Lincoln sends autograph to New England Kitchen, connected with Brooklyn Sanitary Fair, as means of raising funds. Abraham Lincoln to the New England Kitchen, 2 March 1864, CW, 7:220.

Interviews Messrs. Chase and Earl of Toledo, Ohio, about appointment of postmaster. Sherman to Lincoln, 2 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Congressman Abel C. Wilder (Kansas) confers with President regarding Kansas affairs. Seward to Lincoln, 2 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, while sitting for F. B. Carpenter, recites soliloquy of King in Hamlet from memory. Carpenter, Six Months, 49.

With family visits Grover's Theatre for Edwin Booth's appearance in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Washington Chronicle, 3 March 1864.

President proclaims ratification of treaty with Great Britain settling claims of Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural Companies. Washington Chronicle, 11 March 1864.

Receives February salary warrant for $2,022.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Mrs. Lincoln holds Saturday afternoon reception. Washington National Republican, 5 March 1864.

President issues call and orders draft for 200,000 men for military services. Draft Order for 200,000 Men, 14 March 1864, CW, 7:245.

Transmits to Congress treaty with Great Britain regarding claims of Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural Companies and recommends "appropriation to carry into effect the first, second, and third articles thereof." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 14 March 1864, CW, 7:246-47.

Receives Gov. Curtin (Pa.) at 7 P.M. on official business. Curtin to Lincoln, 14 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Transmits to Senate report of secretary of interior regarding sale of Wea trust lands in Kansas. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [14] March 1864, CW, 7:246.

Invites early attention of Congress to convention with Ecuador requiring appointment of commissioners to adjust claims. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 14 March 1864, CW, 7:247.

Congress approves act extending franking privilege to all mail matter to or from President and Vice President. Washington Chronicle, 19 March 1864.

Lincoln inquires of Gov. Murphy (Ark.): "What of your election on the 14th.?" Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Murphy, 16 March 1864, CW, 7:250-51.

Lincoln requests Gen. Butler to telegraph, if "you obtain the remains of Col. Dahlgren." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 17 March 1864, CW, 7:251.

Writes Cong. Creswell (Md.): "It needs not be a secret, that I wish success to emancipation in Maryland. It would aid much to end the rebellion." Abraham Lincoln to John A. J. Creswell, 17 March 1864, CW, 7:251.

Cabinet meets. Sec. Seward reads proposed bill for law on emigration. Welles, Diary.

President and Mrs. Lincoln on invitation attend closing night of fair held in Patent Office for benefit of Christian Commission and District volunteers. Lincoln makes brief speech, ending: "God bless the women of America." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 March 1864, 2d ed., 3:1; Washington Chronicle, 19 March 1864; Sidney Kramer, "Lincoln at the Fair," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly, 3 (September 1945):341-42; Remarks at Closing of Sanitary Fair, Washington, D. C., 18 March 1864, CW, 7:253-54.

Writes recommendation for Benjamin A. Watson of Springfield, Ill., who wants commission of post sutler for Camp Butler, Ill.: he is "an intimate acquaintance and friend, and is of good character, and good qualification for the business he seeks. . . . I know nothing of the particular case." Endorsement Concerning Benjamin A. Watson, 18 March 1864, CW, 7:252-53.

Sends Sec. Stanton descriptions of several types of prisoners of war that might well be discharged. "I shall be glad therefore to have your cheerful assent to the discharge of those whose names I may send." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 18 March 1864, CW, 7:254-57.

President recommends discharge of 16 Indians as named. DNA—WR RG 107, Off. Sec. War, EB 6, Entry 165.

Attends Saturday afternoon reception given by Mrs. Lincoln. Washington National Republican, 19 March 1864.

W. O. Stoddard returns to White House after recovering from typhoid and finds Lincoln resting on office lounge. They talk of many things, including Gen. Grant. William O. Stoddard, Inside the White House in War Times (New York: C. L. Webster, 1890), 219-22.

President interviews Miss Susan Dugger and Miss Beattie from Illinois and gives them note to Postmaster Gen. Blair. Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 21 March 1864, CW, 7:257-58.

Approves "An Act to enable the people of Nevada to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal Footing with the original States." Proclamation Admitting Nevada into the Union, 31 October 1864, CW, 8:83-84; Don C. Seitz, Lincoln the Politician: How the Rail-Splitter and Flatboatman Played the Great American Game (New York: Coward-McCann, 1931), 408.

At 12 M. committee from New York Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association calls on President and presents address, to which Lincoln replies: "You comprehend, as your address shows, that the existing rebellion, . . . is, in fact, a war upon the rights of all working people." Washington Chronicle, 22 March 1864; Reply to New York Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association, 21 March 1864, CW, 7:259-60.

President Lincoln writes to siblings Clara Brown and Julia Brown and thanks the children for sending him an "Afghan." The Browns, of Buffalo, New York, asked Lincoln to "remember that you have little friends in Buffalo who pray for you." Lincoln answers, "I especially like my little friends; and although you have never seen me, I am glad you remember me for the country's sake, and even more, that you remember, and try to help, the poor Soldiers." Clara Brown and Julia Brown to Abraham Lincoln, 9 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Clara and Julia Brown, 21 March 1864, CW, 7:258.

President lays before Senate treaty with Shawnee Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 22 March 1864, CW, 7:261.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Despite snowstorm last evening there is fine attendance at public reception of President and Mrs. Lincoln, 8:30 to 11 P.M. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 March 1864, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 March 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Lincoln's thought on slavery: "I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing, that no man desires for himself." On Slavery, 22 March 1864, CW, 7:260-61.

