President, Ninian W. Edwards, and Comdr. Dahlgren journey to Alexandria, Va., in forenoon to see General George B. McClellan, who plans to leave for Old Point Comfort, Va., and peninsula today. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 April 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

President, members of family, and Commander Dahlgren visit Mount Vernon by steamer Mount Washington. Lincoln remains in boat. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; N.Y. Herald, 3 April 1862; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 2 April 1862, 2d ed., 2:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 3 April 1862, 3:2.

Asst. Sec. Fox introduces to President, John Ericsson and A. C. Stimers, engineers who designed and helped build USS Monitor. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Attorney General Edward Bates calls to see Lincoln on personal matters. Bates, Diary.

In evening Senator Orville H. Browning (Ill.) talks to President and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton about Gen. McClellan. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Michael Crock of Philadelphia: "Allow me to thank you in behalf of my little son for your present of White Rabbits. He is very much pleased with them." Abraham Lincoln to Michael Crock, 2 April 1862, CW, 5:177.

President directs secretary of war to keep in front of Washington corps of either Gen. McDowell or Gen. Sumner, and to send corps not kept to Gen. McClellan who will commence forward movement from new base at once. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 3 April 1862, CW, 5:179.

Writes Gen. Meigs: "I do not personally know Capt. [Asher R.] Eddy [of Rhode Island], so as to be able to ask a personal favor for him: yet I protest now, as heretofore, that my asking to have him relieved from duty . . . shall, to no extent, be set down to his disadvantage." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery C. Meigs, 3 April 1862, CW, 5:178.

President receives Sen. Wade (Ohio) and makes appointment to meet with Committee on Conduct of War in evening. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:93.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) has interview at night with President. Browning, Diary.

Mrs. Lincoln instructs John Hay to pay to her the White House steward's salary. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 40.

Lincoln pays $21.25 on harness bill. Lutz Account Book.

Writes check to John Hay for $1,002.19. CW, 8:489.

President signifies willingness to sign bill abolishing slavery in District of Columbia. Philadelphia News, 7 April 1862.

In evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) at White House. Browning, Diary.

President receives March salary warrant for $2,083.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

In compliance with resolution of House of Representatives sends copy of dispatch from James S. Pike, U.S. minister at The Hague, summarizing methods of taxation in Netherlands. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 5 April 1862, CW, 5:181.

In evening Comdr. Dahlgren at White House reviews with Lincoln progress of Army of Potomac. Sec. Stanton drops in, makes few slighting remarks, tells President there is no change below. Lincoln refers to his telegram sent Gen. McClellan at 8 P.M.: "I think you better break the enemies' line from York-town to Warwick River, at once." Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 6 April 1862, CW, 5:182.

President signs treaty with Great Britain for suppression of African slave trade. [See June 10, 1862.] Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 10 June 1862, CW, 5:265.

Borrows "Plutarch's Lives" from Library of Congress. [Plutarch's Lives, rev. by A. H. Clough, Boston, 1859.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln's half-brother, Samuel B. Todd, is mortally wounded during second day's fighting at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. (Battle of Shiloh). N.Y. Tribune, 30 April 1862.

Lincoln endorses recommendation of Uri Manly of Marshall, Ill.: "I personally know Mr. Manly to be a good man. . . . His application has been before the Department half a year, and he should be appointed a Quarter-Master, so soon as it can consistently be done." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 7 [8?] April 1862, CW, 5:183.

President and his family are completely recovered from illnesses, and vegetables are appearing in the gardens of the Executive Mansion. National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 April 1862, 3:1.

Cabinet meeting occupied with military matters. Bates, Diary.

Sec. Stanton at White House early with report from Gen. McClellan on military operations. Stanton to McClellan, 8 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Postmaster Gen. Blair discusses McClellan's conduct with President and writes: "I can see that the President thinks you are not sufficiently confident, and it disturbs him." Blair to McClellan, 9 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Major General George B. McClellan regarding their differences over the number of troops the General needs to advance on the enemy, and over the number of troops needed to defend Washington, D. C. Lincoln argues that it will take more than "twenty thousand unorganized men" to defend the capital. He reminds McClellan, "The country will not fail to note—is now noting—that the present hesitation to move upon an entrenched enemy, is but the story of Manassas repeated." Lincoln adds that he supports McClellan, "Butyoumustact." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 9 April 1862, CW, 5:184-85.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) visits White House in evening and goes with President to War Dept. for latest news. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln sends directions to Gen. Halleck: "If the rigor of the confinement of [Col.] Magoffin at Alton is endangering his life, or materially impairing his health, I wish it mitigated so far as it can be, consistently with his safe detention." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 9 April 1862, CW, 5:183-84.

President confined to bed. Sen. Browning (Ill.) sits with him for hour in evening. Browning, Diary.

Transmits to Senate treaty with Great Britain regarding suppression of slave trade. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 10 April 1862, CW, 5:186.

Approves Joint Resolution (HR-48) for gradual emancipation of slavery. Globe, 1650.

