Joint congressional committee announces to President that Congress is ready to receive communications. Senate Journal, 6.

President communicates Second Annual Message to Congress: Foreign relations are more satisfactory than might be expected. Treaty with Great Britain for suppression of slave trade is in operation with prospect of success. Negro colonies from U.S. may soon migrate to Liberia and Haiti. Commercial relations with leading nations are undisturbed. System of banking associations will circulate notes of uniform appearance and security. Treasury receipts amounted to $583 million, expenditures to $570 million. Public lands are no longer source of revenue. System for Indian affairs may need remodeling. Progress has been made on construction of Pacific railroad. Department of Agriculture has been organized. President recommends that Congress propose three amendments to Constitution: 1. Every State that abolishes slavery before January 1, 1900, shall receive compensation from the U.S. 2. All slaves who shall have enjoyed actual freedom by chances of war shall be forever free. 3. Congress may appropriate money, and otherwise provide for colonizing free colored persons with their own consent, at any place or places outside U.S. Annual Message to Congress, 1 December 1862, CW, 5:518-37.

President writes Judge Adv. Gen. Joseph Holt: "Three hundred Indians have been sentenced to death in Minnesota by a Military Commission, and execution only awaits my action. I wish your legal opinion whether if I should conclude to execute only a part of them, I must myself designate which." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 1 December 1862, CW, 5:537-38.

In afternoon Lincoln repeats to Sen. Browning (Ill.) at White House, "McClellan is too slow." Browning, Diary.

Informs Sec. Stanton of order that officers of military forces organized by Gov. Gamble (Mo.) may be removed and resignations accepted by Gov. Gamble, whose action will be confirmed by War Dept. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 2 December 1862, CW, 5:538.

President recommends to Congress that $9,500 be paid owner of French brig "Jules et Marie" for damage done by U.S.S. "San Jacinto." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 3 December 1862, CW, 5:539.

White House detectives arrest Francis X. Rabstock for annoying President. Washington Chronicle, 4 December 1862.

Mrs. Lincoln sends bouquet to Mrs. Fox. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln endorses John W. True of 54th Regiment Illinois Volunteers: "I personally know the writer of this to be a good man." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 4 December 1862, CW, 5:540.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) interviews President in interest of Gen. Butler. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 552.

President receives Senate resolution requesting "all information in his possession touching the late Indian barbarities in the State of Minnesota." Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, 5 December 1862, CW, 5:540-41.

Receives November salary warrant for $2,022.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

[Irwin deposits $75 in Springfield Marine Bank, interest on Cline note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

Lincoln writes to General Henry H. Sibley, who heads a military commission that sentenced 303 Dakota Indians to death for killing military personnel and civilians in Minnesota. After evaluating the testimony, Lincoln recommended that only thirty-nine of the accused merited execution. On this day, Lincoln issues an order listing the names of the thirty-nine "Indians and Half-breeds . . . to be executed on Friday, the nineteenth day of December." Annual Message to Congress, 1 December 1862, CW, 5:518-537; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 1 December 1862, CW, 5:537-538; Abraham Lincoln to Henry H. Sibley, 6 December 1862, CW, 5:542-43.

Sen. John B. Henderson (Mo.) and Cong. Thomas L. Price (Mo.) interview President on behalf of Rufus K. Sanders. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 6 December 1862, CW, 5:543.

5 P.M. Sunday dinner party at White House includes Sen. Browning (Ill.), Sen. Harris (N.Y.), and members of President's staff. Nicolay to Bates, 7 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Browning, Diary.

Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) reviews with President case of Gen. C. S. Hamilton. Howe to Lincoln, 10 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln asks Capt. Dahlgren to see him at once. Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dahlgren, 8 December 1862, CW, 5:545.

Sends recommendation to Congress on behalf of Comdr. John L. Worden. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1862, CW, 5:547.

Borrows "Lyrics by the letter 'H'" from Library of Congress. [Charles Graham Halpine, Lyrics by the Letter H, New York and Cincinnati, 1854.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President sends to Senate correspondence relative to attempted seizure of Joseph Fauchet, minister from France, by commander of "Africa" [on August 1, 1795]. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 9 December 1862, CW, 5:547-48.

Cautions Gen. Henry H. Sibley not to hang innocent Indian as a result of confusing similar names. Nicolay to Sibley, 9 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin withdraws $1,500 from Springfield Marine Bank, as personal loan. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Sen. Wilmot (Pa.) asks President to appoint his son, Thomas M. Wilmot, to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Thomas M. Wilmot, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549.

President sends communication to House of Representatives regarding arrest of part of crew of U.S.S. "Sumter." Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549.

Recommends to Congress that vote of thanks be given Lt. Comdr. George U. Morris (USN.) for valiant action against "Merrimac" at Hampton Roads. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549-50.

