At Washington DC's navy yard, President Lincoln and "other distinguished public men" observe a demonstration "to test the capability of the description of iron armor adopted by our Navy Department to resist shot." A newspaper reports that the "experiments . . . proved perfectly satisfactory." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 May 1862, 2d ed., 3:5.

Says he will not relieve Gen. Hunter even on own request. Ely to Chase, 20 May 1862, Salmon P. Chase Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 6 P.M. Mrs. Lincoln and carriage call at Browning residence. President arrives on horseback. Goes riding with Sen. Browning (Ill.) and Capt. James N. Brown, Illinois cattleman. Browning, Diary.

Approves act securing homesteads to actual settlers on public domain, act providing primary schools for public instruction in District of Columbia outside Washington and Georgetown, and act prescribing qualification (oath of allegiance) for electors in cities of Washington and Georgetown, DC. Stat. L., XII, 392, 394, 403.

Inquires of Gen. McClellan: "Telegraph being open tell us the situation & suggest if you can anything about batteries at Fort Darling." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 20 May 1862, CW, 5:224.

Complies with request for autograph: "I beg that her ladyship [Sarah Sophia Fane, Lady Villiers] will accept the assurance of my sincere gratification at this opportunity of subscribing myself Very truly, Her Ladyship's obedient servant." Abraham Lincoln to Lady Villiers, 20 May 1862, CW, 5:225.