reduction in his current pay, subsistence, or allowance. The
American people will hear with sadness and deep emotion that General
Scott has withdrawn from the active control of the army, while the
President and unanimous Cabinet express their own and the nation's
sympathy in his personal affliction, and their profound sense of the
important public services rendered by him to his country during his
long and brilliant career, among which will be gratefully
distinguished his faithful devotion to the Constitution, the Union,
and the flag when assailed by parricidal rebellion.

"ABRAHAM LINCOLN.'

"General Scott thereupon arose and addressed the Cabinet, who had also
risen, as follows:

"'President, this honor overwhelms me. It overpays all the services I
have attempted to render my country. If I had any claims before, they
are all obliterated by this expression of approval by the President,
with the remaining support of the Cabinet. I know the President and
his Cabinet well. I know that the country has placed its interests in
this trying crisis in safe keeping. Their counsels are wise, their
labors as untiring as they are loyal, and their course is the right
one.

"'President, you must excuse me. I am unable to stand longer to give
utterance to the feelings of gratitude which oppress me. In my
retirement I shall offer up my prayers to God for this Administration
and for my country. I shall pray for it with confidence in its success
over all enemies, and that speedily.'

"The President then took leave of General Scott, giving him his hand,
and saying that he hoped soon to write him a private letter expressive
of his gratitude and affection.... Each member of the Administration
then gave his hand to the veteran and retired in profound silence."

The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of War accompanied
General Scott to New York the next morning. On the same day (November
1st) Secretary Cameron addressed the lieutenant general the following
letter in response to the latter's of the day previous:

"GENERAL: It was my duty to lay before the President your
letter of yesterday, asking to be relieved on the recent act of
Congress. In separating from you, I can not refrain from expressing
my deep regret that your health, shattered by long service and
repeated wounds received in your country's defense, should render it
necessary for you t