ll the world that it is Dick Taylor's creation. You
had always been friendly to me, and when troublous times fell on us, and
my shoulders, though broad and willing, were weak, and myself surrounded
by such circumstances and such people that I knew not whom to trust, then
I said in my extremity: "I will send for Colonel Taylor; he will know what
to do." I think it was in January, 1862, on or about the 16th, that I did
so. You came, and I said to you:
"What can we do?" Said you, "Why, issue Treasury notes bearing no
interest, printed on the best banking paper. Issue enough to pay off the
Army expenses and declare it legal tender."
Chase thought it a hazardous thing, but we finally accomplished it,
and gave the people of this Republic the greatest blessing they ever
had--their own paper to pay their own debts.
It is due to you, the father of the present greenback, that the people
should know it, and I take great pleasure in making it known. How many
times have I laughed at you telling me plainly that I was too lazy to be
anything but a lawyer.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT CHATTANOOGA. EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, December 16, 1864
OFFICER IN COMMAND at Chattanooga, Tenn.:
It is said that Harry Walters, a private in the Anderson cavalry, is now
and for a long time has been in prison at Chattanooga. Please report to me
what is his condition, and for what he is imprisoned.
A. LINCOLN.
CALL FOR 300,000 VOLUNTEERS, DECEMBER 19, 1864.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
A Proclamation
Whereas, by the act approved July 4, 1864, entitled "An act further
to regulate and provide for the enrolling and calling out the national
forces, and for other purposes," it is provided that the President of the
United States may, "at his discretion, at any time hereafter, call for
any number of men, as volunteers for the respective terms of one, two, and
three years for military service," and "that in case the quota or any
part thereof of any town, township, ward of a city, precinct, or election
district, or of any country not so subdivided, shall not be filled
within the space of fifty days after such call, then the President shall
immediately order a draft for one year to fill such quota or any part
thereof which may be unfilled;" and
Whereas, by the credits allowed in accordance with the act of Congress
on the call for 500,000 men, made July 18, 1864, the number o
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