“_Third._ To reduce the number of general and staff officers to the actual necessities of the service. “_Fourth._ To remove all military restrictions upon trade and commerce, so far as may be consistent with the public safety. “As soon as these measures can be put in operation, it will be made known by public orders. “EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.” The Traitor President, who, on the fifth of April, had issued a proclamation to the effect that he should hold on to Virginia--where was he at this time? CHAPTER XXV. THE LAST ACT. Interview with Mr. Colfax--Cabinet Meeting--Incident--Evening Conversation--Possibility of Assassination--Leaves for the Theatre--In the Theatre--Precautions for the Murder--The Pistol Shot--Escape of the Assassin--Death of the President--Pledges Redeemed--Situation of the Country--Effect of the Murder-- Obsequies at Washington--Borne Home--Grief of the People--At Rest. On the morning of Friday, April fourteenth, 1865, after an interesting conversation with his eldest son, Robert, a captain on General Grant’s staff, relative to the surrender of Lee, with the details of which the son was familiar, the President, hearing that Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was in the Executive Mansion, invited the latter to a chat in the reception-room, and during the following hour the talk turned upon his future policy toward the rebellion--a matter which he was about to submit to his Cabinet. After an interview with John P. Hale, then recently appointed Minister to Spain, as well as with several Senators and Representatives, a Cabinet meeting was held, at eleven o’clock, General Grant being present, which proved to be one of the most satisfactory and important consultations held since his first inauguration. The future policy of the Administration was harmoniously and unanimously agreed upon, and upon the adjournment of the meeting the Secretary of War remarked that the Government was then stronger than at any period since the commencement of the rebellion. It was afterwards remembered that at this meeting the President turned to General Grant and asked him if he had heard from General Sherman. General Grant replied that he had not, but was in hourly expectation of receiving dispatches from him, announcing the surrender of Johnston. “Well,” said the President, “you will hear very soon now and the news will be important.” “Why do you think so?” said the General. “Because,” said Mr. Lincoln, “I had a dream last night, and ever since the war began I have invariably had the same dream before any very important military event has occurred.” He then instanced Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, etc., and said that before each of these events he had had the same dream, and turning to Secretary Welles, said: “It is in your line, too, Mr. Welles. The dream is that I saw a ship sailing very rapidly, and I am sure that it portends some important national event.”