Lincoln sends for Asst. Sec. Fox to learn about failure of Rear Adm. Farragut to run by Port Hudson, La. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. Henry W. Davis (Md.) discusses organization of new House of Representatives with President. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Davis, 18 March 1863, CW, 6:140-41.

Cabinet meeting continues subject of privateering. Bates, Diary.

President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, tour the Patent Office. A newspaper reports, "This temple of American genius has lately received additions . . . Mrs. Lincoln, with characteristic unselfishness, has sent from the White House a splendid variety of the presents of the Kings of Siam and the Tycoon of Japan. Among the most noticeable is a suit of Japanese armor . . . for which the Knight of La Mancha would have given his boots. . . . The President and Mrs. Lincoln seemed to enjoy greatly this respite from the cares of State among so many interesting objects." New York Herald, 20 March 1863, 4:5.

Lincoln writes to Major General William S. Rosecrans and responds to the general's list of complaints. Rosecrans recently achieved a military victory, which, he claims, prompted Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to offer Rosecrans "'Anything you & your command want.'" Rosecrans complains that he did not receive the military commission date he requested. Lincoln responds, "Truth to speak, I do not appreciate this matter of rank on paper, as you officers do. The world will not forget that you fought the battle of 'Stone River' and it will never care a fig whether you rank Gen. [Ulysses S.] Grant on paper, or he so, ranks you." William S. Rosecrans to Abraham Lincoln, 16 March 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 17 March 1863, CW, 6:138-40.

Writes Joshua F. Speed: "Confidential. . . . Lyman Guinnip [dealer in agricultural implements at Danville, Ill.], is under an indictment at Louisville, something about slaves. I knew him slightly. . . . I scarcely think he is guilty of any real crime Please try if you can not slip him through." Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 17 March 1863, CW, 6:140.