why did Lincoln inform the in conference that he would not be "setting"

the slaves free?

Lincoln informed the conference that he would not be "setting" the slaves free because he did not have the authority to do so. The Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of slaves in the Confederate states, was issued by Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army. This proclamation was not legally binding and could only be enforced by the military. Therefore, Lincoln could not "set" the slaves free without the help of the military.