President interviews A. B. Bennett, prominent gentleman from Canada, who expresses sympathy with Unioncause. Smith to Lincoln, 17 November 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Blair: "I suppose you are ordered to St. Helena. This means that you are to form part of McClernand's expedition, as it moves down the [Mississippi] river." Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Jr., 17 November 1862, CW, 5:498-99.

Replies to Robert A. Maxwell, resident of Philadelphia addicted to writing sensational and sometimes unintelligible letters on public affairs to members of government: "Your despatch of to-day received. I do not at all understand it." [Probably relates to Richmond campaign and Gen. Franklin.] Abraham Lincoln to Robert A. Maxwell, 17 November 1862, CW, 5:499.