Select committee to which was referred "Act, to provide for the election of a County Recorder and Surveyor" reports substitute bill. On motion to table both, Lincoln votes nay with majority, then yea with majority to accept committee report.House Journal.

On Lincoln's motion, House recedes from amendment to Sangamon County bridge bill requiring bridge at New Salem. Gallatin Saline bill passes after further amendment, Lincoln voting yea.House Journal.

Lincoln votes on one roll call. Gov. Duncan transmits printed report of commissioners of Illinois and Michigan Canal.House Journal.

Lincoln writes and signs an affidavit before William Butler swearing that he believes Mary Ann Mitchell, Laura Rowena Mitchell, and Edward Mitchell, minor defendants in Francis v. Mitchell et al., are not residents of Illinois.Record.

Lincoln introduces bill for act fixing times for holding circuit courts in Eighth Judicial Circuit. He votes against amendment providing local option, and votes to table new charter for State Bank of Illinois.House Journal.

Lincoln is absent from legislature because of illness.

Lincoln buys $6 worth of merchandise from a Springfield merchant.Account (copy), 13 January 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Lobby met each Monday evening. This group of Whigs and Democrats, with Sidney Breese as chairman, met to provide entertainment and enliven evenings. Informal debates were feature that attracted Lincoln and probably he attends regularly.]

Argument in Griggs et al. v. Gear is continued by Butterfield and Hardin for defendant and concluded by Lincoln for plaintiffs.Record.

Lincoln files petition for rehearing in Gear v. Clark in Illinois Supreme Court. Minute Book 1845-49.

Lincoln votes to end debate on President's message at 2 o'clock tomorrow. Motion carries 100-95.Journal.

In response to request of House, President submits all information relative to Santa Anna being permitted to return to Mexico "which is compatible with the public interests." John Quincy Adams denounces Polk for withholding information. General debate follows.Globe.

"Mr. Lincoln gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, by consent of the free white people of said District, and with compensation to owners." Journal.

U.S. District and Circuit Courts adjourn. Register, 14 January 1851.

Webster & Huntington v. French et al., remanded to Sangamon Circuit Court January 19, 1850, and appealed again December 12, 1851, again comes before Supreme Court. Case turns on time bids for Quincy House were offered. Logan and Lincoln argue for plaintiffs, Edwards and Browning for defendants. Record.

Lincoln writes to Senator James A. Pearce of Maryland recommending Charles H. Constable, Illinois Whig, for Oregon judgeship. Abraham Lincoln to James A. Pearce, 13 January 1851, CW, 2:97.

In People ex rel. Stevenson et al. v. Higgins (SC), involving right of trustees of Illinois State Hospital for the Insane to remove superintendent, is commenced. Lincoln is one of counsel for Higgins, although his name does not appear in printed report. (15 Ill. 110.)

Brown for plaintiffs in error is only attorney heard. Record.

Again Lincoln spends entire day in case of Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy RR v. Wilson. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

In Tallman v. Harvey, ejectment case in U.S. Court, Lincoln and Clark file plaintiff's declaration. On their motion defendant is ruled to plead in 20 days. Original owned by James A. Jones, Springfield, Ill.

In the Illinois Supreme Court, William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, argues the appeal case of People v. Witt et al. Lincoln & Herndon represent the defendants in the debt case which originated in the Schuyler County Circuit Court. The Supreme Court will eventually reverse the lower Court's decision and remand the case back to the Schuyler County Circuit Court. Order, 13 January 1858, People v. Witt et al., Opinion Record SC 2nd GD 1861-1864 [CGD], 124, Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; People v. Witt et al.19 Ill. (1857) 169-71.

In the U.S. Circuit Court, Judge Samuel H. Treat impanels a jury to hear the case of Gale v. Morgan County Bank. Lincoln and Stephen T. Logan represent the bank, which plaintiff Dewitt C. Gale is suing for its failure to credit his account properly with some deposits. The trial proceeds "to the hour of adjournment," and the Court orders that "the further trial be continued until tomorrow morning." Narratio, filed 30 May 1857, Gale v. Morgan County Bank, Record Group 21, case file 142; Order, 13 January 1858, Gale v. Morgan County Bank, Record Group 21, General Records, Vol. 1, 247, both in U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln writes to attorneys Usher F. Linder and Henry P.H. Bromwell, of Charleston, Illinois, regarding the U.S. Circuit Court case of Shepard v. Walker. In preparation for the suit, Linder and Bromwell had written to Lincoln and included with the letter a document that they asked Lincoln to look over and then file with the court. Linder and Bromwell admitted to Lincoln that they were "not familiar with the practice in that Court." The attorneys asked Lincoln to make any needed corrections to the document. Lincoln responds that he "made some little corrections in the declaration and commenced the suit." He informs Linder and Bromwell that the court will not hear the case until the "June Term—it could not be earlier." Lincoln also includes with his letter additional documents that the court requires with instructions on how to complete them. Abraham Lincoln to Usher F. Linder and Henry P. H. Bromwell, 13 January 1858, CW, 2:431; Henry P.H. Bromwell and Usher F. Linder to Abraham Lincoln, 11 January 1858, Shepard v. Walker, Record Group 21, case file 313, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

