Sen. Sumner (Mass.) consults again with President on "Trent" affair. Pierce, Sumner Memoir and Letters, 4:52.

Lincoln explains his ideas of compensated emancipation in talk with Sen. Browning (Ill.). Browning, Diary.

Completes work on first Annual Message to Congress. N.Y. Times, 2 December 1861.

Sends memorandum on movement of Army of Potomac to Gen. McClellan. Memorandum to George B. McClellan on Potomac Campaign, [c. 1 December 1861], CW, 5:34-35.

President confers with Sen. James Harlan (Iowa) and Sen. Browning (Ill.) about military appointments. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Susannah Weathers, of Rossville, Indiana, and thanks her for sending him "[A] pair of socks so fine, and soft, and warm." He notes, "Your letter informs me that your maiden name was Crume, and that you were raised in Washington county, Kentucky, by which I infer that an uncle of mine by marriage was a relative of yours. Nearly, or quite sixty years ago, Ralph Crume married Mary Lincoln, a sister of my father, in Washington county, Kentucky." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Susannah Weathers, 4 December 1861, CW, 5:57.

Interviews Alexander T. Galt, minister of finance for Canada, regarding uneasiness in Canada over possible aggressive designs of U.S. Fred Landon, "Canadian Appreciation of Abraham Lincoln," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 3 (September 1945):167.

With Mrs. Lincoln attends presentation of colors by Sen. Harris (N.Y.) to Harris Light Cavalry near Arlington, Va. Russell, Diary.

Authorizes Sec. Seward to answer request of Methodist ministers of California for permission to attend convention at New Orleans. McDougall to Lincoln, 3 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Visits Asst. Sec. Fox in evening to consult on navy affairs. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Transmits to House of Representatives report relative to correspondence with foreign nations on rights of blockade, privateering, and "recognition of the so called Confederate States," and report "upon the subject of increasing and extending trade and commerce of the United States with Foreign Countries." Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 4 December 1861, CW, 5:55-56.

[Harness account charged 38¢ for "whip thong." Lutz Account Book.]

President interviews Rabbi Arnold Fischel of New York regarding appointment of Jewish chaplains for army. National Republican (Washington, DC), 13 December 1861, 2:3; N.Y. Herald, 13 December 1861.

Senators Orville H. Browning (Ill.) and Lyman Trumbull (Ill.) escort Lincoln to Senate Chamber for proceedings marking death of Senator Edward D. Baker (Oreg.). The President sat beside Vice President Hannibal Hamlin during the eulogies. "Visits of the President to either House of Congress are of rare occurrence. This is the first instance of the kind certainly within the past quarter of a century." Browning, Diary; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 December 1861, 2d ed., 2:1; N.Y. Times, 12 December 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 December 1861, 2:2.

"The President of the United States having entered the Senate chamber, he was conducted to the chair of the Vice-President." Senate Journal, 38.

Lincoln receives account of funeral services for Baker in San Francisco by telegraph. Deverett to Lincoln, 11 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Restates original purpose of his Administration: 1. to regard Union as unbroken; 2. to restore national laws over seceded states as rapidly as possible; 3. to protect lives and property of all citizens in seceded states who have not engaged in rebellion. N.Y. Times, 12 December 1861.

President in cabinet meeting, unable to see Rabbi Fischel as arranged yesterday. Bertram W. Korn, American Jewry and the Civil War (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1951), 70.

Hiram Barney introduces George Bancroft to President and Mrs. Lincoln. Mark Howe, The Life and Letters of George Bancroft, 2 vols. (New York: Scribner, 1908), 2:143.

President wishes Rev. George H. Stuart, chairman of U.S. Christian Commission, success in "your christian and benevolent undertaking for the benefit of the soldiers." Abraham Lincoln to George H. Stuart, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:67.

Joins Gen. Totten at military armament board to examine inventions in gun carriages. Totten to Lincoln, 13 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Curtis: "I snatch a moment to both thank you, and apologize to you." Thanks him for executing trusts and apologizes for publication of Totten's report on conditions in Missouri containing confidential interviews with Curtis. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:65-66.

