President visits and inspects Arsenal most of morning, accompanied by Major George D. Ramsey. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 September 1861, 2:2.

In afternoon inspects army installations near Falls Church, Va. Russell, Diary.

At some point during day, visits Navy Yard with General George B. McClellan and Secretary of War Simon Cameron. National Republican (Washington, DC), 4 September 1861, 3:1.

Rides with Secretary of State William H. Seward family in evening. Talks briefly with General Winfield Scott. Frances Seward, Diary.

President receives from commanding officer, Col. George D. Ramsay, statement of serviceable arms at Washington Arsenal. Ramsay to Lincoln, 4 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Interviews Governor Hamilton Gamble (Mo.) in the afternoon regarding recruiting of troops. National Republican (Washington, DC), 5 September 1861, 2:1; New York Times, 5 September 1861.

Appoints Asst. Sec. Fox acting secretary of navy during absence of Sec. Welles. Appointment of Gustavus V. Fox, 4 September 1861, CW, 4:507.

Lincoln confers with Gen. Scott about Military Dept. of Missouri, Gen. Fremont, and Gen. Hunter. Scott to Lincoln, 5 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Appears on Pennsylvania Ave. in rain, carrying parcel, no umbrella. Russell, Diary.

Approves purchase in Europe of 100,000 muskets and "18,000 sabres" through Herman Boker & Co. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 5 September 1861, CW, 4:509.

Receives August salary warrant for $2,083.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Mrs. Lincoln and family return to Washington. National Republican (Washington, DC), 6 September 1861, 2:1; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 September 1861, 3:1.

[In New York, Mrs. Lincoln purchases books from Daniel Appleton and Co., in amount of $264.00. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 141-775.]

President urges General George B. McClellan to stay execution of Private William Scott, Co. K, 3d Vermont Volunteers, ordered to be shot for sleeping on guard duty at Chain Bridge. National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 September 1861, 1:1; Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 266-80.

"Mr. Lincoln came this morning to ask me to pardon a man that I had ordered to be shot, suggesting that I could give as a reason in the order that it was by request of the Lady President [Mrs. Lincoln]." McClellan, War for Union, 91.

President and Mrs. Lincoln go for drive toward Arlington in their new open carriage. Russell, Diary.

Lincoln, on his way to State Dept., walks through White House garden during band concert "quite unnoticed by the crowd." Russell, Diary.

Writes Mrs. Fremont: "It is not exactly correct . . . to say that I sent Post-Master-General Blair to St. Louis to examine into that Department, and report. . . . No impression has been made on my mind against the honor or integrity of Gen. Fremont." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. John C. Fremont, 12 September 1861, CW, 4:519-20.

Meets with Charles H. Foster, ostensible Congressman-elect from North Carolina, who offers brigade of Union soldiers from that state. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 September 1861, 2:2; New York Herald, 12 September 1861, 5:2.

Sends Joseph Holt of Kentucky, member of former President Buchanan's cabinet, copy of letter written to Fremont regarding latter's proclamation of August 30, 1861. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 12 September 1861, CW, 4:520.

President confers with William P. Thomasson, former congressman from Kentucky, regarding patronage. Note by Lincoln, 13 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives telegram addressed to Joshua F. Speed of Kentucky, early Illinois friend of Lincoln, by three citizens of Louisville: "There is not a day to lose in disavowing emancipation or Kentucky is gone over the mill dam." Telegram, 13 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and Secretary of War Simon Cameron meet with Prince Salm Salm, an officer in the Prussian Royal Guards, who offers his services to the government of the United States. National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 September 1861, 3:2.

Confers with General Winfield Scott about General John C. Fremont's situation. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 3:151.

Approves payment of bill for dining service purchased by Mrs. Lincoln [See September 2, 1861]. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 141-451.

President consults with Sec. Cameron and they decide to ask Gen. Fremont to send 5,000 well-armed infantry to Washington. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 3:133.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase on behalf of an old friend. Lincoln explains, "Mr. ThomasAlsop is my personal acquaintance of near twenty years standing, and one of the truest men I ever knew. He is needy now; and if you can at once, or in a reasonable time, find a clerkship for him, I shall be greatly obliged to you." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 14 September 1861, CW, 11:33.

In evening President has long friendly chat at Executive Mansion with Sec. Welles who has just returned from Connecticut. West, Welles, 151.

Steams down Potomac at night to watch test of electro-mercury light invented by Prof. John T. Way. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, 15 September 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Lincoln's account is charged $1.00, again for "altering collar." Lutz Account Book.]

Today President conducts second cabinet meeting regarding removal of Gen. Fremont. Decides to await report of emissaries examining case. Nicolay memorandum of conversation, 17 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Welles at White House in evening. Welles to wife, 15 September 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President interviews James Baker regarding discharge of son under 18 from 2d Michigan Infantry. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 19 September 1861, CW, 4:529.

