Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 [Fragment of Lincoln's last State of the Union address concerning the thirteenth amendment]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08094 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript Date: 6 December 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 17.5 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy
An 11-line fragment of his last Annual Message to Congress dealing with the failure of Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment and recommending they reconsider: "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution [inserted above: abolishing slavery throughout the United States,] passed the Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the reconsideration and passage of the measures at the present session." The address was delivered on 6 December 1864. The Lincoln speech is on the first page. An autograph note describing the document and pertaining to its provenance appears on the verso.
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