President telegraphs James Speed: "I appoint you to be Attorney General. Please come on at once." Abraham Lincoln to James Speed, 1 December 1864, CW, 8:126-27.

Resignation of Atty. Gen. Bates effective today. On taking leave, President promises to write to him. Bates, Diary.

Two ladies from Tennessee visit President again and ask release of husbands from Johnson's Island prison. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President confers with Cong. Colfax (Ind.), who urges appointment of S. P. Chase as Chief Justice of Supreme Court. H. W. Smith, 202-3.

Again sees Tennessee ladies seeking release of husbands from Johnson's Island prison. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President orders that war steamer "Funayma Solace" "should not be allowed to proceed to Japan," and Secretary of Navy is authorized to buy it. Order Concerning the Steamer Funayma Solace, 3 December 1864, CW, 8:131-32.

Talks with Noah Brooks about people speculating on appointment of S. P. Chase to be chief justice. Noah Brooks, "Personal Reminiscences of Lincoln," Scribner's Monthly 15 (1877/1878):677.

Reads next Annual Message at special cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

Indianapolis "Sentinel" calls attention to fact that Robert Lincoln is still not in uniform. Harper, Press, 331.

[Irwin withdraws $50 from Lincoln's account in Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 178.]

Orders release of husbands of Tennessee ladies who had visited him December 1, 1864 and yesterday. Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President plans to send Annual Message to Congress on Tuesday, December 6, 1864. Nicolay to Bates, 4 December 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President interviews A. H. Markland, who leaves for Savannah, Ga., to meet Gen. Sherman. Dennison to Lincoln, 5 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lord Lyons takes leave of President and Sec. Seward. Goes to New York to improve his health. Washington Chronicle, 7 December 1864.

President, with Mrs. Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and Secretaries Nicolay and Hay, attends Grover's Theatre for performance of Charles Gounod's Faust by Grand German Opera Company. ["Robert Le Diable" was postponed.] Washington National Republican, 6 December 1864; National Intelligencer, 5 December 1864; Washington Chronicle, 4 December 1864; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 December 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln receives November salary warrant for $1,981.67. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

President recommends to Senate that Comdr. William H. Macomb (USN) be advanced in grade 10 numbers for distinguished conduct at capture of Plymouth, N.C., and that Lt. Comdr. James B. Thornton (USN), executive officer of U.S.S. "Kearsarge," be advanced in grade 10 numbers for faithful discharge of duties in action against Confederate steamer "Alabama" on June 19, 1864. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:133-34.

Recommends to Congress that Lt. [Lt. Comdr. as of October 27, 1864, by retroactive promotion] William B. Cushing (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for destroying Confederate steamer "Albemarle" on October 27, 1864, and that Capt. [Commodore as of June 19, 1864, by retroactive promotion] John A. Winslow (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for skill and gallantry while commanding "Kearsarge" at time "Alabama" was destroyed. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:134-35; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:135.

Joint Committee announces to President that Congress is ready to receive communications. Senate Journal, 6.

President communicates Annual Message to Congress: Condition of foreign affairs reasonably satisfactory. No differences of any kind have arisen with republics to the south, and their sympathies are constantly expressed with cordiality. China seems to be accepting conventional laws which regulate commercial intercourse, and friendship of Japan toward U.S. has increased. Several ports have been opened and immigration encouraged. Financial affairs have been administered successfully. Public debt is $1,740,690,489. Money required to meet expenses of war derived from taxes should be increased. National banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists and to the people. Organization and admission of state of Nevada completed. Territories growing rapidly. Newly established Agriculture Dept. recommended to continued care of Congress. Movements that mold society for durability have occurred—Arkansas and Louisiana have organized loyal state governments. President recommends reconsideration and passage of proposed amendment to Constitution, abolishing slavery. In midst of war nation's material resources and manpower are more complete and abundant than ever. On basis of accessible evidence it would seem that no attempt at negotiation with insurgent leader could result in any good. "The war will cease on the part of the government, whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who began it." Annual Message to Congress, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:136-53.

President sends nomination to Senate: "I nominate Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States vice Roger B. Taney, deceased." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:154.

Responds to crowd assembled at White House to congratulate him on Annual Message: "I have no good news to tell you, and yet I have no bad news to tell. . . . We all know where he [Gen. Sherman] went in at, but I can't tell where he will come out at." Response to a Serenade, 6 December 1864, CW, 8:154.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Cong. Alley (Mass.) visits President, who allegedly says: "Although I may have appeared to you and to Mr. Sumner to have been opposed to Chase's appointment, there has never been a moment since the breath left old Taney's body that I did not conceive it to be the best thing to do. . . ." Clarence E. Macartney, Lincoln and His Cabinet (New York: Scribner, 1931), 267.

At 8 p.m., President meets with Judge David McDonald, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Senator Thomas A. Hendricks regarding appointment of McDonald as judge of U.S. District Court. Lincoln appoints McDonald to the post on December 13. "Diaries of Judge David McDonald," Indiana Magazine of History 28 (December 1932): 303; David McDonald to Abraham Lincoln, 15 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Godlove S. Orth, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:47.

[See December 10, 1864] Sends for Noah Brooks who finds him recording incident of Tennessee ladies [See December 1, 1864, December 2, 1864, December 3, 1864.], labelling it "The President's Last, Shortest, and Best Speech." Story Written for Noah Brooks, [6 December 1864], CW, 8:154-55.

