President is visited by his substitute, John S. Staples, accompanied by Provost Marshal General Fry, Noble D. Larner, in charge of Third Ward, and Staples' father. Shakes hands with recruit and expresses hope that he will be one of the fortunate ones. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4, 3 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:5.

President interviews Morris L. Hallowell, Philadelphia cotton dealer accompanied by J. W. Forney, and recommends that secretary of treasury assist Hallowell to get certain cotton out of Arkansas. Abraham Lincoln to William P. Fessenden, 3 October 1864, CW, 8:35.

Recognizes Jose S. Prieto as consul of Republic of Mexico. Washington Chronicle, 7 October 1864.

O. H. Browning visits Lincoln in evening at Soldiers' Home. Browning, Diary.

Cabinet meets. William Dennison, new postmaster general, sworn in. Welles, Diary.

President asks John Nicolay to make official trip to St. Louis. Nicolay to Bates, 4 October 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Interviews Albert G. Richardson, who represents groups of loyal men and clubs interested in distribution of literature to army. Richardson to Lincoln, 24 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Visits War Dept. in afternoon. Browning, Diary.

Calls on Sec. Welles in late afternoon to inquire about arrangements for exchange of naval prisoners. Welles, Diary.

Early in morning President at Navy Dept. to discuss transfer of naval prisoners. Leaves and returns in hour with Secretary of State Seward. President, Seward, and Secretary of the Navy Welles go to War Department to see Secretary of War Stanton and Generals Hitchcock and Halleck. They decide to effect exchange as arranged by Welles through military. Welles, Diary.

President sends Private Secretary John G. Nicolay to Missouri to learn election sympathies of Union men. John G. Nicolay to Abraham Lincoln, 10 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 6 October 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Receives September salary warrant for $1,981.66. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Writes General Grant regarding contemplated exchange of naval prisoners through military lines: "I hope you may find it consistent to let it go forward under the general supervision of Gen. Butler." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 5 October 1864, CW, 8:36-37.

Sec. Welles reports President happy over election returns. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln again at War Dept. telegraph office for reports on state elections. Randall, Lincoln, 4:235.

Estimates electoral vote in November election as 120 "Union Vote, for President" and 114 "Supposed Copperhead Vote." Estimated Electoral Vote, 13 October 1864, CW, 8:46.

Informs John Hay that he is in no hurry to replace Chief Justice Taney, who died last night. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Answers request of Gov. Morton (Ind.) that troops on furlough not return until after Presidential election: "I said [to Gen. Sherman] that any soldiers he could spare for October need not to remain for November." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 13 October 1864, CW, 8:46-47.

President interviews W. Leach, of Illinois, who seeks an exchange for his brother-in-law. Abraham Lincoln to Ethan A. Hitchcock, 19 October 1864, CW, 8:51-52.

Group of loyal Marylanders from East Washington, headed by band from Emory Hospital and carrying signs proclaiming "The Union Forever," joins delegation from Lincoln & Johnson Club of Washington and marches from Navy Yard to White House to serenade President. Lincoln appears at upper window, with Tad by his side holding torch, and responds to serenade. Washington Chronicle, 20 October 1864; Response to a Serenade, 19 October 1864, CW, 8:52-53; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 October 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Meets with New York Senator Edwin D. Morgan. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 October 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

[John Nicolay writes John Hay from Springfield, Ill.: "I was more than ever disgusted with the Missouri wrangle. . . . it all hinged . . . upon personal spite or greed for spoils." Nicolay to Hay, 19 October 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

President sends congratulations to Isabel II, Queen of Spain, on marriage of niece and condolences on death of nephew. Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:53-54.

Congratulates William I, King of Prussia, on birth of grandson. Abraham Lincoln to William I, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:56-57.

Orders that Annie Wittenmyer, special agent of Iowa Sanitary Association, "have transportation to any of the Armies, and any privileges while there." Order Concerning Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:54-55.

Sets apart, by proclamation, last Thursday in November as day of Thanksgiving. Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:55-56.

Receives letter from F. P. Blair, Sr., urging Montgomery Blair for chief justice for two reasons: 1. He deserves it for what he has done for administration. 2. Appointment would disperse ostracism caused by removal from cabinet. William E. Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, 2 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1933), 2:298-99.

Dr. Bellows visits Lincoln to present gift of gold box from citizens of California. Washington Chronicle, 29 October 1864.

Lincoln asks favor: "If not inconsistent with the service, will Gen. [Christopher C.] Augur please allow the furlough requested. The father of the boy is a domestic in my service." Abraham Lincoln to Christopher C. Augur, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:53.

