Sec. Seward reads to President another dispatch from Cassius M. Clay, abusing Emperor Napoleon. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 139.

President and Mrs. Lincoln invite members of Congress, other public dignitaries, and officers of Russian vessels now in American waters to reception at White House from 1 to 3 P.M. The Marine Band provided music. Washington Chronicle, 19 December 1863; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:4; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

In evening Susan Carr Craig, of Arkansas, accompanied by Representative Henry T. Blow, calls on Lincoln and asks for pass for herself and husband to Arkansas to raise cotton on their plantation. President promises to have permission made out on Monday.Permit to Mr. and Mrs. Craig, 21 December 1863, CW, 7:83-84; John T. Stuart to Mary Stuart, 20 December 1863, Stuart-Hay Families Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

President asks Gen. Grant if, without embarrassment, Gen. Milroy could be assigned "a place." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 19 December 1863, CW, 7:80.