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.

Willie Lincoln's death

Willie Lincoln died at 5 pm on February 20.  The president cancels his meetings. Mrs. Lincoln is frantic. Officials and their wives meet with the Lincolns to offer their condolences. The president comments "My poor boy, he was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so much. It is hard, hard to have him die." Meanwhile, the president's youngest son,Tad, continues to suffer from typhoid fever.

The Cabinet meets but President Lincoln does not attend. Congress passes a joint resolution to have the government buildings dark in the evening as a tribute to the passing of the president's son. Willie's funeral was held on February 24. Dr. Phineas D. Gurley conducted the services with burial at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. All government offices were closed.

Reports were that Tad Lincoln's condition was improving.

The White House concerns for the two Lincoln children's illnesses

The was no regular routing in the White House as meetings and receptions were cancelled. The president spent much of his time with his two sons Willie and Tad, both who were very ill from typhoid fever. Reports varied, depending on the day and the source, saying that they were getting better or that they had made no improvement.

The war went on, with General Grant continuing to hold Fort Donelson, Tennessee. Secretary Stanton's recommendation that Grant be classified as major general was endorsed by the president.

The president defended his arrest of the state legislature of Maryland, saying it was in the public interest. Mr. Lincoln feared that the southern sympathizers in the legislature could vote for secession of Maryland which would surround Washington City with southern sates supporting the rebellion.

Social Life in Washington

Mary Lincoln hosted a ball on February 5 called by the local newspapers as "A very respectable if not a brilliant success. The East Room was filled with well dressed guests looking very beautiful and the [midnight] supper was magnificent." Over 600 invitations had been sent out. Sally and I attended. This being her first formal introduction to Washington's social life, Sally was extremely pleased with the affair, calling it "superb."

The enthusiasm for the party was overshadowed by the concern of the Lincoln family of the severe illness of their 11 year old son Willie. It was feared that Willie had typhoid fever, a common occurrence in disease ridden Washington City. They are concerned too that their son Tad has also contracted typhoid fever.

Several functions are cancelled including the weekly reception due to the illnesses.

Lincoln's Order for the U.S. Marshal

President Lincoln ordered me as U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia to refrain from arresting or committing fugitive slaves. Enforcing the fugitive slave law had become controversial. The job of enforcing the law and returning fugitive slaves to their proper owners was the duty of my office. Evidently the pressure from the radicals in Congress had caused the president to change the way I handled the fugitive slave business.

My wife Sally finally decided to come to Washington City to live. We sought out a house, finally renting a dwelling on the corner of 15th and I streets from Jonah Hoover at the cost of $170 per month. Sally furnished the house elegantly.