Whiteside's army arrives at Dixon's Ferry at 10 A.M. with less than two days' provisions. Here Whiteside finds Maj. Isaiah Stillman with about 260 men. Gen. Whiteside refuses Gov. Reynolds' request to take command of Stillman's men.Whiteside to Atkinson, 12 May 1832, 18 May 1832, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

In Nox et al. v. Lyons, Lincoln writes answer of James H. Lyons to plaintiffs' bill.Photocopy.

Lincoln participates in two cases in the Edgar County Circuit Court. In the case Nolan v. Hunter, the jury finds Lincoln's client John Hunter not guilty, and Judge Wilson orders plaintiff Samuel Nolan to pay the court costs. Lincoln and fellow attorney Justin Harlan file a plea for their client Elvis P. Shaw in Paine v. Shaw, a replevin case. Plaintiff Amasa R. Paine files a demurrer to the plea, and Judge Wilson overrules the demurrer. Judgment, 12 May 1842, Nolan v. Hunter, Order Book 2, 181; Plea, filed 12 May 1842, Paine v. Shaw, case file, box 10; Order, 12 May 1842, Paine v. Shaw, Order Book 2, 181, all in Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.

In Coles Circuit Court, Lincoln gets judgment for about $200 for McKibben against Hart. He draws up order, which McKibben signs, assigning $35 of judgment to Lincoln. This order Lincoln leaves with circuit clerk so that Thomas Lincoln may collect money. He also writes court decree, and receipt for $50 Hart gives to McKibben.Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Vermilion Circuit Court, now part of Eighth Judicial District, convenes.]

Lincoln and Murphy appear for plaintiff in Fithian v. Cunningham et al. Defendant defaults, and the court awards Fithian judgment of $3,474.76 in damages. Record.

House takes up private calendar. "The first bill . . . was . . . for settling the claim of the legal representatives of Richard W. Meade, deceased. The debate was resumed by Mr. Woodward . . . and was continued by Messrs. Lincoln, McLane, and Marvin, each of whom were frequently interrupted in their remarks for explanations." Bill is finally tabled.Globe.

Lincoln has only one case on first day of Edgar Circuit Court and it is continued. Record.

In Alexander v. Parrish, debt, he writes and files four pleas for defendant. Photocopy.

In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, plaintiff Nelson Ligget requests a change of venue in the case of Ligget v. Frazier, and the court orders "that the venue in this cause be changed to the County of Champaign." Lincoln and John H. Murphy represent defendant Samuel Frazier. Order, 12 May 1852, Ligget v. Frazier, Circuit Court Record D, 411, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL.

In Chapman v. Durham & Durham, Lincoln secures decree of foreclosure to satisfy debt of $149.40. Decree is in his handwriting. He also writes court order in Doolittle et al. v. Reeves et al., chancery. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Record; Photocopy.

Lincoln writes to Joshua R. Stanford regarding conveyance of two lots, holders of which are in danger of losing title unless Stanford's testimony will show that he made conveyance as attorney for former owner and accounted for proceeds of sale. Abraham Lincoln to Joshua R. Stanford, 12 May 1853, CW, 2:194.

Little is known about E. C. Burton, to whom Lincoln writes with a request to "Please call at our place tomorrow if convenient." Abraham Lincoln to E. C. Burton, 12 May 1854, CW 11:8.

Spring term of DeWitt Circuit Court commences. Lincoln appears in two cases continued from fall term. Emery v. Illinois Central RR, in which he and Moore represent railroad, is settled by agreement, plaintiff paying costs. Alexander v. Warner is dismissed by Lincoln as plaintiff's attorney. Record.

[Kinkannon v. West et al., chancery action in which Lincoln and Lamon represent complainant, is continued. Record.]

Lincoln arrives home from circuit, and buys yard goods and straw hat at Smith's store. Mrs. Lincoln sends Robert for 4¾ yards more. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156-57.

Lincoln writes to Dr. Edward Wallace, who is in Chicago attending the Republican convention. Wallace, of Reading, Pennsylvania, seeks Lincoln's views regarding the tariff issue. Lincoln writes, "a presidential candidate" needs to assure the convention delegates "that he would neither seek to force a tariff-law by Executive influence; nor yet to arrest a reasonable one, by a veto, or otherwise." Lincoln adds, "I really have no objection to these views being publicly known; but I do wish to thrust no letter before the public now, upon any subject." Abraham Lincoln to Edward Wallace, 12 May 1860, CW, 4:49.

Sec. Seward, Thurlow Weed, and President leave Navy Yard about 10 A.M. for three-hour cruise on Potomac. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President arrives on U.S.S. Baltimore from Fortress Monroe, Va., and Norfolk, in the morning. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 May 1862, 2d ed., 2:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 13 May 1862, 2:1-2.

Raises blockade proclaimed April 19, 1861, on Southern ports of Beaufort, S.C., Port Royal, S.C., and New Orleans as of June 1, 1862 pursuant to treasury regulations except for contraband of war. Proclamation Raising the Blockade of Certain Ports, 12 May 1862, CW, 5:210-11.

In conversation with Gen. Carl Schurz, Lincoln predicts that he will be left without support at next congressional election by Republicans and Democrats, by former because he is not radical enough and by latter because he is too radical. Schurz to Lincoln, 19 May 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Dr. John Swinburne of New York and assistant, J. T. Gillett, call on President and volunteer services to Army of Potomac. Abraham Lincoln to Horatio Seymour, 12 May 1863, CW, 6:211.

President receives from Gen. Hooker's staff confirmation of Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson's death on May 10, 1863. Washington Chronicle, 13 May 1863.

President forwards to Senate correspondence relative to controversy between Republic of Chile and Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338-39.

Declines offer of Francis B. Loomis of New London, Conn., to replace present garrison of Fort Trumbull, Conn., with volunteers. Abraham Lincoln to F. B. Loomis, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.

Grants interview to sixteen-year-old Miss Susannah Evans, who is lecturing on temperance at Dr. Channing's Unitarian Church. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 3:1.

President Lincoln writes to shipbuilder John Birely, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to thank him for a cane. Birely explained that the cane was made from "wood . . . taken from the wreck of the United States ship Alliance, (now laying in the River Delaware.)" Birely added, "It is a relic of the olden times and you would do me honor by accepting it. It comes from an old soldier, and officer in the War of 1812." Lincoln responds, "I beg that you will accept the assurance of my cordial gratitude for your kindness." John Birely to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John Birely, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:337.

President Lincoln writes to U.S. Senator Samuel C. Pomeroy, of Kansas, regarding Pomeroy's conflict with fellow Kansan and U.S. Senator James H. Lane. The two senators back different candidates seeking to fill a vacancy in the "Office of Assessor for the District of Kansas." Lincoln writes, "I wish you and Lane would make a sincere effort to get out of the mood you are in. I[t] does neither of you any good—it gives you the means of tormenting my life out of me, and nothing else." Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel C. Pomeroy, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.