Writes Sec. Seward asking him to look at resolution in House of Representatives of Dec. 9 by Cong. Clement Vallandigham (Ohio) and "mention in Cabinet to-morrow." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:66.

Officers of New York Irish Brigade call at White House and present petition to President requesting promotion of Col. Thomas F. Meagher. N.Y. Times, 14 December 1861.

White House borrows "Newton's Display and Heraldry" from Library of Congress. [William Newton, Display of Heraldry, London, 1846.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes note on photographs of members of Cabinet: "These likenesses, so far as I know the originals, are very good." Note on Photographs of Members of Lincoln's Cabinet, 13 December 1861, CW, 5:68.

Prepares pardon: "This may be his [Maj. John Pope (CSA)] full pardon for all political offenses" committed prior to January 1, 1862, provided he leaves ranks of rebellion and thereafter does nothing against government of U.S. Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 13 December 1861, CW, 5:68-69.

In the evening, President Lincoln meets with General William T. Sherman's brother, U.S. Senator John Sherman, of Ohio. The following day, John Sherman writes to William Sherman's wife, Ellen, and reveals details of the Lincoln meeting. In November, amid controversy, William Sherman resigned his post in Kentucky. Currently, he is on leave from his assignment in Missouri. John Sherman writes, "It was manifest that the President felt kindly" toward General Sherman. John Sherman outlines the reasons why William failed in Kentucky, and he notes William's erratic behavior. John writes, "[William wrote] letters & despatches . . . some of which were proven by subsequent events to be entirely erroneous and all were desponding, complaining, and almost insubordinate. He constantly exaggerated the number & resources of the enemy and looked upon all around him with distrust & suspicion." John suggests, "If I was in Cump's place I would . . . quietly perform his duty wherever sent, and justify the President's remark that there was more fighting qualities in Gen. Sherman than in any Brigadier he had appointed. But it is idle for him, for you or any of his friends to overlook the fact that his own fancies create enemies & difficulties where none exist." John Sherman to Ellen Sherman, 14 December 1861, William T. Sherman Family Papers, University of Notre Dame Archives, Notre Dame, IN; Stanley P. Hirshson, The White Tecumseh: A Biography of General William T. Sherman (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997), 103-104.

Lincoln writes to Arnold Fischel, with whom he met a few days earlier. A newspaper reported, "Rev. Dr. Fischel, of New York . . . urge[d] the appointment of Jewish chaplains for every military department, they being excluded by an act of Congress from the volunteer regiments." Lincoln writes, "[T]here are several particulars in which the present law . . . is supposed to be deficient, all of which I now design presenting to the appropriate Committee of Congress. I shall try to have a new law broad enough to cover what is desired by you in behalf of the Israelites." New York Herald, 13 December 1861, 3:3; Abraham Lincoln to Arnold Fischel, 14 December 1861, CW, 5:69; Isaac Markens, Abraham Lincoln and the Jews (New York: Isaac Markens, 1909): 8-9.

President recognizes Carl F. Adae as consul of Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz for Western U.S. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1861, 2:4.

Sends to Senate copies of documents in case of Col. Dixon S. Miles accused of drunkenness at Bull Run. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 14 December 1861, CW, 5:70.

Mrs. Lincoln holds first formal reception of the season from 1 to 3 P.M. National Intelligencer, 14 December 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 December 1861, 2:2.

Lincoln studies plans prepared by Cyrus W. Field, promoter of Atlantic cable, for laying submarine cables to link Washington with principal forts as far south as Key West, Fla. Field to Lincoln, 14 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) and Coleman C. Sympson, Senate clerk, call on President at 5 P.M. Browning remains for tea. Browning, Diary.

Sec. Seward arrives at White House, while Lincoln and friends are having tea, alarmed over news that Great Britain considers capture of Mason and Slidell violation of international law. Monaghan, Diplomat, 186-87.

Hiram Barney confers with Lincoln about appointing Sec. Chase to succeed Chief Justice Taney, and Barney to succeed Chase as secretary of treasury. James N. Adams, "Lincoln and Hiram Barney," Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 50 (Winter 1957):360.

