President of Washington Lecture Association calls on Lincoln and invites him to attend lecture on "The Nation after the Ordeal of Battle." Invitation, 17 February 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln explains to William M. Fishback, of Little Rock, Ark., that Gen. Steele, commanding the military, must be master of situation leading to formation of state government; "but that it will probably be best for him to merely help the convention on it's own plan." Abraham Lincoln to William M. Fishback, 17 February 1864, CW, 7:189-90.

Instructs Steele to fix day for election; but it "is probably best that you merely assist the convention on their own plan." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 17 February 1864, CW, 7:190-91.