[New Year's Day reception postponed until January 2, 1865.]

At noon, President and Mrs. Lincoln hold a "New Year reception" at the White House where they greet cabinet members, foreign dignitaries, and the general public. A newspaper reports, "The President received all with the greatest cordiality, and took each individual by the hand. . . . In order to prevent the handsome carpets . . . from being soiled by the mud and dirt . . . canvas was spread over them. . . . [M]any pressed so determinedly to gain admittance that several ladies and children were nearly suffocated, and in some instances ladies and children were raised above the crowd . . . to shield them from the pressure." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 2 January 1865, 2:1.

Sec. Welles remains until 4 P.M. Welles, Diary.

Correspondent for "Scientific American has brief interview with President. Bruce, Tools of War, 289.

Lincoln receives delegation of Kentuckians who apply "to have Gen. Butler assigned to a command that should embrace their State." Reply to a Delegation of Kentuckians, 2 January 1865, CW, 8:195.

Francis D. Blakeslee, clerk in quartermaster general's office, accompanied by two ladies, calls on President. Rufus R. Wilson, ed., Intimate Memories of Lincoln (Elmira, NY: Primavera Press, 1942), 429.

Lincoln decides upon another secret expedition. Sec. Stanton , at home ill, sends for Gen. Meigs and orders boats assembled at Baltimore. Diary, Montgomery C. Meigs Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

White House receives complaint that members of Congress were not invited to New Year's reception. Lamon to Nicolay, 4 January 1865, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Three members present. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln asks Sec. Seward to find, if possible, consulate for Col. Philip Figyelmesy, former aide-de-camp on staff of Gen. Julius Stahel. [Appointment as consul at Demerara, British Guiana, confirmed by Senate on January 30, 1865.] Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 3 January 1865, CW, 8:195-96.

Lincoln sends for O. H. Browning in morning. Talks about Emily Todd Helm and Martha Todd White, who have cotton to sell. Issues passes for J W. Singleton to go south and visit trading posts. Browning, Diary.

Authorizes Asst. Sec. Dana to perform duties of secretary of war in absence of Sec. Stanton . DNA—WR RG 107, Off. Sec. War, Orders and Endorsements, BB 15/6237.

Receives committee of Democratic senators from Maryland asking that State Sen.-elect Levin L. Waters be released from military custody. Committee to Lincoln, 5 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives December salary warrant for $1,981.66 and tucks it away in desk. [This is one of four found in desk after his death.] Pratt, Personal Finances, 184.

Telegraphs Gen. Grant: "Richard T. Jacob, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, is at the Spotswood-House in Richmond under an order of Gen. Burbridge not to return to Kentucky. Please communicate leave to him to pass your lines, and come to me here at Washington." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 5 January 186[5], CW, 8:198.

Returns to House of Representatives, for revision, joint resolution regarding internal revenue act. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 5 January 1865, CW, 8:199.

Issues order permitting Robert E. Coxe to bring products through military lines in compliance with regulations of treasury. Order Permitting Robert E. Coxe to Bring Products through the Lines, 5 January 1865, CW, 8:199-200.

Writes Stanton that "while Gen. Sherman's 'get a good ready' is appreciated, and is not to be overlooked, time, now that the enemy is wavering, is more important than ever before. Being on the down-hill, & some what confused, keeping him going. Please say so much to Genl. S." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 5 January 1865, CW, 8:201.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President receives telegram from Gen. Grant requesting prompt action in removing Gen. Butler from command. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 829.

Meets with Horace Greeley. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 6 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:1.

Deposits October salary warrant for $1,981.67 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Scolds Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana for issuing order requiring affidavits of ownership and control over products transported under treasury regulations. Abraham Lincoln to Napoleon J. T. Dana, 6 January 1865, CW, 8:201-3.

Writes check to "Self" for $725.00. CW, 8:575.

President transmits to Congress copies of two treaties with Belgium, with recommendation that necessary appropriation be made. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 7 January 1865, CW, 8:203-4.

Also sends to the Senate "a very large batch of promotions---civil, military and naval." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:4.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and Vice Admiral David G. Farragut call on Lincoln to discuss capture of Mobile, Ala. and Farragut's command. Welles, Diary; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:4; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:2.

President interviews I. W. McVeagh who asks that Eugene Schuyler be made secretary of foreign legation. McVeagh to Cameron, 2 January 1865, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Recognizes Ernest N. M. Godeaux as consul of France at New Orleans. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:2.

Accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln and Tad, visits Grover's Theatre to see Avonia Jones in Leah, The Forsaken. Washington Chronicle, 8 January 1865.

In the evening, actor James H. Hackett meets with President Lincoln, who expresses a desire to see Hackett portray Shakespeare's "Falstaff" character on stage. Lincoln also told the actor "how constantly he was oppressed with the cares of state" and "how little time was allowed him for Society or recreation." James H. Hackett to John Hay, 12 January 1865, John Hay Papers, Brown University, Providence, RI.

