Lincoln writes following agreement: "Know all men by these presents that I John Ferguson for and in consideration of the sum of thirty five dollars have given granted bargained and sold all my right and title in and to the New Salem ferry in Sangamon County unto Alexander Trent[.] In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand this 25th. January 1832."Photocopy.

Lincoln votes nay on "act to encourage the killing of wolves." Douglas reports "an act for the formation of the county of Coffee." Bill is denied further consideration, 34 to 33, Lincoln voting yea. [Bill later passed. Coffee was to be set off from portions of Stark and Peoria counties, but was never organized.]House Journal.

[Special term of Sangamon Circuit Court is held to try Isaac Silcon on charge of larceny. Grand jury fails to indict him.Record.]

House discusses constitutional right of W. G. Flood of Adams to hold his seat and also serve as register of Quincy Land Office. Lincoln says he will vote against referring to Judiciary Committee, and for tabling until near end of session.Alton Telegraph, 2 February 1839; Quincy Whig, 9 February 1839.

Bill is reported by Lincoln, from select committee, dissolving marriage of Nathaniel B. Martin and Sarah Martin. He is appointed on committee on relief of purchasers of canal lots and lands; and on another on incorporation of Springfield.House Journal.

House some days ago amended Senate reapportionment bill. Trumbull moves that House recede from its amendments; motion is lost, 32-54, Lincoln voting nay.House Journal.

Lincoln writes petition to review in McGoon v. Little, Wann & Co. (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, representing defendants, obtains leave to file amended record in Mety & Allen v. Wolff & Hoppe (SC), appeal from Macon County.Record.

Lincoln, Josiah Lamborn, and J. Dougherty, committee appointed at temperance meeting, address letter to House of Representatives asking use of hall for temperance lecture by Mr. Fairchild this evening.Photocopy.

[Stephen T. Logan moves in Supreme Court that John T. Stuart be enrolled as attorney and counsellor at law, and files affidavit that Stuart had been licensed in 1828 and license had been lost. Motion is allowed.Record.]

Lincoln is one of committee of three which petitions House of Representatives to permit use of hall for temperance lecture by T. S. Fairchild this evening.Request for Use of Hall of Representatives for a Temperance Lecture, 25 January 1845, CW, 1:343.

Lincoln signs receipt with John Allen that they "have found in H. C. Gibsons Pokets ten dollars and fifteen cts in cash."Receipt for H. C. Gibson's Pockets, 25 January 1846, CW, 1:359.

Lincoln presents petition of citizens of Scott County, Illinois, requesting mail route from St. Louis to Jacksonville, Illinois.Journal.

Green of Missouri defends administration's war policies.Globe.

Lincoln answers House roll call. Journal.

Lincoln writes President Taylor on appointment of federal judge for Illinois. Either Stephen T. Logan or Samuel D. Lockwood would give "general satisfaction." Abraham Lincoln to Zachary Taylor, 25 January 1850, CW, 2:71.

Logan continues his argument in Harris v. Shaw et al., and Lincoln concludes for plaintiff. Court takes case under advisement. Record.

"Commenced trial of case of Holloway v. Frink, Walker & Co., in the U.S. Court," records Browning in his Diary. "Lincoln & self for Pltf, Logan & Edwards for Deft— Weather has been cool & dry for several days. Quite cold tonight." Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges $8.80 worth of "Goods" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 146.

Lincoln writes to James F. Joy, his associate in impending case of Illinois Central RR v. McLean County, Illinois & Parke. Abraham Lincoln to James F. Joy, 25 January 1854, CW, 2:209-10.

Logan and Lincoln, representing complainants in Bank of Missouri v. Ryan et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, file replication. Record.

McConnel and Grimshaw continue argument for appellee in Moore & Munn v. Vail for use of Melick. Lincoln concludes for appellants. Court takes case under advisement. Record.

(Judgment of lower court is later affirmed. 17 Ill. 185.)

In the U.S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent plaintiff Hoel K. Lawrence, a resident of Wisconsin, in the case of Lawrence v. Coler. In response to an earlier assertion by defendant William N. Coler, Lincoln & Herndon acknowledge that they have incorrectly stated the plaintiff's first name in the declaration and in the praecipe they filed with the Court on December 18, 1857. Lincoln & Herndon ask the Court's permission to "amend the Declaration and Writ in this cause," and Judge Samuel H. Treat grants their request. Lawrence is suing Coler to receive $2,900 for a bill of exchange that Coler gave to him. Lawrence also seeks $2,000 in damages. Complete Record, 10 February 1858, Lawrence v. Coler, Record Group 21, Complete Law Record, Vol. 2, 114-121; Order, 25 January 1858, Lawrence v. Coler, Record Group 21, General Records, Vol. 1, 271; Declaration, Praecipe, filed 18 December 1857, Lawrence v. Coler, Record Group 21, case file 272, all in U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

As plaintiffs' attorney Lincoln dismisses two cases in U.S. Circuit Court— Palmer & Wallace v. Magill, Denton & Co., and Harrison v. Greer. Record.

