me in the performance of what may seem to be my duty. (Copy of this delivered to General Buckner, this 10th day of July, 1861.) MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 11, 1861 To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th instant, requesting a copy of correspondence upon the subject of the incorporation of the Dominican republic with the Spanish monarchy, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, to whom the resolution was referred. MEMORANDUM ABOUT THE DEFEAT AT VIENNA, VA., July 15, 1861 A DAY or two before the disaster at Vienna General Tyler had, by orders, with a force gone on the same road three miles beyond that point, and returned past it, seeing neither battery nor troops-of which General Schenck had been notified. The morn ing of the disaster General Schenck received the order under which he acted, which is in words and figures following: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT, N. E. VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON, June 17, 1861. BRIGADIER-GENERAL SCHENCK, Commanding Ohio Brigade. Sir: The general commanding directs that you send one of the regiments of your command on a train of cars up the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad to the point where it crosses the wagon-road running from Fort Corcoran (opposite Georgetown) southerly into Virginia. The regiment, being established at that point, will by suitable patrols feel the way along the road to Falls Church and Vienna, moving, however, with caution, and making it a special duty to guard effectually the railroad bridges and look to the track. The regiment will go supplied for a tour of duty of twenty-four hours, and will move on the arrival at your camp of a train of cars ordered for that purpose, and will relieve all the troops of Colonel Hunter's brigade now guarding the line. I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, JAMES B. FRY, A. A. G. As appears by the order, General Schenck was not ordered to go himself, but merely to send a regiment; and he went himself because the colonels of both his regiments happened to be absent; but he took Colonel McCook's regiment, and Colonel McCook overtook and joined him before the disaster occurred; and to whom (he being a regularly educated military man) the order was at once shown, and General Schenck did nothing afterward but upon his full concurrence. It is not true, as has been stated, that any notice was given General Schenck of a battery being at Vienna. It is true that a countryman told General Schenck he had heard there were troops at Vienna. He was asked if he had seen them, and he said not; he was asked if he had seen any one who had seen them, and he said not; but he had seen a man who had heard there were troops there. This was heard by Colonel McCook as well as General Schenck; and on consultation they agreed that it was but a vague rumor. It is a fact that not an officer or private who was present at the disaster has ever cast a word of blame upon either General Schenck or Colonel McCook; but, on the contrary, they are all anxious to have another trial under the same officers. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, July 16, 1861 To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit to Congress a copy of correspondence between the Secretary of State and her Britannic Majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary accredited to this government, relative to the exhibition of the products of industry of all nations, which is to take place at London in the course of the next year. As citizens of the United States may justly pride themselves upon their proficiency in industrial arts, it is desirable that they should have proper facilities toward taking part in the exhibition. With this view I recommend such legislation by Congress at this session as may be necessary for that purpose. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. LETTER TO SECRETARY CHASE (Private.) EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 18, 186r. My dear Sir: I can scarcely avoid an "un pleasantness," not to say a difficulty, or rupture, respectively with Mr. Senator King and Mr. Speaker Grow, unless I can find a place for each a man. Mr. Grow, knowing I have Mr. King on hand, as well as himself, was here this morning, insisting that the second and fifth authorships are still open, and that I might give them to Mr. King's man and to his. Is the fact so? Are those places open? If they are, you would both oblige and relieve me by letting them go as indicated. Grow's man is Joseph E. Streeter, really of Illinois (no acquaintance of mine), but, as Grow says, to be charged to Pennsylvania. King's man is Smith, of Minnesota. I neither know him nor remember his Christian name as given by Mr. King. A. LINCOLN. Yours as ever, *LETTER TO SECRETARY SEWARD EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 19, 1861. My dear Sir: I wish to see you a moment this morning on a matter of no great moment. Will you please call? Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, July 19, 1861 To the Senate and House of Representatives: As the United States have, in common with Great Britain and France, a deep interest in the |