Cabinet meeting on current problems of government. Donald, Chase Diaries, 103.

Col. Henry C. Deming of Connecticut delivers to Lincoln swords sent from Louisiana by Gen. Butler. Butler, Correspondence, 2:151.

President, in conference with gentleman from Ohio, expresses astonishment at speech of Cong. (former Gov.) Charles A. Wickliffe (Ky.) N.Y. Tribune, 2 August 1862.

President Lincoln writes to economist John E. Cairnes, of Galway, Ireland, and thanks him for sending a copy of Cairnes's book, The Slave Power. Lincoln writes, "The intelligent sagacity with which your views are conceived, is not less admirable than the generous candor with which they are expressed." Abraham Lincoln to John E. Cairnes, 1 August 1862, CW, 10:144.

President in regular cabinet meeting reviews problems facing administration, particularly emancipation. Rice, 521-22.

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles regarding "Lieutenant Commanding James W. A. Nicholson, now commanding the [ship] Isaac Smith." Lincoln notes, "[Nicholson] wishes to be married, and from evidence now before me, I believe there is a young lady who sympathizes with him in that wish." Lincoln writes, "Under these circumstances, please allow him the requisite leave of absence, if the public service can safely endure it." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 2 August 1862, CW, 10:145.

In compliance with recent act of Congress, pardons approximately 90 soldiers imprisoned by courts martial. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 2 August 1862, 2d ed., 3:6.

In cabinet meeting Sec. Chase urges policy of: 1. assuring freedom to Negroes in seceded states on condition of loyalty; 2. organizing best of them into military companies; 3. providing for cultivation of plantations by remaining ones. Donald, Chase Diaries, 105-6.

Delegation of Western men, including two congressmen, calls upon President to offer two Negro regiments from Indiana. President agrees to use men as laborers, but will not make them soldiers. Remarks to Deputation of Western Gentlemen, 4 August 1862, CW, 5:356-57; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:2.

Orders draft of 300,000 militia to serve for nine months. N.Y. Tribune, 5 August 1862; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 5 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:2.

President Lincoln writes to French author Agénor-Etienne de Gasparin, who wrote a book about America's Civil War, and who had written to Lincoln regarding the North's troop strength. Lincoln confides that he may have to institute "a draft." He explains that many men are "pay[ing] and send[ing] substitutes" rather than enlisting themselves. Lincoln adds, "I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions without selfishness or malice, and that by the help of God, I shall continue to do so." Abraham Lincoln to Agénor-Etienne de Gasparin, 4 August 1862, CW, 5:355-56; Mary L. Booth, translator, The Uprising of a Great People, The United States in 1861, 3rd ed., (New York: Charles Scribner, 1861); Agenor-Etienne Gasparin to Abraham Lincoln, 18 July 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 10 A.M. President, Secretary of State William H. Seward, and General Samuel D. Sturgis begin inspection of forts and camps on south side of Potomac between Chain Bridge and Long Bridge. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 5 August 1862, 2d ed., 3:5.

Theodore S. Fay, former minister to Switzerland, tells Lincoln Union cause is suffering "on account of a poorly defined policy." N.Y. Tribune, 6 August 1862.

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

In the afternoon, President Lincoln speaks to an "immense crowd" gathered "at the east front of the Capitol [building]." Lincoln attempts to dispel rumors that General George McClellan and the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton are feuding. Lincoln states, "McClellan's attitude is such that, in the very selfishness of his nature, he cannot but wish to be successful . . . and [Stanton] is in precisely the same situation." He adds, "If [McClellan] . . . cannot be successful, not only [Stanton], but myself for the time being the master of them both, cannot be but failures." Address to Union Meeting at Washington, 6 August 1862, CW, 5:358-59; The New York Times (NY), 7 August 1862, 1:4-6.

Consults with Stanton , Gen. Halleck, and governors on problem of drafting army replacements. N.Y. Tribune, 7 August 1862.

James C. Conkling of Illinois is dinner guest. CW, 8:497.

