Sen. Trumbull (Ill.), Cong. James F. Wilson (Iowa), and Cong. John L. Dawson (Pa.), committee of Congress, notify President of his reelection. Lincoln replies briefly: "With assured reliance on that Almighty Ruler who has so graciously sustained us thus far; and with increased gratitude to the generous people for their continued confidence, I accept the renewed trust, with it's yet onerous and perplexing duties and responsibilities." Reply to Notification Committee, [1 March 1865], CW, 8:326-27.

President compliments Thomas W. Conway, general superintendent of freedmen, Dept. of the Gulf, on his "success in the work of their moral and physical elevation." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas W. Conway, 1 March 1865, CW, 8:325.

Writes Gen. Scott, Howard Potter, William E. Dodge, Jr., and Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., members of Protective War Claim Association of Sanitary Commission: "I shall at all times be ready to recognize the paramount claims of the soldiers of the nation, in the disposition of public trusts. I shall be glad also to make these suggestions to the several Heads of Departments." Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott and Others, 1 March 1865, CW, 8:327-28.

President requests Provost Marshal General to exempt William H. Crook and Alexander Smith, White House guards, from draft. Abraham Lincoln to James B. Fry, 2 March 1865, CW, 8:328.

Telegraphs Gen. Grant: "You have not sent contents of Richmond papers for Tuesday or Wednesday. Did you not receive them? If not, does it indicate anything?" [Lincoln apparently was anxious about Gen. Sherman. Grant replied same day: "There is every indication that Genl Sherman is perfectly safe. I am looking every day for direct news from him."] Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 2 March 1865, CW, 8:329.

President orders cotton permit for Charles E. Fuller, who has agreement to sell 10,000 bales to government. Cotton Permit for Charles E. Fuller, 3 March 1865, CW, 8:330.

Interviews Sen. William A. Richardson (Ill.) and S. Corning Judd on subject of public interest. Judd to Lincoln, 3 March 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Approves act establishing bureau for relief of freedmen and refugees. Stat. L., XIII, 507.

Receives House committee with notice of adjournment unless there are further communications. House Journal, 455.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln responds to serenade by delegation of New Yorkers accompanied by Eastman's Business College band of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Response to Serenade, 3 March 1865, CW, 8:331.

Goes to Capitol at night to sign final bills passed by Congress. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:1.

Cabinet members with President at Capitol. Sec. Welles remains until midnight. Welles, Diary.

Thirty Eighth Congress remains in session until 8 A.M. March 4, 1865. Sec. Stanton interrupts President to confer about letter from Gen. R. E. Lee to Gen. Grant, proposing meeting to end hostilities. Lincoln instructs Stanton to notify Grant that conference can be granted only on basis of Lee's surrender. Stanton to Dix, 22 April 1865, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington DC; Edwin M. Stanton to Ulysses S. Grant, 3 March 1865, CW, 8:330-31.

At 9 P.M. Mrs. Lincoln is in Diplomatic Gallery. N.Y. Herald, 4 March 1865.

President transmits to Congress report and accompanying papers from secretary of state relating to act to regulate diplomatic and consular systems of U.S. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 3 March 1865, CW, 8:331-32.

President spends morning at Capitol, signing bills passed by Congress the day and night before. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:2; LL, No. 1452.

At 11:45 A.M. Vice President Hamlin escorts President to Senate Chamber to witness swearing-in of Vice-President-elect Johnson. From Senate Chamber President proceeds to platform erected in east front of central portico of the Capitol. Washington Chronicle, 5 March 1865.

Senators James Harlan (Iowa) and Henry B. Anthony (R.I.) escort Mrs. Lincoln to inaugural ceremonies. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:2; Helm, Mary, 244.

Lincoln takes oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Chase, shortly after noon and delivers Second Inaugural Address. LL, No. 1452.

In his second inaugural address, Lincoln reflects upon the ongoing civil war. He states, "Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword . . . it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.' With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." Second Inaugural Address, 4 March 1865, CW, 8:332-33.

Thousands of African Americans, heretofore excluded from such affairs, mingle with spectators. Frequent applause breaks out during reading of Address. Adolphe de Pineton, marquis de Chambrun, Impressions of Lincoln and the Civil War: A Foreigner's Account (New York: Random House, 1952), 38-40.

President, accompanied by Tad and Senator Lafayette S. Foster (Conn.), leaves Capitol and occupies carriage in procession to the Executive Mansion. Mrs. Lincoln, escorted by Senator Anthony follows in next carriage, followed by carriage of Robert T. Lincoln. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:2; Washington Chronicle, 5 March 1865.

