Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

Annotation

[1]   ADf, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln to Isaac R. Diller, December 15, 1862, supra. As cataloged in the Lincoln Papers, this undated memorandum is assigned the date ``[November?, 1862]'' but a notation ``Apr. 4 1863(?) (Evidently to Dr. [Charles M] Wetherill)'' appears on the first page, not in Lincoln's handwriting. Lincoln's reference to the amount of $5,000, however, definitely places this memorandum after his memorandum to Stanton and Welles of July 21, supra. A letter from Diller dated November 2, 1863, reads as follows:

``I have the honor to enclose, at your request, a true copy of the agreement entered into between your Excellency and myself, on the 15th. of December, 1862, respecting a new article of gun powder.

``I very respectfully beg leave to inform you, that I have delivered to Major T. T. S. Laidley, U.S.A. at the Frankford Arsenal, Penna. the maximum

amount of powder as specified in the within agreement, and have the honor to request that a board of `officers, or other skilled person or persons' may be selected by your Excellency to test the same, according to the terms of the agreement, before mentioned.'' (DLC-RTL).

Thus Lincoln's memorandum, which follows closely the specification given by Diller on December 10, 1862 (see note to Lincoln's letter to Diller, December 15, 1862), would seem to have been meant for the board of ``officers, or other skilled person or persons'' who were to test the powder.

See also Lincoln to Diller, November 7, infra.

On December 14, Diller wrote from Virden, Illinois, that he was awaiting orders, and that if the government did not intend to do anything about the manufacture of the powder, he would want to patent it. John Hay endorsed the letter, ``Ansd. Dec. 26. The Prest. declines appn'g a new Board Mr D. has permission to patent his invention. The Prest. sends his best wishes for success.'' (DLC-RTL).