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Emancipation Proclamation (preliminary version). First edition. Washington, September 22, 1862. Stern Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Rare Books and Special Collections Division.

President Lincoln issued this first printing of the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation in general orders format, as an order from the Commander-in-Chief to the armed forces. Because he had direct control over the Army, the President thus made it unnecessary to go through Congress to activate the Proclamation. The preliminary version differs from the final version of January 1, 1863, in placing a greater emphasis on the preservation of the Union as a motivating force for the Proclamation.

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