President transmits to Senate information regarding limitation of naval armament on Great Lakes. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 9 January 1865, CW, 8:206.

Returns to Sen. Trumbull (Ill.) statement of Gen. Banks, submitted to Senate Judiciary Committee, regarding Louisiana state government and restates Trumbull's question as to proposed Lousiana Senators: "'Can Louisiana be brought into proper practical relations with the Union, sooner, by admitting or by rejecting the proposed Senators.'" Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 9 January 1865, CW, 8:206-7.

"The First evening reception of the season at the Executive Mansion" held with music by the Marine Band. "The President, who was dressed in a plain suit of black, with white kid gloves, stood just inside the door of the Blue or Oval Room, and was supported on the left by Deputy Marshal Phillips (who presented the visitors,) and on his right by Mr. John G. Nicolay, his private secretary." "President Lincoln seemed to be in good health and spirits, and received his friends with that unwavering good nature which characterizes his manner on such occasions." At 10:30, the President, escorting Mrs. Dennison, wife of Postmaster General William Dennison, led a promenade from the Blue Room to the East Room. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:4; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 10 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:1.

About 11 P.M. President stops receiving visitors and retires upstairs. At 12 P.M. wraps shawl around shoulders and walks to War Dept., accompanied by White House guard. William H. Crook, Memories of the White House: The Home Life of our Presidents from Lincoln to Roosevelt (Boston: Little, Brown, 1911), 13.

At 9 A.M. President interviews O. H. Browning and W. N. Symington. Issues pass for Symington to go to Richmond for exchange. Order Concerning William N. Symington, 27 December 1864, CW, 8:185; Browning, Diary.

Grants permit for Henry J. Eager to transport cotton under treasury regulations. Cotton Permit for Henry J. Eager, 11 January 1865, CW, 8:209-10.

President interviews Mr. Duncan of Montreal, who has a discovery for protection of wood against fire. Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery C. Meigs, 12 January 1865, CW, 8:213.

Receives Mrs. Maria Davis of Pennsylvania, and grants conditional pardon for her son. Order Concerning David Levy, 12 January 1865, CW, 8:213-14.

Lincoln will not interview T. M. Jacks, Congressman-elect from first district of Arkansas. Jacks to Lincoln, 13 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Butler: "Yours asking leave to come to Washington is received. You have been summoned by the Committee on the Conduct of the War to attend here, which of course, you will do." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 13 January 1865, CW, 8:215.

President confers with Gov. Reuben E. Fenton (N.Y.) in regard to filling troop quotas for state. Memorandum Concerning the Draft, [c. 22 January 1865], CW, 8:231.

President spends day reviewing courtmartial cases (45) and military arrests. Abraham Lincoln to Christopher C. Augur, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:232; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:233; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:233; Order Concerning John Dugan and Christopher V. Hogan, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:233-34; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:234; CW, 8:577.

Telegraphs W. O. Bartlett at New York: "Please come and see me at once." Abraham Lincoln to William O. Bartlett, 23 January 1865, CW, 8:232.

In the evening holds reception at the Executive Mansion, which was "one of the finest that has taken place at the White House." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 24 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:6; Evening Star Washington, DC), 24 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:5.

Lincoln writes to Vice President-elect Andrew Johnson regarding the necessity of Johnson's presence in Washington, D. C. for the March 4 inaugural. Johnson, who is the Military Governor of Tennessee, wishes to remain in Tennessee until April 3, when the state will formally re-enter the Union. Lincoln replies that he has consulted with "[s]everal members of the Cabinet," and "it is our unanamous conclusion that it is unsafe for you to not be here on the fourth of March. Be sure to reach here by that time." Andrew Johnson to Abraham Lincoln, 13 January 1865, Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, Greenville, TN; Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 24 January 1865, CW, 8:235.

Replies to presentation speech of Rev. William Suddards at head of delegation of ladies from Philadelphia Sanitary Fair. Receives vase of skeleton leaves from Gettysburg battlefield. Randall, Lincoln, 3:15-16; Reply to Philadelphia Delegation, 24 January 1865, CW, 8:236; Washington Chronicle, 25 January 1865.

Summons Asst. Sec. Fox to White House for action regarding Confederate rams in James River. Vice Adm. Farragut sent down to inspect to satisfy President. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, Secs. Welles and Stanton , and Farragut confer regarding removal of Comdr. William A. Parker (USN), senior officer on upper James River. Welles, Diary.

President telegraphs William A. Menzies of Kentucky: "Wilmington, N.C. is ours, of right and in fact." Abraham Lincoln to William A. Menzies, 24 January 1865, CW, 8:235-36.

