Cabinet in session most of forenoon discussing Fort Sumter, S.C., situation. Baltimore Sun, 4 April 1861.

President attends wedding of Commandant Franklin Buchanan's (USN) daughter at Navy Yard, but arrives too late for ceremony. Bruce, Tools of War, 9, 15.

Confers with Allan B. Magruder and sends him to Richmond to arrange consultation between Lincoln and Virginia Unionist, preferably former Cong. George W. Summers (Va.). Randall, Lincoln, 1:325-26.

Col. Keyes interviewed by President, who signs blanket order authorizing him to organize expedition to Fort Pickens, Fla. Erasmus D. Keyes, Fifty Years' Observation of Men and Events, Civil and Military (New York: Scribner, 1884), 387; Abraham Lincoln to Erasmus D. Keyes, 3 April 1861, CW, 4:320.

[Irwin withdraws $9 for payment of interest on scholarship, Illinois State University. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.]

Ambrose W. Thompson, head, Chiriqui Improvement Company with land in Granadian Confederation (Panama near border of Costa Rica), interviews President regarding colonization and coal supply of navy. Thompson to Lincoln, 11 April 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln hears eyewitness account of what Mr. Wiley of New York saw in Charleston Friday night, April 12, 1861. National Intelligencer, 18 April 1861.

Interviews New York "Tribune" correspondent, Bayard Taylor. N.Y. Tribune, 23 April 1861.

Quarters Jim Lane's "Frontier Guards" (600 Kansas men) in East Room of White House under Maj. Hunter. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 1.

F. P. Blair, Sr., allegedly at request of Lincoln, unofficially offers Col. Robert E. Lee command of Federal Army. Lee to Johnson, 25 February 1868, Robert E. Lee Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President confers with Sec. Welles and Gen. Scott on military protection of Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. Cabinet in evening meeting discusses fall of Harper's Ferry, Va., and possible attack on Navy Yard. Gideon Welles, "Fort Sumter, Facts in Relation to the Expedition Ordered by the Administration of President Lincoln for the Relief of the Garrison in Fort Sumter," Galaxy 10 (November 1870):117.

Lincoln retires early, but is awakened by John Hay, assistant secretary to President, bearing warning of possible plot against his life; merely grins. Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 59.

Cabinet in morning session hears Comdr. James Alden's (USN) story of conditions at Norfolk. Gideon Welles, "Fort Sumter, Facts in Relation to the Expedition Ordered by the Administration of President Lincoln for the Relief of the Garrison in Fort Sumter," Galaxy 10 (November 1870):118-19.

Lincoln orders "a blockade of the ports" in the seceded states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The states' status affects "that provision of the Constitution which requires duties to be uniform throughout the United States." Additionally, the blockade will protect "the lives, vessels, and property of good citizens of the country lawfully engaged in commerce on the high seas, and in waters of the United States." Proclamation of a Blockade, 19 April 1861, CW, 4:338-39.

Drives out to inspect forts around Washington. Attempts to aid Gosport Navy Yard, Va., but fails. Monaghan, Diplomat, 75-76.

Representatives of Mayor George W. Brown (Baltimore) present letter informing Lincoln "that it is not possible for more soldiers to pass through Baltimore unless they fight their way at every step." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:340-41.

President receives telegram from Gov. Hicks (Md.) and Brown that 6th Massachusetts Infantry passing through Baltimore is attacked by mob. Approximately four soldiers and nine citizens killed. Benjamin P. Thomas, Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (New York: Knopf, 1952), 260-61; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:340-41.

Interviews Col. John B. Magruder, commanding 1st U.S. Artillery defending Washington, who thinks of resigning. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 6.

President is "annoyed" to learn his hotel bill ($773.75) has not been paid. Sends John G. Nicolay to pay it and obtain receipt. DLC—Willards' Register; Lincoln to Willards', 19 April 1861, in possession of Willard Hotel, Washington, DC.

[See February 23, 1861.]

President confers with Gen. Scott at 8 A.M. about troops passing through Baltimore. Nicolay Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Calls Gov. Hicks (Md.) and Mayor Brown (Baltimore) to Washington for conference "relative to preserving the peace of Maryland." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:340-41; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:341.

