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.

George P. Strong, resident of St. Louis, delivers to President letter from Gen. Curtis regarding order to exile Rev. McPheeters. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:33-34.

Gen. Butler at White House in evening for conference. Washington Chronicle, 3 January 1863.

Says President asks him to go to Mississippi and organize Negro troops. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 549-50.

President submits to Congress expediency of appointing an acting head of government department. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:34-35.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) confers with President about Confederates attacking Fortress Monroe, Va. Browning, Diary.

Prof. Benjamin N. Martin, "University of the City of New York," calls on Lincoln regarding restoration of Gen. Benham's commission. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35.

Deputation of thirty Jews, including a distinguished Rabbi, meet with the President regarding General Ulysses S. Grant's Order No. 11 banishing Jews from his department. Upon hearing the facts, Lincoln rescinds the order. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 5 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

President sends to Senate convention for adjustment of claims between U.S. and Ecuador. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35-36.

Receives word that U.S.S. "Monitor" has foundered in gale off Cape Hatteras, N.C. Nicolay to Bates, 4 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Committee composed of Giles F. Filley, merchant, and James E. Yeatman, banker, of St. Louis presents memorial of citizens asking relief for Reverend McPheeters. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 2 January 1863, CW, 6:33-34.

Lincoln responds to appeal: "Let this woman have her boy out of Old Capitol Prison." Endorsement, 3 January 1863, CW, 6:35.

Cesar J. Kaskel, sponsored by Cong. John A. Gurley (Ohio), interviews Lincoln regarding order issued by Gen. Grant expelling Jews from Military Department of Tennessee. Bertram W. Korn, American Jewry and the Civil War (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1951), 125.

James M. Winchell, newspaper correspondent, interviews President on Battle of Stone's River. J. M. Winchell, "Three Interviews with President Lincoln," Galaxy 16 (July 1873):33-34.

Lincoln attends New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and drives Sen. Browning (Ill.) home. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln directs Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to "hear and consider" the requests of "refugees" from Virginia who seek to "remove their families and property to protection within the Union lines, by means of our armed gunboats on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay." Lincoln states that "many persons" have applied for "permission" to relocate, and he asks Welles to determine the "proper" way to assist them. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 4 January 1863, CW, 6:36.

President transmits to House of Representatives report regarding interference of U.S. minister to Mexico in favor of French. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 5 January 1863, CW, 6:38-39.

Congratulates Gen. William S. Rosecrans on victory in Battle of Murfreesboro (Stone's River): "God bless you, and all with you!" Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 5 January 186[3], CW, 6:39.

Sen. Harlan (Iowa) visits President and delivers communication from Religious Society of Friends of Prairie Grove, Ark. Abraham Lincoln to Caleb Russell and Sallie A. Fenton, 5 January 1863, CW, 6:39-40.

Missouri congressman lay before President request that practice of assessments be discontinued. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 5 January 1863, CW, 6:36-38.

Lincoln receives December salary warrant for $2,022.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Borrows from Library of Congress: "Atlantic [magazine], Jan.-June 1861." Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Col. Daniel Ullmann and Capt. Alban B. Botsford, both of 78th New York Infantry, confer with President in matter of organizing brigade of Negro troops in Louisiana. Memorandum Concerning Alban B. Botsford, 6 January 1863, CW, 6:41.

Lincoln directs Sec. Seward not to countersign contract between U.S. government and B. Kock for colonizing 5,000 Negroes on Ile à Vache. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 6 January 1863, CW, 6:41-42.

Interviews Strange N. Palmer, father of Robert M. Palmer, late minister to Argentine, and Simon Cameron regarding commission in Marine Corps for Strange J. Palmer. Palmer to Lincoln, 27 March 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin deposits $450 in Springfield Marine Bank, payments on principal and interest on Springfield City Bond. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

Lincoln writes a second letter to Mrs. Abraham (Jane) Hoge, of Chicago, Illinois, regarding her request to obtain a "staff officer" appointment for her son. Previously, Lincoln outlined the "conditions" that would allow him to proceed with the appointment. He reiterates, "A Major-General must be found who has not already the full complement of Staff-officers...and who is willing to take your son as one of them. Without these I should violate both law, and an indispensable courtesy, to thrust your son, or any one else, upon any Major General's staff." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Abraham H. Hoge, 25 November 1862, CW, 5:512; Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Abraham H. Hoge, 6 January 1863, CW, 6:40-41.

