Text of President Abraham Lincoln's Executive Order Authorizing General Winfield Scott To Suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus between Philadelphia and Washington

April 27, 1861

On April 27, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive authorizing General Winfield Scott to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if necessary to ensure the public safety between Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

On April 27, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive authorizing General Winfield Scott to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if necessary to ensure the public safety between Philadelphia and Washington, DC. [Wikimedia Commons]

April 27, 1861

The COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES

You are engaged in suppressing an insurrection against the laws of the United States. If at any point on or in the vicinity of any military, line which is now or which shall be used between the city of Philadelphia and the city of Washington you find resistance which renders it necessary to suspend the writ of habeas corpus for the public safety, you personally, or through the officer in command at the point where resistance occurs, are authorized to suspend that writ.

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at the city of Washington, this 27th day of April, 1861, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President of the United States:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Text of President Abraham Lincoln's Executive Order Authorizing General Winfield Scott To Suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus between Philadelphia and Washington
  • Date April 27, 1861
  • Author
  • Keywords lincoln, scott, habeas corpus
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date September 28, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 3, 2022

Text of President Abraham Lincoln's Executive Order Authorizing General Winfield Scott To Suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus between Philadelphia and Washington is Part of the Following on AHC