President inspects banks of Potomac, crosses Chain Bridge, visits Great Falls, Va., and twice passes pickets in Virginia without being recognized. Baltimore Sun, 21 May 1861.

Requests Col. Francis P. Blair, Jr., Congressman from Missouri, to withhold delivery of order removing Gen. William S. Harney from command of Dept. of West, "unless in your judgment the necessity to the contrary is very urgent." Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Jr., 18 May 1861, CW, 4:372-73.

Secretary of State Seward and President inspect ordnance office at Navy Yard. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln attends evening concert by Marine band in White House grounds. National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 May 1861, 3:1; New York Times, 20 May 1861.

Answers inquiry of Secretary of the Treasury Chase: "I believe I have told you fully what it was, and is, that pressed me to appoint him [George Denison, as naval officer in New York]: the urgent solicitation of an old friend who has served me all my life, and who has never before received or asked anything in return." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 18 May 1861, CW, 4:373-74.

[Mrs. Lincoln arrives in Boston. Baltimore Sun, 20 May 1861.]