The Emancipation Proclamation: "A Poor Document, But a Mighty Act"

[RJNorton]

(12-29-2017 10:38 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  On this day December 29, 1862, Lincoln read the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet for their consideration and suggestions.
Did they know about it beforehand?

Bill, I think so (unless I misunderstand what you are asking).

In the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862) Lincoln had written:

"That on the first day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

That the executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States, and part of States, if any, in which the people thereof respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States;"