President, Secretaries Seward and Stanton, Captain John A. Dahlgren, and others spend two hours at Navy Yard in afternoon observing experiments with "Rafael" repeater cannon. Later Dahlgren takes party on board steamboat to cool off and rest. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 8 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:2; Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln orders 23 book titles and 1 box from T. J. Crowen, Publisher, Bookseller, and Stationer, 699 Broadway, New York: "1 set Waverly $16," "1 set Cooper $34," "1 set Shakespeare $12," "1 Spencers Poem $8," "1 Cor. Am. Revolution $15," "1 Sigourney Poems $5," "1 Land & Book $3.25," "1 Field Book $10," "1 Kanes Expeditions $10," "1 Box $0.75," "1 Hist. of New York $4.50," "1 Indian Tales $2.25," "1 Hist. of Revolution $6," "1 Hist. of Washington $9," "1 Hist. of England $5," "1 Hist. of Voyages $2.25," "2 Albums $9," "1 Portrait Gallery $16," "1 Travels $2.25," "1 Hist. of Creation $2.50," "1 Hist. of Birds $0.63," "1 Hist. of Beasts $0.75," "1 Hist. of Art $0.50," "1 Text Book $0.37." For the last 14 items Lincoln pays $61; the remainder, totalling $52, is paid from annual appropriation of $250 for books for White House, administered by Commissioner French. Pratt, Personal Finances, 180-81.

Cabinet meeting—"nothing proposed and nothing done of any moment." Salmon P. Chase, Diary and Correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Compiled by Samuel H. Dodson, American Historical Association, Annual Report for the Year 1902, vol. 2 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903).

President directs secretary of war to issue order for arrest of persons engaged in discouraging enlistments. Memorandum, 8 August 1862, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

Senator Dixon (Conn.) confers with Lincoln about Connecticut politics. Dixon to Lincoln, 11 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln assures Baron de Stoeckl that although enlistments are slow, two or three million men will respond in case of necessity. Albert A. Woldman, Lincoln and the Russians (Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1952), 196.

Sends congratulations to Queen Victoria upon marriage of daughter. Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria, 8 August 1862, CW, 5:363.

In evening at Soldiers' Home Mrs. Heintzelman discusses with Lincoln her husband's opposition to withdrawal of Army of Potomac from peninsula. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[John Hay is ill with ague fever. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 8 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:2.]

Lincoln thanks son of Henry Clay for snuffbox that belonged to "your great and patriotic father." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clay, 9 August 1862, CW, 5:363-64.

Suggests to Sec. Stanton that "Rafael Repeater" be brought to attention of Ordnance Bureau. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 9 August 1862, CW, 5:365.

President Lincoln writes to the Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles regarding an age requirement affecting the appointment of William F. Hall. Lincoln writes, "It is said to be a mistake of a clerk that Midshipmen, when appointed must be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, where-as Congress actually voted "between fourteen and eighteen." Lincoln approves Hall's appointment "with the understanding that I may require him to resign if Congress, at the next session does not correct this mistake." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 9 August 1862, Private Collection.

In conference with President, Judge Wright offers to lead Negro regiments into battle. N.Y. Tribune, 11 August 1862.

President recognizes Friedrich Kuhne as consul of Principality of Reuss-Greitz at New York. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 13 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:4.

Judge Christian Roselius, Louisiana Unionist, consults with President, Secs. Seward and Stanton and Postmaster Gen. Blair regarding conditions in Louisiana and conduct of Gen. John S. Phelps. Butler, Correspondence, 2:207.

Lincoln writes Stanton : "Gov. Morton is one of our best Governors, but I do not think he would be the best Military commander" for Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 11 August 1862, CW, 5:367.

Cabinet meets; "nothing of special interest." Welles, Diary.

Judge David Noggle of Wisconsin talks to Lincoln regarding courtmartial of son, Lt. Charles L. Noggle. Noggle to Lincoln, 13 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln interviews Sydney H. Gay, editor of New York "Tribune," and remarks: "I regard Gen. Banks as one of the best men in the Army. He makes me no trouble." N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1862.