President discusses with former Cong. Green Adams (Ky.) proposition to raise and arm special force in Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Green Adams, 7 January 1863, CW, 6:42.

Informs B. Gratz Brown, antisecessionist and Democratic candidate in senatorial election in Missouri: "The Administration takes no part between it's friends in Mo." Abraham Lincoln to B. Gratz Brown, 7 January 1863, CW, 6:42-43.

Sends to the Senate nominations for thirty civilian and diplomatic appointments. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:5.

Col. Walter B. Scates, former chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court, hands to President letter from Gen. McClernand protesting Emancipation Proclamation as mitigating chances of negotiating peace with South. Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48-49.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) again interviews President about returning Gen. Butler to New Orleans. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 552.

Lincoln replies to Gen. McClernand that Emancipation Proclamation has been issued and "broken eggs can not be mended." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48-49.

Sends felicitations to José M. Acha on reelection to presidency of Republic of Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to José M. Acha, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:45.

Proclaims treaty of peace, friendship, commerce, and navigation with Republic of Bolivia. Washington Chronicle, 30 April 1863.

Senate confirms nomination of John P. Usher to be secretary of interior. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 9 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:2.

[Irwin withdraws $102 from Springfield Marine Bank, to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Mrs. Fox at White House for social visit with Mrs. Lincoln. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President orders that attorney general be charged with direction of all proceedings under Act of August 6, 1861, as fully in all respects as under Act of July 17, 1862. Order to Edward Bates, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:45-46.

Writes Gen. Burnside: "I deplore the want of concurrence with you, in opinion by your general officers, but I do not see the remedy. . . . I do not yet see how I could profit by changing the command of the A.P. & if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting the resignation of your commission." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:46-48.

Inquires of Mil. Gov. Johnson about Capt. Charles S. Todd, 6th Kentucky Regiment, killed at Battle of Murfreesboro. Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 8 January 1863, CW, 6:48.

Cabinet meets. No announcement of transactions. Welles, Diary.

Sen. Powell (Ky.) calls on President and demands unconditional release of William S. Pryor, J. O'Hara, and Col. Thomas L. Jones (CSA), Kentuckians now on parole. Memorandum Concerning William S. Pryor, J. O'Hara, and Thomas L. Jones, 9 January 1863, CW, 6:50.

President transmits to Congress correspondence concerning international agricultural exhibition in city of Hamburg. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 9 January 1863, CW, 6:51.

In evening consults with Sens. Browning (Ill.) and Hale (N.H.) and Rear Adm. Andrew H. Foote about compensated emancipation. Browning, Diary.

President consults with Secs. Welles and Stanton on problem of employment of contrabands (Negroes from Confederacy within Union lines). Welles, Diary.

Writes Gen. Curtis at St. Louis: "I understand there is considerable trouble with the slaves in Missouri. Please do your best to keep peace on the question for two or three weeks, by which time we hope to do something here towards settling the question, in Missouri." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 10 January 1863, CW, 6:52-53.

Informs Gov. Johnson (Tenn.): "I presume the remains of Capt. Todd are in the hands of his family friends, & I wish to give no order on the subject. But I do wish your opinion of the effects of the late battles about Murfreesboro, upon the prospects of Tennessee." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 10 January 1863, CW, 6:53.

Hosts reception with Mrs. Lincoln from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

In evening attends patriotic readings delivered by James E. Murdoch, elocutionist, in Senate. Washington Chronicle, 11 January 1863.

Lincoln receives from Commissioner French request for $200 to aid families of District Volunteers. French to Lincoln, 11 January 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Asks Sen. Jacob Collamer (Vt.) to call at once if not going to church, otherwise as soon as convenient. Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Collamer, 11 January 1863, CW, 6:53-54.

President and Sec. Stanton in morning conference on army affairs. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 12 January 1863, CW, 6:55.

Lincoln instructs Judge Adv. Gen. Holt to revise proceedings of courtmartial in case of Gen. Fitz John Porter, on trial in connection with failure of Gen. Pope's campaign, August 1862, and to report on other aspects of trial. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 12 January 1863, CW, 5:54.

Acknowledges receipt of resolutions of Connecticut Legislature favorable to administration forwarded by Gov. Buckingham (Conn.). Abraham Lincoln to William A. Buckingham, 12 January 1863, CW, 5:54.

Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.) calls on President at night and reads letter from George Livermore of Boston acknowledging receipt of pen used by Lincoln to sign "New Years" proclamation (Emancipation Proclamation). Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 31 January 1863; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

Mrs. Lincoln borrows "Why Paul Ferroll killed his wife" from Library of Congress. [Mrs. Caroline Wigley Clive, Why Paul Ferroll killed his wife, London, 1860.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet examines intercepted mail in possession of Sec. Welles. Welles, Diary.

President informs House of Representatives that it would not be compatible with public interest to make known communications with New Granada (Colombia and Panama). Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 14 January 1863, CW, 6:56-58.

Relative to practical advantages of Emancipation Proclamation he writes General Dix at Fortress Monroe, Va.: "I therefore will thank you for your well considered opinion whether Fortress-Monroe, and York-Town, one or both, could not, in whole or in part, be garrisoned by colored troops, leaving the white forces now necessary at those places to be employed elsewhere." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dix, 14 January 1863, CW, 6:56.

Secretary of State William H. Seward introduces George-Etienne Cartier of Canada, recently Attorney General and Premier of Canada East, to the President. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

In morning President confers with Capt. Dahlgren at Navy Yard regarding Capt. Diller's gunpowder. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Endorsement Concerning Isaac R. Diller's Gundpowder, 15 January 1863, CW, 6:59.

Meets with Horace Greeley, editor of the New-York Tribune. Newspaper reports that warrant against Greeley for libel by District of Columbia Marshal Ward H. Lamon is withheld or withdrawn altogether. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 16 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:5.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Cong. Robert McKnight (Pa.) and Gen. Heintzelman interview President regarding appointment of Heintzelman's son to West Point. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln borrows "Hume's England 2d" from Library of Congress. [David Hume, The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688, Boston, 1854.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In morning Lincoln discusses state of Union with Horace Greeley, then interviews Capt. James M. Rice accompanied by former Sen. O. H. Browning (Ill.), Washington attorney. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln signs a resolution that Congress passed concerning military pay. The resolution allows the treasury secretary to "make an additional issue of one hundred millions of dollars . . . for the payment of the army and navy." Lincoln seeks a "prompt discharge of all arrears of pay due to our soldiers and our sailors." He takes the opportunity to address the over-issuance of government and bank notes. Lincoln explains, "A judicious measure to prevent the deterioration of this currency, by a reasonable taxation of bank circulation or otherwise is needed." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 January 1863, CW, 6:60-62.

Mrs. Lincoln holds Saturday afternoon reception. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President attends morning service at Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, 14th and G Streets NW, to hear sermon of Bishop Matthew Simpson on the missionary cause. The audience collects $150 to honor the President as a "Life Director" of the American Missionary Society. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 January 1863, 2d ed., 3:1; Washington Chronicle, 19 January 1863.

Converses with Assoc. Justice Davis on topics in general and reconstructed cabinet in particular. Browning, Diary.

President replies to laudatory address from workingmen of Manchester, England: "It is now a pleasant duty to acknowledge the demonstration you have given of your desire that a spirit of peace and amity towards this country may prevail in the councils of your Queen." Abraham Lincoln to the Workingmen of Manchester, England, 19 January 1863, CW, 6:63-65.

In afternoon J. E. Murdoch gives patriotic readings to select group at White House. In evening President and Mrs. Lincoln attend readings in Senate Chamber for benefit of sick and wounded soldiers. Murdoch reads "Sleeping Sentinel" by Francis De Haes Janvier. LL, No. 544; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 January 1863, 2d ed., 3:3, 20 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1; Washington Chronicle, 20 January 1863.

At cabinet meeting President asks secretaries for opinions on relative merits of five-foot gauge railroad as opposed to four-foot-one-and-a-half-inch gauge. Order Establishing Gauge of Union Pacific Railroad, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:68.

Transmits to Senate report regarding exportation of articles of contraband for use of French army in Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 20 January 1863, CW, 6:66-67.

Receives request from Gov. Yates (Ill.) for appointment of Col. William Ross as bearer of dispatches so that he may go to Europe for eye operation. Yates to Lincoln, 20 January 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Army of Potomac on march. Blizzard sweeps country. Lincoln in White House hears frozen crystals beat on windows of office. Monaghan, Diplomat, 279.

Deplores distress of people in southwest Missouri and informs Samuel T. Glover, prominent Unionist, that Congress would oppose extension of railroad to Springfield, Mo. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel T. Glover, 20 January 1863, CW, 6:66.