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That morning, Lincoln's oldest son, Captain Robert Lincoln, arrived in Washington from the scene of General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Virgina, in time for an 8 a,m. breakfast with his father. After breakfast, Lincoln had a lengthy morning conference with the Speaker of the House, Indiana Congressman (and future Vice-President) Schuyler Colfax, who was preparing to visit West Coast. Lincoln also conducted an interview with former New Hampshire Senator John P. Hale, whom Lincoln had recently appointed to the post of minister (ambassador) to Spain. He also met with Governor Thomas Swan of Marylant to discuss appointments to that state
Later that day, Lincoln went for a short drive with General Ulysses Grant, who had come into Washington the previous day for a cabinet meeting. That morning many members of Congress called on Lincoln and Grant to congratulate them on the successful conclusion of war.
Lincoln wrote a letter to General James Henry Van Alen of New York, in which he said: "I thank you for the assurance you give me that I shall be supported by conservative men like yourself, in the efforts I may make to restore the Union, so as to make it, to use your language, a Union of hearts and hands as well as of States."
The cabinet met at 11:00 a.m. that morning. General Grant reported to the cabinet about the surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox, and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton presented draft of plan for reestablishing authority in Confederate States. The Cabinet meeting lasted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There was an informal discussion relative to what should be done about President Jefferson Davis and other leaders of the Confederacy.
From 2 to 3 p.m. the President and Mrs. Lincoln had lunch together in a private parlor. After lunch, Lincoln met with Vice President Johnson at 3 p.m. At around this time, a Mrs. Nancy Bushrod, an African-American woman, pushed her way past guards and spoke to Lincoln about her husband's pay.
That afternoon Lincoln visited the telegraph room of the War Department where he had a conversation with General Thomas T. Eckert. He told Eckert of his of plans to attend the theater that night, and he invited him to come along.
Assistant Secretary of War Charles Dana reported to Lincoln at 4:30 P.M. that Jacob Thompson, a Confederate agent who had been operating in Canada, was now back in the U.S. and was making ready to sail for Europe. Dana wanted to know if Thompson should be allowed to leave the country. Lincoln was willing for Thompson to leave.
In late afternoon the President and Mrs. Lincoln went for a drive in a carriage. They stopped at the Navy Yard to view three Monitors (iron clad ships) which were damaged in a sea battle at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. On the ride, Lincoln spoke to Mary about when they could return to Illinois and live quietly. They returned from their drive sometime between 6 and 7 p.m. Governor Richard J. Oglesby of Illinois and some other Illinois friends were at White House.
After supper Lincoln met once again with Speaker Colfax. At 8:00 p.m. former Congressman George Ashmun of Massachusetts called to see the President regarding a cotton claim against the government. Lincoln wrote a note telling Ashmun to return at 9:00 a.m. the next day. This is considered Lincoln's last autograph. Lincoln exchanged a few words with former Illinois Congressman Arnold while getting in carriage to go to Ford's theater. At approximately 8:30 p.m., the President and Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Clara Harris and Major Henry R. Rathbone, entered Ford's Theatre to watch the performance of Our American Cousin featuring Laura Keene.