President consults with General Benjamin Butler on freedpeople problem. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 11 April 1865, 2d ed., 2:5; Butler, Correspondence, 5:589; CW, 8:588; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 12 April 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 1:5-6.

Marshal Lamon and Sec. Usher call on President, who sends Lamon to Richmond on business connected with reconstruction convention. Lamon, Recollections, 279-81.

Cabinet meets. Cotton question chief topic. Welles, Diary.

President issues proclamation closing certain ports of entry and proclamation concerning foreign port privileges. Proclamation Concerning Blockade, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:396-97; Proclamation Modifying Bloackade of Key West, Florida, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:397; Proclamation Concerning Foreign Port Privileges, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:397-98.

Grand celebration at White House. President appears at window over door and Mrs. Lincoln at neighboring window. Reads speech to crowd on lawn. Evening Star, 12 April 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 1:4.

In this, his last public speech, President discusses status of Confederate States and his plan for restoring them to their place in Union. Albert G. Riddle, Recollections of War Times: Reminiscences of Men and Events in Washington, 1860-1865 (New York: Putnam, 1895), 329; Last Public Address, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:399-405.

Writes pass: "Allow the bearer, W. H. Lamon &friend, with ordinary baggage to pass from Washington to Richmond and return." Pass for Ward H. Lamon, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:395.

Mrs. Lincoln writes Gen. Grant that President is ill but "would be very much pleased to see you this . . . evening . . . &I want you to drive . . . with us to see the illumination." CW, 8:588.