Sunday evening John T. Hall of Albany, N.Y., visits Lincoln at White House. They talk about appointment to Supreme Court in case Chief Justice Taney dies. Hall to Lincoln, 17 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President sends congratulations to Christian IX on accession to throne of Denmark. Abraham Lincoln to Christian IX, 7 January 1864, CW, 7:111.

Orders death sentence of Henry Andrews commuted to imprisonment, "because I am trying to evade the butchering business lately." Endorsement Concerning Henry Andrews, [7 January 1864], CW, 7:111-12.

Transmits to Senate several treaties with bands of "Shoshonee Nation of Indians." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [7] January 1864, CW, 7:112-13.

Transmits to Congress copy of court decree and requests appropriation of $17,150 to compensate for illegal capture of British schooner "Glen." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 7 January 1864, CW, 7:113.

Telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln in Philadelphia: "We are all well, and have not been otherwise." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 7 January 1864, CW, 7:112.

Interviews O. H. Browning at night relative to claim of Illinois for 2 per cent fund associated with sale of public lands. Browning, Diary.

Acknowledges receipt of plan proposed by C. J. Wright of Cincinnati and Charles K. Hawkes of New York for getting cotton from within rebel lines and asks three questions: 1. If Rebel should come into Union lines with cotton and offer to take oath of December 8, 1863, "what do you understand would be done with him and his cotton?" 2. "How will the physical difficulty, and danger, of getting cotton from within the rebel lines be lessened by your plan?" 3. "Where do you propose putting the cotton &c. into market? how assure the government of your good faith in the business? and how be compensated for your services?" Abraham Lincoln to Crafts J. Wright and Charles K. Hawkes, 7 January 1864, CW, 7:114-16.

President interviews E. Graham Haight and mother in evening. Haight to Lincoln, 17 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Assures Gov. Bramlette (Ky.) that Gen. Grant was aware of order moving troops from Kentucky to Knoxville. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette, 17 January 1864, CW, 7:134-35.

Lincoln acknowledges receipt of two lithographed facsimiles of Emancipation Proclamation sent by Thomas B. Bryan. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas B. Bryan, 18 January 1864, CW, 7:135.

Lincoln writes a note to "Whom it may concern" regarding Private John P. M. Thornton, with the 61st New York Volunteers, Company E. Lincoln explains, "Thornton . . . comes to me voluntarily under apprehension that he may be arrested, convicted, and punished as a deserter . . . I hereby direct him to report forthwith to his regiment for duty, and upon condition that he does this, and faithfully serves out his term, or until he shall be honorably discharged for any cause, he is fully pardoned for any supposed desertion heretofor committed." Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 18 January 1864, CW, 7:137.

Confers with Walter Smith, Maryland slaveholder introduced by Sen. Johnson (Md.). Johnson to Lincoln, 18 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Drafts letter for Sec. Stanton to send to Gen. Butler at Fortress Monroe, Va., directing him to suspend certain fiscal measures affecting Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va. Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, [18 January 1864], CW, 7:135-36.

President Lincoln writes to William B. Sprague, of Albany, New York, in response to Sprague's request for Lincoln's autograph to be included in an "elegantly bound volume [of] autograph letters of all the Presidents of the United States." Sprague will donate the album to an upcoming fundraiser. Sprague explained, "When I asked a friend of mine how I could get a letter from you to crown the series, his instant reply was 'Write to the President himself.'" Sprague added, "I should prefer that the letter should not appear as addressed to myself; for in that case I can not say what temptation I might be under to keep it." Lincoln writes, "I send you this, for the use of the ladies mentioned, who are laboring for the relief of our sick and wounded soldiers." William B. Sprague to Abraham Lincoln, 13 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William B. Sprague, 18 January 1864, CW, 10:219.

President telegraphs Robert: "There is a good deal of smallpox here. Your friends must judge for themselves whether they ought to come or not." Abraham Lincoln to Robert T. Lincoln, 19 January 1864, CW, 7:137.

Confers with former Cong. Joshua R. Giddings (Ohio), consul general to British North American Provinces, who wants Maj. Grotius R. Giddings, his son, made brigadier general. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton and Henry W. Halleck, 19 January 1864, CW, 7:137-38.

Cabinet discusses admission of cotton into Union lines. Welles, Diary.

President transmits to Congress report of former Sen. Wright (Ind.) on International Agricultural Exhibition held in Hamburg. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 20 January 1864, CW, 7:140.

Interviews Arkansas delegation regarding creation of military government. Chicago Tribune, 22 January 1864.

Orders election for governor of Arkansas. Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 20 January 1864, CW, 7:141-42.

Gen. Butler has long interview with President in afternoon. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Lincoln confers with Cong. Clay (Ky.) in evening about getting authority to manage family property. Clay to Lincoln, 21 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

John G. Nicolay thanks H. J. Alvord for present of whitefish to President. CW, 8:530.

President transmits to Senate documentation "respecting the recent destruction by fire of the church of the Compañia at Santiago, Chile." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 21 January 1864, CW, 7:143.

