Lincoln had long sought emancipation for the District of Columbia. As President, he was hopeful that his plan for compensated emancipation would even find some support from among the slave owners, or at least would not be too distasteful to them. The book describes the passage of his District of Columbia Emancipation Bill through Congress, the modifications made on it and its reception by the public. Lincoln learned much from this early legislation which guided him when, seven months later, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Dr. Ladenheim, author of Abe Lincoln Afloat, is a life-long...