Omnibus divorce bill is amended to read, "and all other persons who are desirous of being divorced." Bill and proposed amendment are referred to Committee of the Whole. Lincoln votes with majority in refusing to put internal improvement bill to vote of people.House Journal.

House adopts resolution 56 to 26 authorizing vote on constitutional convention. Lincoln votes nay on this and also on Baker's motion to table bill dividing state into judicial circuits. He votes yea on allowing presiding officers of House and Senate $7 a day.House Journal.

On question of printing 500 copies of report on Bank of Illinois, Lincoln votes nay. He votes with majority to construct railroad from LaSalle to Dixon and to charter Illinois and Rock River Railroad Co. to construct road.House Journal.

At noon, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Lincoln addresses the Washington Temperance Society and declares that the recent progress of the temperance movement is due to the efforts of the "reformed drunkard" and not to the "warfare" of "denunciation" waged by "preachers, lawyers, and hired agents." Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 25 February 1842, 2:7, 26 March 1842, 1:4-7; Temperance Address, 22 February 1842, CW, 1:271-79.

A Springfield merchant, who owns a store/bank where Lincoln trades, debits Abraham Lincoln's account $1.50 for "Profit & Loss." Account of Abraham Lincoln (copy), 22 February 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Washington's birthday is celebrated in Hall of Representatives. Masons, Legislative Temperance Society of 60 members, and Springfield Cadets attend. Addresses are given by Hon. A. Jonas, Past M.W.G.M. of Illinois Grand Lodge, and John Dougherty of Jonesboro.Sangamo Journal.]

Whig meeting is held in court house in afternoon. Lincoln's speech in reply to Judge Pearson, dealing mainly with currency and bank issues, is applauded. Lincoln probably attends another meeting in evening.Sangamo Journal, 28 March 1844; Speeches in Virginia, Illinois, 22 February 1844, CW, 1:332-33.

A Virginia Van Buren man described Lincoln's speech in letter to "Register": " `Aunt Becky' felt it her duty to deliver herself of a soul stirring harangue. She opened her wise head—`broke up the fountains of the great deep' of natal depravity; and rained `a horrible tempest' of billingsgate, and vulgar party vituperation on the devoted head of Van Buren." After another speech, " `Aunt Becky' [Lincoln's 1842 nom de plume] kindly dismissed the coons till 9 o'clock next morning, when—dear old pious soul—she would like to hold a sort of love feast with them."Register, 15 March 1844.

Lincoln concludes argument in Kelly v. Garrett and case is submitted. He wins case when judgment of Circuit Court is reversed. 6 Ill. 649.

Robbins, for plaintiff in Lazell v. Francis, renews motion that judgment be amended so that case may be remanded. Lincoln resists, and court denies motion. Record.

Lincoln wins Shaeffer & Shaeffer v. Weed et al. when Supreme Court reverses decision of White County Circuit Court and denies relief sought. He also wins Welch et al. v. Sykes when decision of Clark County Circuit Court is reversed. This is action to collect judgment obtained in Maryland. Supreme Court decides that appellees had not been under jurisdiction of Maryland court. Record.

Commissioner of General Land Office informs Lincoln that he is sending him patent in favor of John W. Stringfield. Lincoln forwards letter to Noah W. Matheny at Springfield, writing at bottom: "Dear Noah: Please forward the Receiver's receipt to Judge Young as commissioner."Abraham Lincoln to Noah W. Matheny, [c. 21 February 1848], CW, 1:453.

House meets, but after prayer for "the venerable sage who lay in an adjoining room," adjourns.Globe.

Lincoln and Douglas are advertised as representatives of Illinois on managers list for "National Birth-Night Ball" scheduled for March 1, 1848.Charles O. Paullin, "Lincoln in Congress," Magazine of History 43 (1).

Lincoln votes on four minor amendments to bill establishing Territory of Minnesota, and on other minor questions. Globe.

