The life and times of Hannibal Hamlin; . aine. A smilecame over President Lincolns face, and he said in a significant way: No, you dont intend to do anything of the sort. Oh yes, but I do, replied Mr. Hamlin, not quite understanding. No, rejoined Mn Lincoln, you do not intend anything of thesort; in fact, Mr. Vice-President, you will not leave Washington atpresent. Mr. Hamlin at once saw that the President had something in mindof unusual importance, and said : — Of course I will not think of doing so if you wish are the commander-in-chief, and I am under orders. And I order you t
The life and times of Hannibal Hamlin; . aine. A smilecame over President Lincolns face, and he said in a significant way: No, you dont intend to do anything of the sort. Oh yes, but I do, replied Mr. Hamlin, not quite understanding. No, rejoined Mn Lincoln, you do not intend anything of thesort; in fact, Mr. Vice-President, you will not leave Washington atpresent. Mr. Hamlin at once saw that the President had something in mindof unusual importance, and said : — Of course I will not think of doing so if you wish are the commander-in-chief, and I am under orders. And I order you to sit in that chair, continued the President,laughing; and afterwards to ride with me to supper. In a short time the President and Vice-President, escorted by a fileof soldiers, rode horseback out to the Soldiers Home, which Mr. Lin-coln used as a summer residence. After supper President Lincolninvited Vice-President Hamlin into his library, and after locking thedoor, said: — Mr. Hamlin, you have been repeatedly urging me to issue a. y. I EMANCIPATION OF THE SLAVES 429 proclamation of emancipation freeing the slaves. I have concludedto yield to your advice in the matter and that of other friends, — atthe same time, as I may say, following my own judgment. Nowlisten to me while I read this paper. We will correct it together as Igo on. While saying this, Mr. Lincoln opened a drawer in his desk andtook therefrom the first draft of the military proclamation freeingfour millions of slaves. The President and Vice-President then sat down, and Mr. Lincolnslowly read the instrument over to his associate, after which he askedfor criticism and suggestions. There is no criticism to be made, Mr. Hamlin replied. Oh yes, there is ; at least, you can make some suggestions,answered Mr. Lincoln, laughingly, and he repeated his invitation. Finally, said Mr. Hamlin in his account of this famous inter-view, I did make, I believe, three suggestions, two of which accepted. ^ But this
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