Lincoln receives endorsement of Republican National Committee by majority of four to one. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 311.

Approves act of Congress creating office of lieutenant general and nominates Gen. Grant for honor. Arnold, 518.

Discusses Missouri politics with Atty. Gen. Bates in afternoon. Bates, Diary.

At 7:30 P.M., with Mrs. Lincoln and Robert, takes part in opening of Patent Office Fair for benefit of Christian Commission and families of District volunteers. Following speech by Lucius E. Chittenden and poem by Commissioner Benjamin B. French, Lincoln makes impromptu speech, which Mrs. Lincoln describes as "the worst speech I ever listened to in my life." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 February 1864, 2d ed., 2:5; Sidney Kramer, "Lincoln at the Fair," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly, 3 (September 1945):340-41; Remarks at Opening of Patent Office Fair, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:197-98.

Lincoln, presumably, drafts letter to Cong. Benjamin F. Loan (Mo.) for signature of Sec. Stanton : "The President's wish is that no objection shall be made to any paper respectfully expressing it's preference for the nomination of any candidate; but that the patronage of the government shall be given to none which engages in cultivating a sentiment to oppose the election of any when he shall have been fairly nominated by the regular Union National Convention." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Loan, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:197.

Transmits to Congress copy of correspondence regarding presentation of watch to master of American schooner "Highlander" by Lords of the Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council for Trade. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:198-99.

Telegraphs Gen. Steele: "Your conferrence [sic] with citizens [Arkansas] approved. Let the election be on the fourteenth of March, as they agreed." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:199.