Gen. Burnside consults with President and restates part of conversation in letter: "Doubtless this difference of opinion between my general officers and myself results from a lack of confidence in me. . . . It is my belief that I ought to retire to private life." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

New Year's Day reception at White House begins at 10 a.m. with reception of foreign ministers, followed by the general public at noon until 2 p.m. The President "looked well---was never nearer gay or buoyant." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 January 1863, 2:3; Washington Chronicle, 2 January 1863; Notes, 1 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC..

Army officers assemble at War Department and attend reception in body. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles exchanges greetings with President and colleagues at Executive Mansion. Welles, Diary.

At noon Secretary of State William H. Seward and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward take official copy of Emancipation Proclamation to room in White House where cabinet meets. Shortly afterward President signs it. Frederick W. Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 227.

After White House reception Lincoln goes to telegraph office in War Department, settles at Major Thomas T. Eckert's desk, puts feet on nearby table, and relaxes in conversation with General Henry W. Halleck and Assistant Secretary Fox. Bates, Telegraph Office, 143.

Prepares instructions for General Halleck to visit Burnside's headquarters and pass judgment on plan to move army across Rappahannock, then withdraws instructions because considered harsh by Halleck. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

Directs Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to investigate "piteous appeal . . . made . . . by an old lady" who had been ordered to evacuate her boarding house. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:33.

George P. Strong, resident of St. Louis, delivers to President letter from Gen. Curtis regarding order to exile Rev. McPheeters. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:33-34.

Gen. Butler at White House in evening for conference. Washington Chronicle, 3 January 1863.

Says President asks him to go to Mississippi and organize Negro troops. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 549-50.

President submits to Congress expediency of appointing an acting head of government department. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:34-35.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) confers with President about Confederates attacking Fortress Monroe, Va. Browning, Diary.

Prof. Benjamin N. Martin, "University of the City of New York," calls on Lincoln regarding restoration of Gen. Benham's commission. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35.

Deputation of thirty Jews, including a distinguished Rabbi, meet with the President regarding General Ulysses S. Grant's Order No. 11 banishing Jews from his department. Upon hearing the facts, Lincoln rescinds the order. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 5 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

President sends to Senate convention for adjustment of claims between U.S. and Ecuador. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35-36.

Receives word that U.S.S. "Monitor" has foundered in gale off Cape Hatteras, N.C. Nicolay to Bates, 4 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Committee composed of Giles F. Filley, merchant, and James E. Yeatman, banker, of St. Louis presents memorial of citizens asking relief for Reverend McPheeters. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:33-34.

Lincoln responds to appeal: "Let this woman have her boy out of Old Capitol Prison." Endorsement, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35.

President discusses with former Cong. Green Adams (Ky.) proposition to raise and arm special force in Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Green Adams, 7 January 1863, CW, 6:42.

Informs B. Gratz Brown, antisecessionist and Democratic candidate in senatorial election in Missouri: "The Administration takes no part between it's friends in Mo." Abraham Lincoln to B. Gratz Brown, 7 January 1863, CW, 6:42-43.

Sends to the Senate nominations for thirty civilian and diplomatic appointments. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:5.

Col. Walter B. Scates, former chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court, hands to President letter from Gen. McClernand protesting Emancipation Proclamation as mitigating chances of negotiating peace with South. Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48-49.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) again interviews President about returning Gen. Butler to New Orleans. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 552.

Lincoln replies to Gen. McClernand that Emancipation Proclamation has been issued and "broken eggs can not be mended." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48-49.

Sends felicitations to José M. Acha on reelection to presidency of Republic of Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to José M. Acha, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:45.

Proclaims treaty of peace, friendship, commerce, and navigation with Republic of Bolivia. Washington Chronicle, 30 April 1863.

Senate confirms nomination of John P. Usher to be secretary of interior. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:2.

[Irwin withdraws $102 from Springfield Marine Bank, to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Mrs. Fox at White House for social visit with Mrs. Lincoln. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President orders that attorney general be charged with direction of all proceedings under Act of August 6, 1861, as fully in all respects as under Act of July 17, 1862. Order to Edward Bates, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:45-46.

Writes Gen. Burnside: "I deplore the want of concurrence with you, in opinion by your general officers, but I do not see the remedy. . . . I do not yet see how I could profit by changing the command of the A.P. & if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting the resignation of your commission." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:46-48.

Inquires of Mil. Gov. Johnson about Capt. Charles S. Todd, 6th Kentucky Regiment, killed at Battle of Murfreesboro. Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48.