Lincoln endorses large bundle of papers: "What possible injury can this lad work upon the cause of this great Union? I say let him go." Memorandum, 10 April 1862, CW, 5:185.

President issues proclamation of thanksgiving for victories by land and naval forces. Proclamation of Thanksgiving for Victories, 10 April 1862, CW, 5:185-86.

President Lincoln writes to Illinois Governor Richard Yates and State Treasurer William Butler regarding fellow Illinoisan Major General John Pope, who is with the volunteer army. On the heels of Pope's successful military campaigns, Yates and Butler ask Lincoln to "transfer . . . Pope to the regular army with his present rank as a token of gratitude to Illinois." Lincoln responds, "I fully appreciate Gen. Pope's splendid achievements with their invaluable results; but you must know that Major Generalships in the Regular Army, are not as plenty as blackberries." William Butler and Richard Yates to Abraham Lincoln, 9 April 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates and William Butler, 10 April 1862, CW, 5:186-87.

President summons Asst. Sec. Fox, Postmaster Gen. Blair, and Lt. Wise to White House for evening meeting. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $100, interest on Van Deren note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

President confers with Francis Stevens who wants to build ships for government. Stevens to McClellan, 15 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes check to "Self for Robert" for $25.00. CW, 8:489.

Delegates from Freedmen's Associations urge President to provide for Negroes on abandoned plantations at Port Royal, S.C. N.Y. Tribune, 14 April 1862.

President spends part of evening at War Dept. Browning, Diary.

Cabinet in special meeting to consider establishing military government over islands along coast of South Carolina. Lincoln interviews two paroled Southern prisoners. Bates, Diary.

Lincoln examines case of Col. Magoffin. N.Y. Tribune, 15 April 1862.

Transmits information on Mexican affairs to House of Representatives. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 14 April 1862, CW, 5:188.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) at White House in evening discusses with President bill to end slavery in District of Columbia, and successor for Judge Stephen T. Logan, former law partner of Lincoln in Springfield, on commission to examine into claims at Cairo, Ill. Browning, Diary; Browning to Grimshaw, 15 April 1862, Orville H. Browning Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Also in the evening, Bishop Daniel Payne of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has a forty-five-minute meeting with Lincoln, Carl Schurz and Elihu B. Washburne also present. Payne assures the President that "he had the prayers of the colored people; and since the booming of rebel cannon in Charleston harbor, first broke the stillness of morn, as the shot fell on Sumter's walls, he had prayed that God would stand behind the Government at Washington, as he had stood behind the throne of David, and the Government at Richmond might wax weaker and weaker." The President assures Payne of "his reliance on Divine Providence" and expresses a hearty wish for the welfare of the colored race. Christian Recorder (Philadelphia, PA), 26 April 1862, 2:3; Daniel A. Payne, Recollections of Seventy Years (Nashville, TN: Publishing House of the A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 1888), 146-48.

President sends to Senate treaty with "Sac and Fox, of the Missouri, and the Iowa tribes, of Indians." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 15 April 1862, CW, 5:189.

Uses March salary warrant for $2,083.33 to purchase 1861 treasury notes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Recommends to Senate passage of resolution extending time for ratification of extradition treaty with Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 15 April 1862, CW, 5:189-90.

Transmits to Senate treaty with Nicaragua as approved June 26, 1860, with amendments proposed by Congress of Nicaragua. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 15 April 1862, CW, 5:190-91.

President signs "An act for the release of certain persons held to service, or labor in the District of Columbia," and for appointment of board of commissioners to appraise slaves of loyal citizens and allow payment not exceeding an average of $300. Message to Congress, 16 April 1862, CW, 5:192; Stat. L., XII, 376.

Approves act authorizing establishment of branch post offices in cities. Stat. L., XII, 379.

Appoints J. G. Berret, former mayor of Washington, former Cong. Samuel F. Vinton (Ohio), and Daniel R. Goodloe, formerly of North Carolina, commissioners to act for abolition of slavery in District of Columbia. N.Y. Tribune, 17 April 1862.

Asst. Sec. Fox at White House in evening. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President recognizes C. F. Adac as consul for Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg at Cincinnati. National Intelligencer, 26 April 1862.

President in conference room at Capitol consults with Sen. Browning (Ill.) about J. G. Berret's nomination. Browning, Diary.

Sec. Stanton at White House discusses with President morning dispatch from Gen. McClellan. Stanton to McClellan, 18 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President transmits to Congress documentation relative to arrest of Simon Cameron, minister to St. Petersburg and former secretary of war. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 18 April 1862, CW, 5:193-94.

Calls Asst. Sec. Fox to White House. Mrs. Lincoln sends Mrs. Fox bouquet. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin withdraws $17.33 from Springfield Marine Bank to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

President announces ratification of treaty with Potawatomi Indians of Kansas. National Intelligencer, 21 April 1862.

