[McLean Circuit Court opens five-day term in Bloomington. Judge John Pearson of the seventh circuit presides, exchanging courts with Judge Jesse B. Thomas, Jr. Stephen A. Douglas is appointed prosecuting attorney pro tem. John T. Stuart, Franklin Brattan, Josephus Hewett, and David Davis are among attorneys attending court.Record.]

Rhodes & Walter v. Dean et al., chancery bill to foreclose mortgage, is heard by court, and complainants' bill is granted against Mary Lyon, Frederick S. Dean, administrator, and Abraham Lincoln guardian ad litem for David C. Lyon and Merit D. Lyon, infant heirs of Merit Lyon, deceased. Record.

Jury is called in Bell v. Mitchell, whereupon plaintiff takes nonsuit. In debt case of Brooks & Cogswell v. Dodge & Dodge, defendants default, but later in day enter motion to set aside default. Lincoln, Jones, Urquhart, and Frisby appear for plaintiffs.Record.

[Deed written by Lincoln for John Houston September 17, 1839 is sworn before William Butler, Sangamon Circuit clerk.Photocopy.]

[Livingston County Circuit Court holds one-day session at Pontiac.]

DeWitt Circuit Court convenes for two-day term. Lincoln appears for plaintiffs Watson and Lloyd, administrators v. Holsey et al. Defendant defaults and court awards plaintiff $95, amount of note, and $25.94 damages. Lincoln appears for plaintiff in McDowall v. Duncan et al., continued on his motion.Record.

Tazewell Circuit Court adjourns. Record.

[Secretary Ewing telegraphs to Lincoln at Springfield that the President wishes to hear from him immediately.] Miller, 392.

Lincoln has six cases in court. He dismisses one, settles second Butcher v. Gipps et al.) by agreement, files pleas in third, and fourth case is continued. In Prickett v. Opdycke et al., lands are ordered partitioned. In Pope v. Atwater & Parker, bill for relief, court dismisses Lincoln's bill and orders public administrator to pay Atwater $719 due him on order of probate court. Record.

In Butcher v. Gipps et al. and People v. Moss et al. Lincoln writes order of court. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

Woodford Circuit Court convenes. Lincoln and Clark dismiss Hornbuckle v. Neal at cost of their client, plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln loses Ramsey v. Marteny, trespass, when jury awards plaintiff $13 and costs. Purple and Sanger are plaintiff's attorneys. Lincoln files plaintiff's affidavit in Hoshor v. Spring & Lewis, and case is continued. Record.

He writes list of questions for witnesses in Bryant v. Pool, signing for Gridley, defense attorney. Photocopy.

[At Metamora, fall term of Woodford Circuit Court commences.]

[Another day Lincoln devotes to county and city courts, spending entire morning in Room No. 1 of Superior Court, where eccentric jurist and wit, Bellamy Storer, presides. Lincoln enjoys proceedings immensely and says tohis companion: "I wish we had that judge in Illinois. I think he would share with me the fatherhood of the legal jokes of the Illinois bar." William M. Dickson, "Abraham Lincoln at Cincinnati," Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 69 (June 1884):62.]

In morning delegates to Bloomington convention, Lincoln among them, meet at state house and nominate John Wood for lieutenant governor. In afternoon thousands gather in grove west of town and listen to several speakers. At night state house is crowded. Lincoln makes first speech. "Never was he so powerful, so strong in argument, so convincing in logic." Wentworth and Edwards follow. Illinois State Journal, 26 September 1856.

Lincoln returns Saturday evening. Learning of his arrival, Republican Clay Club serenades him. Lincoln appears and thanks his friends "for this renewed manifestation of their regard for the principles he defends." He retires amid "deafening cheers," followed by an old friend, Henry Chew, who tells him of his need for furniture to begin housekeeping and lack of money. Lincoln writes note saying that if anyone will give Chew $25 worth of furniture, and Chew does not pay by January 1, 1858, Lincoln will. He is obliged to do so in February 1859. Illinois State Journal, 27 September 1858; Response to a Serenade at Springfield, Illinois, 25 September 1858, CW, 2:203; Statement Concerning Henry Chew, 25 September 1858, CW, 3:202-3.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys five pounds of coffee ($1). Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.]

Lincoln writes to fellow Republican Richard Yates, of Jacksonville, Illinois, and informs him that "There is a strong desire with some—and I rather think all—republicans here that you will allow them to run you for congress in this [6th] District this fall." Lincoln reports that he and U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull "anxiously desire" Yates's candidacy. Lincoln instructs Yates to respond with a decision to either James C. Conkling or Milton Hay, both of Springfield. Lincoln closes, "Do not say no." Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 25 September 1859, IHi, Springfield, IL; CW, 11:17-18.

Lincoln advises prospective lawyer on how to study law. "Get the books, and read, and study them carefully. Begin with Blackstone's Commentaries, and after reading it carefully through, say twice, take up Chitty's Pleading, Greenleaf's Evidence, & Story's Equity &c., in succession. Work, work, work, is the main thing." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Brockman, 25 September 1860, CW, 4:121.

President interviews Christopher C. Denny, probably clothing manufacturer of Leicester, Mass., and directs him to secretary of war. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:535.

Messenger from Gov. William Gilpin (Colorado Terr.) calls upon Lincoln to obtain military supplies. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:536.

President approves proposals of Samuel A. Pancoast, resident Hampshire County, Va., for procuring salt and sends him to Gen. Scott for military clearance. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:536.

President receives Edward Everett at White House and hands him paper to be returned. Everett returns copy of paper same day in letter. Everett to Lincoln, 25 September 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 24 September 1862, CW, 5:437-38.

Dr. Zacharie treats President for sprains received on September 13, 1862. N.Y. Herald, 26 September 1862.

Committee, including Henry Ward Beecher, from General Association of Congregational Churches of New York waits upon President to present resolutions relating to Emancipation Proclamation. Resolutions of Congregational Churches, 25 September 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President summons Sec. Chase to White House for conference on supplying additional money to Gov. Gamble (Mo.). Donald, Chase Diaries, 158.

In evening John Hay rides to Soldiers' Home with Lincoln. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President advises J. Ross that treaty obligations between U.S. and Cherokee Nation will be investigated. Abraham Lincoln to John Ross, 25 September 1862, CW, 5:439-40.

President at War Dept. with Sec. Stanton ; does not attend cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

Writes communication to Gen. Burnside: "Yours of the 23rd. is just received, and it makes me doubt whether I am awake or dreaming. I have been struggling for ten days, first through Gen. Halleck, and then directly, to get you to go to assist Gen. Rosecrans in an extremity, and you have repeatedly declared you would do it, and yet you steadily move the contrary way." [Endorsed "Not sent."] Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 25 September 1863, CW, 6:480-81.

Directs Sec. Chase to examine claim for price of 1,100 bales of cotton alleged to have been delivered to government agents and converted into money. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 25 September 1863, CW, 6:481.

President requests Henry W. Hoffman, collector of customs at Baltimore and chairman, Maryland Unconditional Union Central Committee, to call at White House. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Hoffman, 25 September 1864, CW, 8:23.

Explains to John Hay that Thurlow Weed's trips to Canada and elsewhere relate to story of Gen. McClellan's military actions and political aspirations. William R. Thayer, The Life and Letters of John Hay, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1915), 1:129-36.