President confers with Cong. Francisco Perea (New Mexico Terr.), delegate to Republican National Convention, regarding appointments. Memorandum Concerning New Mexico Appointments, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:157.

Transmits to Senate documents relative to aid furnished by British subjects to rebellion. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:157-58.

Interviews Sen. Hicks (Md.) again regarding Maryland commission to investigate character, decide loyalty, and issue certificates. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 7 December 1864, CW, 8:158.

Consults with Abel R. Corbin, party worker, about vote in House of Representatives on constitutional amendment. Corbin to Lincoln, 8 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In afternoon receives annual formal visit in Blue Room by six justices of the United States Supreme Court. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 December 1864, 3d ed., 2:6.

Chief Justice nominee Salmon P. Chase makes social call on President. Randall, Lincoln, 4:273.

President transmits to Senate treaties with Republics of Haiti and Honduras. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:166-67; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:167.

Writes recommendation: "I shall be glad if Capt. Goodenow [Ira Goodnow, doorkeeper of House of Representatives] can & will find a suitable position for this fine little boy." Abraham Lincoln to Ira Goodnow, 13 December 1864, CW, 8:166.

President proclaims ratification of treaty with Tabeguache Band of Utah Indians. Washington Chronicle, 18 December 1864.

Writes note to Sec. Seward: "Will the Sec. of State please call at once?" Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.

Presents case to Sec. Stanton : "I think a man who offers to volunteer and is rejected, should not afterwards be drafted and forced to serve. This lady alleges that such is the case of her husband. Please have the case investigated and reported on." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.

President holds conference in War Dept. with Sec. Stanton and Gens. Grant and Halleck on removal of Gen. Thomas. Randall, Lincoln, 4:285.

Receives news of Battle of Nashville in nightshirt and holding candle on second-story landing. Stanton and Maj. Eckert carry dispatch to White House. Bates, Telegraph Office, 316.

President confers with Asst. Sec. Fox who explains why President should interview William E. Chandler, New Hampshire lawyer employed by Navy Dept. to investigate frauds. Welles, Diary.

President discusses with Montgomery Blair and Gen. Banks Cong. Ashley's (Ohio) bill regarding states in rebellion. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President receives invitation by hand of former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.) to attend Soldiers' Fair at Springfield, Mass., and declines. Abraham Lincoln to Ladies Managing the Solders' Fair at Springfield, Massachusetts, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:171.

Issues call for 300,000 volunteers. Proclamation Calling for 300,000 Volunteers, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:171-72.

Recognizes Henri Enderis as consul of Swiss Confederation at Chicago for states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Washington Chronicle, 22 December 1864.

Attends promenade concert at Ford's Theatre. Washington Chronicle, 20 December 1864.

Interviews O. H. Browning at White House in evening. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Joseph H. Choate, who is the chairman of the New England Society. Choate, of New York City, invited Lincoln to attend the Society's "Annual Festival in commemoration of the Landing of the Pilgrims, to be held at the Astor House" on December 22. Lincoln's "duties" prevent him from accepting the invitation. He offers, "The work of the Plymouth emigrants was the glory of their age. While we reverence their memory, let us not forget how vastly greater is our opportunity." John Hodges Choate to Abraham Lincoln, 28 November 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph H. Choate, 19 December 1864, CW, 8:170; New York Herald, 23 December 1864, 5:1.

Cabinet meets. Three members present. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln interviews H. T. Blow about case of L. A. Welton. Blow to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Gen. Banks about duties in New Orleans. Banks to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Recognizes Dennis Donohoe as consul of Great Britain at New Orleans. Washington Chronicle, 23 December 1864.

Recognizes Moritz von Baumbach as consul at Milwaukee for Duchy of Saxe Meiningen. Washington Chronicle, 24 December 1864.

President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln at Continental Hotel in Philadelphia: "Do not come on the night train. It is too cold. Come in the morning." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174-75.

Interviews delegation from Baltimore urging retention of H. W. Hoffman in customhouse. Thomsen to Chestnut, 21 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Butler: "I now learn, correctly I suppose, that you have ordered an election, . . . to take place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Let this be suspended, at least until conferrence [sic] with me, and obtaining my approval." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174.

President interviews John Bliss, 1st Vermont Cavalry, who for fear of being treated as deserter calls on Lincoln and returns to regiment. Order Concerning John Bliss, 22 December 1864, CW, 8:176-77.

Consults with Joseph J. Lewis, commissioner of internal revenue, regarding resolution to correct errors in regulations. Lewis to Lincoln, 22 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives Sen. Lane (Kans.), who returns to Kansas to run for reelection. Lane to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Seward calls on President with letter from former Sen. King (N.Y.) recommending John Bigelow, author, editor, and U.S. consul general in Paris, to be minister to France. King to Seward, 21 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Gen. Sherman sends President following dispatch: "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns & plenty of ammunition & also about 25000 bales of cotton." Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 26 December 1864, CW, 8:181-82.

President approves amended treasury regulation regarding commercial intercourse. Approval of Treasury Regulation No. 55, 22 December 1864, CW, 8:175-76.

Cabinet meets. Welles tardy. President and Secs. Seward and Stanton discuss Welles' presentation of case against Beverly S. Osborn, New York newspaperman. Welles, Diary.

President issues order for protection and safe conduct from New Orleans or Memphis, Tenn. to Red River and its tributaries to James Harrison, of St. Louis, trading under rules of Treasury Dept. Order Concerning James Harrison, 23 December 1864, CW, 8:178.