Mrs. Lincoln receives from Boston merchant donation of $1,000 for relief work in military hospitals. N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1862.

Lincoln informs Gen. Cassius M. Clay: "I shall be quite willing, and even gratified, to again send you to Russia," if present minister, Simon Cameron, resigns with "full notice of my intention." Abraham Lincoln to Cassius M. Clay, 12 August 1862, CW, 5:368.

Delegation from Delaware, headed by Cong. George P. Fisher (Del.) discusses with President effects of draft in state, and military situation in general. Fisher to Lincoln, 14 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Gen. Cassius M. Clay "struts around" White House, anxious to go back to Russia. Albert A. Woldman, Lincoln and the Russians (Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1952), 120.

President Lincoln meets with a "Committee of colored men," to whom he proposes a program by which blacks living in America would voluntarily relocate to a Central American country. Lincoln explains, "You and we are different races. We have between us a broader difference than exists between almost any other two races. Whether it is right or wrong I need not discuss, but, this physical difference is a great disadvantage to us both, as I think your race suffer very greatly, many of them by living among us, while ours suffer from your presence. In a word we suffer on each side." New York Daily Tribune (NY), 15 August 1862, 1:4-5; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 August 1862, 2:3-4; Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes, 14 August 1862, CW, 5:370-75.

Telegraphs officer in charge of Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase, Ohio: "It is believed that a Dr. J. J. Williams is a prisoner in your charge, and if so, tell him his wife is here, and allow him to Telegraph to her." Abraham Lincoln to Henry M. Lazella, 14 August 1862, CW, 5:376.

Sec. Welles meets with President at 9 A.M. to discuss personnel. Welles, Diary.

President sends Richard M. Blatchford, member of committee of three appointed by Lincoln to superintend disbursement of public monies appropriated to raise troops for Union, to Rome as minister resident. National Intelligencer, 15 August 1862.

Calls Secs. Chase and Welles together and settles Connecticut appointments. Donald, Chase Diaries, 112.

President meets with Sec. Welles for two hours to select candidates for Naval Academy. Welles, Diary.

President Lincoln writes to Hiram P. Barney, the Collector of the Port of New York City, and makes a request on behalf of First Lady Mary Lincoln. Lincoln writes, "Mrs. L. has $1000.00 for the benefit of the hospitals; and she will be obliged, and send the pay, if you will be so good as to select and send her two hundred dollars worth of good lemmons, and one hundred dollars worth of good oranges." Abraham Lincoln to Hiram P. Barney, 16 August 1862, CW, 5:377-78.

Lincoln invites Secretary of War and Gen. Halleck to dinner in honor of Gens. George A. McCall and Michael Corcoran, and Cols. Orlando B. Willcox and Alfred M. Wood, recently exchanged prisoners. Invitation to Dinner, 18 August 1862, CW, 5:380-81; Memorandum by Hay, 18 August 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with J. R. Gilmore and former Sen. Walker (Miss.). LL, No. 816; James R. Gilmore, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War (Boston: Page, 1898), 81-83.

Interviews again E. M. Thomas, chairman of delegation of Negro people who were at White House on August 14, 1862. Van Vleet to Lincoln, 17 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Interviews Gen. Henry W. Benham regarding his dismissal by Gen. Hunter for alleged violation of orders in attack on Secessionville, S.C. Benham to Lincoln, 19 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Decides Michigan appointments with Sen. Chandler (Mich.) and Gov. Austin Blair (Mich.). Donald, Chase Diaries, 114.

At early hour President visits camps of two regiments of Pennsylvania volunteers. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 August 1862, 2d ed., 3:3.

Cabinet meeting. President uneasy about Gen. Pope and troop distribution in Army of Virginia. Sends to War Dept. for telegrams. Donald, Chase Diaries, 115.