Mrs. Lincoln receives from Chase Bible kissed by Lincoln on taking oath of office. Chase comments that sun broke through at same time and was "an auspicious omen of the dispersion of the clouds of war and the restoration of the clear sunlight of prosperous peace." Chase to Mrs. Lincoln, 4 March 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and Mrs. Lincoln drive out during afternoon in open barouche. Stop at Willard's Hotel for Mrs. Lincoln to visit friend. Philip V. D. Stern, An End to Valor: The Last Days of the Civil War (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958), 20.

Lincoln receives members of the Perseverance Fire Company of Philadelphia in East Room at 4 P.M. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:1.

Public reception 8 P.M. at White House. Largest reception this season. President shakes hands with as many as 6,000 persons. Marine Band provides music. Receives members of the Franklin Hose Company of Philadelphia 15 9:30 P.M. Also receives Army officers to discuss military matters. LL, No. 1452; Washington Chronicle, 5 March 1865; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:1.

In morning President and Mrs. Lincoln attend religious service at Capitol and hear sermon by Bishop Simpson. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., 3:1.

President comments on sun breaking through clouds as he took oath of office yesterday. Brooks, Washington, 74.

Interviews Comptroller of Currency McCulloch and asks him to take post of secretary of treasury. Hugh McCulloch, Men and Measures of Half a Century: Sketches and Comments (New York: Scribner, 1888), 193.

Confers again with Thurlow Weed regarding vacancy in Treasury Dept. Thurlow W. Barnes, ed., Life of Thurlow Weed including his Autobiography and a Memoir, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1884), 1:622.

Invites Cong. Colfax (Ind.) to accompany family to Inaugural Ball. Abraham Lincoln to Schuyler Colfax, 5 March 1865, CW, 8:334.

Lincoln converses with former Congressman John T. Stuart (Ill.) and gives him card to Hanson A. Risley. Abraham Lincoln to Hanson A. Risley, 6 March 1865, CW, 8:337.

Senate committee announces to President that Senate is ready to receive communications. Senate Journal, 348; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:6.

At noon President receives diplomatic corps. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.

Poses for photograph by Henry F. Warren of Waltham, Mass. Frederick H. Meserve and Carl Sandburg, The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1944), 6 March 1865.

In conference with Marcus L. Ward, philanthropist, "soldiers' friend," and later governor of New Jersey, reiterates value of Vice President Johnson in work before administration. Washington Chronicle, 23 April 1865.

Secretary of the Treasury William P. Fessenden resigns. Josiah G. Holland, The Life of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, MA: G. Bill, 1866), 505.

Chief Justice Chase consults with President an hour in effort to exempt counties in eastern Virginia from "insurrectionary proclamation." Welles, Diary.

Nominates Comptroller of Currency Hugh McCulloch as secretary of treasury. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 6 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4; Arnold, 628.

Notifies Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.): "Unless you send me word to the contrary, I shall this evening call with my carriage at your house, to take you with me to the Inauguration Ball." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Sumner, 6 March 1865, CW, 8:337.

Sometime after 10 P.M., President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, arrive at the Patent Office, where they attend the inaugural ball. A newspaper reports, "Mrs. Lincoln . . . wore a white silk skirt and boddice, an elaborately-worked white lace dress over the silk skirt . . . The President was dressed in black, with white kid gloves. . . . Shortly after midnight the Presidential party were escorted to the supper room." After dinner, "President Lincoln and party withdrew about one o'clock . . . It is estimated that not less than four thousand persons were present at this ball." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4-5.

Lincoln receives February salary warrant for $1,976.22. Pratt, Personal Finances, 184.

Writes Sec. Seward: "I have some wish that Thomas D. Jones, of Cincinnati, and John J. Piatt [poet], now of this city, should have some of those moderate sized consulates which facilitate artists a little [in] their profession. Please watch for chances." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 6 March 1865, CW, 8:337.

President interviews Judge Dixon (probably Judge William M. Dickson of Cincinnati) and issues pass to Nashville. Pass for Judge Dixon, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:342.

Spends much time endorsing applications for jobs and issuing orders for persons who own products of insurrectionary states to bring such products within military lines for sale to agents of government. Endorsement Concerning Phillip C. Schuyler, [c. 7 March 1865], CW, 8:338; Order Concerning James Andrews, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:339-40; Order Concerning Mrs. Charlotte Hough, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:340; Order Concerning Samuel H. Jones and John Talbot, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:341; Order Concerning Lucius H. Terry, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:341-42.

Interviews H. de Mareil, editor of French newspaper in New York, and gives him letter to Sec. Welles. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:343.

Senate confirms appointment of Hugh McCullough as Secretary of the Treasury. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:6; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President Lincoln writes to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and confers upon him a "gold medal" and a "copy" of a "Joint Resolution of Congress, approved December 17, 1863." Lincoln adds, "Please accept, for yourself and all under your command, the renewed expression of my gratitude for your and their arduous and well-performed public service." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 7 March 1865, CW, 8:339.

