a fellow named william mckie who lincoln called a democrat editor, which is akin to a worse adjective, had better luck. mckie get hold of and published lincoln's official letter promoting a general named john scofield in missouri. scofield was outraged. he demanded that mckie name his source, and when he refused ordered him arrested. lincoln gently reprimanded the general. not for violating freedom of the press. that would have been too much. for upsetting the political apple cart. he said "i fear this loses you the middle position i desired you to occupy in missouri." keep in mind, missouri is a state teetering between the south and the north with a lot of bloodshed and a lot of ab gags of civil liberties. i care little for any letters i've written. please spare me the trouble this is likely to bring. scofield's answer was, he has to be arrested. he has to be restrained. so lincoln said, okay, there is an apparent impropriety. but it's still a case where no evil could result and i am entirely willing to overlook. finally knox was sent free. as lincoln had written scofield in a letter