Confers with Secs. Seward and Stanton on conditions in Louisiana as reported by former Sen. Johnson (Md.). Butler, Correspondence, 2:250-55.

Studies B. & O. Railroad reports on troop movements towards Washington. Koontz to Lincoln, 20 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. John B. Steele (N.Y.) calls on Lincoln to discuss patronage. Memorandum: Appointment of William Masten, 19 August 1862, CW, 5:383.

President summons Capt. Dahlgren to White House for information on new gunpowder and army matters relating to Gens. Pope and McClellan. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Horace Greeley's anti-slavery editorial, "The Prayer of Twenty Millions," reaches Lincoln. George W. Julian, Political Recollections 1840-1872 (Chicago: Jansen, McClurg, 1884), 220-22.

In evening President consults with A. W. Thompson on colonization of Negroes. Thompson to Lincoln, 19 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Reads "Address to Maryland" by Anna E. Carroll and writes her: "It is just what is needed now and you were the one to do it." Abraham Lincoln to Anna E. Carroll, 19 August 1862, CW, 5:381-82.

[Brother of Mrs. Lincoln, Col. Alexander H. Todd, dies of wound received in Battle of Baton Rouge. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 20 August 1862, 2d ed., 3:6.]

Sen. Harris (N.Y.) reviews with President list of appointments proposed to Sec. Chase. Harris to Lincoln, 21 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Welles at White House for advice on personnel. Welles, Diary.

Former Lt. Gov. Koerner (Ill.), new minister to Spain, interviews President preparatory to assuming duties. T. J. McCormack, ed., Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 1809-1896, 2 vols. (Cedar Rapids, IA: The Torch Press, 1909), 2:229.

President discusses colonizing Negroes on Chiriqui land tract with M. T. Goswell of Baltimore, agent for Chiriqui Real Estate Company. Goswell to Lincoln, 16 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President authorizes Gov. Stanly (N.C.) to order election of representatives in Congress for 1st and 2nd districts. N.Y. Tribune, 22 August 1862.

Announces names of seven candidates selected for admission to Naval Academy. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 21 August 1862, CW, 5:387-88.

Refuses request of Mrs. Margaret Preston, probably to go through Union lines to see husband Gen. William C. Preston (CSA), but authorizes Gen. Jeremiah T. Boyle and James Guthrie, former secretary of treasury, to grant request at their discretion. Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Margaret Preston, 21 August 1862, CW, 5:386.

Archbishop Hughes attended by Secretary of State William H. Seward pays a morning visit to White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln answers Horace Greeley's editorial, "The Prayer of Twenty Millions": "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it." Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, 22 August 1862, CW, 5:388-89; National Intelligencer, 23 August 1862; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln informs Secretary of State Gideon Welles that a record is kept of recruits answering late call. Over 18,000 reached Washington in one week. Welles, Diary.

Mrs. Gabriel R. Paul urges Lincoln to promote her husband to brigadier general. "She is a saucy woman and I am afraid she will keep tormenting till I may have to do it." Memorandum: Appointment of Gabriel R. Paul, 23 August 1862, CW, 5:390-91.

Gen. Stone applies to President for explanation of his arrest. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 2:500.

Dr. Orestes A. Brownson, editor of "Brownson's Review," discusses questions of emancipation and colonization with President. Lincoln selects Sen. Pomeroy (Kans.) for commissioner of African colonization. N.Y. Tribune, 25 August 1862.

President interviews Col. George Crook representing Irish regiment being organized in Pennsylvania. Stuart to Lincoln, 24 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Addresses two letters of congratulation to Queen Isabel II of Spain on births in family. Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 25 August 1862, CW, 5:392; Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 25 August 1862, CW, 5:393.

At cabinet meeting "general feeling over public affairs was decidedly more hopeful than for some time past." Boston Advertiser, 28 August 1862.

Lincoln makes several trips to telegraph office during day, and after supper goes prepared to stay all night for latest news from Gen. Pope at front and Gen. McClellan at Alexandria, Va. Bates, Telegraph Office, 118.

