In Watkins v. Lincoln & Berry, Lincoln and Berry lose an appeal from a justice of peace court to the Sangamon County Circuit Court. The court awards William Watkins $57.86, the amount of a promissory note with interest, and court costs.Record.

[Lincoln gave the promissory note to Watkins for a horse.Thomas, Lincoln's New Salem, 72.]

[McLean County Circuit Court opens its spring term, which closes May 1, 1841.]

[Either Lincoln's partner, Stephen T. Logan, or Jesse Fell, their co-attorney in Harkness et al. v. Davis, appear for the complainants. The court orders the defendants to answer, and the case is continued.Bill of Complaint, 13 April 1842, Decree, 26 April 1842, both in Circuit Court Transcript, 22 January 1844, Davis v. Harkness et al., Illinois Supreme Court case file 1564, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.]

[Mrs. Lincoln is dressing up yard as well as house. Lincoln's account is charged 50¢ for "balance on account" and $1 for spade.Irwin Ledger.]

Lincoln pays $6.25 on account at carriage shop.Obed Lewis Account Books.

Lincoln writes to James Berdan, Jacksonville lawyer, with object of smoothing hard feelings that may exist between his followers and those of Hardin.Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 26 April 1846, CW, 1:380.

[Logan County Circuit Court begins session at Mt. Pulaski. Lincoln writes and signs amended declaration in Charleston case of Pearson & Anderson v. Monroe & Eastin. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

Burt of Committee on Military Affairs introduces amendment to military bill providing for limiting major generals to one and brigadier generals to two on ratification of treaty of peace. Lincoln votes against motion to table. Motion is defeated 73-105.Globe.

Lincoln writes to Ewing regarding charges made against T. R. King. He requests that when charges are made against anyone recommended by him, action be suspended until he can investigate. He knows "the principal object of the fault-finders, to be to stab me." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 26 April 1849, CW, 2:44-45.

Mrs. Lincoln's painter buys second keg of lead paint. Bunn Journal.

Lincoln writes Thomas J. Turner about case. "I came home from the circuit four days ago, and found your letter in waiting. To-day I made some corrections of mistakes in the descriptions of the land and filed the Bill." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Turner, 26 April 1850, CW, 8:415.

[Lincoln's declaration signed and probably filed by Herndon, in Christian County Court, alleges that defendant in Vandeveer v. Whitecraft et al. cut trees on plaintiff's land and asks $1,166 damages. Photocopy.]

In the Logan County Circuit Court, Lincoln commences a suit against Jesse D. Blackledge for plaintiff James Kelly in the debt case of Kelly v. Blackledge. Kelly had won a judgment in Ohio against Blackledge, but Blackledge moved to Logan County before paying. Lincoln files a complaint and a certified copy of the Ohio judgment and makes arrangements in the circuit clerk's office for the county sheriff to serve a summons on Blackledge ordering him to appear at the fall term of court. In another debt case, Hays v. Turley, Lincoln sues George W. Turley on behalf of Lewis M. Hays, the administrator of the estate of Thomas P. Taylor. Hays, an Indiana resident, sent Lincoln a claim for $100 that Turley had owed Taylor since 1836. Lincoln commenced a suit in the Logan County Circuit Court against Turley in April 1851. One or both sides requested a continuance during the October 1851 term and again during this April 1852 term.Anson L. Brewer to Abraham Lincoln, 17 November 1852, Kelly v. Blackledge, Abraham Lincoln Collection, John Hay Library, Brown University, Providence, RI; Abraham Lincoln to Anson L. Brewer, 16 March 1855, Kelly v. Blackledge, Private Collection; Receipt, 7 September 1850, Hays v. Turley, Private Collection; Abraham Lincoln to Lewis M. Hays (copy), 27 October 1852, Hays v. Turley, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL .

Two cases in which Lincoln represents defendants—Traster v. Simpson, and People for use of Woodford County, Illinois v. Dale—are dismissed by agreement. Defendant in bastardy case, People ex rel. O'Neil v. Amrine, who is represented by Lincoln, Thorpe, and Cooper, gives bond for his appearance at next term. Lincoln and Shope dismiss Danforth & Danforth v. Woodford County, Illinois, appeal. Smith v. Moore, appeal, Lincoln for defendant, is continued at plaintiff's costs. Record.

Lincoln has three cases in court. In Coventry v. Warwick Banking Co., he argues demurrer. In Gingrich v. Evans et al., he and Clark obtain judgment of $665.47. Moore v. Swarens, in which he is one of plaintiff's four attorneys, goes to jury which finds for plaintiff and assesses his damages at one cent. In Coventry & Warwickshire Banking v. Whorrall, trespass, Purple and Sanger for plaintiff, Lincoln for defense, Lincoln files demurrer, which court partly sustains, and case is continued. Record.

Lincoln writes, and signs with 30 attorneys, endorsement of Stephen A. Corneau as Supreme Court clerk. Endorsement of Stephen A. Corneau, 26 April 1855, CW, 2:311.

From Urbana, Illinois, where he is attending the Champaign County Circuit Court, Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Elihu B.Washburne. Lincoln discounts speculation that the congressman is trying to convince Republicans to throw their support to U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas in his bid for re-election. Lincoln attributes the allegation to a misunderstanding amid a charged atmosphere. Lincoln adds, "[T]he whole matter was not worth another moment's consideration . . . I am satisfied you have done no wrong, and nobody has intended any wrong to you." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 April 1858, CW, 2:443-44.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys more sewing materials and $5 silk hat at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.]

To "large and intelligent audience" at Cook's Hall, Lincoln repeats his lecture on "Discoveries and Inventions." Illinois State Journal, 28 April 1860.

At 3 P.M. Lincoln, accompanied by many officials, attends dress drill of 7th New York Regiment in front of Capitol. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 April 1861, 3:1; William Swinton, History of Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, During the War of Rebellion (New York: Fields, Osgood, 1870), 128.

Reviews 8th Massachusetts. Bates, Telegraph Office, 21.

In the White House, President Lincoln addresses the "Frontier Guard, under the command of Senator [James H.] Lane of Kansas." The Frontier Guard's soldiers assist in defending the "neighborhood of the Executive Mansion." Lincoln remarks, "I have desired as sincerely as any man . . . that our present difficulties might be settled without the shedding of blood. . . . But if the alternative is presented, whether the Union is to be broken in fragments and the liberties of the people lost, or blood be shed, you will probably make the choice, with which I shall not be dissatisfied." Reply to the Frontier Guard, 26 April 1861, CW, 4:345; National Republican (Washington, DC), 27 April 1861, 3:2; Sun (Baltimore, MD), 29 April 1861, 2:3; New York Daily Tribune, 1 May 1861, 5:3.

[Commissioner of Public Buildings requests from Secretary of War 6 additional Colt's pistols, Navy size, for police at Executive Mansion. Six now on hand are deemed insufficient under existing circumstances. DNA—RG 42 Commissioner of Public Buildings, Letters Sent, Blake to Cameron, 26 April 1861.]

President transmits to House of Representatives documentation regarding insurgent privateers in foreign ports. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 26 April 1862, CW, 5:199.

Lincoln and party, including Secretary of State William H. Seward and Comdr. Dahlgren, leave Navy Yard in cutter to visit French frigate Gassendi lying in river. Lincoln, the first U.S. President to board French warship, receives 21-gun salute. Mrs. Lincoln and her sister wait in carriage at Navy Yard. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 April 1862, 2:1, 28 April 1862, 2d ed., 3:2; National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 April 1862, 3:1; N.Y. Herald, 27 April 1862.

President at Navy Bureau of Ordnance in morning talks to Rear Adm. Dahlgren and reads late telegrams. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Secs. Chase and Stanton and Postmaster Gen. Blair absent. Welles, Diary.

Photographers from M. B. Brady's studio work in White House to make stereoscopic studies of Lincoln in his office. Carpenter, Six Months, 91.

President reviews 51 courtmartial cases. CW, 8:540.