Lincoln drafts letter to Senate for signature of Marshal Lamon regarding admission of slaves to District jail. Draft of Letter to the Senate Prepared for Ward H. Lamon, [16 December 1861], CW, 5:72.

Meets Sen. Chandler (Mich.) and Gen. Heintzelman on way to Seward's house. Heintzelman inquires about appointment for son to Military Academy. Lincoln suggests making application. At Seward's house President sends for Gen. McClellan. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Submits to Senate for consideration amendments to treaty of peace, friendship, commerce, and navigation concluded May 13, 1858, with Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 16 December 1861, CW, 5:72-73.

Committee from New York Chamber of Commerce consults with Lincoln and Secs. Seward and Chase regarding armed vessels in foreign seas to protect Union commerce against rebel privateers. N.Y. Times, 18 December 1861.

First White House public reception of season from 8 to 10:30 P.M. National Intelligencer, 17 December 1861.

President transmits to Senate for its advice draft for convention with Republic of Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 December 1861, CW, 5:73-74.

Sends to Congress copies of correspondence with governor of Maine on subject of fortification of seacoast and lakes. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1861, CW, 5:74.

President and cabinet discuss informally Trent affair. New York Times, 19 December 1861.

Congressmen Schuyler Colfax (Ind.) and Reuben E. Fenton (N.Y.) urge Lincoln to get army into action or find way to offset hostile public sentiment. Rice, 74.

President, accompanied by Secretary of State William H. Seward and Edwin M. Stanton, legal adviser to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, watches seamen drill at Navy Yard. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1861, 2:1.

Congratulates Alexander II, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, on birth of son to Grand Duchess Olga Teodorowra. Abraham Lincoln to Alexander II, 18 December 1861, CW, 5:74-75.

At 9:30 P.M. with John Hay walks to Seward's residence for conference, then with Seward to General George B. McClellan's house, where they discuss war until midnight. N.Y. Herald, 19 December 1861.

President receives Gen. James B. Ricketts, wounded and captured at Bull Run [Manassas], released on parole, accompanied by wife. N.Y. Times, 20 December 1861.

Orders purchase of 50 "Coffee Mill" guns at $735 each. Bruce, Tools of War, 123; Abraham Lincoln to James W. Ripley, 19 December 1861, CW, 5:75-76.

In evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) converses with Lincoln and they call on Gen. McClellan. Browning, Diary.

Recent report shows President has made 650 army appointments of all kinds since August 27, 1861, including 60 brigadier generals. Thirty-one officers have been honorably retired, and 215 promoted. New York Times, 21 December 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 21 December 1861, 2:4.

President sends to Congress committee report on industrial exhibition to be held in London in 1862. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 20 December 1861, CW, 5:77.

President interviews wife of 1st Lt. Robert F. Hunter on behalf of husband courtmartialed and cashiered for drunkenness on duty. Abraham Lincoln to John F. Lee, 21 December 1861, CW, 5:78.

In the afternoon, near the Navy Yard, Lincoln and others observe as the New York Fifteenth Regiment's Engineer Corps "tests" the stability of a newly-constructed "pontoon bridge." A newspaper reports, "The President was invited to ride over, and immediately ordered his carriage to be driven across, remarking that if he should get overboard he could wade ashore." NewYork Herald, 22 December 1861, 5:1-2.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) in long conference with President discusses: 1. "Trent" affair; 2. treaty with Mexico; 3. Rothschild offer of loan. Later they visit Gen. and Mrs. McClellan. Browning, Diary; Monaghan, Diplomat, 190.

Lincolns attend New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and drive Sen. Browning (Ill.) home. Browning, Diary.

President signs bill to increase efficiency of navy, and bill to raise duty on tea, sugar, coffee, and molasses. N.Y. Tribune, 24 December 1861.

Transmits to House of Representatives report of secretary of state respecting Asiatic coolie trade. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 23 December 1861, CW, 5:79.

Secs. Seward, Welles, and Chase call at White House to confer on "Trent" affair. Sen. Sumner (Mass.) urges Lincoln to surrender Mason and Slidell. Monaghan, Diplomat, 190-91.