Interviews Sen. Anthony Kennedy (Md.) and former Cong. J. Morrison Harris (Md.) relative to movement of troops through Maryland. N.Y. Times, 27 April 1861.

President and John Hay, assistant secretary to President, look down bay from roof of White House. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 6.

Cabinet again convenes in Navy Dept. to plan action of government. Randall, Lincoln, 1:364.

Lucius E. Chittenden, registrar of treasury, takes Dr. James Wynne, author and resident of New York, to White House for conference on conditions in New York. Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 118-19.

From late morning to early afternoon, President confers further with Mayor George W. Brown (Baltimore), General Winfield Scott, and cabinet on moving troops through Maryland. National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 April 1861, 2:4-5; Randall, Lincoln, 3:159.

Around 11 a.m., approximately "twenty . . . highly respectable citizens of Baltimore" arrive at the White House to meet with President Lincoln. The group requests that Lincoln "not . . . bring troops through Maryland at this time." Lincoln responds that his goal is to "secure this Capitol to the Government, and protect the lives of its citizens." A newspaper reports, "While it is evident that it is the earnest desire of the President to prevent bloodshed in Maryland, he is doubtless unflinchingly determined that, forcibly, if necessary, the communication of this city with the progressing bodies of troops coming to its relief shall be kept open." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 April 1861, 3:6; National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 April 1861, 2:2; Reply to Baltimore Committee, 22 April 1861, CW, 4:341-42.

Lincoln surprised at resignation of Col. Magruder who three days ago expressed loyalty. Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 95.

Cassius M. Clay, wearing three pistols and "Arkansas toothpick" (Bowie knife), calls on Lincoln. Sec. Chase complains to President about everybody issuing orders. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Lincoln instructs Sec. Seward to inform Gov. Hicks (Md.) that domestic matters will not be referred to foreign arbitrament. Henry J. Raymond, The Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln . . . Together with his State Papers, including his Speeches, Addresses, Messages, Letters, and Proclamations and the Closing Scenes Connected with his Life and Death (New York: Derby & Miller, 1865), 175; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:341.

Cabinet meeting 3 P.M. Nicolay to Welles, 22 April 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Former Cong. Henry W. Davis (Md.) interviews President and members of cabinet on problems of peace. Baltimore Sun, 24 April 1861.

Henry Villard, speaking for James Gordon Bennett, founder of New York "Herald," informs President and Chase that Bennett will back administration unconditionally and offers son's yacht as gift to government revenue service. Henry Villard, Memoirs of Henry Villard, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 1:162.

Deputation of 16 Virginians and 8 Marylanders visits Executive Mansion and demands cessation of hostilities until Congress convenes. N.Y. Times, 27 April 1861.

President confers with Gen. Scott in driveway of Executive Mansion to save his gouty visitor pain of climbing stairs. Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 62.

Lincoln paces floor awaiting troops for defense of Washington. Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 95.

Cabinet meeting around noon. Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 64.

Awaiting further troops for defense of Washington, Lincoln talks to wounded men of 6th Massachusetts Regiment at White House and remarks: "I begin to believe that there is no North." Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 96.

Lincoln responds to a recent letter from former U.S. Senator Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland. Johnson seeks to calm the fears of the citizens of Maryland and Virginia by assuring them that Lincoln does not plan to order an "invasion" of either state. Lincoln replies, "I have no purpose to invade Virginia . . . I have no objection to declare a thousand times that I have no purpose to invade Virginia or any other State, but I do not mean to let them invade us without striking back." Reverdy Johnson to Abraham Lincoln, 22 April 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Reverdy Johnson, 24 April 1861, CW, 4:342-43.

President considers preventing Maryland Legislature from meeting and possibly arming people of that state against U.S. and concludes it would not be justifiable. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 25 April 1861, CW, 4:344.

Secretary of the Interior Caleb B. Smith consults with Lincoln on readying Fortress Monroe, Va., preparatory to retaking Fort Sumter, S.C. Hay, Letters and Diary.

In early afternoon President, Secretary of State William H. Seward, and Secretary of War Simon Cameron review 7th New York Regiment. National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 April 1861, 3:1; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 25 April 1861, 3:1.

Labels clippings from New York "Times" of this date, "Villainous articles." Clippings, 25 April 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 3 P.M. Lincoln, accompanied by many officials, attends dress drill of 7th New York Regiment in front of Capitol. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 April 1861, 3:1; William Swinton, History of Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, During the War of Rebellion (New York: Fields, Osgood, 1870), 128.