In afternoon, accompanied by Secs. Stanton and Chase, Comdr. Dahlgren, and D. Dudley Field, New York merchant, boards revenue cutter "Miami" at Navy Yard for trip down Potomac to meet Gen. McDowell at Aquia Creek. Reaches destination. McDowell does not arrive. Lincoln spends night on board. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Gen. McDowell meets President early in morning and accompanies him to Washington. Party arrives at 2:30 P.M. and dines at Comdr. Dahlgren's. Drive from Navy Yard to White House interrupted when excited horses immobilize President's carriage. Trip completed in another carriage. National Intelligencer, 21 April 1862; Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In evening Lincoln discusses Yorktown, Va., and Corinth, Miss., with Sen. Browning (Ill.). Browning, Diary.

President informs Gen. McClellan of evacuation of Fredericksburg, Va., and position of Gen. McDowell's forces. Lincoln to McClellan, 21 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 21 April 1862, CW, 5:195.

Grants interview to Mrs. Margarethe M. Schurz. CW, 8:489.

Lincoln withdraws nomination of J. G. Berret for commissioner to adjudicate claims of slaveowners in District of Columbia and submits name of former Postmaster Gen. Horatio King. N.Y. Tribune, 22 April 1862; Philadelphia News, 25 April 1862; Abraham Lincoln to James G. Berret, 22 April 1862, CW, 5:195-96.

President discusses army maneuvers with Sec. Stanton who orders Gen. McDowell not to cross Rappahannock. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:271.

Mrs. Lincoln sends Mrs. Fox flowers and three potted plants. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Gen. James W. Ripley: "I expected that when under the clause [in contract for guns] the price of a particular quality of gun was fixed it would stand throughout the transaction, neither going down or up. I still think this is the just construction." Abraham Lincoln to James W. Ripley, 23 April 1862, CW, 5:196-97.

President exchanges formal verbal greetings with Lorenzo Montufar, new minister from Republic of Salvador. National Intelligencer, 25 April 1862; Reply to Lorenzo Montufar, 24 April 1862, CW, 5:198.

Transmits to Senate testimony before naval court of inquiry in case of Lt. Charles E. Fleming (USN). Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 24 April 1862, CW, 5:198-99.

Sec. Welles rushes to White House to share with President news that Flag Officer David G. Farragut (USN) has taken New Orleans. Story in Richmond newspapers smuggled into Washington. West, Welles, 177.

President sends letter of condolence to King of Portugal on death of brother. Abraham Lincoln to Luiz I, 25 April 1862, CW, 5:199.

In the evening, U.S. Senator Orville Hickman Browning, of Illinois, visits President Lincoln. Browning recalled, "He was alone and complaining of head ache." Browning and Lincoln discuss poetry and, in particular, the works of English poet Thomas Hood. Lincoln recites several of Hood's poems, including "The Haunted House." Browning recollected, "His reading was admirable and his criticisms evinced a high and just appreciation of the true spirit of poetry. . . . I remained with [him] about an hour & a half, and left . . . in high spirits, and a very genial mood." Theodore Calvin Pease and James G. Randall, eds., The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, 2 vols., Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1925-1933), 1:542.

President transmits to House of Representatives documentation regarding insurgent privateers in foreign ports. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 26 April 1862, CW, 5:199.

Lincoln and party, including Secretary of State William H. Seward and Comdr. Dahlgren, leave Navy Yard in cutter to visit French frigate Gassendi lying in river. Lincoln, the first U.S. President to board French warship, receives 21-gun salute. Mrs. Lincoln and her sister wait in carriage at Navy Yard. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 April 1862, 2:1, 28 April 1862, 2d ed., 3:2; National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 April 1862, 3:1; N.Y. Herald, 27 April 1862.

President and several senators examine hammock tent pitched in front of Capitol. Philadelphia News, 28 April 1862.

During night session of cabinet Sec. Stanton and Gen. Wadsworth accuse Gen. McClellan of failing to protect Washington. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 128.

President Lincoln writes to eleven-year-old Luella P. "Lulu" Waldron, who is the daughter of Provost Marshal George P. Waldron, of the Dakota Territory. Lulu Waldron sent Lincoln some shirt "studs" made from a clay-based stone. He writes, "My Dear Young Friend Allow me to express to you my very sincere thanks for your kindness in sending me those elegant studs of Pipestone." Abraham Lincoln to Lulu Waldron, 27 April 1862, CW, 5:200.

In letter to Vice President Hamlin, Lincoln answers Senate resolution relating to Gen. Stone. Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin, 28 April 1862, CW, 5:201.

White House borrows "Butler's Works (Hudibras, etc.) 2 v." from Library of Congress. [Samuel Butler, Samuel Butler and His Hudibras and Other Works, London, 1846.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President "withholds" from House of Representatives reasons for evacuation of Jacksonville, Fla. Boston Advertiser, 30 April 1862.

John Nicolay returns from visit to his home in Illinois. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 April 1862, 2d ed., 3:6; National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 May 1862, 3:2; Philadelphia News, 1 May 1862.