Bill Established to Take the Jails out of my Control

A bill had been fashioned in the House to render helpless my overseeing of the federal jails in the District of Columbia to unofficially wrestle control from me and people they called my "negro-catching creatures." Fortunately for me, the bill laid upon the table and was never acted upon.
The president, meanwhile, gave me his unconditional support.
Mr. Lincoln toured the Naval Yard in Washington City and met with his cabinet.
He also wrote a letter introducing his new Superintendent of U.S. Army Nurses, Dorothea L. Dix.
Mrs. Lincoln entertained a few dozen family members visiting from Illinois.

Quaker Friends Society Recommend Peaceful Solution to the War

The president answered  Samuel B. Tobey, of the Society of Friends in New England (Quakers) suggestion that the war be resolved through peaceful "direct negotiation" by suggesting "how fully I appreciate the principles of peace . . . and I look forward hopefully to an early end of war, and return of peace."
Mrs. Lincoln has ventured out of her bedroom for the first time since the death of her son.
Mr. Lincoln sends a letter of support to Governor Peirpoint (VA) at the Wheeling Convention telling him to draw up a resolution for the new state and send it for him to look at.
Meanwhile, as Lincoln's bodyguard, I was notified that my complaint against Horace Greeley for defaming my name in his newspaper would be heard in court on April 8.

President Lincoln Proposes a Compensated Emancipation of the Slaves

President Lincoln explained his proposal in a letter to Senator James McDougal on March 14, 1862 saying that he estimated there were 432,622slaves at $400 each. Mr. Lincoln estimated the cost for the government to compensate slave owners for the loss of their property would cost $173 million. He also estimated at the same time that conducting the war for a period of 87 days actually was costing $174 million, and thus the compensation would shorten the war and actually save the country money. The Border States did not support the proposal and it died.
There was much excitement at the White House over last week's naval battle that took place near Fortress Monroe, Virginia last week. The two opposing ironclads, the Moniter and the Virginian fought in the harbor.

President in Discussions with General George McClellan

The President attended the funeral of General Frederick Lander at the residence of Samuel Chase.
President Lincoln also met with General George McClellan several times regarding his campaign to Harpers Ferry, Virginia and his plan for the Peninsula campaign. The president was tired of the general's inactivity. Newspapers had in fact taken the offensive against McClellan, calling it "a contest of inertia where our side outsat the other."
Following the meetings, the president demoted General McClellan to the commander only of the Army of the Potomac.
He also received a dispatch from the Naval department that the Union's new ironclad, the Moniter, was currently steaming toward Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Committee on the Conduct of the War Meets

The Committee on the Conduct of the War met and recommended to the president that the Army of the Potomac be separated into corps.
The president is encouraged by the doctor's report that Tad is recovering from his fever.
By Congressional authority, Mr. Lincoln takes control of the telegraph lines and appoints a commission to look at state prisoners in military custody.
He recommends to Secretary Stanton that Dr. Isaac Hayes be appointed surgeon of volunteers.