Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles in conference with President on proposed instructions for U.S. naval officers and appointment of governor for territory of Arizona. Welles, Diary.

Young Pittsburgh boy has interview with Lincoln, who writes note for him to see Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 21 August 1863, CW, 6:400.

President Lincoln meets with a twelve-member committee representing the American Baptist Missionary Convention. Leonard A. Grimes, of Boston, Massachusetts, chairs the black delegation that seeks Lincoln's assurances for their safety as they venture "within . . . military lines [to] minister to their brethren there." Lincoln addresses a letter "To whom it may concern" and presents it to Grimes. Lincoln writes, "[The Convention's] object is a worthy one, and I shall be glad for all facilities to be afforded them which may not be inconsistent with or a hindrance to our military operations." Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 21 August 1863, CW, 6:401; Washington Daily Morning Chronicle (DC), 26 August 1863, 3:1; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 August 1863, 3:2.

Secretary Welles accompanies Richard C. McCormick, secretary, Arizona Territory, and Joseph P. Allyn, associate justice, Arizona Territory, to White House conference with President. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President, accompanied by Secretary of War Stanton and some military officers, goes down the Potomac River aboard a steamer in the afternoon to visit the defenses of Washington, opposite Alexandria, Virginia, and return. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 22 August 1863, 2:4.