Lincoln writes description of survey—80-acre tract for Russell Godbey six miles north of New Salem and mile east of Sangamon River. Godbey later wrote: "He staid with me all night, and [I] sold him two buckskins—well dressed to fox his surveyors pants. Mrs. [John] Armstrong did the foxing." William H. Herndon Papers, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Lincoln described land as "the West half of the North east quarter of Section 30 in Township 19 North of Range 6 West." Certificate of Survey for Russell Godbey, 14 January 1834, CW, 1:20-21.

In joint session, Assembly elects public printer and five circuit judges. John Y. Sawyer, editor of Illinois Advocate, Vandalia, is elected public printer over M. Greiner for whom Lincoln votes. Stephen T. Logan is elected judge of first judicial district, which includes Sangamon County. Other judges chosen are Sidney Breese, Henry Eddy, Justin Harlan, and Thomas Ford. House Journal.

House discusses Springfield state bank bill most of morning, which Senate amended. Sangamon delegation votes yea. Lincoln votes yea on bill incorporating Illinois Central Railroad Co.House Journal.

Judge and two prosecuting attorneys are elected. J. H. Ralston is elected judge of fifth judicial circuit over W. A. Minshall and G. P. W. Maxwell. Lincoln votes for S. H. Little for prosecuting attorney of fifth circuit. H. L. Bryant is elected. A. C. French gets Lincoln's vote and is elected, 107 to 15, prosecuting attorney of fourth circuit over G. B. Shelledy.House Journal.

Party conflict over public printer ends with election of Democrat, William Walters, 65 to 63. Levi Davis and John D. Whiteside are re-elected auditor and treasurer, respectively. Lincoln votes for Whiteside. He votes for G. W. Olney for attorney general, but W. Kitchell is elected.House Journal.

Because of death of James Copeland, representative from Johnson County, no session of House is held.House Journal.

Lincoln receives from David Prickett $90.08, balance of judgment, except costs, awarded Kerr & Co. August 6, 1839.Photocopy.

Lincoln is absent from legislature because of illness.

On motion of Lincoln and Emmerson, attorneys for appellee in Benedict v. Dellehunt (SC), plaintiff is ruled to file abstracts.Record.

Lincoln writes and files bill in Hill v. Thatcher et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln is preparing to make energetic campaign for congressional nomination. He writes to B. F. James of Tremont: "When this Supreme court shall adjourn . . . it is my intention to take a quiet trip through the towns and neighbourhoods of Logan county, Delevan, Tremont, and on to & through the upper counties."Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. James, 14 January 1846, CW, 1:353-55.

[After routine business House adjourns until January 17, 1848.]

Lincoln receives letters from John Bennett and James Berdan. Former desires office in California, latter, Jacksonville lawyer, asks for documents. Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23; Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23.

In Supreme Court Peters for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendants argue Majors v. Hawks, Osborn & Co., which involves question whether debtor of partnership can discharge his debt, after notice of dissolution of partnership, by payment to one partner. McLean Court decided against Majors, defendant. Record.

Lincoln is counsel for appellants in two related cases—Ross v. Irving, and Pryor v. Irving—before Supreme Court. Cases involve constitutionality of "occupying claimants' law," pertaining to manner of assessing value of improvements on land. Williams argues for appellants, Blackwell and Grimshaw for appellees. Record.

Lincoln writes and signs rejoinder in Wallace v. Witmer & Langford, Sangamon Circuit Court case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Brown continues his argument in People ex rel. Stevenson et al. v. Higgins. Record.

Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Richard Yates about Lincoln's chances of winning the upcoming election to the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senators were elected by the state legislatures at this time. Lincoln is the Whig candidate, and incumbent Senator James Shields is the Democratic candidate. Lincoln surveys the legislature and speculates on which legislators will or will not support him: "At the meeting of the Legislature we had 57 to their 43, nominally. But [William C.] Kinny did not attend which left us only 56. Then [A. H.] Trapp of St. Clair went over, leaving us only 55, and raising them to 44. Next [Uri] Osgood of the Senate went over, reducing us to 54 and raising them to 45." Lincoln comments on the treachery and on the messy business of politics: "What mines, and pitfalls they have under us we do not know; but we understand they claim to have 48 votes. If they have that number, it is only that they have already got some men whom we have all along suspected they would get; and we hope they have reached the bottom of the rotten material. In this too, we may be mistaken. This makes a squally case of it." As to when the issue will be settled, Lincoln concludes, "If the election should be protracted, a general scramble may ensue, and your chance will be as good as that of any other I suppose... I suppose the election will commence on the 31st. and when it will end I am sure I have no idea." Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 14 January 1855, CW 10:25-26.