President and Tad watch torchlight procession from upper windows under portico. Later, crowd calls for President, and he responds briefly. Response to a Serenade, 21 October 1864, CW, 8:57-58.

Telegraphs John Nicolay at St. Louis: "While Curtis is fighting Price have you any idea where the force under Rosecrans is? or what it is doing?" Abraham Lincoln to John G. Nicolay, 21 October 1864, CW, 8:57.

President notifies former Gov. William B. Campbell (Tenn.) and others that he declines to interfere in any way with presidential election in Tennessee. Abraham Lincoln to William B. Campbell and Others, 22 October 1864, CW, 8:58-72.

Informs William Price, district attorney, Baltimore, and friends that they will be received any time today they present themselves. Abraham Lincoln to William Price, 22 October 1864, CW, 8:73.

Tenders thanks of nation to Gen. Sheridan for successful operations in Shenandoah Valley, including his famous ride from Winchester, Va., and defeat of Confederates at Cedar Creek. Abraham Lincoln to Philip H. Sheridan, 22 October 1864, CW, 8:73-74.

Interviews Judge Hughes, who desires to trade in Southern products. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 22 October 1864, CW, 8:74.

Attends military review and misses visit from Thurlow Weed. Weed to Lincoln, 24 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes pass: "These Friends, Joseph J. Neave and William Norton, reside in England and wish to visit the Friends in North Carolina. Allow them to pass, with ordinary baggage, to Gen. Grant's Head Quarters, and by his consent through our lines." Pass for Joseph J. Neave and William Norton, 22 October 1864, CW, 8:72-73.

President receives group of gentlemen of Hebrew faith who claim to represent the Israelites of New York. Isaacs to Lincoln, 26 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sends message to Gen. Thomas at Nashville and copy to Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn at Memphis, Tenn., regarding possible Confederate raid into western Kentucky from Corinth, Miss., on November 4, 1864. Abraham Lincoln to George H. Thomas, 23 October 1864, CW, 8:74.

President speaks to 189th New York Volunteers in front of White House before they leave for front. Randall, Lincoln, 3:11; Speech to One Hundred Eighty-Ninth New York Volunteers, 24 October 1864, CW, 8:75.

O. H. Browning and Hanson A. Risley, treasury agent, confer with Lincoln about permit to trade in cotton. Browning, Diary.

President suspends execution of Young C. Edmonson. Issues pass to Francis T. King of Baltimore. Inquires about condition of Lt. Charles Saumenig. Sends Mr. Alderson to Sec. Stanton with note, "to get some suitable situation." Abraham Lincoln to John F. Miller, 25 October 1864, CW, 8:75-76.

President receives petition from citizens of Allen and Barren Counties in Ky. asking refund of money assessed by military authorities. Abraham Lincoln to John R. Underwood and Henry Grider, 26 October 1864, CW, 8:77-78.

Orders discharge of "Big Eagle," Indian confined at Davenport, Iowa. Order for Discharge of Big Eagle, 26 October 1864, CW, 8:76.

O. H. Browning and Mr. La Forge of New York confer with Lincoln on case of Shiff, young Frenchman who has served as surgeon with Confederates. Browning, Diary.

Charles Ballance, Illinois lawyer and old friend of Lincoln, calls at White House. Ballance to Lincoln, 30 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President recognizes Carl Otto Nilsen as vice consul of Sweden and Norway at La Crosse, Wis. Washington Chronicle, 4 November 1864.

Orders Gen. Burbridge to investigate collection of money from citizens of Allen and Barren Counties, Ky., to compensate Union men for depredations committed by Rebels and to "make any correction which may seem to be proper." Abraham Lincoln to Stephen G. Burbridge, 27 October 1864, CW, 8:78.

Lincoln interviews Mrs. Margaret C. Price who asks that her son, prisoner of war, be released from Camp Chase, Ohio. Mrs. George W. Bowen calls on Lincoln and asks that her husband, prisoner of war at Camp Chase, be discharged. Abraham Lincoln to Albert G. Hodges, 28 October 1864, CW, 8:79.

Cabinet meets. Coming presidential election and minor affairs discussed. Bates, Diary.

O. H. Browning confers with Lincoln again about Shiff case. Browning, Diary.

Sec. Welles complains to President that all ships are tied up at Hampton Roads, Va., and Beaufort, N.C., behind army, consequently blockade is being neglected. West, Welles, 298.

President and Mrs. Lincoln again make the Executive Mansion their primary home, returning from the Soldier's Home, for the cool season. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 October 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.