Lincoln writes to his client Abraham Bale, of Petersburg, Illinois, regarding the Menard County Circuit Court case of Bale v. Wright & Hickox. Bale is suing Virgil Hickox and Asa D. Wright to collect $1,000, from a wheat sale. Lincoln writes, "I understand Mr. Hickox will go, or send to Petersburg to-morrow, for the purpose of meeting you to settle the difficulty about the wheat. I sincerely hope you will settle it. . . . If you settle, I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling, you will most likely get your money sooner; and with much less trouble & expense." Declaration, Praecipe (copy), 27 January 1850, Bale v. Wright & Hickox, IHi, Springfield, IL; Abraham Lincoln to Abraham Bale, 22 February 1850, CW, 2:76.

Lincoln votes in special election for constable and justice of peace. Election Returns.

Lincoln writes legal papers in fourth Alton & Sangamon case, against James A. Barret, from whom railroad seeks $2,000 damages. He writes and signs praecipe, declaration, and list of stockholders, filing in Sangamon Circuit Court. Lincoln lists himself as owner of six shares worth $600. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

Illinois Anti-Nebraska editors gather in meeting which marks beginning of Republican party in Illinois. After meeting, 30 or 40 attend dinner. Among them is Lincoln, "who seems to be ready," Democratic Register comments (February 25, 1856) "at the tap of the fusion drum, on all occasions. He was toasted in connection with the fusion candidacy for governor, to which he modestly responded." Richard Oglesby of Decatur toasts Lincoln as "our next candidate for the U.S. Senate." Lincoln, replying, said he was in favor of that, adding that he was in much the position of a man attacked by a robber who demanded his money. "I have no money," said the victim; "but if you will go with me to the light, I will give you my note." If Lincoln were let off from making speech, he would give his note. Lincoln is not let off. Speech at Decatur, Illinois, 22 February 1856, CW, 2:333.

Lincoln deposits $625 at Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.

He writes $10.50 check to "Kingsley North & Co." DLC—Original.

He writes Gov. Bissell's veto message on apportionment bill recently passed by legislature. Veto Message of Apportionment Bill Written for Governor William H. Bissell, 22 February 1859, CW, 3:364-65.

Lincoln goes in carriage, escorted by Scott Legion, from Continental Hotel down Chestnut St. to Independence Hall about 6:30 A.M. Philadelphia North American and United States Gazette, 23 February 1861; John W. Forney, Anecdotes of Public Men, 2 vols. (New York: Harper, 1873-81), 1: 244-46; Baltimore Sun, 23 February 1861.

In reply to speech of welcome by Theodore L. Cuyler, president of Select Council of Philadelphia, he says: "I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. . . . in my view of the present aspect of affairs, there is no need of bloodshed and war." Speech in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:240-41.

Shortly after 7 A.M. raises new flag of 34 stars in front of Independence Hall and makes brief speech. [Thirty-fourth star represents Kansas, admitted January 29, 1861.] Philadelphia Press, 23 February 1861; Baltimore Sun, 23 February 1861; Speech at the Flag-raising before Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:241-42.

Arrives at Vine and 2d St. railroad station in Harrisburg at 1:30 P.M. after brief stops and speeches at Leaman Place and Lancaster, Pa. Mrs. Lincoln appears with him on platform at Leaman Place, and Lincoln describes situation as "the long and the short of it." Harrisburg Patriot and Union, 23 February 1861; Remarks at Leaman Place, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:242; Remarks at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:242-43; Philadelphia North American and United States Gazette, 23 February 1861.

Gov. Andrew J. Curtin (Pa.) welcomes Lincoln at Jones House; Lincoln replies: "It shall be my endeavor to preserve the peace of this country." Reply to Governor Andrew J. Curtin at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:243-44.

Military escort, senators, and members of house accompany Lincoln to State House at 2:30 P.M. for address before joint meeting. Address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly at Harrisburg, 22 February 1861, CW, 4:244-46.

Returns to Jones House at 3 P.M. and learns new plans for trip to Washington. Baltimore Sun, 25 February 1861.

