J. H. Hackett, in Washington for week's theatrical engagement, visits Lincoln. Hackett to Lincoln, 9 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Judge Hughes interviews President on behalf of A. Montgomery. Montgomery to Cameron, 20 March 1864, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Governor Michael Hahn and congratulates him on his recent election. Lincoln notes that Hahn will be remembered "as the first-free-state Governor of Louisiana." Lincoln suggests an agenda for the upcoming state constitutional convention. He advocates giving the vote to "some of the colored people," specifically, "the very intelligent, and especially those who have fought gallantly in our ranks." Lincoln adds, "But this is only a suggestion, not to the public, but to you alone." Abraham Lincoln to Michael Hahn, 13 March 1864, CW, 7:243.

Informs Gen. Schurz that he cannot take part in approaching political canvass without separating from military service. Abraham Lincoln to Carl Schurz, 13 March 1864, CW, 7:243-44.

President directs land and naval forces to assist Gen. Sickles on official tour from Washington by way of Cairo, Ill., and New Orleans. [See February 15, 1864, February 25, 1864.] Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 15 March 1864, CW, 7:250.

Notifies Gov. Hahn (La.): "You are hereby invested with the powers exercised hitherto by the Military Governor of Louisiana." Abraham Lincoln to Michael Hahn, 15 March 1864, CW, 7:248.

Interviews "gallant drummer boy," Robert H. Hendershot, who rendered meritorious service at Battle of Fredericksburg, and gives him letter to Sec. Stanton. Bell I. Wiley, "Boys in Blue," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 6 (September 1951):429; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 15 March 1864, CW, 7:249.

Receives Gen. G. R. Davis upon introduction by Sen. Harris (N.Y.). Harris to Lincoln, 15 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets and discusses issuance of proclamation calling for draft of 200,000 men. Welles, Diary.

President Lincoln annotates a letter from Elijah Guion, Thomas Sloo, and John B. Morison, who represent St. Paul's Church, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The men object to the military's effort to take the "Church keys and property." Lincoln writes, "[T]he U.S. should not appoint trustees for or in any way take charge of any church as such. If the building is needed for military purposes, take it; if it is not so needed, let its church people have it, dealing with any disloyal people among them, as you deal with other disloyal people." John B. Morison, Elijah Guion, and Thomas Sloo to Abraham Lincoln, 5 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Endorsement Concerning Churches in New Orleans, 15 March 1864, CW, 7:247-48.

W. O. Stoddard returns to White House after recovering from typhoid and finds Lincoln resting on office lounge. They talk of many things, including Gen. Grant. William O. Stoddard, Inside the White House in War Times (New York: C. L. Webster, 1890), 219-22.

President lays before Senate treaty with Shawnee Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 22 March 1864, CW, 7:261.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Despite snowstorm last evening there is fine attendance at public reception of President and Mrs. Lincoln, 8:30 to 11 P.M. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 March 1864, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 March 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Lincoln's thought on slavery: "I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing, that no man desires for himself." On Slavery, 22 March 1864, CW, 7:260-61.

President summons Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) to White House for conference. Abraham Lincoln to James R. Doolittle, 24 March 1864, CW, 7:265.

Sends to Senate report regarding establishment of monarchical governments in Central and South America. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 24 March 1864, CW, 7:265-66.

Interviews former Gov. Newell (N.J.) on military problems. Newell to Lincoln, 24 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with John Hay; reviews report on political situation in Florida. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Spends evening with Gen. Grant at White House. Chicago Tribune, 25 March 1864; Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:121-22.

Cabinet meets. Sec. Welles calls attention to scarcity of seamen. Suggests transfer of 12,000 men from Army to Navy. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln in his study all evening with F. B. Carpenter. Talks Shakespeare. Recites poem, "Oh! Why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" Carpenter, Six Months, 58.

President Lincoln writes to Commissioner of Public Buildings Benjamin B. French regarding a bill in Congress that removes French's position "from the control of the Department of the Interior, and . . . enlarg[es] the powers and patronage of your office." Lincoln continues, "The proposed change may be right for aught I know." But, Lincoln adds, "[I]f the change is made, I do not think I can allow you to retain the office; because that would be encouraging officers to be constantly intriguing, to the detriment of the public interest, in order to profit themselves." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin B. French, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:266-67.

Asks Thurlow Weed if it is true that he is hurt because one of his suggestions on how to run affairs of government was not followed. Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:268-69.

President interviews Col. Thomas Worthington (resigned) and states in writing: "I did not think him fit for a Colonel." Memorandum Concerning Thomas Worthington, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276.

Confers with Gen. Wallace on progress of bringing together Gov. Bradford (Md.) and Cong. Davis (Md.) on subject of emancipation. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276-77.

Writes Sec. Stanton that Wallace is getting along very satisfactorily. "I have told him to be fair, but to give the benefit of all doubts to the emancipationists." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:276-77.

Asks Stanton for favor: "I sincerely wish that something satisfactory to Lt. Col. Scates—an old personal friend & most worthy gentleman—may be done for him." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 March 1864, CW, 7:277.

[About this date sends check for $50.00 to Dennis Hanks, second cousin and boyhood companion. Hanks to Lincoln, 5 April 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]