Former Cong. Garrett Davis (Ky.) consults with Lincoln and government officials on national problems. Baltimore Sun, 6 May 1861.

President invites Maj. Anderson to Executive Mansion for social visit. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Anderson, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:350.

President Lincoln writes to Gustavus V. Fox, who led an operation to supply Ft. Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina. Before Fox could carry out the plan, Confederate forces fired upon the fort and later took control of it. Lincoln consoles, "For a daring and dangerous enterprize, of a similar character, you would, to-day, be the man, of all my acquaintances, whom I would select. You and I both anticipated that the cause of the country would be advanced by making the attempt . . . even if it should fail." Abraham Lincoln to Gustavus V. Fox, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:350-51.

Assures Gov. Isham G. Harris (Tenn.) that Government had nothing to do with seizure of steamboat "C. E. Hillman." Abraham Lincoln to Isham G. Harris, [1?] May 1861, CW, 4:351-52.

Sen. Henry Wilson (Mass.) and Judge Ebenezer R. Hoar of Massachusetts call upon Lincoln and members of cabinet and urge adoption of more aggressive war measures. N.Y. Tribune, 2 May 1861.

Western Virginia Unionists ask President for assistance. Members of 7th New York Regiment and Postmaster Gen. Blair visit President during afternoon. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Seventh New York Regiment band gives evening concert at White House; Lincoln speaks briefly from portico. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 April 1861, 3:1, 2 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 May 1861, 3:2; Remarks at a Band Concert, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:352.

At noon President raises flag over Patent Office, 7th and F Sts. NW. National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 May 1861, 3:1, 3 May 1861, 3:2; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 2 May 1861, 3:1.

Reviews Rhode Island Marine Artillery. National Republican (Washington, DC), 3 May 1861, 3:1; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 3 May 1861, 3:3; Remarks to Rhode Island Marine Battery, 2 May 1861, CW, 4:352-53.

At 8 P.M. consults with Secretary of State Seward and Chicago detective. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 2 May 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Later in the evening, reviews New York Fire Zouaves, commanded by Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 3 May 1861, 3:1.

To bring army to total of 156,861 and navy to 25,000, President calls for increase of regular army by ten regiments of 22,714 men, for 42,034 volunteers, and for enlistment of 18,000 seamen. Proclamation Calling for 42,034 Volunteers, 3 May 1861, CW, 4:353-54.

Capt. Meigs reports to President on trip to Fort Pickens. Extracts from Meigs Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[President's account is charged $3.00 for "leather back brush," $1.00 for dandruff brush, and 37¢ for curry comb. Lutz Account Book.]

Committee of Maryland Legislature waits upon President during morning to protest military occupation of state. He informs committee that public interest and not any spirit of revenge will actuate his measures. Baltimore Sun, 6 May 1861; Reply to Committee from Maryland Legislature, 4 May 1861, CW, 4:356.

Gen. Benjamin F. Butler interviews President by invitation, to discuss military situation at Baltimore and Gosport Navy Yard, Va. Butler, Correspondence, 1:64.

Baltimore committee urges recognition of independence of Southern States. Lincoln rebukes them for lack of fighting spirit. Randall, Lincoln, 1:366.

Gov. William A. Buckingham (Conn.) assures President of support of people of Connecticut. Welles to wife, 5 May 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President calls meeting of heads of departments 8 P.M. White House. Seward to Cameron, 5 May 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase and introduces James Gordon Bennett, Jr., whose father, Bennett, Sr., publishes the New York Herald newspaper. Lincoln encourages Chase to meet with Bennett, who offers "a fine yacht of 160 tons burthen . . . [and] some other vessels of the same class" that may be of use in the government's war effort. The revenue cutter service branch of the Treasury Department employs ships to pursue vessels delivering war-related supplies to the South. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 6 May 1861, CW, 4:357.

Writes Vice President Hamlin to report troop movements in New York. Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin, 6 May 1861, CW, 4:357-58.

Informs commissioners of Maryland Legislature that any military use or occupation of state must necessarily be contingent upon nature of situation. Abraham Lincoln to Otho Scott, Robert M. McLane, and William J. Ross, 6 May 1861, CW, 4:358.

Appoints James W. Webb minister to Brazil. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 6 May 1861, CW, 4:358-59.

