[Matthew S. Marsh, who lives near New Salem, writes: "On the night of the 17th of August a tornado passed over this place, laid the fences flat, rooted up trees, blew down corn and done other damage. The next morn by daylight as I was putting up my fence, two great wolves walked along unconcerned within 50 yards of me."IHi—Trans., 1926, 125.]

Lincoln writes and signs an agreement between the parties involved in the libel suit of Logan v. Adams. The two sides agree to continue the case until the Spring 1840 term of the Schuyler County Circuit Court. Stephen A. Douglass, one of the attorneys for defendant James Adams, also signs the agreement. Stuart & Lincoln are two of the attorneys who represent plaintiff Stephen T. Logan, with whom Lincoln would later form a law partnership. Agreement, 17 August 1839, Logan v. Adams, Private Collection.

["Ed. Baker, Lincoln, Governor Duncan and myself, are going to spend all our time in the southern counties, discussing the principles of our party . . . and challenge these men to a fair discussion of this administration, organize our friends, circulate documents amongst them and in this way, my word for it, we must succeed."IHi—Eddy MSS, A. P. Field to H. Eddy, 17 August 1840.]

Lincoln signs form letter from Whig Executive Committee to Whig politicians, addresses, and dispatches them under his frank.Whig Circular Letter, [17 August] 1848, CW, 1:517-18.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of Wilbourn v. Crenshaw et al., Lincoln files a declaration for his client, Robert Wilbourn Sr., who accuses defendants William E. Crenshaw Sr., William Crenshaw Jr., and Edward D. Crenshaw of shooting and killing at least one of Wilbourn's horses. Wilbourn's horse apparently damaged William Crenshaw Sr.'s fence. Wilbourn values the horse at $100, and seeks that amount in damages. Judge's Docket, August 1849 Term, Crenshaw v. Wilbourn, Judge's Docket 1849-1853, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois State Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL; Declaration, Plea, Replication, filed 17 August 1849, Wilbourn v. Crenshaw et al., Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to S. R. Lowry about case involving title to land. "The trouble with this deed was, that the plaintiff proved it to be a forgery; and I see no way in which the defendants can ever succeed unless they can somehow prove that this deed is not a forgery. This is the whole story. The case can not be gained by much talking." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Lowry, 17 August 1850, CW, 2:92-93.

Lincoln buys pole from Obed Lewis carriage shop. Obed Lewis Account Books.

Lincoln writes amendment to chancery bill in VanBergen v. Singleton, signing "Logan, Lincoln & Herndon for complainant." Photocopy.

Lincoln buys paper of "Horse Powder" at drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.

Lincoln stays here part of day, then starts back to Springfield. John G. Campbell, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln (n.p., [1905?]), 1-3.

Lincoln writes to James W. Grimes, Iowa Republican, about this time, that he cannot campaign in Iowa, unless incidentally to trial in Chicago that may last months. Abraham Lincoln to James W. Grimes, [c. 17] August 1857, CW, 2:413-14.

At nine o'clock in the morning, a contingent of "one hundred horsemen" ride out to meet Lincoln who is coming from Bath to Lewistown to deliver a speech. A large crowd, enough to fill the "whole space in front of the Court House, extending the length of an entire block," gathers in anticipation. At two o'clock in the afternoon, William Kellogg, a Republican member of Illinois's congressional delegation, introduces Lincoln. Lincoln speaks for two and one half hours, and includes extracts "from the speeches and letters of Henry Clay." Lincoln criticizes his opponent Stephen A. Douglas for refusing to state his opinion clearly on the morality of slavery. When Lincoln finishes his speech, the crowd gives him "three great cheers." One report deems his arguments "the most powerful...ever heard in Old Fulton." Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 21 August 1858, 2:3-4; Speech at Lewistown, Illinois, 17 August 1858, CW, 2:544-47.

Lincoln and Hatch start on their return trip, leaving St. Joseph by rail.

Somewhat uneasy about New York, Lincoln writes to Thurlow Weed. "There will be the most extraordinary effort ever made, to carry New-York for Douglas. You, and all others who write me from your state, think the effort can not succeed; and I hope you are right; still it will require close watching, and great effort on the other side." He asks Senator James F. Simmons if Rhode Island is safe, having received letter about money pouring in for Douglas. Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 17 August 1860, CW, 4:97-98; Abraham Lincoln to James F. Simmons, 17 August 1860, CW, 4:97.

President sends congratulations to Isabel II, Queen of Spain, on birth of Infanta. Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 17 August 1861, CW, 4:490.

Orders commission for S. B. Buckner as brigadier general of volunteers. [Declined; accepted commission in Confederate Army.] Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 17 August 1861, CW, 4:489.

Writes Sec. Cameron: "Let Henry Wager Halleck, of California, be appointed a Major General in the Regular Army. I make this appointment on Gen. Scott's recommendation." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 17 August 1861, CW, 4:489.

Witnesses exhibition of J. D. Mills' gun [dubbed by Lincoln "coffee mill gun"] near Washington Monument and advises government to pay double sum mechanics say it is worth if delivered in 30 days. DNA—RG 217, Accounting Off., Second Auditor's Off., Account No. 2703.

[Purchases 2 chamois for 75¢ each. Lutz Account Book.

Irwin withdraws $1 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.]

In morning Frederick P. Stanton, Washington attorney and former Congressman (Tenn.), consults with President regarding changing an order in court of inquiry. Abraham Lincoln to Frederick P. Stanton, 17 August 1863, CW, 6:395.

Christopher M. Spencer, inventor of Spencer rifle, presents rifle to President and demonstrates how to assemble it. W. A. Bartlett, "Lincoln's Seven Hits with a Rifle," Magazine of History 19 (1921):73, 71.

President Lincoln writes to Shakespearean actor James H. Hackett and shares his thoughts on the playwright's works. Lincoln writes, "For one of my age, I have seen very little of the drama. The first presentation of Falstaff I ever saw was yours here, last winter or spring...Some of Shakspeare's plays I have never read; while others I have gone over perhaps as frequently as any unprofessional reader. Among the latter are Lear, Richard Third, Henry Eighth, Hamlet, and especially Macbeth. I think nothing equals Macbeth. It is wonderful." Lincoln adds, "I should like to hear you pronounce the opening speech of Richard the Third. Will you not soon visit Washington again?" Abraham Lincoln to James H. Hackett, 17 August 1863, CW, 6:392-93. [See March 13, 1863.]

President Lincoln's coachman, Francis Burke, is exempted from the draft. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 17 August 1863, 2:6.

Lincoln telegraphs Gen. Grant at City Point, Va.: "Hold on with a bull-dog gripe, and chew & choke, as much as possible." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 17 August 1864, CW, 7:499.

Reviews 15 courtmartial cases. CW, 8:551.