Reviews 8th Massachusetts. Bates, Telegraph Office, 21.

In the White House, President Lincoln addresses the "Frontier Guard, under the command of Senator [James H.] Lane of Kansas." The Frontier Guard's soldiers assist in defending the "neighborhood of the Executive Mansion." Lincoln remarks, "I have desired as sincerely as any man . . . that our present difficulties might be settled without the shedding of blood. . . . But if the alternative is presented, whether the Union is to be broken in fragments and the liberties of the people lost, or blood be shed, you will probably make the choice, with which I shall not be dissatisfied." Reply to the Frontier Guard, 26 April 1861, CW, 4:345; National Republican (Washington, DC), 27 April 1861, 3:2; Sun (Baltimore, MD), 29 April 1861, 2:3; New York Daily Tribune, 1 May 1861, 5:3.

[Commissioner of Public Buildings requests from Secretary of War 6 additional Colt's pistols, Navy size, for police at Executive Mansion. Six now on hand are deemed insufficient under existing circumstances. DNA—RG 42 Commissioner of Public Buildings, Letters Sent, Blake to Cameron, 26 April 1861.]

President authorizes suspension of writ of habeas corpus along line of troop movements between Philadelphia and Washington. National Intelligencer, 17 July 1861; Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 27 April 1861, CW, 4:347.

Extends blockade to ports of North Carolina and Virginia. Baltimore Sun, 30 April 1861; Proclamation of Blockade, 27 April 1861, CW, 4:346-47.

Seventh New York Regiment band serenades presidential family and friends on south lawn of Executive Mansion. National Republican (Washington, DC), 29 April 1861, 3:2; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 29 April 1861, 3:1.

Lincoln talks of war with Carl Schurz, whom he appoints minister to Spain. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Lincoln, Sec. Cameron, and Gen. Scott are in War Dept., in Chief Clerk John P. Sanderson's room, when David H. Bates reports there to serve in telegraph office. Bates, Telegraph Office, 25-26.

President, Sec. Seward, and other officials visit quarters of 7th New York Regiment in House Chamber of Capitol. William Swinton, History of Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, During the War of Rebellion (New York: Fields, Osgood, 1870), 134.

Congressman Charles H. Van Wyck (N.Y.) asks Lincoln for temporary active duty while awaiting arrival of regiment. Van Wyck to Nicolay, 29 April 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

New York committee calls upon President to state "with great clearness that the people were absolutely determined on maintaining their Government." New-York Daily Tribune, 1 May 1861, 5:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 30 April 1861, 2:3-4.

Mayor Berret (Washington) makes formal call at White House. National Intelligencer, 1 March 1861.

Lincoln has picture made on White House lawn with citizen-soldiers of Cassius M. Clay Battalion. LL, No. 1450.

Borrows from Library of Congress "Placier Times and Transcript, part 2, 1855." Borrowers' Ledger 1859-62, 350, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. [San Francisco, Daily Placer Times and Transcript, 16 June 1851-17 December 1855.]

Writes Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles: "You will please to have as strong a War Steamer as you can conveniently put on that duty, to cruise upon the Potomac, and to look in upon, and, if practicable, examine the Bluff and vicinity, at what is called the White House [Va.], once or twice per day." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 29 April 1861, CW, 4:348-49.

President approves enrolling loyal citizens of St. Louis for maintaining authority of U.S. DNA—WR RG 94, Adjt. Gen. Off., Letters Received, Misc. Branch, XXXVII, pt. 2, 942.

Visits quarters of various regiments stationed near Washington. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 May 1861, 3:2.

Three Potawatomi Indians call on their Great Father. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 14.

In the afternoon, President Lincoln meets with Rufus King and with Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, a member of the Seventh New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Shaw recalls, "Mr. Lincoln was sitting at a desk perfectly covered with letters & papers of every description." Shaw concludes, "Though you can't judge of a man in a five minute conversation, we were very much pleased with what we did see of him." Russell Duncan, ed., Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1992), 90-91.

In evening Carl Schurz, Postmaster General Blair, and G. V. Fox interview Lincoln. Hay, Letters and Diary.