President telegraphs James Speed: "I appoint you to be Attorney General. Please come on at once." Abraham Lincoln to James Speed, 1 December 1864, CW, 8:126-27.

Resignation of Atty. Gen. Bates effective today. On taking leave, President promises to write to him. Bates, Diary.

Two ladies from Tennessee visit President again and ask release of husbands from Johnson's Island prison. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President confers with Cong. Colfax (Ind.), who urges appointment of S. P. Chase as Chief Justice of Supreme Court. H. W. Smith, 202-3.

Again sees Tennessee ladies seeking release of husbands from Johnson's Island prison. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President orders that war steamer "Funayma Solace" "should not be allowed to proceed to Japan," and Secretary of Navy is authorized to buy it. Order Concerning the Steamer Funayma Solace, 3 December 1864, CW, 8:131-32.

Talks with Noah Brooks about people speculating on appointment of S. P. Chase to be chief justice. Noah Brooks, "Personal Reminiscences of Lincoln," Scribner's Monthly 15 (1877/1878):677.

Reads next Annual Message at special cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

Indianapolis "Sentinel" calls attention to fact that Robert Lincoln is still not in uniform. Harper, Press, 331.

[Irwin withdraws $50 from Lincoln's account in Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 178.]

Orders release of husbands of Tennessee ladies who had visited him December 1, 1864 and yesterday. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President plans to send Annual Message to Congress on Tuesday, December 6, 1864. Nicolay to Bates, 4 December 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President interviews A. H. Markland, who leaves for Savannah, Ga., to meet Gen. Sherman. Dennison to Lincoln, 5 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lord Lyons takes leave of President and Sec. Seward. Goes to New York to improve his health. Washington Chronicle, 7 December 1864.

President, with Mrs. Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and Secretaries Nicolay and Hay, attends Grover's Theatre for performance of Charles Gounod's Faust by Grand German Opera Company. ["Robert Le Diable" was postponed.] Washington National Republican, 6 December 1864; National Intelligencer, 5 December 1864; Washington Chronicle, 4 December 1864; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 December 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln receives November salary warrant for $1,981.67. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

President recommends to Senate that Comdr. William H. Macomb (USN) be advanced in grade 10 numbers for distinguished conduct at capture of Plymouth, N.C., and that Lt. Comdr. James B. Thornton (USN), executive officer of U.S.S. "Kearsarge," be advanced in grade 10 numbers for faithful discharge of duties in action against Confederate steamer "Alabama" on June 19, 1864. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:133-34.

Recommends to Congress that Lt. [Lt. Comdr. as of October 27, 1864, by retroactive promotion] William B. Cushing (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for destroying Confederate steamer "Albemarle" on October 27, 1864, and that Capt. [Commodore as of June 19, 1864, by retroactive promotion] John A. Winslow (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for skill and gallantry while commanding "Kearsarge" at time "Alabama" was destroyed. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:134-35; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:135.

Joint Committee announces to President that Congress is ready to receive communications. Senate Journal, 6.

President communicates Annual Message to Congress: Condition of foreign affairs reasonably satisfactory. No differences of any kind have arisen with republics to the south, and their sympathies are constantly expressed with cordiality. China seems to be accepting conventional laws which regulate commercial intercourse, and friendship of Japan toward U.S. has increased. Several ports have been opened and immigration encouraged. Financial affairs have been administered successfully. Public debt is $1,740,690,489. Money required to meet expenses of war derived from taxes should be increased. National banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists and to the people. Organization and admission of state of Nevada completed. Territories growing rapidly. Newly established Agriculture Dept. recommended to continued care of Congress. Movements that mold society for durability have occurred—Arkansas and Louisiana have organized loyal state governments. President recommends reconsideration and passage of proposed amendment to Constitution, abolishing slavery. In midst of war nation's material resources and manpower are more complete and abundant than ever. On basis of accessible evidence it would seem that no attempt at negotiation with insurgent leader could result in any good. "The war will cease on the part of the government, whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who began it." Annual Message to Congress, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:136-53.

President sends nomination to Senate: "I nominate Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States vice Roger B. Taney, deceased." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:154.