At request of Sec. Seward holds conference with Col. Isaac M. Tucker, 2d New Jersey Regiment Volunteers. Seward to Lincoln, 19 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In long cabinet meeting, Postmaster General Montgomery Blair reports to President about arrest of Colonel Frank Blair in St. Louis for criticizing General John C. Fremont's policy. Blair to Fremont, 20 September 1861, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 20 September 1861, 2:2.

Mrs. Lincoln has few friends, including General and Mrs. Samuel P. Heintzelman, at White House for evening party. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In the afternoon, Lincoln, Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of State William Seward, Prince de Joinville, of France, and others observe as Colonel Hiram Berdan's "regiment of Sharp-shooters" demonstrates its "efficiency." A newspaper reports, "The Prince De Joinville and son and nephews are receiving unofficial but hospitable attentions from the President and Secretary of State." During the shooting exhibition, "Two hundred and sixty shots were fired, the target being completely riddled. The President made an excellent shot." New York Times, 21 September 1861, 1:1-2.

Lincoln investigates charge of disloyalty against Isaac S. Miller, government employee, and recommends that he retain job at Arsenal. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, [21 September 1861], CW, 4:530-31.

Personally escorts Joshua F. Speed to office of Adjt. Gen. Thomas to see that arms, equipment, and officers are supplied Gen. Anderson's department without delay. Speed to Anderson, 24 September 1861, Robert Anderson Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President receives telegram from Gov. Morton (Ind.) and forwards it to Gen. Fremont: "Owensboro, 40 miles above Evansville, in possession of secessionists. Green river is navigable. Owensboro, must be seized. We want a gunboat sent up from Paducah for that purpose." Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 22 September 1861, CW, 4:533.

Explains in letter to Sen. Browning (Ill.) that Gen. Fremont's proclamation as to confiscation of property and liberation of slaves "is purely political." Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 22 September 1861, CW, 4:531-33.

President receives telegram from Gen. Anderson, Louisville, Ky.: "Company of regular infantry absolutely necessary for ordnance stores and a provost guard." Anderson to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Seward at White House at 8 P.M. to discuss Gen. Fremont. Seward to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[John G. Nicolay adds to furnishings of Executive Offices with purchase of mahogany sofa ($24.00) and 6 chairs ($18.00) from G. M. Wight. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 142-060.]

At 4 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln, Generals McClellan, Mansfield, and McDowell, heads of departments, foreign ministers, and many distinguished personages assemble on plain three miles east of Capitol to witness grand review of artillery and cavalry. New York Times, 25 September 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC) 25 September 1861, 2:2.

President receives report from Governor Richard Yates (Ill.) that to date war effort has cost state $3,533,511.02. Yates to Lincoln, 26 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Attends divine service "on day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all people of the nation." New York Times, 27 September 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 25 September 1861, 3:2.

At telegraph office jokes with employees: "Gentlemen, this is a fast day and I am pleased to observe that you are working as fast as you can." David H. Bates, Lincoln Stories Told by him in the Military Office in the War Department during the Civil War (New York: Rudge, 1926), 31-32.

Attends afternoon lecture on the U.S. Constitution by Professor Amasa McCoy in House of Representatives in observance of National Fast Day. National Republican (Washington, DC), 25 September 1861, 3:1, 26 September 1861, 2:1; Invitation, 25 September 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Telegraphs Governor Oliver P. Morton (Ind.): "We are supplying all the demands for arms as fast as we can . . . a week ago we heard that the enemy was encamped on Muldroughs hill now our friends are encamped upon it . . . that is an improvement." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 26 September 1861, CW, 4:537-38.

Lincoln invites Gen. McClellan to attend cabinet meeting in Gen. Scott's office. "Before we got through the General 'raised a row with me.' " McClellan, War for Union, 91.

Interviews Miss Laura Redden, deaf writer from Missouri, about book she is writing. Bates to Lincoln, 27 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Withholds pass to accompany vessel down Potomac solicited by Henry Wikoff, correspondent for New York "Herald". Abraham Lincoln to James G. Bennett, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:539.

Lincoln receives Indiana delegation seeking military commission for Thomas A. Morris, former brigadier general of volunteers. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:539.

Interviews Charles Weston, former military storekeeper at Watertown Arsenal, Conn., who wants appointment as storekeeper. Abraham Lincoln to George M. Weston, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:540.

President receives letter written by Col. Blair to Adjt. Gen. Thomas containing charges against official conduct of Gen. Fremont. Blair to Thomas, 26 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Tells Gov. Morton (Ind.): "We are doing the very best we can" in sending arms. Supply limited and must be sent where needed most. "Army in our front may make a half circle around Southward, and move on Louisville; but when they do, we will make a half circle around Northward, and meet them." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 29 September 1861, CW, 4:541-42.

President confers with three gentlemen from Baltimore concerning release of Mayor Brown arrested for "complicity with those in armed rebellion against the Government of the United States." Statement Concerning Arrests in Maryland, [c. 15 September 1861], CW, 4:523; N.Y. Times, 4 October 1861.