Lincoln presents his autograph to Mrs. A. E. Gridley, who spent three months in Washington visiting hospitals. Gridley to Lincoln, 30 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Gov. Michael Hahn (La.) about new constitution for Louisiana, and electoral campaign. Hahn to Lincoln, 24 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Recognizes Fernando de la Cuesta as consul of Mexican Republic at Philadelphia. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 3 September 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:2.

[John Nicolay at Astor House in New York. Puleston to Nicolay, 1 September 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

President telegraphs Postmaster Gen. Blair at Portsmouth, N.H.: "Please return here at your earliest convenience." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 1 September 1864, CW, 7:529.

Directs Col. Huidekoper to proceed to Rock Island, Ill., and ascertain names of prisoners of war there who wish to take oath of allegiance and enter military service of Union. Order to Henry S. Huidekoper, 1 September 1864, CW, 7:530-31.

[Atlanta is occupied by Union forces under General William T. Sherman.]

President Lincoln writes to Quaker minister Eliza P. Gurney, of New Jersey, and thanks her for her support. Due to Quakers' "oppos[ition] to both war and oppression," Lincoln acknowledges that this war presents them with a particular difficulty. Lincoln confides, "We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. . . . Meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us . . . Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay." Abraham Lincoln to Eliza P. Gurney, 4 September 1864, CW, 7:535-36.

Crowd attends Republican political rally at Mt. Vernon Hotel, 9th and Pennsylvania Ave., where they witness the hoisting of a large national flag across Pennsylvania Avenue with "Lincoln" and "Johnson" on its folds. Crowd marches to serenade President at White House. About 3 P.M. Lincoln responds briefly to serenade, and the crowd proceeds to Secretary of State William H. Seward's residence on F Street. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 September 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 3:2; Response to Serenade, 13 September 1864, CW, 8:4.

Telegraphs Gen. Butler at Bermuda Hundred, Va., that H. Ames' guns are being tested. "I shall be happy to let you have some of them as soon as I can." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 13 September 1864, CW, 8:3.

President endorses certificate concerning William Elmore: "If this man's Colonel will say in writing on this sheet that he is willing to receive him back into his regiment I will pardon and send him." Endorsement Concerning William Elmore, 14 September 1864, CW, 8:5.

President interviews Mrs. McElrath, widow of Maj. H. McD. McElrath (CSA), who asks permission to return to Knoxville. Abraham Lincoln to James B. Steedman, 15 September 1864, CW, 8:7.

Receives Gen. Eustorjio Salgar, new minister from United States of Colombia, and they exchange brief formal remarks. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 16 September 1864, 2d ed., 2:1; Abraham Lincoln to Eustorjio Salgar, 15 September 1864, CW, 8:6-7.

Confers with F. P. Blair, Sr., on political conditions in Tennessee. Blair to Lincoln, 14 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Mrs. Lincoln and Tad return from trip to New York at 6:30 P.M. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 September 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.]

President interviews Thomas J. Turner, chairman of Union State Central Committee, and S. H. Melvin, commissioner of Union League, regarding draft quotas for Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to James B. Fry, 16 September 1864, CW, 8:8.

Cabinet meets. "Nothing of interest." Welles, Diary.

Lincoln authorizes Gen. Sigel to visit Washington. Abraham Lincoln to Franz Sigel, 16 September 1864, CW, 8:8-9.

Cabinet convenes in special meeting to consider return of plantations in Louisiana to claimants. Bates, Diary.

Committee from District of Columbia calls on President and asks two weeks' postponement of draft. President replies that similar delegations were coming from other parts of the country and doubts that he can make an exception for the District but promises to see the Secretary of War on the matter. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 September 1864, 3d ed., 2:5.

Lincoln telegraphs General William T. Sherman: "I feel great interest in the subjects of your despatch mentioning corn and Sorghum, & a contemplated visit to you." Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 17 September 1864, CW, 8:9-10.

[Private Secretary John Hay returns to his duties at the Executive Mansion after absence of five or six weeks. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 September 1864, 3d ed., 2:5.]