Day is taken up with arguments in mandamus case. Lincoln writes Charles Hoyt, one of Aurora property owners: "We occupied the whole day, I using the larger part. I made every point, and used every authority sent me by yourself & by Mr. Goodrich; and, in addition, all the points I could think of, and all the authorities I could find myself. . . . I do not think I could ever have argued the case better than I did." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Lincoln writes and files affidavit of S. R. Rowan, defendant in case in U.S. Court. Affiant says that when he was shown papers in case he saw no bond for costs, and that Lincoln and John A. McClernand are his attorneys. Original owned by James A. Jones, Springfield, Ill.

"Son" is sent to John Williams store for two 25¢ cards of buttons. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Judge Samuel H. Treat swears in a jury to hear the case of Gale v. Morgan County Bank. Logan & Lincoln represent the Morgan County Bank, which plaintiff Dewitt C. Gale is suing for $10,000 in damages. Gale made deposits totaling $4,000, and he claims that the bank failed to credit his account. The trial lasts until Judge Treat adjourns the session for the day, and he orders that the "trial be continued until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock." Order, 14 January 1858, Gale v. Morgan County Bank, Record Group 21, General Records, Vol. 1, 249; Narratio, filed 30 May 1857, Gale v. Morgan County Bank, Record Group 21, case file 142; Affidavit of Henry R. Read, 10 June 1857, Gale v. Morgan County Bank, Record Group 21, case file 142, all in U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Robert brings home five dozen eggs ($1) from Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 154.

Court orders Whiting v. Dale continued at defendant's costs. In Supreme Court six suits, in all of which Illinois Central is one of defendants, come to trial, continued from January 19, 1859. Cases are argued and submitted by Hay for plaintiffs and Lincoln for railroad. Court takes them under advisement, and later remands them. Record; 23 Ill., 473.

Lincoln writes Gen. John E. Wool, commanding Dept. of the East, to thank him for his "patriotic and generous letter." Abraham Lincoln to John E. Wool, 14 January 1861, CW, 4:175.

Former Cong. Richard Yates (Ill.) is inaugurated governor of Illinois. His inaugural address, "although delivered under the very eyes of the President-elect . . . is so radical as to make it altogether improbable that it has his sanction." N.Y. Herald, 14 January 1861.

Lincoln withdraws $30 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

Hosts public reception in evening at White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 January 1862, 2:1; Nicolay to Bates, 15 January 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin withdraws $7 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

President informs House of Representatives that it would not be compatible with public interest to make known communications with New Granada (Colombia and Panama). Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 14 January 1863, CW, 6:56-58.

Relative to practical advantages of Emancipation Proclamation he writes General Dix at Fortress Monroe, Va.: "I therefore will thank you for your well considered opinion whether Fortress-Monroe, and York-Town, one or both, could not, in whole or in part, be garrisoned by colored troops, leaving the white forces now necessary at those places to be employed elsewhere." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dix, 14 January 1863, CW, 6:56.

Secretary of State William H. Seward introduces George-Etienne Cartier of Canada, recently Attorney General and Premier of Canada East, to the President. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 January 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln interviews T. Stackpole, who "desires to go into some business about oysters." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 14 January 1864, CW, 7:128.

Sends two autographs to Bishop McIlvaine. Abraham Lincoln to Charles P. McIlvaine, 14 January 1864, CW, 7:128.

President Lincoln meets with Congressman Brutus J. Clay, of Kentucky, and with Mrs. Haggard regarding Haggard's nineteen-year-old son Edward. Mrs. Haggard petitions Lincoln for Edward's release from Camp Douglas, a union prisoner-of-war camp located in Chicago, Illinois. After the conference with Clay and Haggard, Lincoln issues a memorandum granting Edward's discharge contingent upon his "tak[ing] the [loyalty] oath of Dec. 8." Memorandum Concerning Edward Haggard, 14 January 1864, CW, 7:129.

Approves act extending payment of bounties to March 1, 1864. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

From 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M., Mrs. Lincoln holds her first reception of season. President and Robert stand on either side of her. Marine band plays. Large attendance. Washington Chronicle, 15 January 1865; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:6; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.

President writes General Ulysses S. Grant to ask what is likely to be done with Henry S. Foote, former member of Confederate Congress who was captured in attempt to escape from Richmond to Washington. Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 14 January 1865, CW, 8:216.