Sen. Timothy O. Howe (Wis.) and two colleagues call on Lincoln in interest of Gen. Egbert L. Viele. Howe to Lincoln, 10 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes J. K. Dubois: "In the summer of 1859 when Mr. Freeman visited Springfield, Illinois, in relation to the McCallister & Stebbins bonds I promised that, . . . I would ask the members of the Legislature to give him a full and fair hearing of his case. . . . I sincerely wish it may be given him." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:548-49.

President recognizes Ludwig von Baumbach, consul of Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt for Wisconsin and Minnesota, and B. B. Haagsma consul of Netherlands for Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. Washington Star, 11 December 1862.

Goes for drive in carriage. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Transmits to Senate treaty with Republic of Liberia and information touching Indian barbarities in Minnesota. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 11 December 1862, CW, 5:550; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 11 December 1862, CW, 5:550-51.

Recommends to Sec. Stanton: "John Speed named within [2d Lt. John Speed, son of James Speed], is a son of a particular friend of mine." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 11 December 1862, CW, 5:552.

President at War Dept. early to get news of Army of Potomac near Fredericksburg, Va. Philadelphia News, 15 December 1862.

Approves action of Sec. Welles in dismissing Comdr. George H. Preble (USN) for failure to do his duty in permitting Confederate ship "Florida" to run blockade at Mobile, Ala. Welles, Diary.

J. W. Forney and friends from Pennsylvania call at White House and present cane to President. Washington Chronicle, 12 December 1862.

Maj. Moses Gist of 4th Delaware Infantry reports to President on firing tests given Peckham rifle cartridges designed to make ramrods unnecessary in loading by muzzle. They drop to bottom of bore and stay in place by means of powder released from cartridge in loading. Bruce, Tools of War, 220-22.

At 6 P.M. President talks to Sen. Browning (Ill.) about army matters and Gen. Cassius M. Clay. Browning, Diary.

John Nicolay makes trip to Fredericksburg; sent by President with letter of introduction to Gen. Burnside. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:552.

Lincoln forwards to Congress three swords formerly belonging to Gen. David E. Twiggs (CSA) and sent from New Orleans by Gen. Butler. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:552-53.

President answers Mayor Fernando Wood's (N.Y.) proposal for armistice and peace effort: "The war would cease on the part of the United States," if the people of the Southern States would cease resistance and maintain national authority. "Nor do I think it proper now to suspend military operations to try any experiment of negotiation." Abraham Lincoln to Fernando Wood, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:553-54.

President decides that Thomas Thoroughman disloyalty case may be settled at discretion of Abraham Jonas and Henry Asbury, lawyers of Quincy, Ill. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 13 December 1862, CW, 6:1-2.

Notifies Senate that name of Capt. William M. Glendy (USN) has been withdrawn from list of promotions because he is eligible for retirement. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 December 1862, CW, 6:1.

President summons Gen. McDowell and Simon Cameron to White House. Gen. Heintzelman interviews President prior to McDowell's arrival. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 14 December 1862, CW, 6:2.

Gen. Herman Haupt calls at White House. Meets Mrs. Lincoln. Goes with President to Gen. Halleck's office for conference. Correspondence, 26, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln telegraphs John Nicolay at Gen. Burnside's headquarters: "What news have you?" Abraham Lincoln to John G. Nicolay, [14 December 1862], CW, 6:2.

About 10 P.M. Sen. Wilson (Mass.) brings H. Villard, war correspondent present at Battle of Fredericksburg, to see President. Henry Villard, Memoirs of Henry Villard, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 1:389-91.

Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Sen. Browning (Ill.) attends church. Tells Browning President would like to have him in cabinet. Browning, Diary.

President enters into agreement with Capt. Isaac R. Diller of Philadelphia to make further tests of new formula gunpowder. Report of Diller to Lincoln, 31 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Isaac R. Diller, 15 December 1862, CW, 6:3-5.

In evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) discusses with Lincoln bill creating new state of West Virginia. Browning, Diary.

President approves change in date for execution of Minnesota Indians from December 19, 1862 to December 26, 1862. Abraham Lincoln to Henry H. Sibley, 16 December 1862, CW, 6:6-7.

Orders Gen. Curtis to investigate evacuation incident involving Nathaniel W. Watkins, halfbrother of Henry Clay, "and restore the old man to his home, if the public interest will admit." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 16 December 1862, CW, 6:6.

"President sends much for Gus [Asst. Sec. Fox] lately—that indicates he is in trouble." Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"The President remarked to me the other night . . . that he was very anxious to have us retake Sumter, & that he would man it with negroes . . . President is exceedingly disturbed." John M. Forbes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1899), 1:343.

President arranges meeting with senatorial committee for tomorrow evening. Monaghan, Diplomat, 267.

