Lincoln writes an endorsement on a letter from Henry A. Wise, of the U.S. Navy's Ordnance & Hydrography Bureau. Wise forwarded a request from Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote, who is stationed at Cairo, Illinois. Foote explained, "As the mortar Boats have no accommodations for cooking, keeping or carrying provisions, the men must have a steamer for their accommodation. Shall I purchase or hire a steamer for them?" Lincoln replies, "If Flag-officer Foote, can find a suitable Boat which he can purchase at a fair price, let him purchase it at once." Henry A. Wise to Abraham Lincoln, 26 January 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Henry A. Wise, 27 January 1862, IHi; CW, 5:112.