Lincoln's Cabinet met to discuss current war problems including General John Phelps attempt to not only protect fugitive slaves in New Orleans but to arm them. This irritated the president and his Cabinet. The issue of arming blacks was a politically charged issue the president was unwilling to allow. When the cease and desist order was issued to General Phelps, he resigned.
Congress enacted legislation allowing the president to issue pardons for soldiers sent to prison for court martial. The president issued 90 pardons this week to free those men awaiting trial.
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