An ugly year ended in backing before England, having, at least, relative right on our side. Further, the ending year has revealed a certain ...

I had a letter last evening from Secretary McCulloch, inclosing copy of one addressed to the President, requesting that Commodore S. P. Lee ...

Judge Blair gave me yesterday a carefully prepared paper intended for the Philadelphia Convention. It had twelve specifications, — declarati...

Seward was not at Cabinet, having had a sudden call to Auburn. It was a dodge to avoid an open committal with the Philadelphia Convention. A...

The whole atmosphere to-night vibrates with the sounds of preparation to advance. The new Secretary of War says "advance." We are ...

Still excessively warm. Not much at the Cabinet to note. Stanton read a strange dispatch from Gen. George H. Thomas at Nashville, stating th...

Busy through the day until dark on the subject of promotions, except for a short time at the Cabinet. The promotions will, unavoidably, give...

 I, early this morning, took to the President the carefully prepared list of promotions. He did not fully understand the subject and was dis...

Went to the Capitol a little before ten this A.M. Apprehended I should be late, for we had agreed yesterday in Cabinet to meet in the Presid...

Back in town again. I've done something but havn't the least idea what, to displease somebody and havn't the least idea who. Per...

No very striking matters in Cabinet. Seward read a long dispatch to Mr. Adams. Stanton excepted to the mention of our domestic affairs in su...

This morning received telegram that my nephew, Samuel Welles, constructing engineer at Mare Island, died last evening at 7.15 from injuries ...

Senator Doolittle took breakfast with me this morning. He is pleased that a cane on which there had been great competition at the fair betwe...

It has stormed all day, rain, sleet and snow falling incessantly. News today of a great Battle West. Beauregard defeated and Island No 10 ta...

When I went to Cabinet-meeting only Seward was there with the President. I was prompt to time; Seward was in advance. Directly on entering, ...

The President sent me a note this A.M. to call upon him this evening at eight. Although under the doctor's care and ordered to remain pe...

We had not a protracted Cabinet meeting nor any specially interesting topic. I had thought the subject of the call for the convention, which...

Had a long talk this afternoon with the President on the condition of affairs and especially in regard to the proposed national convention. ...

Senator Doolittle brought me last evening the rough draft of a proposed call for a national Union convention which he had prepared. Some of ...

After current business at the Cabinet was closed, I inquired of Seward if it was true that he had sent out a special official certificate of...