Lincoln calls cabinet meeting for 12 M. to review message to Congress. Meets with Gen. Scott and Secs. Seward and Cameron to discuss assignment of Gen. Fremont. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 3 July 1861, CW, 4:419-20.

Confers with Seward and Gen. Meigs on news that Gen. Patterson is across river at Williamsport, Md. Extracts from Meigs Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 4 P.M. 1st Brigade New Jersey Volunteers passes in review at White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 5 July 1861, 3:2.

Sen. Orville H. Browning (Ill.) at Executive Mansion in evening discusses message to Congress with Lincoln. ["Since my return from Illinois (June 18) the President has been engaged almost constantly in writing his message, and has refused to receive any calls whatever, either of friendship or business, except from members of the Cabinet, or high officials." Nicolay to Bates, 3 July 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

In conversation says: "Browning, of all the trials I have had since I came here, none begin to compare with those I had between the inauguration and the fall of Fort Sumpter [sic]. They were so great that could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them." Memorandum, 3 July 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Browning, Diary.