As public mark of esteem felt by U.S. for high character and steady friendship of John Bright, President pardons Alfred Rubery, youthful British subject sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and to pay fine of $10,000 for aiding Confederacy. Pardon of Alfred Rubery, [16 December 1863?], CW, 7:71-72.

Confers for an hour with Congressman Fernando Wood (N.Y.), about amnesty for Northern sympathizers with rebellion. President's Amnesty Proclamation of December 8, 1863 is not specific with respect to Northern sympathizers. Chicago Tribune, 18 December 1863; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

Lincoln interviews C. C. Fulton, introduced by Postmaster General Blair. Blair to Lincoln, 16 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Clement B. Barclay, of Pennsylvania, informs Lincoln that General John Buford cannot live through day, whereupon Lincoln appoints Buford major general in U.S. Army and Barclay carries news to dying hero. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

Issues proclamation concerning discriminating duties of tonnage and imposts. Proclamation Concerning Discriminating Duties, 16 December 1863, CW, 7:72-73.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and requests safe passage for the widow and relatives of one-time Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur. Former judge advocate John Lee seeks Lincoln's help in returning Elizabeth Upshur, her sister, and grandson to Washington, D. C. Lee explains, "Before the war," the trio had been summering in the Virginia mountains, "and did not come back." Lee vouches, "They are...excellent and innocent people." Lincoln writes, "I am so repeatedly applied to for leave to Mrs. Upshur...that I shall be obliged if you will permit it." John F. Lee to Montgomery Blair, 22 November 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 16 December 1863, CW, 7:74.