Lincoln answers inquiry of Alpheus Lewis, cotton trader, regarding cases wherein owners of plantations might recognize freedom of slaves and hire them to cultivate land: "I should regard such cases with great favor, and should, as the principle, treat them precisely as I would treat the same number of free white people in the same relation and condition." Abraham Lincoln to Alpheus Lewis, 23 January 1864, CW, 7:145-46.

Issues permit to Christopher F. Clay and Christopher F. Field, son and brother-in-law respectively of Cong. Clay (Ky.), to put their plantations into cultivation under system of free hired labor and protection of military authority of U.S. Permit to Christopher F. Field and Christopher F. Clay, [23? January] 1864, CW, 7:146-47.

Transmits to Senate papers relative to modification of treaty with China. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 23 January 1864, CW, 7:147-48.

Earlier in the week, purchases a box at Grover's Theatre for benefit performance tonight of Tom Taylor's The Ticket-of-Leave Man, for the benefit of the Ladies' Soldiers' Relief Association. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 22 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4; 23 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:6.

Renomination of Lincoln unanimously recommended by Union Central Committee of New York. Hardenbrook to Dana, 23 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"Mrs. Lincoln's reception this afternoon was attended by an immense throng of citizens and sojourners here." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.