Responds to crowd assembled at White House to congratulate him on Annual Message: "I have no good news to tell you, and yet I have no bad news to tell. . . . We all know where he [Gen. Sherman] went in at, but I can't tell where he will come out at." Response to a Serenade, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:154.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Cong. Alley (Mass.) visits President, who allegedly says: "Although I may have appeared to you and to Mr. Sumner to have been opposed to Chase's appointment, there has never been a moment since the breath left old Taney's body that I did not conceive it to be the best thing to do. . . ." Clarence E. Macartney, Lincoln and His Cabinet (New York: Scribner, 1931), 267.

At 8 p.m., President meets with Judge David McDonald, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Senator Thomas A. Hendricks regarding appointment of McDonald as judge of U.S. District Court. Lincoln appoints McDonald to the post on December 13. "Diaries of Judge David McDonald," Indiana Magazine of History 28 (December 1932): 303; David McDonald to Abraham Lincoln, 15 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Godlove S. Orth, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:47.

[See December 10, 1864] Sends for Noah Brooks who finds him recording incident of Tennessee ladies [See December 1, 1864, December 2, 1864, December 3, 1864.], labelling it "The President's Last, Shortest, and Best Speech." Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President confers with Cong. Francisco Perea (New Mexico Terr.), delegate to Republican National Convention, regarding appointments. Memorandum Concerning New Mexico Appointments, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:157.

Transmits to Senate documents relative to aid furnished by British subjects to rebellion. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:157-58.

Interviews Sen. Hicks (Md.) again regarding Maryland commission to investigate character, decide loyalty, and issue certificates. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:158.

Consults with Abel R. Corbin, party worker, about vote in House of Representatives on constitutional amendment. Corbin to Lincoln, 8 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In afternoon receives annual formal visit in Blue Room by six justices of the United States Supreme Court. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 December 1864, 3d ed., 2:6.

Chief Justice nominee Salmon P. Chase makes social call on President. Randall, Lincoln, 4:273.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Dr. Robert K. Stone, Lincoln family physician, to call at 9 A.M. tomorrow to talk about way to oblige his wife's family in Richmond. Abraham Lincoln to Robert K. Stone, 9 December 1864, CW, 8:161.

Lincoln attends theater accompanied by Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.) and a foreign minister. Because he went without a guard, Marshal Ward H. Lamon offers his resignation. George S. Bryan, The Great American Myth (New York: Carrick & Evans, 1940), 69; Ward H. Lamon to Abraham Lincoln, 10 December 1864, Lamon Papers, Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

President creates special commission consisting of Gen. W. F. Smith and Henry Stanbery, former attorney general of Ohio, to investigate and report upon civil and military administration in militarydivision bordering upon and west of Mississippi River. Order Appointing Commissioners to Investigate the Military Division Bordering upon and West of the Mississippi, 10 December 1864, CW, 8:161-62.

Lincoln "intended" to give chief justiceship to Montgomery Blair "but was forced to give it to Chase. L. said he would sooner have eat flat irons than do it." Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[See December 8, 1864.] Interviews Mr. Blondeel and H. A. Risley about "some countrymen of Mr. Blondeel." Risley to Nicolay, 10 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sees Thomas Nast, illustrator for "Harper's Weekly," on introduction of George W. Curtis of New York, leading member of National Union Convention. Curtis to Lincoln, 9 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Because Congress is not in session for the day, President is "overwhelmed" by Senators and Representatives from early morning with requests from their constituents. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 December 1864, 2:4.

Receives letter of resignation from Marshal Lamon, because Lincoln does not take proper precautions against assassination. Ward H. Lamon to Abraham Lincoln, 10 December 1864, Ward H. Lamon Papers, Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

President interviews Cong. William H. Randall (Ky.) and orders discharge of two prisoners of war. Order for Discharge of Thomas Rice and Reuben Turner, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:165.

Sends request to Sen. Lane (Ind.): "Please call and see me at once." Abraham Lincoln to Henry S. Lane, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:165.