Receives April salary warrant for $2,083.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

In afternoon Lincoln goes for drive in open carriage with Sec. Seward and receives greetings of respect everywhere. N.Y. Tribune, 9 May 1861.

Attends flag-raising ceremony of 69th New York Regiment on Georgetown Heights. N.Y. Times, 9 May 1861.

Deposits April salary check for $2,083.33 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Writes Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to ignore criticism of appointment of Gustavus V. Fox as chief clerk of navy dept., adding: "He is a live man, whose services we cannot well dispense with." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 8 May 1861, CW, 4:363.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase regarding a patronage matter. Prominent New York Republicans Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed seek a Treasury Department position for Christopher Adams. Ammi Young presently holds the position. Lincoln asks for Chase's opinion, and adds, "Adams is magnificently recommended; but the great point in his favor is that . . . Weed and . . . Greeley join in recommending him. I suppose the like never happened before, and never will again; so that it is now or never. What say you?" Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 8 May 1861, CW, 4:361-362.

White House party, including President, spends afternoon at Navy Yard. Views dress parade of 71st New York Regiment and attends band concert. Boards steamer USS Pensacola and watches target practice by 11-inch Dahlgren gun. At 7 P.M. Presidential party leaves Navy Yard to customary salute of thirty-four guns. National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; Bruce, Tools of War, 17-18; Nicolay to Bates, 10 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Baltimore Sun, 10 May 1861.

In the evening, President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, host a reception for "commissioned officers, and their families, of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps and the Volunteer Militia." Major Robert Anderson, whose forces strove to repel the Confederate attack on Ft. Sumter, arrives unnoticed. A newspaper reports, "The President . . . hastened in quest of the Major, and leading him forward placed him by his side." Lincoln's sons Willie and Tad "especially" admire Anderson, "and it was mentioned of one of them that in sitting for his photograph lately he insisted upon having . . . a picture of Major A. in his hand." Marine Band provides music. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; Sun (Baltimore, MD), 10 May 1861, 1:4; Michael Burlingame, ed., With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865 (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2000), 41-42.

President directs commander of U.S. forces on Florida coast to suspend writ of habeas corpus, "if he shall find it necessary." Proclamation Suspending Writ of Habeas Corpus in Florida, 10 May 1861, CW, 4:364-65.

Discusses with Gen. Scott and Sec. Cameron expected outbreak of fighting at Frederick, Md., as reported by messenger from Gov. Hicks (Md.). Talks New York patronage until weary and adjourns conference until 9 A.M. tomorrow. N.Y. Tribune, 11 May 1861.

Poses for photographs in M. B. Brady's studio. LL, No. 211.

President Lincoln writes to Rhode Island Governor William Sprague and explains why he will not appoint Sprague's choice to a postmaster position. Lincoln writes, "[A] different man . . . is recommended by both the Senators, and both the old Representatives of the State, and also by one of the new Representatives. In these cases the Executive is obliged to be greatly dependent upon members of Congress; and while, under peculiar circumstances, a single member or two, may be occasionally over-ruled, I believe as strong a combination as the present never has been. I therefore beg you to be assured that if I follow the rule in this case, as it appears to me I must, it will be with pain and not with pleasure, that you are not obliged." Abraham Lincoln to William Sprague, 10 May 1861, CW, 4:365.

[Mrs. Lincoln and suite arrive in Philadelphia. Baltimore Sun, 13 May 1861.]

President interviews William Ward, introduced by Horace Greeley, regarding employment in New York customhouse. Abraham Lincoln to Hiram Barney, 13 May 1861, CW, 4:367.

President Lincoln attracts attention as he and Minister to Spain Carl Schurz watch from the south portico the Marine Band perform on the White House lawn. A newspaper reports, "[A] few soldiers went up and shook hands with Mr. Lincoln, and then a little girl who had followed them put up her lips, upon which the President saluted her with paternal dignity. Thereupon every little girl in the grounds, and some larger ones, rushed pell-mell towards the place, and for fifteen minutes the President had as much on his hands as one man might desire." Afterward, Lincoln and Schurz break for tea. Michael Burlingame and John R. Turner Ettlinger, eds., Inside Lincoln's White House: The Complete Civil War Diary of John Hay (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1997), 23; New York Daily Tribune, 12 May 1861, 1:2; National Republican (Washington, DC), 13 May 1861, 3:2.

