Lincoln serves as witness for plaintiff in Close v. Ritter before John N. Moore, justice of peace.Record.

Lincoln introduces "act to authorize Samuel Musick to build a toll bridge across Salt Creek in Sangamon County."House Journal; Photocopy; Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Authorize Samuel Musick to Build a Toll Bridge, [15 December 1834], CW, 1:29-30.

Lincoln, for committee appointed December 9, 1835, reports "act to relocate a part of the state road, leading from Springfield to Lewistown." On his motion, Beardstown and Sangamon Canal Co. bill is read third time and referred to committee of Hunter of Bond, Craig of Union, and himself.House Journal; Photocopy.

Lincoln votes with majority to refer divorce petition of Henry King to Committee on Petitions. He votes yea on granting second reading to bill repealing act to improve cattle, passed last session.House Journal.

Morning is devoted to amending bill enabling settler to collect for improvements he has placed on public lands. Lincoln votes with majority to defeat bill allowing squatter to sue in justice of peace court for improvements not exceeding $100.House Journal.

Lincoln votes against resolution authorizing governor to appoint three suitable persons to investigate canal commissioners. Senate bill authorizing $300,000 in bonds to be hypothecated to pay interest on internal improvement debt passes House. Lincoln votes for it. House Journal.

Stuart & Lincoln receive $50 from Jacob Forsythe & Co. and they deposit the money into their account with a Springfield merchant. Account (copy), 15 December 1840, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 185, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln argues motion made Tuesday in People ex rel. Duncan v. Compton. Court takes time to consider.Record.

He does paper work on five cases: writing and signing reply to errors in Hall v. Perkins; bill of error in Abrams & Klein v. Camp; reply to petition in Ballentine et al. v. Beall; reply to petition in Benedict v. Dellehunt; and files transcript in Averill & Lowell v. Field.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan & Lincoln represent two petitioners in bankruptcy, Otis Caswell of Boone County, and Jacob Miller of Coles County in In re Caswell and In re Miller before the U.S. District Court.Record.

In Mety & Allen v. Wolff & Hoppe (SC), appeal from Macon County, defendants are ruled to join in error by 18th. Same ruling is made in Bruce v. Truett, appeal from Jo Daviess County.Record.

Lincoln for appellees moves that appeal be dismissed in McCall v. Lesher et al. (SC). After argument, motion is denied. Regnier v. Cabot et al. (SC) is argued before court by Robbins for appellant and Harris and Logan for appellees.Record.

Lincoln writes petition to review Cowls v. Cowls (SC) and signs "Webb & Lincoln."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes petition for Dr. A. G. Henry, which Henry signs, asking compensation for expenses incurred in supplying volunteer Mexican War company of Capt. Edward Jones.Petition of Anson G. Henry, 15 December 1847, CW, 8:414.

Lincoln writes to George W. Rives of Edgar County: "Last summer . . . I was painfully constrained to withhold a recommendation which you desired, and shortly afterwards I learned . . . that you were indulging open abuse of me. . . . The question occurred whether you were attempting to use me, at the same time you would injure me. . . . I have remained in suspense. I now enclose you a letter which you may use if you think fit." Abraham Lincoln to George W. Rives, 15 December 1849, CW, 2:69.

Lincoln makes copy of declaration in Alton & Sangamon RR v. Barret, and writes argument he intends to use when case reaches Supreme Court. Photocopy.

[Opening of U.S. District and Circuit Courts is delayed by absence of Judge Drummond. He left Chicago by stage on Friday but has not arrived. Register, 16 December 1851.]

[Supreme Court begins its session in Springfield with Justices Treat and Trumbull on bench. Register, 16 December 1852.

Justice Caton does not arrive from Ottawa until night. "The different wagons he rode in on the trip down broke down seven times and a Troy coach upset with him, injuring his head badly." Register, 18 December 1852.]

To T. J. Henderson of Stark County, who had written Lincoln that he was not committed, and would vote to prevent slavery extension, Lincoln writes careful letter. "We shall have a terrible struggle with our adversaries. They are desperate, and bent on desperate deeds." With letter he sends copy of his Peoria speech. "You may have seen it before; or you may not think it worth seeing now." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Henderson, 15 December 1854, CW, 2:293-94.