He writes testimonial letter for Samuel M. Hitt, who is traveling east on business. Testimonial Letter for Samuel M. Hitt, 25 January 1859, CW, 3:350-51.

In the evening, Springfield's Concert Hall is the scene of a celebration marking the 100th birthday of the late Scottish poet Robert Burns. The organizers promoted an evening of "toasts, sentiments[,] and songs." A newspaper reported that the "supper was splendid and abundant, and was well attended. The toasts offered on this occasion were most appropriate, and were responded to by some of the most talented men of the state, among whom were, Abraham Lincoln . . . and others." Daily Illinois State Journal, (Springfield), 25 January 1859, 3:3; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 27 January 1859, 3:1; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 28 January 1859, 3:4; The Greenville Advocate (IL), 10 February 1859, 2:2.

Smith's store sells gallon of syrup on Lincoln's account and 11 pounds of sugar, which Robert takes home. Pratt, Personal Finances, 154.

Lincoln is busy in U.S. Circuit Court with Beaver v. Taylor & Gilbert, Cairo land case tried June 20, 1859 and won by defendants. Now defendants' attorneys, Lincoln, Logan, Stuart, and Edwards, contest plaintiff's motion for new trial. Illinois State Journal, 26 January 1860.

[Court later denies motion.]

"It is evident," writes the "Herald" correspondent, "that influences are now at work here to commit Mr. Lincoln on the border State propositions; but he as yet manifests no signs of yielding." N.Y. Herald, 26 January 1861.

Lincoln is delighted by return of Mrs. Lincoln and Robert from East; he has been expecting them for three days. Villard, Eve of '61, 54-55.

Deposits $136 in Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164.

William Schouler, adjutant general of Massachusetts, interviews President regarding raising of troops in Massachusetts by Gen. Butler. Butler, Correspondence, 1:324.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) spends hour with President during morning. Browning, Diary.

Subcommittee of Committee on Conduct of War interviews Lincoln on military administration of Gen. Fremont. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:79.

Directs U.S. Marshal for District of Columbia Ward H. Lamon to refrain from arresting or committing fugitive slaves. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 31 January 1862, 2d ed., 2:6.

President in 10 A.M. conference with Gens. Burnside and Halleck announces decision to relieve Burnside and put Gen. Hooker in command. Nicolay to Bates, 25 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 25 January 1863, CW, 6:77-78.

Boston antislavery group accompanied by Sen. Wilson (Mass.) calls upon President and complains that Emancipation Proclamation has failed to accomplish its purpose. William D. Kelley, Lincoln and Stanton: A Study of the War Administration of 1861 and 1862: with Special Consideration of Some Recent Statements of Gen. George B. McClellan (New York: Putnam, 1885), 87-88.

President and Sec. Chase make final revision of new regulations of trade. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:148-49.

Robert Lincoln, home from college for vacation, attends Secretary of State Seward's reception. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $200, principal and interest on Springfield bond. Withdraws $102 to pay taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165, 77.]

President authorizes former Cong. Maynard (Tenn.) to inform Governor Andrew Johnson (Tennessee): "The oath in the proclamation may be administered by the Military Governor, the Military commander of the Department, and by all persons designated by them for that purpose." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:149-50.

Writes recommendation for Henry R. Green, resident of Delavan, Illinois: "This is to show that Henry R. Greene Esq of Illinois is an upright, honorable and worthy man. I have known him and his family for many years. . . . I hope the various commanders, agents and employees of the Government will extend to Mr. Greene such aid and facilities as are proper and consistent with the interests of the service." Recommendation for Henry R. Green, 25 January 1864, CW, 7:150-51.

In the evening, President Lincoln, his wife Mary, their son Robert, Republican U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, and T. Bigelow Lawrence, U.S. consul at Florence, occupy private box at Grover's Theatre, where Felicita Vestvali, "The Magnificent," stars in a performance of Gamea, or the Jewish Mother. A newspaper reports, "[The] theater was overflowingly filled . . . on the occasion of the first appearance of Vestvali, who undoubtedly made a great hit." Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 25 January 1864, 1:4; 26 January 1864, 2:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

President is "not receiving any calls" during morning. Colfax to Lincoln, 25 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes message for celebration of 106th anniversary of birth of Robert Burns: "I can not frame a toast to Burns. I can say nothing worthy of his generous heart, and transcendent genius." Memoranda on Robert Burns, [25 January 1865], CW, 8:237.

Directs Sec. Stanton : 1. "I wish you would give Dr. Zacharie a pass to go to Savannah, remain a week and return, bringing with him, if he wishes, his father and sisters or any of them." 2. [Maj. Leopold] "Blumenberg, at Baltimore. I think he should have a hearing. . . . He should not be dismissed in a way that disgraces and ruins him without a hearing." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 January 1865, CW, 8:238.

Reviews 30 court martial cases. CW, 8:578.

In the evening has a "long interview" with General George G. Meade. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:1.