In the evening, President Lincoln arrives late at Grover's Theatre, where a company performs German composer Friedrich von Flotow's opera, Martha. A newspaper reports, "Mrs. Lincoln appeared in a private box quite early, and was afterwards joined by the President whose quiet arrival escaped notice until some moments after his entering the box, when he was greeted with hearty applause." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 March 1865, 1:4; 8 March 1865, 3d ed., Extra, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 8 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:2.

President receives resignation of Sec. Usher. Usher to Lincoln, 8 March 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Sec. Seward about appointments suitable for Montgomery Blair and decides to offer him post of minister to either Spain or Austria. Seward to Lincoln, 9 March 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Sec. Stanton about dispatches from Gen. Grant relative to supplies getting through to enemy. Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 8 March 1865, CW, 8:343-45.

Receives delegation from first congressional district of Pennsylvania, which questions application of draft law. Randall to Lincoln, 18 March 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sends to Senate nomination of Comdr. John J. Young (USN, retd.) to be captain in Navy on reserved list, "from the 12th August, 1854." Transmits to Senate report from secretary of state relative to certain joint resolution regarding railroads. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 8 March 1865, CW, 8:345-46.

President accepts resignation of Sec. Usher, to take effect May 15, 1865. Endorsement Concerning John P. Usher, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:347.

Receives Gov. Thomas Swann (Md.) and friends, who complain about certain Maryland appointments. Memorandum Concerning Maryland Appointments, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:348.

Telegraphs W. O. Bartlett at Philadelphia: "It will soon be too late if you are not here." [Bartlett, delayed by inclement weather, was carrying James Gordon Bennett's refusal of appointment to French court. The Senate was to adjourn on March 11, 1865, hence further delay might be too late for getting appointment confirmed.] Abraham Lincoln to William O. Bartlett, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:346.

President calls for arrest and trial by courtmartial of any person furnishing arms to hostile Indians. Proclamation Concerning Trade with Indians, 17 March 1865, CW, 8:359-60.

About 4 P.M. from balcony of National Hotel presents captured flag to Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana and makes speech to 140th Indiana Regiment, which captured it at Fort Anderson, N.C. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 18 March 1865, 2d ed., 3:1; Washington Chronicle, 19 March 1865; Speech to One Hundred Fortieth Indiana Regiment, 17 March 1865, CW, 8:360-62.

President Lincoln authorizes General Edward R. S. Canby to assist in raising funds for orphanage, discharges Charles T. Dorsett from draft, annuls sentence against Smith brothers of Boston for fraud, revokes order dismissing Dr. George Burr, and passes Rev. Thomas C. Teasdale through military lines. Abraham Lincoln to Edward R. S. Canby, 18 March 1865, CW, 8:363; Endorsement Concerning Charles T. Dorsett, 18 March 1865, CW, 8:363-64; Order Annulling Sentence of Benjamin G. and Franklin W. Smith, 18 March 1865, CW, 8:364; Order Concerning George Burr, 18 March 1865, CW, 8:364-65; Pass for Thomas C. Teasdale, 18 March 1865, CW, 8:365.

Lincoln signs deeds returning California missions San Luis Rey and San Juan Capistrano and surrounding lands to Joseph G. Alemany, Bishop of Monterey for the Roman Catholic Church. Deed from United States to Joseph G. Alemany, Bishop of Monterey, for Mission San Luis Rey, 18 March 1865, Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA; Deed from United States to Joseph G. Alemany, Bishop of Monterey, for Mission San Juan Capistrano, 18 March 1865, Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA.

President arises early, does not look too well, eats very little. Robert comes aboard during breakfast and reports fighting at front. Several officers, including Rear Adm. Porter, assemble and walk with President to Gen. Grant's headquarters. Lincoln expresses desire to visit scene of fighting. About noon special train is made up, and large party proceeds over military railroad to Gen. Meade's headquarters and sees evidence of fighting during visit. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 520-21; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:5.

President mounts horse and rides over part of battlefield where dead are being buried. Train returns slowly to City Point. Cars with wounded attached. President weary and worn; declines invitation to supper at Grant's headquarters and returns to River Queen. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 521-22; Horace Porter, Campaigning with Grant (New York: Century, 1897), 401-16.

At 8:30 A.M. informs Sec. Stanton : "Arrived here, all safe about 9 P.M. yesterday. No War News." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865, CW, 8:373-74.

At 1:25 P.M. telegraphs Stanton : "I am here within five miles of the scene of this morning's action. I have nothing to add to what Gen. Meade reports, except that I have seen the prisoners myself and they look like there might be the number he states—1600." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865, CW, 8:374.