President reads Emancipation Proclamation to cabinet for criticism. Creation of new state of West Virginia under advisement. Welles, Diary.

Gens. John Newton and Cochrane of Gen. Burnside's staff interview Lincoln on Burnside's plans and ask his removal. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 265.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) and Judge Hughes call on Lincoln in evening on behalf of Maj. Key. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes Gen. Butler: "I am contemplating a peculiar and important service for you, which I think, and hope you will think, is as honorable as it is important. I wish to confer with you upon it. Please come immediately upon your arrival at New-York." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 29 December 1862, CW, 6:22.

At cabinet meeting President provides members with copy of Emancipation Proclamation and requests them to offer suggestions. Preliminary Draft of Final Emancipation Proclamation, [30 December 1862], CW, 6:23-26.

President informs Gen. Burnside: "You must not make a general movement of the army without letting me know." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 30 December 1862, CW, 6:22-23.

Special cabinet meeting at 10 A.M. to make final revision of Emancipation Proclamation. Welles, Diary; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 January 1863, 2:2.

General Ambrose E. Burnside, in Washington to testify before court martial of General Fitz John Porter, confers with President and Secretary of War on military matters. Burnside to Lincoln, 30 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 223; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 1 January 1863, 2:2.

President signs agreement with Bernard Kock, promoter and self-styled "Governor of A'Vache Island," for colony of freedmen on Ile à Vache, dependency of Haiti. Monaghan, Diplomat, 272.

Interviews "old lady of genteel appearance" who has been ordered by government to vacate building where she lives and keeps boarders. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:33.

Approves act admitting state of West Virginia into Union, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 633; Abraham Lincoln to Members of the Cabinet, 23 December 1862, CW, 6:17.

[Irwin deposits $1,195.83 in Springfield Marine Bank, principal and interest on Smith, Edwards & Co. note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

Gen. Burnside consults with President and restates part of conversation in letter: "Doubtless this difference of opinion between my general officers and myself results from a lack of confidence in me. . . . It is my belief that I ought to retire to private life." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

New Year's Day reception at White House begins at 10 a.m. with reception of foreign ministers, followed by the general public at noon until 2 p.m. The President "looked well---was never nearer gay or buoyant." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 January 1863, 2:3; Washington Chronicle, 2 January 1863; Notes, 1 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC..

Army officers assemble at War Department and attend reception in body. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles exchanges greetings with President and colleagues at Executive Mansion. Welles, Diary.

At noon Secretary of State William H. Seward and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward take official copy of Emancipation Proclamation to room in White House where cabinet meets. Shortly afterward President signs it. Frederick W. Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 227.

After White House reception Lincoln goes to telegraph office in War Department, settles at Major Thomas T. Eckert's desk, puts feet on nearby table, and relaxes in conversation with General Henry W. Halleck and Assistant Secretary Fox. Bates, Telegraph Office, 143.

Prepares instructions for General Halleck to visit Burnside's headquarters and pass judgment on plan to move army across Rappahannock, then withdraws instructions because considered harsh by Halleck. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

Directs Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to investigate "piteous appeal . . . made . . . by an old lady" who had been ordered to evacuate her boarding house. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:33.