Early Statesman synthesis distilling legal jargon into practical meaning, statutory anchors, and structural constitutional impacts.
This executive order, signed by President Abraham Lincoln on 1861-10-14, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "—Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus." It is a direct, concise executive instruction delivering focused administrative or military commands to department leadership.
Constitutional Assessment: Scrutinized through Article II, Section 2, this action exercises the President's constitutional role as Commander in Chief. Early Framers recognized broad executive discretion in commanding military forces during conflict, provided it remains bounded by congressional declarations and respects civilian domestic courts.
Key Directives & Operative Actions
▪You and any officer acting under your authority are hereby authorized to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in any place between that place and the city of Washington.
Constitutional & Societal Entities Impacted
🏛️ Armed Forces & Military Establishments
🏛️ Sovereign State Governments & Localities
Total Words
66
399 characters
Estimated Read Time
1 min
@ 200 words / min
Flesch-Kincaid
11.3
Post-Grad reading level
Constitutional Polarity
+0.02
Framers' Alignment index
📜
Scholarly & Legal Citations
Exec. Order, "Executive Order—Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus," Abraham Lincoln (Oct 14, 1861). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-suspension-the-writ-habeas-corpus.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
Lieutenant-General WINFIELD SCOTT: The military line of the United States for the suppression of the insurrection may be extended so far as Bangor, in Maine. You and any officer acting under your authority are hereby authorized to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in any place between that place and the city of Washington. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State .
