This was on July 13[869].

Seward offered a few objections but apparently neither Cabinet official did more than listen to Lincoln's argument of military necessity.

Congress adjourned on July 17.

On July 22, the President read to the Cabinet a draft of an emancipation proclamation the text of the first paragraph of which referred to the Confiscation Act and declared that this would be rigorously executed unless rebellious subjects returned to their allegiance.

But the remainder of the draft reasserted the ideal of a gradual and compensated emancipation and concluded with the warning that for states still in rebellion on January 1, 1863, a general emancipation of slaves would be proclaimed[870].