Directs Sec. Seward to study problem of seizure by Danish government of 2,200 carbines belonging to U.S. citizens. Seward to Lincoln, 15 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Reviews for Gen. Canby motive of government in questions of cotton and Louisiana state government. "I do not wish either . . . to take precedence of the military . . . but there is a strong public reason for treating each with so much favor as may not be substantially detrimental to the military." Abraham Lincoln to Edward R. S. Canby, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:163-65.

President transmits to Senate treaties with Republics of Haiti and Honduras. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:166-67; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:167.

Writes recommendation: "I shall be glad if Capt. Goodenow [Ira Goodnow, doorkeeper of House of Representatives] can & will find a suitable position for this fine little boy." Abraham Lincoln to Ira Goodnow, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:166.

President proclaims ratification of treaty with Tabeguache Band of Utah Indians. Washington Chronicle, 18 December 1864.

Writes note to Sec. Seward: "Will the Sec. of State please call at once?" Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.

Presents case to Sec. Stanton : "I think a man who offers to volunteer and is rejected, should not afterwards be drafted and forced to serve. This lady alleges that such is the case of her husband. Please have the case investigated and reported on." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.

President holds conference in War Dept. with Sec. Stanton and Gens. Grant and Halleck on removal of Gen. Thomas. Randall, Lincoln, 4:285.

Receives news of Battle of Nashville in nightshirt and holding candle on second-story landing. Stanton and Maj. Eckert carry dispatch to White House. Bates, Telegraph Office, 316.

President visits War Dept. telegraph office early in morning and sends congratulations to Gen. Thomas. Bates, Telegraph Office, 319; Abraham Lincoln to George H. Thomas, 16 December 1864, CW, 8:169.

Receives committee from Freedmen's Aid Society of Baltimore. Townsend to Lincoln, 14 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Introduces new attorney general, James Speed, at cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

President confers with Asst. Sec. Fox who explains why President should interview William E. Chandler, New Hampshire lawyer employed by Navy Dept. to investigate frauds. Welles, Diary.

President discusses with Montgomery Blair and Gen. Banks Cong. Ashley's (Ohio) bill regarding states in rebellion. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President receives invitation by hand of former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.) to attend Soldiers' Fair at Springfield, Mass., and declines. Abraham Lincoln to Ladies Managing the Solders' Fair at Springfield, Massachusetts, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:171.

Issues call for 300,000 volunteers. Proclamation Calling for 300,000 Volunteers, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:171-72.

Recognizes Henri Enderis as consul of Swiss Confederation at Chicago for states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Washington Chronicle, 22 December 1864.

Attends promenade concert at Ford's Theatre. Washington Chronicle, 20 December 1864.

Interviews O. H. Browning at White House in evening. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Joseph H. Choate, who is the chairman of the New England Society. Choate, of New York City, invited Lincoln to attend the Society's "Annual Festival in commemoration of the Landing of the Pilgrims, to be held at the Astor House" on December 22. Lincoln's "duties" prevent him from accepting the invitation. He offers, "The work of the Plymouth emigrants was the glory of their age. While we reverence their memory, let us not forget how vastly greater is our opportunity." John Hodges Choate to Abraham Lincoln, 28 November 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph H. Choate, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:170; New York Herald, 23 December 1864, 5:1.

Cabinet meets. Three members present. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln interviews H. T. Blow about case of L. A. Welton. Blow to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Gen. Banks about duties in New Orleans. Banks to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Recognizes Dennis Donohoe as consul of Great Britain at New Orleans. Washington Chronicle, 23 December 1864.

Recognizes Moritz von Baumbach as consul at Milwaukee for Duchy of Saxe Meiningen. Washington Chronicle, 24 December 1864.

President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln at Continental Hotel in Philadelphia: "Do not come on the night train. It is too cold. Come in the morning." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174-75.

Interviews delegation from Baltimore urging retention of H. W. Hoffman in customhouse. Thomsen to Chestnut, 21 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Butler: "I now learn, correctly I suppose, that you have ordered an election, . . . to take place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Let this be suspended, at least until conferrence [sic] with me, and obtaining my approval." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174.