Sens. Wade (Ohio) and Chandler (Mich.) again call on Lincoln demanding removal of Gen. Meade. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 340.

Lincoln sends note to Gen. Schenck (resigned) as explanation of embarrassing incident at reception last evening. Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck, 23 March 1864, CW, 7:262.

Answers request of Gen. Schurz for permission to join political campaign: "Nor could I be justified to detail any officer to the political campaign during its continuance, and then return him to the Army." Abraham Lincoln to Carl Schurz, 23 March 1864, CW, 7:262-63.

President summons Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) to White House for conference. Abraham Lincoln to James R. Doolittle, 24 March 1864, CW, 7:265.

Sends to Senate report regarding establishment of monarchical governments in Central and South America. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 24 March 1864, CW, 7:265-66.

Interviews former Gov. Newell (N.J.) on military problems. Newell to Lincoln, 24 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with John Hay; reviews report on political situation in Florida. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Spends evening with Gen. Grant at White House. Chicago Tribune, 25 March 1864; Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:121-22.

Cabinet meets. Sec. Welles calls attention to scarcity of seamen. Suggests transfer of 12,000 men from Army to Navy. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln in his study all evening with F. B. Carpenter. Talks Shakespeare. Recites poem, "Oh! Why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" Carpenter, Six Months, 58.

President Lincoln writes to Commissioner of Public Buildings Benjamin B. French regarding a bill in Congress that removes French's position "from the control of the Department of the Interior, and . . . enlarg[es] the powers and patronage of your office." Lincoln continues, "The proposed change may be right for aught I know." But, Lincoln adds, "[I]f the change is made, I do not think I can allow you to retain the office; because that would be encouraging officers to be constantly intriguing, to the detriment of the public interest, in order to profit themselves." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin B. French, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:266-67.

Asks Thurlow Weed if it is true that he is hurt because one of his suggestions on how to run affairs of government was not followed. Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:268-69.

President interviews Sec. Welles in morning relative to transferring 12,000 men from Army to Navy. Welles, Diary.

Further defines cases entitled to benefits of December 8, 1863, Amnesty Proclamation. Proclamation About Amnesty, 26 March 1864, CW, 7:269-70.

Discusses Negro enlistment in Kentucky with Gov. Bramlette (Ky.), former Sen. Archibald Dixon (Ky.), and Albert G. Hodges, editor of Frankfort, Ky., "Commonwealth," presented by Atty. Gen. Bates. Bates, Diary.

In afternoon sends for Welles and Asst. Sec. Fox and requests order for transfer of 12,000 men from Army to Navy. Welles, Diary.

[John Nicolay arrives in New York to represent President at conference with Thurlow Weed concerning political conditions and patronage. Nicolay to Lincoln, 30 March 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

President at War Department in evening for conference with Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Henry W. Halleck and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 March 1864, 2d ed., 2:1; Washington Chronicle, 28 March 1864.

President disturbed in morning by Francis Xavier, who reaches Lincoln's room and begins speech proving that Xavier was elected President in 1856. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 March 1864, 2d ed., 2:5; Washington Chronicle, 29 March 1864.

Consults with Gov. Bramlette (Ky.) on troop quotas and drafting of Negroes. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 28 March 1864, CW, 7:272.

Receives note from Peter McConnell of Kansas, who wishes to present Rocky Mountain pony to Tad. McConnell to Lincoln, 28 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles accompanies group or rear admirals, including Hiram Paulding (retd.) commanding Navy Yard at New York, C. H. Davis, Chief, Bureau of Navigation, S. H. Stringham (retd.), special duty, and Francis H. Gregory (retd.), superintending construction of gunboats, to White House and introduces them to President. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 29 March 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln, Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, and others agree that Capt. Kinney should be recommended to Gen. Grant. Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 29 March 1864, CW, 7:272.

President writes Gen. Meade that there is no need for court of inquiry regarding publication of accounts discrediting Meade's operations at Gettysburg. Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 29 March 1864, CW, 7:273-74.

Transmits to Congress report of Charles B. Stuart, consulting engineer of New York, regarding improvements to pass gunboats from tidewater to northern and northwestern lakes. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 29 March 1864, CW, 7:274.

Wisconsin Union State Convention at Milwaukee endorses Lincoln for reelection. Washington Chronicle, 1 April 1864.

James A. Hamilton,, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., invites President and Mrs. Lincoln to Metropolitan Fair as his guests. Hamilton to Lincoln, 30 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[John Nicolay in New York writes President about conversation with Gen. Schurz. John G. Nicolay to Abraham Lincoln, 30 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

President interviews Col. Thomas Worthington (resigned) and states in writing: "I did not think him fit for a Colonel." Memorandum Concerning Thomas Worthington, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276.

Confers with Gen. Wallace on progress of bringing together Gov. Bradford (Md.) and Cong. Davis (Md.) on subject of emancipation. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276-77.

Writes Sec. Stanton that Wallace is getting along very satisfactorily. "I have told him to be fair, but to give the benefit of all doubts to the emancipationists." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276-77.

Asks Stanton for favor: "I sincerely wish that something satisfactory to Lt. Col. Scates—an old personal friend & most worthy gentleman—may be done for him." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:277.

[About this date sends check for $50.00 to Dennis Hanks, second cousin and boyhood companion. Hanks to Lincoln, 5 April 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]