President is "not receiving any calls" during morning. Colfax to Lincoln, 25 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes message for celebration of 106th anniversary of birth of Robert Burns: "I can not frame a toast to Burns. I can say nothing worthy of his generous heart, and transcendent genius." Memoranda on Robert Burns, [25 January 1865], CW, 8:237.

Directs Sec. Stanton : 1. "I wish you would give Dr. Zacharie a pass to go to Savannah, remain a week and return, bringing with him, if he wishes, his father and sisters or any of them." 2. [Maj. Leopold] "Blumenberg, at Baltimore. I think he should have a hearing. . . . He should not be dismissed in a way that disgraces and ruins him without a hearing." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 January 1865, CW, 8:238.

Reviews 30 court martial cases. CW, 8:578.

In the evening has a "long interview" with General George G. Meade. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:1.

President interviews committee of working women from Philadelphia Arsenal, conducted to White House by J. W. Forney. Washington Chronicle, 5 February 1865.

Meets with mayor of Cleveland and Congressman from Ohio regarding naval defense of the Great Lakes. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 27 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:1-2.

Telegraphs A. Wakeman: "I have telegraphed W. O. Bartlett to come and see me. He neither comes nor answers. Can you not send him?" [Lincoln's business with Bartlett probably concerned Bennett's appointment as Minister to France.] Abraham Lincoln to Abram Wakeman, 26 January 1865, CW, 8:239-40.

At 10:00 AM, about 300 members of U.S. Christian Commission, attending annual meeting of organization, call on President, who replies briefly to address by Rev. George H. H. Stuart, chairman. Reply to Delegation of Christian Commission, 27 January 1865, CW, 8:241-42; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.

President interviews W. O. Bartlett. Bartlett to Lincoln, 26 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Transmits to Senate communication from attorney general regarding nominations. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 27 January 1865, CW, 8:242-43.

President confers with F. P. Blair, Sr., about peace negotiations with President Davis. Endorsement Concerning Francis P. Blair, Sr., 28 January 1865, CW, 8:243.

Lincoln issues a pass allowing Mrs. L[a]llie Holliday of Kentucky, to visit her husband Major J. B. Holliday. Major Holliday is a prisoner at Johnson's Island, a Union prison located in Lake Erie, and a few miles from Sandusky, Ohio. Kentucky Unionist Congressman George H. Yeaman and others petitioned President Lincoln on Mrs. Holliday's behalf. Nicholas County, Kentucky Citizens to Abraham Lincoln, 23 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Pass for Mrs. J. B. Holliday, 28 January 1865, CW, 8:244.

Official engagements prohibit Lincoln from attending Mrs. Lincoln's afternoon reception. Washington Chronicle, 29 January 1865; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:6; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.

President attends third anniversary meeting of U.S. Sanitary Commission, held in House of Representatives at night. Requests Philip Phillips, soloist, to sing "Your Mission" second time. Abraham Lincoln to George H. Stuart, [29 January 1865], CW, 8:245-46.

President sends Maj. Eckert to headquarters of Army of James with documents concerning "Peace Mission." One document, prepared for Eckert's signature and addressed to A. H. Stephens, former Justice of Supreme Court John A. Campbell, and former Sen. Robert M. T. Hunter (Va.), provides: "That if you pass through the U.S. Military lines it will be understood that you do so for the purpose of an informal conference, on the basis of the letter, a copy of which is on the reverse side of this sheet." [Lincoln to F. P. Blair, Sr. January 18, 1865.] Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Sr., 18 January 1865, CW, 8:220-21; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas T. Eckert, 30 January 1865, CW, 8:246; Thomas T. Eckert to Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Campbell and Robert M. T. Hunter, [30 January 1865], CW, 8:248.

Receives Col. John E. Whiting, friend from Illinois, with note from Sen. Trumbull (Ill.). Trumbull to Lincoln, 30 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of State William H. Seward and instructs him to "proceed to Fortress-Monroe, Virginia," to "informally confer" with a Confederate peace commission, which includes Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Campbell, and Robert M. T. Hunter. Lincoln directs Seward to inform the participants of the President's stance on "national authority...Slavery...[and a] cessation of hostilities." Lincoln pledges that he will ponder any of the commission's proposals as long as they are "not inconsistent with" the positions that he has outlined. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 31 January 1865, CW, 8:250-51.

O. H. Browning and J. W. Singleton arrive at White House as President leaves for theater. They arrange meeting for following day. Browning, Diary.

At 11 P.M. Lincoln locates document relative to Confederate commissioners at Fortress Monroe and sends it to Sec. Seward. Seward to Lincoln, 31 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Deposits November salary warrant for $1,981.67 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Thanks Cong. Cox (Ohio) for speech: "I sought it for the humor said to be in it; but while it meets expectations in that respect, it has a far higher merit." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel S. Cox, 31 January 1865, CW, 8:249.