[Mrs. Lincoln and party leave Philadelphia for New York at 2 P.M. and expect to remain for several days of shopping. N.Y. Tribune, 13 May 1861.]

Sec. Seward, Thurlow Weed, and President leave Navy Yard about 10 A.M. for three-hour cruise on Potomac. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Between 3 P.M. and 4 P.M. President reviews District Militia as it passes through White House grounds. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1861, 3:2.

Between 9 P.M. and 10 P.M. speaks to group who had serenaded newly-appointed Washington postmaster Lewis Clephane. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1861, 3:2.

[Mrs. Lincoln, in New York to purchase fittings for Executive Mansion, buys carriage for $900. Baltimore Sun, 9 May 1861, 20 May 1861.

Entertains in evening at Metropolitan Hotel. N.Y. Tribune, 14 May 1861.]

President designates Col. Anderson agent to distribute arms in Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Anderson, 14 May 1861, CW, 4:368-69.

Suggests that Sec. Cameron see Postmaster Gen. Blair "and ascertain what is the trouble with him." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 14 May 1861, CW, 4:369.

Discusses military commissions with Cameron. Lincoln to Cameron, 14 May 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin deposits $112.50 in Springfield Marine Bank, interest on William Cline note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164.

Attends reception hosted by Secretary of State at his residence near Lafayette Square. National Republican (Washington, DC), 15 May 1861, 3:2.

President's account charged $5.50 for "boys' saddle." Lutz Account Book].

During morning select men from Union Defense Committee interview Lincoln to arrange for reception of New York regiments. N.Y. Times, 16 May 1861.

About 5:30 P.M. President reviews 4,000 troops from New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania regiments. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 May 1861, 3:2.

Gen. Butler confers with President and gets commission as major general. Butler, Correspondence, 1:64.

[Mrs. Lincoln purchases an open barouche carriage in New York for $900. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 18 May 1861, 3:3; National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 May 1861, 3:1.]

President attends wedding of Lt. Lorenzo Thomas Jr., son of Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, and Miss M. G. Bradley, at 9 A.M. at Trinity Church, 3d and C Sts. NW. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 May 1861, 3:1.

Witnesses dress parade of 7th New York Regiment with Secretary of State Seward and reviews troops. N.Y. Tribune, 17 May 1861.

General Butler arrives by special train and spends evening in consultation with Lincoln, General Scott, Postmaster General Blair, and Secretary of War Cameron. Group of Alexandria citizens visits President and assures him town would vote one thousand majority against secession. N.Y. Times, 17 May 1861; Blair to Cameron, 17 May 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Empire City Regiment band serenades Mrs. Lincoln at Metropolitan Hotel in New York. Baltimore Sun, 18 May 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 18 May 1861, 3:2.

Mrs. Lincoln orders dinner service for White House and purchases mantel ornaments for Blue and Green Rooms. New York Times, 16 May 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 18 May 1861, 3:3.]

President writes Gov. Morgan (N.Y.): "I wish to see you face to face to clear these difficulties about forwarding troops from New York." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin D. Morgan, 22 May 1861, CW, 4:382.

Around noon, President Lincoln participates in a flag-raising ceremony at Washington, D. C.'s General Post Office building. He remarks, "I . . . shall take pleasure in performing the part assigned me upon this occasion, and I hope in a satisfactory manner." A newspaper reports, "The ropes . . . were then placed in the hands of the President, when, amid the most deafening applause from the crowd below, the flag was raised to its prominent position. . . . [The flag] remained for a moment or two motionless, when suddenly, a gentle wind rising from the north, its ample folds were extended . . . in a most graceful and beautiful manner, eliciting one universal outburst of applause from the assembled multitude." Sun (Baltimore, MD), 22 May 1861, 4:1; Remarks at Raising of the Flag over the General Post Office Building, 22 May 1861, CW, 4:382-83; New York Herald, 23 May 1861, 1:2-3; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 May 1861, 3:1.

