected, who shall appear before you at Little Rock, and take
the oath, to be by you severally administered, to support the Constitution
of the United States and said modified Constitution of the State of
Arkansas, may be declared by you qualified and empowered to enter
immediately upon the duties of the offices to which they shall have been
respectively elected.

You will please order an election to take place on the