I said nothing to anyone, but I made the promise to
myself, and--[hesitating a little]--to my Maker. The rebel army
is now driven out, and I am going to fulfil that promise. I have
got you together to hear what I have written down. I do not wish
your advice about the main matter, for that I have determined for
myself. This I say, without intending anything but respect for
any one of you. But I already know the views of each on this
question. . . . I have considered them as thoroughly and
carefully as I can. What I have written is that which my
reflections have determined me to say. If there is anything in
the expressions I use, or in any minor matter which any one of
you thinks had best be changed, I shall be glad to receive the
suggestions. One other observation I will make. I know very well
that many others might, in this matter as in others, do better
than I can; and if I was satisfied that the public confidence was
more fully possessed by any one of them than by me, and knew of
any constitutional way in which he could be put in my place, he
should have it. I would gladly yield it to him. But, though I
believe that I have not so much of the confidence of the people
as I had some time since, I do not know that, all things
considered, any other person has more; and however this may be,
there is no way in which I can have any other man put where I am.
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