The other two propositions of the order I allow to stand.  General Schenek is fully determined, and has my strict orders besides, that all loyal men may vote, and vote for whom they please.

Your obedient servant,

A. Lincoln.

To J. H. Hackett
[Private.]
Executive Mansion, Washington,
November 2, 1863.

James H. Hackett.

My Dear sir:—­Yours of October 22d is received, as also was, in due course, that of October 3d.  I look forward with pleasure to the fulfillment of the promise made in the former to visit Washington the following winter and to “call.”

Give yourself no uneasiness on the subject mentioned in that of the 22d.  My note to you I certainly did not expect to see in print, yet I have not been much shocked by the newspaper comments upon it.

Those comments constitute a fair specimen of what has occurred to me through life.  I have endured a great deal of ridicule, without much malice; and have received a great deal of kindness not quite free from ridicule.  I am used to it.

Telegram to W. H. Seward. 
War department,
Washington city, November 3, 1863.

Hon.  W. H. Seward, Auburn, N. Y.: 

Nothing new.  Dispatches up to 12 last night from Chattanooga show all quiet and doing well.  How is your son?

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general Meade
executive Mansion,
Washington, November 3, 1863.

Major-general Meade, Army of Potomac: 

Samuel Wellers, private in Company B, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, writes that he is to be shot for desertion on the 6th instant.  His own story is rather a bad one, and yet he tells it so frankly, that I am somewhat interested in him.  Has he been a good soldier except the desertion?  About how old is he?

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general Meade. 
Executive, Mansion
Washington, D. C., November 5, 1863.

Major-general Meade, Army of Potomac: 

Please suspend the execution of Samuel Wellers, Forty-ninth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, until further orders.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general A. E. Burnside. 
War department,
Washington, November 9, 1863.4 P.M.

Major-general Burnside, Knoxville, Tenn.: 

Have seen dispatch from General Grant about your loss at Rogersville.  Per contra, about the same time, Averell and Duffle got considerable advantage of the enemy at and about Lewisburg, Virginia:  and on Saturday, the seventh, Meade drove the enemy from Rappahannock Station and Kelly’s Ford, capturing eight battle-flags, four guns, and over 1800 prisoners, with very little loss to himself.  Let me hear from you.