President interviews John Bliss, 1st Vermont Cavalry, who for fear of being treated as deserter calls on Lincoln and returns to regiment. Order Concerning John Bliss, 22 December 1864, CW, 8:176-77.

Consults with Joseph J. Lewis, commissioner of internal revenue, regarding resolution to correct errors in regulations. Lewis to Lincoln, 22 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives Sen. Lane (Kans.), who returns to Kansas to run for reelection. Lane to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Seward calls on President with letter from former Sen. King (N.Y.) recommending John Bigelow, author, editor, and U.S. consul general in Paris, to be minister to France. King to Seward, 21 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Gen. Sherman sends President following dispatch: "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns & plenty of ammunition & also about 25000 bales of cotton." Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 26 December 1864, CW, 8:181-82.

President approves amended treasury regulation regarding commercial intercourse. Approval of Treasury Regulation No. 55, 22 December 1864, CW, 8:175-76.

Cabinet meets. Welles tardy. President and Secs. Seward and Stanton discuss Welles' presentation of case against Beverly S. Osborn, New York newspaperman. Welles, Diary.

President issues order for protection and safe conduct from New Orleans or Memphis, Tenn. to Red River and its tributaries to James Harrison, of St. Louis, trading under rules of Treasury Dept. Order Concerning James Harrison, 23 December 1864, CW, 8:178.

Lincoln recognizes R. Barth as consul of Grand Dukedom of Baden at St. Louis. Washington Chronicle, 30 December 1864.

Receives Richard C. Parsons, representative of Common Council of Cleveland, who presents importance of establishing navy yard on Great Lakes. Allen to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Welles calls on President and gets death sentence commuted and obtains pass to Richmond for Laura Jones. Welles, Diary.

O. H. Browning confers with Lincoln about permitting James W. Singleton, Illinois politician and cotton and tobacco buyer, to go to Richmond for purpose of buying cotton. Browning, Diary.

President and Mrs. Lincoln send letters to Soldiers' Fair in Springfield, Mass. Washington Chronicle, 1 January 1865.

President acknowledges receipt of volume "commemorative of the celebration in honor of the passage of the Ordinance of Emancipation of the State of Louisiana." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Durant, 24 December 1864, CW, 8:179.

Endorses letter of Samuel D. Lockwood, Batavia, Ill.: "Judge Lockwood, the writer, is one of the best men in the world." Endorsement Concerning Samuel D. Lockwood, 24 December 1864, CW, 8:179-80.

Writes Sec. Seward: "Gen. C. S. Todd, once much of a man, is now superannuated, and would be an incumbrance upon the Commander in New-Orleans, unjustifiable in me to impose upon him." [Charles S. Todd, assessor of internal revenue at Owensboro, Ky., asked for military appointment under Gen. Banks.] Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 24 December 1864, CW, 8:181.

Lincoln writes an endorsement on a letter concerning Private David Henry Patterson, a member of the 9th New York Cavalry's Company K. On November 2, 1864, Mrs. Kesiah Patterson, of Durand, Illinois, wrote to Fannie McKean, of Washington, D. C., on behalf of David Patterson's mother. On June 11, David Patterson was wounded in battle at Trevilian Station, Virginia. Kesiah Patterson learned from David's mother that he "has been ill almost from the moment of his entering the army. It seems that he has himself physically unable to endure the rigor of camp life...A recent illness deprived him of the little strength and courage that he had endeavored to sustain himself with and now his only hope is to get to his mother and spend the remnant of his life, which he feels will be brief, with her." Kesiah notes that David Patterson is a patient at Finley Hospital, located in Washington D. C.'s fourth ward. Perhaps McKean showed the letter to Lincoln, who forwarded it to Illinois Congressman John F. Farnsworth with the note, "Can Gen. Farnsworth tell anything about this case?" Kesiah Patterson to Fannie McKean, 2 November 1864, The Lincoln Museum, Ft. Wayne, IN; Newel Cheney, History of the Ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry. War of 1861 To 1865 (Jamestown, NY: Martin Merz & Son, 1901), 394.

President gives Christmas reception at White House. N.Y. Herald, 29 December 1864.