Judge Davis asks his opinion; Lincoln answers: "Unless there are some other reasons besides ridicule I am disposed to carry out Judd's plan." Lamon, Recollections, 41-42.

After public dinner Curtin invites Lincoln to spend night at his home. Instead, he, Lincoln, and W. H. Lamon leave hotel and drive to outskirts of city, where Lincoln and Lamon board special train scheduled to reach Philadelphia in time to connect with 11 P.M. Washington train. Ward H. Lamon, The Life of Abraham Lincoln: From His Birth to His Inauguration (Boston: Osgood, 1872), 522-26.

[Irwin withdraws $9.20 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.]

President does not attend Washington's Birthday celebration at Capitol. Philadelphia News, 24 February 1862.

Tad Lincoln is sick. Browning, Diary.

At the request of the Cabinet and by Joint Resolution of Congress, public buildings are not illuminated this night from condolence for death of President's son. DNA—RG 42, Commissioner of Public Buildings, Letters Received; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 February 1862, 2d ed., 3:5.

Charles Edwards Lester calls in evening with Dr. Charles D. Brown, who embalmed Willie's body by new process. Lincoln looks in Green Room where body lies in state. Charles E. Lester, The Light and Dark of the Rebellion (Philadelphia, PA: n.p., 1863), 142-44; Charles E. Lester, Our First Hundred Years, 2 vols. (New York: n.p., 1875), 379n.

President declines to preside at meeting of U.S. Christian Commission in House of Representatives. CW, 8:511; Abraham Lincoln to Alexander Reed, 22 February 1863, CW, 6:114-15.

Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) and Gen. Heintzelman confer with Lincoln about changing date of Gen. C. S. Hamilton's commission. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln receives endorsement of Republican National Committee by majority of four to one. Thomas Harry Williams, Lincoln and the Radicals (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1941), 311.

Approves act of Congress creating office of lieutenant general and nominates Gen. Grant for honor. Arnold, 518.

Discusses Missouri politics with Atty. Gen. Bates in afternoon. Bates, Diary.

At 7:30 P.M., with Mrs. Lincoln and Robert, takes part in opening of Patent Office Fair for benefit of Christian Commission and families of District volunteers. Following speech by Lucius E. Chittenden and poem by Commissioner Benjamin B. French, Lincoln makes impromptu speech, which Mrs. Lincoln describes as "the worst speech I ever listened to in my life." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 February 1864, 2d ed., 2:5; Sidney Kramer, "Lincoln at the Fair," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly, 3 (September 1945):340-41; Remarks at Opening of Patent Office Fair, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:197-98.

Lincoln, presumably, drafts letter to Cong. Benjamin F. Loan (Mo.) for signature of Sec. Stanton : "The President's wish is that no objection shall be made to any paper respectfully expressing it's preference for the nomination of any candidate; but that the patronage of the government shall be given to none which engages in cultivating a sentiment to oppose the election of any when he shall have been fairly nominated by the regular Union National Convention." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Loan, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:197.

Transmits to Congress copy of correspondence regarding presentation of watch to master of American schooner "Highlander" by Lords of the Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council for Trade. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:198-99.

Telegraphs Gen. Steele: "Your conferrence [sic] with citizens [Arkansas] approved. Let the election be on the fourteenth of March, as they agreed." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, 22 February 1864, CW, 7:199.

President interviews Gov. Pickering (Washington Terr.) upon official business and refers him to Sec. Fessenden. Abraham Lincoln to William P. Fessenden, 22 February 1865, CW, 8:310.

Receives Mrs. Lurton of Tennessee, who requests and obtains release from prison of ailing son, Horace H. Lurton [later Associate Justice of U.S. Supreme Court]. LL, No. 807.

Sec. Welles goes to White House with Lt. Comdr. Cushing, who reports on capture of Fort Anderson, N.C. Welles, Diary.

President asks Sec. Stanton if anything can be done regarding appeal from citizens of Philadelphia that enforcement of draft be delayed one week. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 22 February 1865, CW, 8:311-13.