Delegation from St. Mary's County, Md., protests to President against disturbance caused by Negro troops stationed on Patuxent River. Lincoln replies that he thinks he will order withdrawal of troops. He further thinks that Negroes may be recruited in Maryland by consent of masters. Reply to Maryland Slaveholders, 21 October 1863, CW, 6:529-30.

Inquires of Gen. Schenck: "A delegation is here saying that our armed colored troops are at many if not all the landings on the Patuxent river, and by their presence, with arms in their hands, are frightening quiet people, and producing great confusion. Have they been sent there by any order? and if so, for what reason?" Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck, 21 October 1863, CW, 6:530.