Lincoln writes to thank General William T. Sherman and "your whole army" for "your Christmas gift—the capture of Savannah [Georgia]." Lincoln confesses, "I was anxious, if not fearful" when he learned of Sherman's plan to take Savannah, "but feeling that you were the better judge, and remembering that 'nothing risked, nothing gained' I did not interfere." Lincoln concludes, "But what next? I suppose it will be safer if I leave Gen. [Ulysses S.] Grant and yourself to decide." William T. Sherman to Abraham Lincoln, 22 December 1864, Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 26 December 1864, CW, 8:181-82.

President confers with Sec. Fessenden regarding appointment to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Franklin Yeaton, 27 December 1864, CW, 8:184-85.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln sends for O. H. Browning to come to White House as early as convenient. Hay to Browning, 27 December 1864, Orville H. Browning Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Confers again with him on cotton trade; also inquires about releasing William N. Symington from Fort Lafayette, N.Y. Browning, Diary; Order Concerning William N. Symington, 27 December 1864, CW, 8:185.

Lincoln writes a note of thanks to College of New Jersey (Now Princeton University) President John Maclean, whose college trustees "conferred upon [Lincoln] the Degree of Doctor of Laws." Lincoln responds, "I am most thankful if my labors have seemed to conduce to the preservation of those institutions under which alone we can expect good government and in its train sound learning and the progress of the liberal arts." Abraham Lincoln to John Maclean, 27 December 1864, CW, 8:183-84.

President interviews Charles D. Chase regarding business interest in South and gives him letter to Gen. Foster at Hilton Head, S.C. Abraham Lincoln to John G. Foster, 28 December 1864, CW, 8:186-87.

Receives two ladies, relatives of James R. Mallory, under death sentence, and suspends execution for six weeks. Johnson to Lincoln, 3 December 1864, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

Sec. Welles calls on President, "who had a large crowd in attendance, chiefly female." Welles, Diary.

President writes Gen. Butler: "If the people [Eastern Shore Virginia] on their own motion wish to hold a peaceful meeting I suppose you need not to hinder them." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 28 December 1864, CW, 8:186.

Telegraphs Gen. Grant at City Point, Va.: "If there be no objection, please tell me what you now understand of the Wilmington expedition, present & prospective." [Grant reported the expedition "a gross and culpable failure."] Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 28 December 1864, CW, 8:187.

At 10 A.M. Sec. Welles calls on President. Atty. Gen. Speed joins them. They discuss private examination of public papers. Welles, Diary.

In afternoon Sec. Welles takes to President dispatches concerning failure of expedition against Fort Fisher, Wilmington, N.C. Welles, Diary.

Cabinet meets. Speculations arise regarding trouble between Gen. Butler and Rear Adm. Porter. Welles, Diary.

President decides to remove Butler from command. West, Welles, 303-5.

Lincoln writes to Cincinnati, Ohio, lithographer Elijah C. Middleton, who recently produced the president's image. Lincoln offers, "Your picture . . . is, in the main, very good. From a line across immediately above the eye-brows, downward it appears to me perfect. Above such line I think it is not so good,—that is, while it gives perhaps a better fore-head, it is not quite true to the original. If you were present I could tell you wherein, but I can not well do so on paper. The next best thing . . . would be to carefully study a photograph." Abraham Lincoln to Elijah C. Midddleton, 30 December 1864, CW, 8:191-92; Harold Holzer, "Lincoln and the Ohio Printmakers," Ohio History 89, no. 4 (1980): 418.

Lincoln receives Mrs. G. J. Laurence, of Philadelphia, who desires to have her nephew released from prison in Columbia S.C. Abraham Lincoln to Ethan A. Hitchcock, 31 December 1864, CW, 8:192.

Establishes offices to receive subscriptions to capital stock of Union Pacific Railroad. Order Designating Offices to Receive Subscriptions to Union Pacific Railroad, 31 December 1864, CW, 8:192-93.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles goes to White House with Commodore John Rodgers, who has a dispatch from Rear Admiral David D. Porter at Fort Fisher, N.C. Welles, Diary.

President reappoints members of Levy Court. Washington Chronicle, 1 January 1865.