Presidential Secretary John Hay returns in the morning from a visit to his home in Illinois. Nicolay to Bates, 18 September 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 September 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

On behalf of Indiana's Republican Governor Oliver Morton, Lincoln writes to General William T. Sherman seeking the temporary release of some soldiers. Lincoln refers to Indiana's upcoming election and explains, "Indiana is the only important State, voting in October, whose soldiers cannot vote in the field. Any thing you can safely do to let her soldiers, or any part of them, go home and vote at the State election, will be greatly in point. . . . This is, in no sense, an order, but is merely intended to impress you with the importance, to the army itself, of your doing all you safely can." Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 19 September 1864, CW, 8:11-12.

Explains to Cong. John C. Ten Eyck (N.J.): "Dr. J. R. Freese, now editor of a leading Union Journal in New Jersey, . . . is somewhat wounded with me now, that I do not recognize him as he thinks I ought. I wish to appoint him a Provost-Marshal in your State. May I have your approval?" Abraham Lincoln to John C. Ten Eyck, 19 September 1864, CW, 8:12.

President confers with Acting Sec. of Interior William T. Otto regarding sale of public lands in Kansas. Otto to Lincoln, 20 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Sec. Stanton announces capture of two steamers on Lake Erie by Confederates from Canada. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln telegraphs Gen. Sheridan: "Have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all, officers and men. Strongly inclined to come up and see you." [Sheridan defeated Gen. Early on Berryville Pike and drove him through Winchester, Va.] Abraham Lincoln to Philip H. Sheridan, 20 September 1864, CW, 8:13.

Directs Stanton to let Francis A. Mallison, who collaborated in producing bogus proclamation in newspapers of May 17, 1864, be discharged. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 20 September 1864, CW, 8:13-14.

President interviews M. M. Broadwell, New York merchant, who proposes to furnish blankets and clothes to both Federal and Confederate prisoners. Abraham Lincoln to Ethan A. Hitchcock, 21 September 1864, CW, 8:16.

Confers with Sec. Seward on political situation in New York. Sends John Nicolay to discuss political strategy with Thurlow Weed. Nicolay to Lincoln, 22 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Asks Gen. Edward R. Canby to consider case of needy people in Rapides Parish, La., "and do for them the best you can, consistently with the interests of the public service." Abraham Lincoln to Edward R. S. Canby, 21 September 1864, CW, 8:14-15.

Cabinet meets. Withdrawal of Gen. Fremont (resigned) from presidential race is principal topic of discussion. Randall, Lincoln, 4:230.

President interviews Sen. Chandler (Mich.) and State Sen. David H. Jerome (Mich.) regarding support of Lincoln by Sen. Wade (Ohio) and Cong. Davis (Md.). Charles Moore, "Zachariah Chandler in Lincoln's Second Campaign," Century Magazine 50 (1895):476-77.

Explains to Gen. Grant that recruiting in prisoner depot in Illinois was in no way associated with Sec. Stanton . Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 22 September 1864, CW, 8:17-18.

President accepts offer of Postmaster Gen. Blair: "You have generously said to me more than once, that whenever your resignation could be a relief to me, it was at my disposal. The time has come." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 23 September 1864, CW, 8:18-19.

Cabinet meets. Atty. Gen. Bates learns from Blair that President has accepted Blair's resignation. Bates, Diary; Welles, Diary.

President telegraphs former Gov. Dennison (Ohio): "Mr. Blair has resigned, and I appoint you Post-Master General. Come on immediately." Abraham Lincoln to William Dennison, 24 September 1864, CW, 8:20.

Notifies Judge Advocate General that wife of Simon Ready, recently tried by military court, "is bothering me." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 24 September 1864, CW, 8:22.

Issues order relative to purchase of products in South, as authorized by Congress. Executive Order Relative to the Purchase of Products of Insurrectionary States, 24 September 1864, CW, 8:20-22.

John Hay receives letter from John Nicolay in New York and reads it to President. Lincoln recommends that Nicolay stay around New York a while longer. Hay, Letters and Diary.