In evening receives from hands of Senator King (N.Y.) resignations of Secretary of State William H. Seward and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward following action of Republican senatorial caucus. Scrapbook clipping, 23 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1862, 2d ed., 2:2; Bates, Diary, 19 December 1862.

Gen. Haupt visits President in evening and interrupts conversation between Cong. Covode (Pa.) and Lincoln. Correspondence, 26-27, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Gen. Curtis: "Could the civil authority be reintroduced into Missouri in lieu of the military to any extent, with advantage and safety?" Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8.

Declines to sign memorandum on behalf of "The colored man William Johnson [who] came with me from Illinois" for fear it will be construed as an order. Memorandum Concerning William H. Johnson, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8-9.

At 10 A.M. President receives committee, consisting of Congs. Crittenden (Ky.), John W. Crisfield (Md.), and William A. Hall (Mo.), to present views of people in Border States. Washington Chronicle, 19 December 1862; Abraham Lincoln to John J. Crittenden, John W. Crisfield, and William A. Hall, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8.

Asks opinion of Gov. Gamble (Mo.) on ability of enrolled militia alone to maintain order north of Missouri River; if so, might other forces be moved south of river? Abraham Lincoln to Hamilton R. Gamble, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9.

Transmits to Congress documentation "relative to certain valuable publications presented to the Library of Congress" by British Museum. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9-10.

Committee of nine from Republican senatorial caucus meets with Lincoln at 7 P.M. and confers several hours on resignation of Sec. Seward and reconstruction of cabinet. Collamer to Lincoln, 18 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Scrapbook clipping, 23 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Collamer, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9.

Late in evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) calls on Lincoln, D. W. Wise of Boston present. Lincoln will not discuss Wise's proposition for preparing biography. Browning, Diary.

President calls special meeting of cabinet in morning to consider report from Senate caucus committee. Welles, Diary; Bates, Diary.

Meets Sen. Browning (Ill.) between White House and War Dept. in afternoon and talks briefly. Browning, Diary.

At 7:30 P.M. cabinet, except Sec. Seward, meets jointly with members of Senate Republican caucus committee and discusses reconstruction of cabinet until midnight. Welles, Diary; Bates, Diary.

Postmaster Gen. Blair offers to resign, but President asks him not to cause any more trouble. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln replies to Gen. Burnside: "Come of course, if in your own judgment it is safe to do so." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 19 December 1862, CW, 6:10.

Orders Gen. Curtis to confer with Gov. Gamble (Mo.) and telegraph decision on question whether quiet can be maintained in all counties north of Missouri River by enrolled militia. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 19 December 1862, CW, 6:10-11.

Sec. Chase hands his resignation to President this morning. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:11.

Lincoln sends note to Chase: "Please do not go out of town." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:11.

Sec. Welles calls on Lincoln after breakfast and urges him not to accept Sec. Seward's resignation. Calls again after visit with Seward and reports that Seward has decided to withdraw resignation. Welles, Diary.

President considers accepting resignations of Seward and Chase and notifies them "that the public interest does not admit of it. I therefore have to request that you will resume the duties of your Departments respectively." Washington Chronicle, 23 December 1862; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward and Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:12-13.

In evening Gen. Burnside arrives from headquarters of Army of Potomac for conference with President. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 19 December 1862, CW, 6:10.

[Mrs. Lincoln in Philadelphia at Continental Hotel. Helm, Mary, 207.]

Capt. Dahlgren at White House about 10 A.M. at request of President, to observe testing of new gunpowder. J. W. Forney with Lincoln to confer on cabinet changes. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and Gen. Burnside hold military conference with Sec. Stanton at his residence. John M. Forbes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1899), 1:344.

Lincoln congratulates Army of Potomac for courage displayed at Battle of Fredericksburg. Congratulations to the Army of the Potomac, 22 December 1862, CW, 6:13-14.

Acknowledges plan of Gens. Franklin and William F. Smith for Army of Potomac to advance on Richmond by way of James River. Abraham Lincoln to William B. Franklin and William F. Smith, 22 December 1862, CW, 6:15-16.

Sends to Senate report of former Sen. Johnson's (Md.) activities as U.S. commissioner at New Orleans during July 1862. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 22 December 1862, CW, 6:16.

Discusses possible cabinet shake-up with Sen. Browning (Ill.) in evening. Browning, Diary.

Mrs. Lincoln borrows "Scott Poetical Works" from Library of Congress. Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[It is not possible to specify which edition of Sir Walter Scott, Poetical Works was ordered.]

President sends for Asst. Sec. Fox before breakfast. Reason unknown. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Requests written opinions from members of cabinet on admission of West Virginia into Union. Abraham Lincoln to Members of the Cabinet, 23 December 1862, CW, 6:17.

Receives memorial from Mil. Gov. Andrew Johnson and prominent men of state asking that Emancipation Proclamation not apply to Tennessee. Washington Chronicle, 4 December 1862.