Personally pays $124.25 of White House bills for books amounting to $250. Pratt, Personal Finances, 181; Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin B. French, 26 August 1862, CW, 5:394.

Congs. Lovejoy (Ill.) and Frederick A. Conkling (N.Y.) confer with Lincoln on patronage. Memorandum: Appointment of Marshall B. Blake, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:396; Memorandum: Appointment of John B. Colton, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:396.

President declares intention to enforce recent acts of Congress relative to confiscation and emancipation. National Intelligencer, 27 August 1862.

Exchanges communications with military officers on active duty at Falmouth, Manassas, and Alexandria, Va. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:395; Abraham Lincoln to Herman Haupt, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:395; Abraham Lincoln to Herman Haupt, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:395; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 27 August 1862, CW, 5:396.

Lincoln summons Secs. Chase and Stanton to White House for early morning conference. Boston Advertiser, 30 August 1862.

Chase calls on President in morning to get furlough for friend. Official Records—Armies 455.

Ministers of Central American governments protest colonization of Negroes on Isthmus of Chiriqui. N.Y. Tribune, 29 August 1862.

Delegation submits proposition to Lincoln to divide 4th District, New York City. White to Chase, 29 August 1862, Salmon P. Chase Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln confers with Gen. Halleck on troop movements in Virginia. Boston Advertiser, 30 August 1862.

President and cabinet discuss Chiriqui colonization project and decide to abandon it. Philadelphia News, 2 September 1862.

Lincoln maintains close contact with military developments in vicinity of Manassas, Va. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 29 August 1862, CW, 5:398-99; Abraham Lincoln to Herman Haupt, 29 August 1862, CW, 5:399; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 29 August 1862, CW, 5:399.

Mrs. Lincoln visits soldiers in Odd Fellows' Hall Hospital. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 29 August 1862, 2d ed., 3:1.

Lincoln continues to collect latest news about fighting in neighborhood of Bull Run. David H. Bates, Lincoln Stories Told by him in the Military Office in the War Department during the Civil War (New York: Rudge, 1926), 34; Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 30 August 1862, CW, 5:400; Abraham Lincoln to Herman Haupt, 30 August 1862, CW, 5:400-1; Abraham Lincoln to Herman Haupt, 30 August 1862, CW, 5:401.

Reveals peculiarities of Gen. Halleck to John Hay while riding to White House from Soldiers' Home. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Dismisses 12 officers of 71st Ohio Regiment who advised Col. Rodney Mason to surrender Clarksville, Tenn. N.Y. Tribune, 30 August 1862.

Considers at length indictment of Gen. McClellan prepared by Sec. Stanton and signed by Secs. Chase and Smith and Atty. Gen. Bates. Decides not to relieve McClellan of command under accusations. Flower, Stanton, 176-79.

"The President is very outspoken in regard to McClellan's present conduct. He said it really seemed to him that McClellan wanted Pope defeated." Hay, Letters and Diary.

President Lincoln is staying at his cottage at the Soldier's Home, outside of Washington, D.C. At approximately 8 a.m., he confers with his secretary John Hay about the ongoing Second Battle of Bull Run. Hay recalled that Lincoln remarked, "'Well John we are whipped again, I am afraid. The enemy reinforced on [General John] Pope and drove back his left wing and he has retired to Centerville [Virginia] where he says he will be able to hold his men. I dont like that expression. I dont like to hear him admit that his men need holding.'" Michael Burlingame and John R. Turner Ettlinger, eds., Inside Lincoln's White House: The Complete Civil War Diary of John Hay (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1997), 36-38; John Pope to Henry W. Halleck, 30 August 1862, 9:45 p.m., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1885; reprint, Gettysburg, PA: National Historical Society, 1972), volume 12, part 2: 78-79.

Sunday morning Cabinet meets to discuss outcome of Second Manassas (Bull Run). Boston Advertiser, 5 September 1862.

Sec. Chase interviews President regarding appointments. Official Records—Armies 456.