EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_. WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, February 27, 1862_. _It is ordered_, first. That a special commission of two persons, one of military rank and the other in civil life, be appointed to examine the cases of the state prisoners remaining in the military custody of the United States, and to determine whether, in view of the public safety and the existing rebellion, they should be discharged or remain in military custody or be remitted to the civil tribunals for trial. Second. That Major-General John A. Dix, commanding in Baltimore, and the Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, of New York, be, and they are hereby, appointed commissioners for the purposes above mentioned, and they are authorized to examine, hear, and determine the cases aforesaid, _ex parte_ and in a summary manner, at such times and places as in their discretion they may appoint, and make full report to the War Department. By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, _February 28, 1862_. Considering that the existing circumstances of the country allow a partial restoration of commercial intercourse between the inhabitants of those parts of the United States heretofore declared to be in insurrection and the citizens of the loyal States of the Union, and exercising the authority and discretion confided to me by the act of Congress approved July 13, 1861, entitled "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other purposes," I hereby license and permit such commercial intercourse in all cases within the rules and regulations which have been or may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury for the conducting and carrying on of the same on the inland waters and ways of the United States. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER No. 2. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 8, 1862_. _Ordered_, 1. That the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of the said army destined to enter upon active operations (including the reserve, but excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Washington) into four army corps, to be commanded according to seniority of rank, as follows: First Corps to consist of four divisions, and to be commanded by Major-General I. McDowell. Second Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brigadier-General E.V. Sumner. Third Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brigadier-General S.P. Heintzelman. Fourth Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brigadier-General E.D. Keyes. 2. That the divisions now commanded by the officers above assigned to the commands of army corps shall be embraced in and form part of their respective corps.