Considers proposal of Gen. Haupt to form military council of seven to plan campaigns and determine policies. Haupt to Lincoln, 22 December 1862, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

John Pitcher, boyhood friend, calls on Lincoln about son recovering from wound received at Battle of Cedar Mountain. Pitcher to Lincoln, 25 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln prepares to serve Christmas dinner to wounded in hospitals. Philadelphia News, 24 December 1862.

[Irwin withdraws $9 from Springfield Marine Bank, interest on scholarship at Illinois State University. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Lincoln writes to Fanny McCullough, of Bloomington, Illinois, regarding Fanny's father Lieutenant Colonel William McCullough, who died on December 5, in a battle near Coffeeville, Mississippi. William McCullough had been clerk of the McLean County Circuit Court, where Lincoln frequently practiced law. Lincoln writes, "You can not now realize that you will ever feel better...You are sure to be happy again...I have had experience enough to know...The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer, and holier sort than you have known before." Abraham Lincoln to Fanny McCullough, 23 December 1862, CW, 6:16-17; Illinois Daily State Journal (Springfield), 10 December 1862, 2:1.

President sends congratulations to Francis Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, on forthcoming marriage of brother. Abraham Lincoln to Francis Joseph I, 24 December 1862, CW, 6:18-19.

Transmits to Congress report from Sec. Seward on subject of consular pupils. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 24 December 1862, CW, 6:19.

Cong. Samuel S. Cox (Ohio) interviews Lincoln on behalf of Col. Samuel A. Gilbert. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 24 December 1862, CW, 6:19.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) spends evening with President discussing Emancipation Proclamation. John M. Forbes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1899), 1:349.

Mrs. Lincoln borrows "Read, Thomas B. The Wagoner of the Alleghanies; a poem of the days of seventy-six" from Library of Congress. [Thomas Buchanan Read, The Wagoner of the Alleghanies . . ., Philadelphia, 1862.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and Mrs. Lincoln visit many hospitals in afternoon. Washington Chronicle, 27 December 1862.

Cabinet meets. Principal topic for attention is new state of West Virginia. Welles, Diary.

President and Atty. Gen. Bates confer with Rev. Samuel B. McPheeters, pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, who was ordered by Provost Marshal Franklin A. Dick on December 19, 1862 to leave state within 10 days because of sympathy with rebellion. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:33.

Lincoln directs Gen. Curtis: "Let the order in regard to Dr. McPheeters and family be suspended until you hear from me again." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 27 December 1862, CW, 6:20.

In evening Sen. Sumner (Mass.) reads aloud to President memorial from clergymen regarding Emancipation Proclamation. Gen. Burnside also at White House in evening. John M. Forbes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1899), 1:352-53.

President explains to Gen. Hiram Walbridge why he has not appointed him military governor of District of Columbia. Abraham Lincoln to Hiram Walbridge, 28 December 1862, CW, 6:21-22.

President reads Emancipation Proclamation to cabinet for criticism. Creation of new state of West Virginia under advisement. Welles, Diary.

Gens. John Newton and Cochrane of Gen. Burnside's staff interview Lincoln on Burnside's plans and ask his removal. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 265.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) and Judge Hughes call on Lincoln in evening on behalf of Maj. Key. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes Gen. Butler: "I am contemplating a peculiar and important service for you, which I think, and hope you will think, is as honorable as it is important. I wish to confer with you upon it. Please come immediately upon your arrival at New-York." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 29 December 1862, CW, 6:22.

At cabinet meeting President provides members with copy of Emancipation Proclamation and requests them to offer suggestions. Preliminary Draft of Final Emancipation Proclamation, [30 December 1862], CW, 6:23-26.

President informs Gen. Burnside: "You must not make a general movement of the army without letting me know." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 30 December 1862, CW, 6:22-23.

Special cabinet meeting at 10 A.M. to make final revision of Emancipation Proclamation. Welles, Diary; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 January 1863, 2:2.

General Ambrose E. Burnside, in Washington to testify before court martial of General Fitz John Porter, confers with President and Secretary of War on military matters. Burnside to Lincoln, 30 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 223; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 January 1863, 2:2.

President signs agreement with Bernard Kock, promoter and self-styled "Governor of A'Vache Island," for colony of freedmen on Ile à Vache, dependency of Haiti. Monaghan, Diplomat, 272.

Interviews "old lady of genteel appearance" who has been ordered by government to vacate building where she lives and keeps boarders. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:33.

Approves act admitting state of West Virginia into Union, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 633; Abraham Lincoln to Members of the Cabinet, 23 December 1862, CW, 6:17.

[Irwin deposits $1,195.83 in Springfield Marine Bank, principal and interest on Smith, Edwards & Co. note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]