In Lawrence et al. v. Shaffer et al., court hears evidence and argument on complainants' motion for injunction. Campbell and Cullom appear for complainants, Lincoln & Herndon for defendants. Court overrules motion. Record.

Robert buys and charges six pounds of sugar ($1) at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 154.

Two of Lincoln's cases are called in U.S. Circuit Court. Allen & McGrady v. Illinois River RR, which Lincoln filed July 1, 1859, is continued on his motion. In Whiting v. Dale, defendant's attorneys enter motion for continuance and files affidavit. Court withholds decision. Files; Record.

Lincoln writes Senator Cameron (Pa.) conciliatory letter: "I now think I will not definitely fix upon any appointment for Pennsylvania until I reach Washington." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 13 January 1861, CW, 4:174-75.

James Appleton Jr., of Boston, Senator-elect Edgar Cowan (Pennsylvania), and John P. Sanderson of Pennsylvania, state senator and confidential friend of Simon Cameron, arrive late this evening to visit Lincoln regarding cabinet appointment for Cameron. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 January 1861, 3:6.

Cabinet in special meeting at 11 A.M. Philadelphia News, 13 January 1862.

Lincoln names Edwin M. Stanton his secretary of war to succeed Simon Cameron. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 11 January 1862, CW, 5:96.

Sends to Senate nomination of Cameron as minister to Russia. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 January 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

In afternoon convenes council of several generals, including Gen. McClellan, and cabinet members to discuss military plans. McClellan declines to give details of his plans for fear of leak; considers council military cabal against him. Diary, Montgomery C. Meigs Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Montgomery C. Meigs, "Documents: General M. C. Meigs on the Conduct of the Civil War," American Historical Review 26 (January 1921):292.

President Lincoln writes to Brigadier General Don C. Buell concerning military strategy, and states that although his suggestions are not "orders," he would like them to be "respectfully considered." Lincoln offers his assessment of the war: "We have the greater numbers, and the enemy has the greater facility of concentrating forces upon points of collision." Lincoln suggests that the Union forces pressure the enemy "at different points, at the same time; so that we can safely attack, one, or both, if he makes no change." Lincoln to Buell (copy), 13 January 1862, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Don C. Buell, 13 January 1862, CW, 5:98-99.

Cabinet examines intercepted mail in possession of Sec. Welles. Welles, Diary.

President sends John Hay to Florida to aid Gen. Gillmore in reconstructing loyal government. Abraham Lincoln to Quincy A. Gillmore, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:126.

Hay given commission of assistant adjutant general. Hay, Letters and Diary.

"The President, the Cabinet, and the dignitaries run after the lectures on the Glacial Period. . . . What innocent sheep to listen to this old rehash, which an academician serves to them as being the latest and newest scientific dish." Adam G. de Gurowski, Diary, 3 vols. (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1862; Washington, DC: Morrison, 1866).

Lincoln replies to note from Simeon Draper: "Nothing yet about the cotton matter, although I am still considering it." Abraham Lincoln to Simeon Draper, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:126.

Orders Maj. Theodore T. S. Laidley: "Please make a trial of the Absterdam projectile, and report to the Secretary of War." Abraham Lincoln to Theodore T. S. Laidley, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:127.

Writes Gen. Banks to "proceed with all possible despatch" to construct "a free state-government" for Louisiana. Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 13 January 1864, CW, 7:123-25.

Lincoln will not interview T. M. Jacks, Congressman-elect from first district of Arkansas. Jacks to Lincoln, 13 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Butler: "Yours asking leave to come to Washington is received. You have been summoned by the Committee on the Conduct of the War to attend here, which of course, you will do." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 13 January 1865, CW, 8:215.