Cabinet meets. No announcement of transactions. Welles, Diary.

Sen. Powell (Ky.) calls on President and demands unconditional release of William S. Pryor, J. O'Hara, and Col. Thomas L. Jones (CSA), Kentuckians now on parole. Memorandum Concerning William S. Pryor, J. O'Hara, and Thomas L. Jones, 9 January 1863, CW, 6:50.

President transmits to Congress correspondence concerning international agricultural exhibition in city of Hamburg. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 9 January 1863, CW, 6:51.

In evening consults with Sens. Browning (Ill.) and Hale (N.H.) and Rear Adm. Andrew H. Foote about compensated emancipation. Browning, Diary.

President consults with Secs. Welles and Stanton on problem of employment of contrabands (Negroes from Confederacy within Union lines). Welles, Diary.

Writes Gen. Curtis at St. Louis: "I understand there is considerable trouble with the slaves in Missouri. Please do your best to keep peace on the question for two or three weeks, by which time we hope to do something here towards settling the question, in Missouri." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 10 January 1863, CW, 6:52-53.

Informs Gov. Johnson (Tenn.): "I presume the remains of Capt. Todd are in the hands of his family friends, & I wish to give no order on the subject. But I do wish your opinion of the effects of the late battles about Murfreesboro, upon the prospects of Tennessee." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 10 January 1863, CW, 6:53.

Hosts reception with Mrs. Lincoln from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

In evening attends patriotic readings delivered by James E. Murdoch, elocutionist, in Senate. Washington Chronicle, 11 January 1863.

Cabinet examines intercepted mail in possession of Sec. Welles. Welles, Diary.

President approves sentence dismissing General Fitz John Porter from service. Order Approving Sentence of Fitz-John Porter, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:67.

Establishes width of track of Pacific railroads at five feet. Order Establishing Gauge of Union Pacific Railroad, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:68.

Submits to Congress joint resolutions of corporate authorities of city of Washington urging construction of railroads concentrating upon city. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:68-69.

Endorses letter of Gen. Halleck to Gen. Grant: "It may be proper to give you some explanation of the revocation of your order expelling all Jews from your department. The President has no objection to your expelling traitors and Jew peddlers, which, I suppose was the object of your order; but, as it in terms proscribed an entire religious class, some of whom are fighting in our ranks, the President deemed it necessary to revoke it." Official Records—Armies 1, XXIV, pt. 1, 9.

Mr. Prentiss, attorney for Herman Koppel of Charleston, appeals to President to remit proceeds of property condemned by prize court. Memorandum Concerning Herman Koppel, 22 January 1863, CW, 6:72.

Jonathan Amory, U.S. dispatch agent at Boston, interviews President on behalf of son, Col. Thomas J. C. Amory. Memorandum: Appointment of Thomas J. C. Amory, 22 January 1863, CW, 6:71-72.

Gen. McClernand, reduced to corps commander, blames Gen. Halleck and interviews President who counsels "that for your sake, for my sake, & for the country's sake," he forget personal grievances. Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 22 January 1863, CW, 6:70-71.

Lincoln advises Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut to dismiss thought of coming to Washington now that "you stand well with the Sec. of War." Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut, 22 January 1863, CW, 6:70.

Promises to nominate Gen. Frederick Steele a major general upon satisfactory explanation of charges made against him for returning fugitive slaves. Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 22 January 1863, CW, 6:72-73.

Transmits eighty-nine military nominations to the Senate, including twenty-three for major generals, sixty-three for brigadier generals, and three for hospital chaplains. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 22 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:5.

Meets with Cabinet, except Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

President interviews Mrs. John Green who asks promotion for husband. Memorandum: Promotion of John Green, 23 January 1863, CW, 6:76.

Mrs. Col. Kingsbury calls on Lincoln and asks that John J. D. Kingsbury be appointed to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of John J. D. Kingsbury, 23 January 1863, CW, 6:75-76.

President wishes secretary of war to arrange for Gen. Butler to start for New Orleans by February 1, 1863. "I think we can not longer dispense with Gen. Butler's service." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 23 January 1863, CW, 6:76-77.

Transmits to Congress report regarding regulations pertaining to U.S. consular courts in Turkey. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 23 January 1863, CW, 6:76.

President poses for photographs by Alexander Gardner, M. B. Brady's assistant. LL, No. 211.

Group of Boston antislavery men, including Wendell Phillips, calls on Lincoln, who excuses himself until next day. Moncure D. Conway, Autobiography, Memoirs, and Experiences of Moncure Daniel Conway, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 377-82.

