President transmits to Senate two conventions between U.S. and Belgium relating to Scheldt Dues, imposts upon navigation in inland waters. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 22 December 1863, CW, 7:87.

Lincoln and Secs. Seward and Welles constitute cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

President recognizes Henry Préant as vice consul of Russia at Philadelphia. Washington Chronicle, 24 December 1863.

Interviews former Sen. Francis Gillette (Conn.) on recommendation of Sen. Sumner (Mass.). Sumner to Lincoln, 22 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Replies to petition from citizens of St. Louis: "I have never interfered, nor thought of interfering as to who shall or shall not preach in any church. . . . If, after all, what is now sought, is to have me put Dr. M. [McPheeters] back, over the heads of a majority of his own congregation, that too, will be declined." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver D. Filley, 22 December 1863, CW, 7:85-86.

Orders Gen. Gilman Marston, military commander at Point Lookout, Md.: "If you have a prisoner by the name Linder—Daniel Linder, I think, and certainly the son of U[sher] F. Linder, of Illinois, please send him to me by an officer." Abraham Lincoln to Gilman Marston, 22 December 1863, CW, 7:87.

Directs Sec. Welles to "suppress any further publication of any part of" correspondence captured aboard Confederate ship "Ceres." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, [22 December 1863], CW, 7:87-88.