In the evening, President Lincoln and his wife Mary Lincoln host a dinner for members of the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, "and a few others, with their wives." Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles noted that the gathering "was pleasant. A little stiff and awkward on the part of some of the guests, but [it] passed off very well." Howard K. Beale, ed., Diary of Gideon Welles, 3 vols., (New York: W. W. Norton, 1960), 1:512; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

President announces to delegation from Arkansas that both military and civil administration are entrusted to Gen. Steele. Remarks to Arkansas Delegation, 22 January 1864, CW, 7:144.

"Very little done at the Cabinet." Welles, Diary.

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.

Dinner party at White House includes O. H. Browning, Sen. Sumner (Mass.), former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.), Gen. George D. Ramsay and Gen. Schenck (resigned), and Congs. Garfield (Ohio) and Samuel Hooper (Mass.). Browning, Diary.

President and Sec. Chase make final revision of new regulations of trade. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:148-49.

Robert Lincoln, home from college for vacation, attends Secretary of State Seward's reception. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $200, principal and interest on Springfield bond. Withdraws $102 to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165, 77.]

President authorizes former Cong. Maynard (Tenn.) to inform Governor Andrew Johnson (Tennessee): "The oath in the proclamation may be administered by the Military Governor, the Military commander of the Department, and by all persons designated by them for that purpose." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:149-50.

Writes recommendation for Henry R. Green, resident of Delavan, Illinois: "This is to show that Henry R. Greene Esq of Illinois is an upright, honorable and worthy man. I have known him and his family for many years. . . . I hope the various commanders, agents and employees of the Government will extend to Mr. Greene such aid and facilities as are proper and consistent with the interests of the service." Recommendation for Henry R. Green, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:150-51.

In the evening, President Lincoln, his wife Mary, their son Robert, Republican U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, and T. Bigelow Lawrence, U.S. consul at Florence, occupy private box at Grover's Theatre, where Felicita Vestvali, "The Magnificent," stars in a performance of Gamea, or the Jewish Mother. A newspaper reports, "[The] theater was overflowingly filled . . . on the occasion of the first appearance of Vestvali, who undoubtedly made a great hit." Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 25 January 1864, 1:4; 26 January 1864, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

President issues order approving new trade regulations. Order Approving Trade Regulations, 26 January 1864, CW, 7:151-52.

At the public reception from 8:00 to 11:00 P.M., "about eight thousand passed the President and Mrs. Lincoln and paid their respects.... We have not seen the President looking in better health...." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 27 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

Orders Gen. Sedgwick: "Suspend execution of sentence in all the capital cases mentioned in General Orders No. 1 and 2, where it has not already been done. . . . Forward the records in these cases for examination." Abraham Lincoln to John Sedgwick, 26 January 1864, CW, 7:152.

Lincoln and O. H. Browning confer with Gen. Ramsay about Absterdam projectile. Browning, Diary.

Telegraphs Gen. Foster: "Is a supposed correspondence between Gen. Longstreet and yourself, about the amnesty proclamation, which is now in the newspapers, genuine?" Abraham Lincoln to John G. Foster, 27 January 1864, CW, 7:153-54.

Writes Gen. Steele that E. W. Gantt will deliver letter containing program for election in Arkansas. "Be sure to retain the free State constitutional provision in some unquestionable form, and you and he can fix the rest." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 27 January 1864, CW, 7:154-55.

President arranges interview with J. W. Forney, Simon Cameron, and Henry C. Johnson, speaker of Pennsylvania House of Representatives, for 7 P.M. Abraham Lincoln to John W. Forney, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:157.

Suggests to Sec. Chase that C. K. Hawkes be appointed treasury agent. "I have some reason to believe it would please Gen. Banks, . . . I have heard that he and General Banks are old acquaintances and friends." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:156.

Writes recommendation: "This boy [Solomon J. Johnson] says he knows Secretary Chase, and would like to have the place [messenger for the Treasury Dept.] made vacant by William Johnson's death. I believe he is a good boy and I should be glad for him to have the place if it is still vacant." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:156-57.

Orders Gen. Halleck to have Gens. Rosecrans and Curtis prevent as far as possible renewal of trouble in vicinity of Kansas City. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:157-58.

President transmits to Senate correspondence with Great Britain relative to pursuit of hostile bands of Sioux Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 29 January 1864, CW, 7:160.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $667.05, principal and interest on Jacob Ruckel note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

President inquires of Gen. Sickles: "Could you, without it's being inconvenient, or disagreeable to yourself, immediately take a trip to Arkansas for me?" Abraham Lincoln to Daniel E. Sickles, 29 January 1864, CW, 7:160.

Lincoln receives proposal to aid Sanitary Fair by letting Bell & Bro., photographers, 480 Pennsylvania Ave., make and sell his photograph. Bell to Lincoln, 30 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln holds her usual Saturday afternoon reception. Washington National Republican, 30 January 1864.

President again writes Gen. Steele relative to forming state government in Arkansas. "Possibly the best you can do would be to help them on their own plan. . . . Be firm and resolute against such as you can perceive would make confusion and division." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 30 January 1864, CW, 7:161.

President answers Gen. Banks' query regarding loyal people in Louisiana who wish to avoid taking oath of December 8, 1864: "You are at liberty to adopt any rule which shall admit to vote any unquestionably loyal free-state men and none others." Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:161-62.

Notifies Gov. Bramlette (Ky.): "Gen Boyle[']s resignation is accepted, so that your Excellency can give him the appointment proposed." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:163.