In afternoon, President and Mrs. Lincoln and many others, including Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, attend a flag presentation ceremony at Camp Cameron, located near Washington, DC. A newspaper reports that the "patriotic ladies of New York" presented "a beautiful and rich National flag" to the New York Seventh Regiment. "The raising of the flag was of course greeted with deafening huzzas, accompanied by the music of the regimental band to the tune of the Star-Spangled Banner." Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 24 May 1861, 3:2; The Sun (Baltimore, MD), 24 May 1861, 2:3; National Republican (Washington, DC), 24 May 1861, 3:1.

Learning of tragedy through War Department telegram, Lincoln weeps openly over death of young friend, Col. Elmer Ellsworth, shot by proprietor of Marshall House in Alexandria, Va., for removing Confederate flag flying over building. Calls cabinet meeting at noon to discuss incident. Drives with Mrs. Lincoln to Navy Yard to view Ellsworth's body. Receives reporter and Senator Wilson (Mass.) at White House, but excuses himself as unable to talk. Returns to Navy Yard in evening and arranges for removal of body to White House for funeral. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Bates, Telegraph Office, 8; Baltimore Sun, 24 May 1861, 27 May 1861; N.Y. Herald, 26 May 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 May 1861, 2:3.

President and Secretary of War Cameron interview Judge William F. M. Arny of Kansas, who offers three regiments for protection of northwestern Missouri. Baltimore Sun, 25 May 1861.

Approves payment of bill for $952.48 for carpetings purchased by Mrs. Lincoln from Alexander T. Stewart and Co., New York. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 141-262.

During morning Postmaster Gen. Blair talks to President about Gen. Butler's "fugitive slave law." Butler, Correspondence, 1:116.

President accepts two additional Illinois regiments, Chicago Zouaves and Hecker Jager German Regiment. N.Y. Times, 30 May 1861.

In afternoon Secretary of State Seward and Lincoln visit several encampments on Virginia side of Potomac. President reviews 14th New York Regiment. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 May 1861, 2:1.

In evening 7th New York Regiment serenades President, who expresses appreciation. Baltimore Sun, 31 May 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 May 1861, 2:1; Abraham Lincoln to Seventh Regiment of New York, 30 May 1861, CW, 4:390.

[William H. Carryl and brother, "Importers and Dealers in Curtain Materials and Trimmings of Every Description," Philadelphia, submits bill for $7,500 for purchases made by Mrs. Lincoln to refurnish Executive Mansion. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 140-775 (see 15 June 1861, 17 June 1861).]

Cabinet meets to discuss procedures relative to Negro volunteers. N.Y. Times, 31 May 1861.

Maryland district attorney consults with President concerning John Merryman in prison at Fort McHenry, Md., without benefit of writ of habeas corpus. [On May 25, 1861, John Merryman of Maryland was arrested by military authorities in Pennsylvania, charged with treason, and sent to prison in Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md. Chief Justice Taney issued writ of habeas corpus to be heard before him on May 27, 1861 in Baltimore. Gen. George Cadwalader, in command at Fort McHenry, refused to execute writ. Taney issued writ for person of Cadwalader, who refused to accept service. Taney realized that neither writ could be executed by force, so he referred case to President Lincoln with admonition that laws of U.S. be respected and enforced. Taney contended that: 1. according to Constitution President had no right to suspend writ of habeas corpus; and 2. military can arrest only persons subject to rules and articles of war.] Case of ex parte Merryman, 17 Fed. Cas. No. 9487; N.Y. Times, 31 May 1861.

Lincoln asks Atty. Gen. Bates to present argument for suspension of writ of habeas corpus. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 30 May 1861, CW, 4:390.

At 3 P.M. reviews with General Winfield Scott four newly arrived New York regiments, including Garibaldi Guard, in front of White House. At night visits Navy Yard and boards steamer Monticello to see effects of shots from Sewall's Point. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 31 May 1861, 3:2, 4.

[Irwin withdraws $2.50 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.]

President limits interviews to matters of urgent importance. N.Y. Tribune, 1 June 1861.

Confers with W. P. Dole, commissioner of Indian affairs. Lincoln to Dole, 31 May 1861, in possession of Mrs. J. H. Boiarsky, Toledo, Ohio.

[Robert Lincoln, John Hay, assistant secretary to President, and John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President, obtain passes to cross Long Bridge and visit Arlington House, former home of General Robert E. Lee (CSA), in Arlington, Virginia. Nicolay to Bates, 31 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]