Cabinet meets. Report on Gen. Burnside's expedition read. Bates, Diary.

"The children [Willie and Tad] we are glad to say are on the mend." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 February 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

President issues Executive Order No. 1, relating to political prisoners. As far as public welfare will permit, all political prisoners now held in military custody will be released on their subscribing to parole not to aid or comfort enemy. Extraordinary arrests will hereafter be made under direction of military authorities alone. Otto Eisenschiml, In the Shadow of Lincoln's Death (New York: Funk, 1940), 193; DNA—WR RG 94, Adjt. Gen. Off., Letters Received, Misc. Branch, Box 673.

President anxiously awaits news from Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on fighting before Fort Donelson, Tenn. Nicolay to Bates, 14 February 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Sen. Sherman (Ohio) at Capitol regarding assignment of Robert C. Kirk of Ohio as consul to Tangier. Kirk to Sherman, 20 February 1862, John Sherman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.