[Irwin withdraws $99 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

President approves act authorizing allotment certificates for volunteers. Stat. L., XII, 331.

Endorses letter of Robert J. Breckenridge, Danville, Ky., who opposed him for Presidency in 1860 campaign: "I have before said, and now repeat, I would like Dr. Breckenridges son to be appointed as soon as he consistently can." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 24 December 1861, CW, 5:79.

Cabinet meets 10 A.M. behind closed doors to consider release of Mason and Slidell, involved in Trent affair. Meeting lasts until 2 P.M. Bates, Diary; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 December 1861, 2:1.

Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.) on invitation reads letters from Richard Cobden and John Bright of England to cabinet urging release of men. French minister appears before cabinet and requests President to give up men and avert war. Monaghan, Diplomat, 191.

Cabinet adjourns to meet next day and make decision. President concludes: "Governor Seward, you will go on, of course, preparing your answer, which, as I understand, will state the reasons why they ought to be given up." 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), 189.

At Christmas dinner in evening Lincolns entertain large number of guests, including several members of official family and old friends from Kentucky and Illinois. Browning, Diary.

After dinner President tells Senator Oliver H. Browning (Ill.) that Trent affair has been settled amicably. Randall, Lincoln, 2:49.

Cabinet meets and approves reasons for surrender of Mason and Slidell. 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), 189.

President directs Chief of Ordnance to order 10,000 Spencer repeating rifles. Bruce, Tools of War, 116.

President approves bill providing for three commissioners for each state to visit camps and expedite allotment of soldiers' pay. N.Y. Tribune, 28 December 1861.

Sec. Welles shows President letter from George D. Morgan, purchasing agent for navy, under attack by Joint Committee on Conduct of War. Welles to Morgan, 31 December 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln takes trip to Craney Island aboard the King Philip. "I took the President on board the Pensacola for her second trial trip. No one else was with us, so we had a quiet time. The President looks grave and absorbed, and a little the worse for cares. It was late when we reached the anchorage off Alexandria." Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Bruce, Tools of War, 21; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 December 1861, 3:6.

Lincoln tells Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.) that he is preparing an emancipation doctrine. Charles Sumner, Charles Sumner, His Complete Works, 20 vols., with an introduction by George Frisbie Hoar (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1900), 8:14.

Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside arrives in Washington and spends most of day in consultation with President and Gen. McClellan. N.Y. Times, 30 December 1861.

President and Burnside call on Asst. Sec. Fox in morning. President calls again in evening. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) with Lincoln at White House from 5 P.M. until church time. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln spends early part of evening with Cong. Alfred Ely (N.Y.) who was captured at Manassas and spent six months in Richmond prison. N.Y. Tribune, 30 December 1861.

President names New York commission to assist volunteers in sending home their pay. N.Y. Tribune, 30 December 1861.

Disregards Presidential etiquette and joins party in progress when he makes call on Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. Pierce, Sumner Memoir and Letters, 4:60.

In evening attends dinner in honor of Governor Andrew Curtin (Pa.) at home of Secretary of War Simon Cameron. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 31 December 1861, 2d ed., 2:1.

Borrows from Library of Congress "U.S. Constitution 1783" and "U.S. Constitution 1856." Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin withdraws $9 from Springfield Marine Bank for payment of interest on scholarship, Illinois State University. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

President transmits to Congress correspondence between secretary of state and authorities of Great Britain and France regarding Trent affair. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 30 December 1861, CW, 5:82-83.

President confers for one hour and a half with the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 1 January 1862, CW, 5:88.

Answers "ugly" letter of Gen. Hunter. Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter, 31 December 1861, CW, 5:84-85.

Listens to serenades from four bands in evening. N.Y. Tribune, 1 January 1861.

Sends similar dispatches to Gen. Halleck and Gen. Don C. Buell: "General McClellan is sick. Are General Buell and yourself in concert? When he moves on Bowling Green, what hinders it being re-enforced from Columbus? A simultaneous movement by you on Columbus might prevent it" Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck and Don C. Buell, 31 December 1861, CW, 5:84.