California committee meets with cabinet to discuss gauge of Pacific railroads. Welles, Diary.

"The reception at the Executive Mansion to-day by the President and Mrs. Lincoln was unusually well attended." New-York Herald, 25 January 1863; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 24 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:5.

Mrs. Lincoln grants interview to Wendell Phillips. Moncure D. Conway, Autobiography, Memoirs, and Experiences of Moncure Daniel Conway, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 377-82.

President in 10 A.M. conference with Gens. Burnside and Halleck announces decision to relieve Burnside and put Gen. Hooker in command. Nicolay to Bates, 25 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 25 January 1863, CW, 6:77-78.

Boston antislavery group accompanied by Sen. Wilson (Mass.) calls upon President and complains that Emancipation Proclamation has failed to accomplish its purpose. William D. Kelley, Lincoln and Stanton: A Study of the War Administration of 1861 and 1862: with Special Consideration of Some Recent Statements of Gen. George B. McClellan (New York: Putnam, 1885), 87-88.

President Lincoln writes to Major General Joseph Hooker, the new "head of the Army of the Potomac." Lincoln admires Hooker's bravery, "confidence," and "ambitio[n], which within reasonable bounds, does good rather than harm." But, Lincoln chides the General with respect to Hooker's predecessor General Ambrose Burnside: "[Y]ou . . . thwarted him as much as you could [and in so doing] . . . you did a great wrong to the country, and to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer. . . . Neither you, nor Napoleon, if he were alive again, could get any good out of an army, while such a spirit prevails . . . Beware of rashness, but with energy, and sleepless vigilance, go forward, and give us victories." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 26 January 1863, CW, 6:78-79.

Transmits to Senate documents respecting capture of British vessels having on board contraband of war. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 26 January 1863, CW, 6:79.

Tells O. H. Browning story of Gen. Burnside's resignation and Hooker's appointment. Browning, Diary.

Simon Cameron interviews President to protest sending Gen. Butler to New Orleans because Butler is likely candidate for next President and must be in Washington for political reasons. Butler, Correspondence, 2:590.

Presumably Mrs. Lincoln borrows from Library of Congress for use of Tad "Buckland Natural History." [Francis Trevelyan Buckland, Curiosities of Natural History, N.Y., 1859.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln thanks George E. Fawcett, music teacher of Muscatine, Iowa, "for your thoughtful courtesy in sending me a copy of your 'Emancipation March.' " Abraham Lincoln to George E. Fawcett, 26 January 1863, CW, 6:78.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton regarding John B. Gordon, whom U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs William P. Dole recommends for a "Military Storekeeper" position. Lincoln notes, "If there be a vacancy, let him have it, unless by some paper on file, I am committed for it to some one else." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 27 January 1863, IHi, Springfield, IL; CW, 10:176.

President interviews Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys regarding promotion. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 28 January 1862 [1863], CW, 6:81.

Recommends vote of thanks of Congress be given Acting Rear Adm. David D. Porter for contributing to surrender of Post of Arkansas (Fort Hindman) on January 10, 1863. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 28 January 1863, CW, 6:82.

Summons Gen. Butler: "Please come here immediately. Telegraph me about what time you will arrive." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 28 January 1863, CW, 6:81-82.

Joshua F. Speed tells Lincoln that he does not want agency at Goose Creek Salt Works near Manchester, Ky. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 29 January 1863, CW, 6:83.

Lincoln writes Thurlow Weed: "Your valedictory to the patrons of the Albany Evening Journal brings me a good deal of uneasiness. What does it mean?" [Weed could not accept abolition fanaticism dividing the North.] Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 29 January 1863, CW, 6:83-84.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President receives Sen. Powell (Ky.) who brings list of persons and fines collected from them by army officers in Kentucky. Memorandum Concerning Fines Collected from Kentuckians, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:85-86.

Writes Gen. Meigs on behalf of James C. Conkling of Illinois: "He has ample business qualifications, is entirely trustworthy; and with all is my personal friend of long standing." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery C. Meigs, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:85.

Writes Col. Joseph P. Taylor, Commissary General: "Please see the bearer, Edward D. Baker, who is a son of my old friend Col. Baker, . . . He now wishes to be a Commissary . . . if you can inform me that he can be made such consistently with the rules of the service, I will oblige him." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph P. Taylor, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:86.

White House reception in evening attended by Gen. Heintzelman and wife. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.