President Lincoln writes to Admiral John Dahlgren with a request that Dahlgren meet with Captain Lavender, of New York. Lavender wants to demonstrate a device "for discovering, and aiding to remove, under-water obstructions to the passage of vessels." Lavender comes recommended by New York Senator Edwin Morgan and by Lincoln, who writes that Lavender "has sufficiently impressed me to induce me to send him to you." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dahlgren, 9 January 1864, CW, 7:118.

Orders executive buildings in Washington draped in mourning for 14 days to honor memory of Caleb B. Smith, late secretary of interior. Order for Observance of Mourning for Caleb B. Smith, 9 January 1864, CW, 7:118-19.

Gen. Meigs reports to President on conditions in West. Diary, Montgomery C. Meigs Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Deputation from Philadelphia visits Lincoln on behalf of Gen. Meade. Adam G. de Gurowski, Diary, 3 vols. (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1862; Washington, DC: Morrison, 1866).

President receives box of thirteen trout from Josiah Moffitt of Northville, New York. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Mrs. Lincoln's reception from 1 to 3 P.M. is well attended. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

President sends John Hay to Florida to aid Gen. Gillmore in reconstructing loyal government. Abraham Lincoln to Quincy A. Gillmore, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:126.

Hay given commission of assistant adjutant general. Hay, Letters and Diary.

"The President, the Cabinet, and the dignitaries run after the lectures on the Glacial Period. . . . What innocent sheep to listen to this old rehash, which an academician serves to them as being the latest and newest scientific dish." Adam G. de Gurowski, Diary, 3 vols. (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1862; Washington, DC: Morrison, 1866).

Lincoln replies to note from Simeon Draper: "Nothing yet about the cotton matter, although I am still considering it." Abraham Lincoln to Simeon Draper, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:126.

Orders Maj. Theodore T. S. Laidley: "Please make a trial of the Absterdam projectile, and report to the Secretary of War." Abraham Lincoln to Theodore T. S. Laidley, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:127.

Writes Gen. Banks to "proceed with all possible despatch" to construct "a free state-government" for Louisiana. Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:123-25.

Dinner party at White House includes O. H. Browning, Sen. Sumner (Mass.), former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.), Gen. George D. Ramsay and Gen. Schenck (resigned), and Congs. Garfield (Ohio) and Samuel Hooper (Mass.). Browning, Diary.

President and Sec. Chase make final revision of new regulations of trade. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:148-49.

Robert Lincoln, home from college for vacation, attends Secretary of State Seward's reception. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $200, principal and interest on Springfield bond. Withdraws $102 to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165, 77.]

President authorizes former Cong. Maynard (Tenn.) to inform Governor Andrew Johnson (Tennessee): "The oath in the proclamation may be administered by the Military Governor, the Military commander of the Department, and by all persons designated by them for that purpose." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:149-50.

Writes recommendation for Henry R. Green, resident of Delavan, Illinois: "This is to show that Henry R. Greene Esq of Illinois is an upright, honorable and worthy man. I have known him and his family for many years. . . . I hope the various commanders, agents and employees of the Government will extend to Mr. Greene such aid and facilities as are proper and consistent with the interests of the service." Recommendation for Henry R. Green, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:150-51.

In the evening, President Lincoln, his wife Mary, their son Robert, Republican U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, and T. Bigelow Lawrence, U.S. consul at Florence, occupy private box at Grover's Theatre, where Felicita Vestvali, "The Magnificent," stars in a performance of Gamea, or the Jewish Mother. A newspaper reports, "[The] theater was overflowingly filled . . . on the occasion of the first appearance of Vestvali, who undoubtedly made a great hit." Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 25 January 1864, 1:4; 26 January 1864, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Lincoln and O. H. Browning confer with Gen. Ramsay about Absterdam projectile. Browning, Diary.

Telegraphs Gen. Foster: "Is a supposed correspondence between Gen. Longstreet and yourself, about the amnesty proclamation, which is now in the newspapers, genuine?" Abraham Lincoln to John G. Foster, 27 January 1864, CW, 7:153-54.

Writes Gen. Steele that E. W. Gantt will deliver letter containing program for election in Arkansas. "Be sure to retain the free State constitutional provision in some unquestionable form, and you and he can fix the rest." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 27 January 1864, CW, 7:154-55.

President arranges interview with J. W. Forney, Simon Cameron, and Henry C. Johnson, speaker of Pennsylvania House of Representatives, for 7 P.M. Abraham Lincoln to John W. Forney, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:157.

Suggests to Sec. Chase that C. K. Hawkes be appointed treasury agent. "I have some reason to believe it would please Gen. Banks, . . . I have heard that he and General Banks are old acquaintances and friends." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:156.

Writes recommendation: "This boy [Solomon J. Johnson] says he knows Secretary Chase, and would like to have the place [messenger for the Treasury Dept.] made vacant by William Johnson's death. I believe he is a good boy and I should be glad for him to have the place if it is still vacant." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:156-57.

Orders Gen. Halleck to have Gens. Rosecrans and Curtis prevent as far as possible renewal of trouble in vicinity of Kansas City. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 28 January 1864, CW, 7:157-58.

President transmits to Senate correspondence with Great Britain relative to pursuit of hostile bands of Sioux Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 29 January 1864, CW, 7:160.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $667.05, principal and interest on Jacob Ruckel note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

President inquires of Gen. Sickles: "Could you, without it's being inconvenient, or disagreeable to yourself, immediately take a trip to Arkansas for me?" Abraham Lincoln to Daniel E. Sickles, 29 January 1864, CW, 7:160.

Lincoln receives proposal to aid Sanitary Fair by letting Bell & Bro., photographers, 480 Pennsylvania Ave., make and sell his photograph. Bell to Lincoln, 30 January 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln holds her usual Saturday afternoon reception. Washington National Republican, 30 January 1864.

President again writes Gen. Steele relative to forming state government in Arkansas. "Possibly the best you can do would be to help them on their own plan. . . . Be firm and resolute against such as you can perceive would make confusion and division." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 30 January 1864, CW, 7:161.

President answers Gen. Banks' query regarding loyal people in Louisiana who wish to avoid taking oath of December 8, 1864: "You are at liberty to adopt any rule which shall admit to vote any unquestionably loyal free-state men and none others." Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:161-62.

Notifies Gov. Bramlette (Ky.): "Gen Boyle[']s resignation is accepted, so that your Excellency can give him the appointment proposed." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:163.