Lincoln moves "that the report of the committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures, relative to the contingent fund . . . laid upon the table, be now taken up." He votes yea on bill providing for election of county recorders and surveyors. Lincoln, Stuart, and Carpenter are appointed committee to consider Lincoln's toll bridge bill.House Journal.

Lincoln expresses disapproval of increase in House membership in accordance with 1835 state census. He votes against lower population total for each House member.House Journal.

Senate sitting with House elects W. B. Scates judge of third judicial circuit. Lincoln votes for S. D. Marshall, who is elected prosecuting attorney of same circuit. House adopts Senate resolution "requiring the treasurer . . . to demand specie on the drafts of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States for her proportion of the public deposits."House Journal.

[No roll calls are taken and Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings.House Journal.]

Lincoln presents petition for charter for Springfield Mechanics Union, which is referred to select committee of himself, Henry of Morgan, and Green of Greene. He introduces for John Bennett petition (written Monday) praying vacation of part of Bennett's addition to Petersburg. It is referred to committee of which Lincoln is chairman.House Journal; Petition Written for John Bennett, 16 December 1839, CW, 1:157; Amendment Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Bill Incorporating the Springfield Mechanics' Union, [19 December 1839], CW, 1:158.

Lincoln attends legislature. He writes to Stuart about yesterday's senatorial election, and about applicants for offices at Stuart's disposal. "This affair of appointment to office is very annoying—more so to you than to me, doubtless. I am, as you know, opposed to removals to make places for our friends."House Journal; Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 17 December 1840, CW, 1:221.

Lincoln's motion to dismiss Dow v. Averill & Lowell (SC) for nonassignment of error is granted. Lincoln and Emmerson, attorneys for appellee, move to dismiss appeal in Benedict v. Dellehunt. In Wilson v. Alexander, record is filed and case placed on docket. Lincoln appears for plaintiff and Jesse B. Thomas for defendant in error.Record.

Lincoln writes J. J. Hardin that he wishes J. R. Diller appointed postmaster in Springfield to succeed George W. Spottswood, deceased. "I do not perceive how you can effect any thing; but if you can and will, you will oblige at least." [Diller was appointed and held office to 1849.]Abraham Lincoln to John J. Hardin, 17 December 1844, CW, 1:342-43.

Argument in McCall v. Lesher et al. is continued by Lincoln and Logan and case submitted to court.Record.

Lincoln writes assignment of errors, signing Logan & Lincoln, inWilson, administrator v. Alexander (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln purchases three yards brown Holland, and a yard "Green Barage," each costing 75¢.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

In Roney v. Monaghan (SC), from Lake County involving sufficiency of evidence to sustain judgment for damages, defendant is ruled to join in error by December 21, 1846. Lincoln writes and signs reply to assignment of errors. Morris and Pearson appear for appellant and Lincoln for appellee. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes and files return of Judge Browne to writ of alternative mandamus issued by Supreme Court February 10, 1844 in People v. Browne, who signs. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files with Supreme Court clerk assignment of errors in Smith & Dunlap v. Dunlap. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[U.S. District Court convenes. "After hearing a few motions, the court adjourned. . . . We understand there is a full docket, and the probability is there will be a lengthy session." Register, 18 December 1851.]

Lincoln and Johnston reach Springfield, where adjourned canal hearings resume December 20, 1852. Register, 20 December 1852.

To Leonard Swett of Bloomington Lincoln writes: "I can not learn of a single copy of the Revised Code being here for sale. Sorry; but it seems to be so. Does the Rev. John S. Barger occassi[o]nally cross your path?" Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 17 December 1854, CW, 2:294.

Court convenes for last day of term. Twenty-two Lincoln & Herndon cases are called, but except for two or three terminated by filing reports, all are continued until next term. Record.

Lincoln & Herndon collect $10 from estate of Isaac Smith. Probate File.

Lincoln writes and signs assignment of errors in Hildreth v. Turner (SC). Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, for plaintiff with Hanna and Scott in Matthew T. Scott Jr. v. St. Louis, Alton, and Chicago RR, secures order that defendant answer declaration on 22d. Record.