Lincoln & Herndon try to rescue two cases. In Hall v. Crouch, in which jury decided against them December 4, 1855, they enter motion for new trial. When that is overruled they move for arrest of judgment. Overruled again, they file bill of exceptions. In Lewis v. Busher also they file bill of exceptions. Motions are entered in several other cases. Record.

Lincoln writes Browning. In addition to explaining his failure to locate paper—"I have no recollection of ever having had it"—he tells him that several Republicans believe "a sort of party State address" should be got up, and that "it has been suggested that you could draw up such a thing as well if not better than any of us. Think about it." Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 15 December 1856, CW, 2:386.

He buys pair of "Kid Gloves" at John Williams & Co. and is charged $1. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.

In Joyner v. Bowen & Marvel in U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln writes agreement: "We consent that a commission in this case may issue at once, to the person named. Dec. 15, 1859. Lincoln & Herndon, for Def'ts." Files.

He writes Jackson Grimshaw, Quincy lawyer, returning legal document, annotated, adding that Republican state committee will soon meet for conference. Abraham Lincoln to Jackson Grimshaw, 15 December 1859, CW, 3:509-10.

On invitation of Lincoln, Bates of Missouri is in Springfield. He spends most of day with Lincoln, and it is rumored he has been offered cabinet post. N.Y. Tribune, 17 December 1860.

Lincoln writes to North Carolina Congressman John A. Gilmer, who cited the "alarming" national situation, and expressed concerns about Lincoln's policies regarding the South and slavery. Lincoln advises Gilmer to read the "Republican platform, or my speeches." Lincoln resists issuing "additional" policy statements because doing so "would make me appear as if I repented for the crime of having been elected...To so represent me, would be the principal use made of any letter I might now thrust upon the public. My old record cannot be so used." John A. Gilmer to Abraham Lincoln, 10 December 1860, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John A. Gilmer, 15 December 1860, CW, 4:151-53.

Lincoln studies plans prepared by Cyrus W. Field, promoter of Atlantic cable, for laying submarine cables to link Washington with principal forts as far south as Key West, Fla. Field to Lincoln, 14 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) and Coleman C. Sympson, Senate clerk, call on President at 5 P.M. Browning remains for tea. Browning, Diary.

Sec. Seward arrives at White House, while Lincoln and friends are having tea, alarmed over news that Great Britain considers capture of Mason and Slidell violation of international law. Monaghan, Diplomat, 186-87.

President enters into agreement with Capt. Isaac R. Diller of Philadelphia to make further tests of new formula gunpowder. Report of Diller to Lincoln, 31 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Isaac R. Diller, 15 December 1862, CW, 6:3-5.

In evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) discusses with Lincoln bill creating new state of West Virginia. Browning, Diary.

"The President was able this morning to be in his office and attend to business." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

Interviews Dr. Thomas Cottman of Louisiana relative to reestablishment of state government. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Cottman, 15 December 1863, CW, 7:66-67.

Lays before Senate six Indian treaties. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:68; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:68; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:69; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:69; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:69-70; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, [15] December 1863, CW, 7:70.

Attends cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

Capt. Champlin returns to ask Lincoln to discharge penalty adjudged against him by courtmartial. Ramsey to Lincoln, 15 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln explains to Judge Ogden Hoffman, of San Francisco, that "oath in the proclamation of Dec. 8th is intended for those who may voluntarily take it, and not for those who may be constrained to take it, in order to escape actual imprisonment." Abraham Lincoln to Ogden Hoffman, 15 December 1863, CW, 7:67-68.

Attends Ford's Theatre, accompanied by John Nicolay, John Hay, and Leonard Swett, to see James H. Hackett play Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry IV. Criticizes Hackett's reading of a passage. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Writes Mother Mary Gonzaga, Superior, Academy of Visitation, Keokuk, Iowa: "The President has no authority as to whether you may raffle for the benevolent object you mention. If there is no objection in the Iowa laws, there is none here." Abraham Lincoln to Mother Mary Gonzaga, 15 December 1863, CW, 7:67.

Transmits to Senate "certain information touching persons in the service of this Government." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 15 December 1863, CW, 7:70.

President holds conference in War Dept. with Sec. Stanton and Gens. Grant and Halleck on removal of Gen. Thomas. Randall, Lincoln, 4:285.

Receives news of Battle of Nashville in nightshirt and holding candle on second-story landing. Stanton and Maj. Eckert carry dispatch to White House. Bates, Telegraph Office, 316.