Lincoln writes announcement of appointment of Edward Bates to cabinet for insertion in "Missouri Democrat." To John D. Defrees he comments: "I am sorry any republican inclines to dally with Pop. Sov. of any sort. It acknowledges that slavery has equal rights with liberty, and surrenders all we have contended for." He writes Montgomery Blair of Maryland that he is corresponding with Gilmer. Trumbull can show Blair copy of Lincoln's letter. He complains to Henry J. Raymond of New York "Times" about misrepresentations of Mississippian, William Smedes, whose writing "Times" has published. "A very mad-man," says Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:154-55; Abraham Lincoln to John D. Defrees, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:155; Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:155; Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:156.