He reaches home in evening, and finds letters from Whitney and Trumbull. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428-29; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428.

Lincoln writes Trumbull and Weed: let there be no compromise on slavery extension. To Weed he defines his position on secession: "My opinion is that no state can, in any way lawfully, get out of the Union, without the consent of the others; and that it is the duty of the President, and other government functionaries to run the machine as it is." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 17 December 1860, CW, 4:153; Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 17 December 1860, CW, 4:154.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges yard goods and edging. Pratt, Personal Finances, 150.

Committee from New York Chamber of Commerce consults with Lincoln and Secs. Seward and Chase regarding armed vessels in foreign seas to protect Union commerce against rebel privateers. N.Y. Times, 18 December 1861.

First White House public reception of season from 8 to 10:30 P.M. National Intelligencer, 17 December 1861.

President transmits to Senate for its advice draft for convention with Republic of Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 December 1861, CW, 5:73-74.

Sends to Congress copies of correspondence with governor of Maine on subject of fortification of seacoast and lakes. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1861, CW, 5:74.

"President sends much for Gus [Asst. Sec. Fox] lately—that indicates he is in trouble." Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"The President remarked to me the other night . . . that he was very anxious to have us retake Sumter, & that he would man it with negroes . . . President is exceedingly disturbed." John M. Forbes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1899), 1:343.

President arranges meeting with senatorial committee for tomorrow evening. Monaghan, Diplomat, 267.

In evening receives from hands of Senator King (N.Y.) resignations of Secretary of State William H. Seward and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward following action of Republican senatorial caucus. Scrapbook clipping, 23 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1862, 2d ed., 2:2; Bates, Diary, 19 December 1862.

Gen. Haupt visits President in evening and interrupts conversation between Cong. Covode (Pa.) and Lincoln. Correspondence, 26-27, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Gen. Curtis: "Could the civil authority be reintroduced into Missouri in lieu of the military to any extent, with advantage and safety?" Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8.

Declines to sign memorandum on behalf of "The colored man William Johnson [who] came with me from Illinois" for fear it will be construed as an order. Memorandum Concerning William H. Johnson, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8-9.

Baltimore delegation of public men calls on President and asks that J. L. Ridgely be reinstated as collector of internal revenue. Memorandum: Removal of James L. Ridgely, 17 December 1863, CW, 7:75-76.

President transmits to Senate convention between U.S. and Great Britain relative to claims of Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural Companies. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 December 1863, CW, 7:76.

Submits to Congress proposition for establishing "Bureau of Emancipation" as proposed by Freedmen's Aid Societies. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1863, CW, 7:76-77.

Justices of Supreme Court pay their annual visit to President. Washington Chronicle, 19 December 1863.

Benjamin P. Moore, Jr., introduced by Cong. Edwin H. Webster (Md.), interviews President and asks exemption from draft as conscientious objector. President gives him card to Sec. Stanton . Moore to Lincoln, 18 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Visits Ford's Theatre to see Shakespeare's comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor with James H. Hackett as Falstaff. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Introduces Joshua F. Speed and Joshua Tevis, of Kentucky, to Thurlow Weed, "and I think their mission an important one." Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 17 December 1863, CW, 7:77.

Lincoln writes James H. Hoes, jeweler of Chicago: "I have received from the Sanitary Commission of Chicago, the Watch which you placed at their disposal, and I take the liberty of conveying to you my high appreciation of your humanity and generosity, of which I have unexpectedly become the beneficiary." [Lincoln received watch for gift of draft of Emancipation Proclamation to Northwest Sanitary Fair, where it sold for $3,000, making him largest individual contributor and award winner.] Abraham Lincoln to James H. Hoes, 17 December 1863, CW, 7:75.

President confers with Asst. Sec. Fox who explains why President should interview William E. Chandler, New Hampshire lawyer employed by Navy Dept. to investigate frauds. Welles, Diary.