the trials could be divided into two groups: combat between combatants and combat against civilians. The groups could be identified by their transcripts, the first group were all just three pages in length while the second group had more pages, some up to twelve. He placed 263 cases into the first group and commuted their sentences for the largest mass commutation in history. Into the second group went forty. One he commuted for turning state's witness. Sibley dismissed another when overwhelming proof surfaced exonerating the man. The remaining 38 were executed in the largest mass hanging in U.S. history. Very quickly questions arose concerning three of the executions that have not been answered. Less than four months after the executions, Lincoln issued General Order 100 that relates more to the Minnesota War than the Civil War. Now a congressman, Alexander Ramsey told Lincoln, in 1864, that he would have gotten more re-election support in Minnesota had he executed all 303 of the Mdewakanton. Lincoln responded, "I could not afford to hang men for votes." The men whose sentences he commuted were sent to a military prison at Davenport, Iowa. A few of those he had released due to the efforts of Bishop Henry Whipple. Whig theory of a presidency Lincoln adhered to the Whig theory of a presidency focused on executing laws while deferring to Congress' responsibility for legislating. Lincoln vetoed only four bills, including the Wade-Davis Bill with its harsh Reconstruction program. The 1862 Homestead Act made millions of acres of Western government-held land available for purchase at low cost. The 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act provided government grants for agricultural colleges in each state. The Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864 granted federal support for the construction of the United States' first transcontinental railroad, which was completed in 1869. The passage of the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Acts was enabled by the absence of Southern congressmen and senators who had opposed the measures in the 1850s. In the selection and use of his cabinet, Lincoln employed the strengths of his opponents in a manner that emboldened his presidency. Lincoln commented on his thought process, "We need the strongest men of the party in the Cabinet. We needed to hold our own people together. I had looked the party over and concluded that these were the very strongest men. Then I had no right to deprive
{
        'QUESTION: What happened during the trials?',
        'ANSWER: During the trials, there were two main categories: one involving combat between combatants and the other involving combat against civilians. The former had shorter transcripts (usually three pages), while the latter had longer ones (up to twelve). Out of 263 cases in the first category, President Lincoln decided to commute their sentences, leading to the largest mass commutation in history.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: How did President Lincoln handle the remaining cases?',
        'ANSWER: For the remaining 40 cases, President Lincoln took different actions. He commuted one sentence because the person turned state's witness, and dismissed another case when new evidence proved the accused innocent. The rest, 38 individuals, faced execution through the largest mass hanging in US history.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: Why didn\'t President Lincoln execute everyone initially recommended?',
        'ANSWER: President Lincoln believed that it wasn\'t worth risking public opinion and political support by executing all 303 people recommended. As he stated, "I could not afford to hang men for votes." Instead, he chose to exercise judicial discretion and review individual cases before making decisions.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: Who were the men who had their sentences commuted sent to?',
        'ANSWER: After having their sentences commuted, the men were sent to a military prison located in Davenport, Iowa.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: Can you tell me about the Whig Theory of Presidency?',
        'ANSWER: The Whig Theory of Presidency emphasizes the role of the president in enforcing laws while allowing Congress to focus on legislation. According to this viewpoint, President Lincoln followed this approach by rarely using his power to veto bills, such as the controversial Wade-Davis Bill.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: What significant acts were passed during President Lincoln\'s time?',
        'ANSWER: Under President Lincoln’s administration, several key pieces of legislation were passed. These included the 1862 Homestead Act, which allowed millions of acres of western lands to be purchased at affordable prices; the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, providing funding for agricultural colleges across states; and the Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864, supporting the construction of America’s first transcontinental railroad.',
        'SEPARATOR',
        'QUESTION: How did President Lincoln choose his cabinet members?',
        'ANSWER: When selecting his cabinet, President Lincoln aimed to utilize the strengths of both parties. By doing so, he hoped to maintain unity within his party and effectively govern. This strategy also helped him avoid potential conflicts and challenges that might arise if he had chosen solely based on personal preferences.'
    }