President forwards to Senate correspondence relative to controversy between Republic of Chile and Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338-39.

Declines offer of Francis B. Loomis of New London, Conn., to replace present garrison of Fort Trumbull, Conn., with volunteers. Abraham Lincoln to F. B. Loomis, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.

Grants interview to sixteen-year-old Miss Susannah Evans, who is lecturing on temperance at Dr. Channing's Unitarian Church. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 3:1.

President Lincoln writes to shipbuilder John Birely, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to thank him for a cane. Birely explained that the cane was made from "wood . . . taken from the wreck of the United States ship Alliance, (now laying in the River Delaware.)" Birely added, "It is a relic of the olden times and you would do me honor by accepting it. It comes from an old soldier, and officer in the War of 1812." Lincoln responds, "I beg that you will accept the assurance of my cordial gratitude for your kindness." John Birely to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John Birely, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:337.

President Lincoln writes to U.S. Senator Samuel C. Pomeroy, of Kansas, regarding Pomeroy's conflict with fellow Kansan and U.S. Senator James H. Lane. The two senators back different candidates seeking to fill a vacancy in the "Office of Assessor for the District of Kansas." Lincoln writes, "I wish you and Lane would make a sincere effort to get out of the mood you are in. I[t] does neither of you any good—it gives you the means of tormenting my life out of me, and nothing else." Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel C. Pomeroy, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.