http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/sd107-11/pdf/116-121.pdf

This painting shows the first reading of President Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The debate over whether or not slavery should be continued in the United States was long drawn out and Lincoln needed to work hard to decide the perfect time and context of the document that would free the slaves. The painting shows all of Lincolns close trustees tightly surrounding him in order to hear the Proclamation for the first time. They all look very serious and thoughtful showing how important this document was. In the bottom right hand corner you can see books and a map of the United States sticking out from behind the chairs. It shows how Lincoln put the whole union into consideration while writting the document and continued to check his constitutional rights. (Sarah B.)

This shows the emancipation proclamation being read by Lincoln to his cabinet. Although most of his cabinet members agreed on his premise they did not believe he should release the emancipation proclamation publicly until the Union had turned the war into it's favor, to prevent the document from sounding like a desperate attempt to gain black and abolitionist support. Lincoln's opportunity came after the battle of Antietam which brought the war back into the Union's grasp, despite being a battle where both sides lost many men, the south retreated and the union declared victory. After Lincoln publicly released his emancipation proclamation it gave the war new purpose, for it was no longer just a matter of states rights, but a battle over whether slavery would prevail in the united states of America. For many this provided enough moral cause to go to war in support of the union, including many free blacks. Although, not all were happy, and a fair amount deserted the Union armies because of this new statement.(Sam S.)