Cabinet meets at 10 A.M. Memorandum of Gen. McClellan on military matters under consideration. Memorandum, 3 August 1861, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Prince Napoleon [Napoleon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte] of France, traveling in U.S. as private citizen, visits President at noon. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 3 August 1861, 2:1.

["The Prince, arriving (at White House) with Baron Mercier, found no one—neither butler nor doorman—at the main entrance to show him in . . . I do not remember which employee, who happened to be passing by, took care of this duty." The meeting was "not so gay"; the Prince, huffed at his reception, "took a cruel pleasure in remaining silent." Camille Ferri-Pisani, Prince Napoleon in America, 1861: Letters from His Aide-de-Camp, translated by Georges J. Joyaux (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1959), 94, 100.]

President approves act providing for construction of armed ships and floating batteries, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 286.

In early afternoon, with Sec. Seward and Mrs. F. W. Seward, drives to General Hospital in Georgetown. National Intelligencer, 5 August 1861.

Drafts letter from Sec. Cameron to Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble (Mo.) assuring governor that if he promises security to citizens in arms who become peaceable and loyal, the government will cause promise to be respected. Simon Cameron to Hamilton R. Gamble, 3 August 1861, CW, 4:470-71.

At 7 p.m., President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, host a state dinner for Prince Napoleon, who is the nephew of the former French emperor. A newspaper reports, "Prince Napoleon was seated at the right of Mrs. Lincoln and opposite General [Winfield] Scott, who was at the President's left. Gen. [George B.] McClellan was at the right of [the] Prince . . . The affair was unusually sociable and enjoyable . . . a fact much due to the tact of Mrs. Lincoln in so grouping the guests as to bring parties together likely to enjoy each other's society and conversation." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 5 August 1861, 2:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 5 August 1861, 3:2; George B. McClellan, McClellan's Own Story: The War for the Union (New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1887), 84; Camille Ferri Pisani, Prince Napoleon in America, 1861: Letters from His Aide-de-Camp, Georges J. Joyaux, trans. (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1959), 103-114.

President confers with Illinois delegation, including Sen. Browning (Ill.) regarding promotion for Gen. David Hunter. Browning returns in afternoon. Browning, Diary.

Instructs Gen. Scott to order Gen. Wool to Fortress Monroe, Va., if Scott thinks he should go there. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 7 August 1861, CW, 4:478.

Desires Scott to decide publication date for Gen. McDowell's report on Battle of Bull Run. Hamilton to Nicolay, 7 August 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Designates W. P. Dole, commissioner of Indian affairs, to present treaty to Delaware Indians for signatures. Designation of William P. Dole to Present Treaty to the Delaware Indians, 7 August 1861, CW, 4:476-77.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) joins Lincoln at White House and they go to War Dept., 17th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Browning, Diary.

President and Sec. Seward decide to appoint John L. Motley, historian, minister to Vienna. N.Y. Tribune, 10 August 1861.

John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President, leaves Washington at 3 A.M. for 10-day vacation at Newport, R.I. Nicolay to Bates, 11 August 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; National Republican (Washington, DC), 12 August 1861, 3:2..

President calls on Gen. Scott at home to adjust differences between Scott and Gen. McClellan. Official Records—Armies 1, XI, pt. 3, 5.

Prince Napoleon takes leave of President and returns to New York. N.Y. Times, 12 August 1861.

"Today [Sunday] the President sent for me before I was up; have been at work ever since." McClellan, War for Union, 84.

By proclamation President appoints "last Thursday in September next, as a day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation." Proclamation of a National Fast Day, 12 August 1861, CW, 4:482-83.

Reappoints William S. Wood, who had charge of special train that brought Lincoln to Washington for his inauguration, commissioner of public buildings, as Senate failed to act on his appointment. N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1861; Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 285.

President visits Navy Yard twice today; during noon visit talks with Comdr. Dahlgren about housing 66 prisoners charged with mutiny in 79th New York Regiment. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; N.Y. Tribune, 16 August 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 August 1861, 2:1.

During afternoon Gen. Charles W. Sandford visits President and promises to return from New York with 10,000 men whenever required. N.Y. Tribune, 16 August 1861.

Lincoln names five commissioners of police for District of Columbia. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 August 1861, 3:2.

Telegraphs Gen. Fremont: "Been answering your messages ever since day before yesterday. Do you receive the answers? The War Department has notified all the governors you designate to forward all available force. So telegraphed you. Have you received these messages? Answer immediately." Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 14 August 1861, CW, 4:484-85.

Telegraphs Gov. Morton (Ind.): "Start your four regiments to Saint Louis at the earliest moment possible. . . . hasten everything forward as soon as any one regiment is ready. . . . We shall endeavor to send you the arms this week." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 15 August 1861, CW, 4:485.

[Mrs. Lincoln visits Princess Clothilde, wife of Prince Napoleon, in New York hotel. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 August 1861, 2:1.]

[Mrs. Lincoln and party travel from Rochester to Niagara Falls, New York. National Republican (Washington, DC), 30 August 1861, 3:4; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 August 1861, 3:6.]

Lincoln writes check for $3.00 to "Mr. Johns (a sick man)." CW, 8:475.

Colonel Richard D. Goodwin of New York, authorized to raise President's Life Guard regiment, meets with Lincoln to discuss recruitment. Wealthy men in New York are encouraging Goodwin to raise a brigade instead of a regiment. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 August 1861, 3:1.

[Mrs. Lincoln stays with Mrs. W. H. Seward in Auburn, N.Y. N.Y. Tribune, 30 August 1861.

John Hay, assistant secretary to President, leaves for Illinois to overcome illness. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 29 August 1861, 2:1.

For "altering collar" Lincoln's account is charged $1.00. Lutz Account Book.

In Niagara Falls, Mrs. Lincoln purchases from Mrs. James Davy, "2 sets of Mat & Cushion $30.00," and "1 Worked Table Cloth $25.00." DNA—RG 217 General Accounting Office 141-686.]

In morning, Lincoln examines the Prussian Needle Gun, a breach-loading rifle. National Republican (Washington, DC), 31 August 1861, 1:1.

President makes several military appointments. National Intelligencer, 30 August 1861.