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[1] Copy, ISLA. On August 19, Colonel French wrote Lincoln:
``The War Department having taken possession of the school house of the First District of Washington for the purpose of converting it into a Medical Museum, the Trustees of the Public Schools were left without any place for the schools. They applied to me for leave to occupy Franklin Square temporarily for the erection of school houses. That square is owned by the U.S. & . . .
I called on you, made known my business, & stated the facts. . . . The conversation ended by your saying, emphatically, `Do as you think best in the matter'. . . . I replied, `then I shall grant the privilege with your sanction.' . . . .
``An appropriation was made by the City Council for the building, and it was commenced, when a guard of soldiers was sent by order, I learn, of the Secy. of War, and the building stopped by force. . . .
``I most respectfully request, that you will take such measures as will result in granting the small boon that has been asked and once supposed to be granted. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).