Lincoln gives notice he will "on monday next, or some day thereafter," ask leave to introduce bill entitled an "act to limit the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace." Day is given over largely to such notices. State education convention, to which Lincoln is delegate, meets.House Journal; Photocopy; Notice to Illinois Legislature of a Bill to Limit Jurisdiction of Justices of Peace, [5 December 1834], CW, 1:26.

Lincoln and other eight members of Sangamon delegation, nicknamed Long Nine because of their height, attend opening session of Tenth General Assembly. He votes four times for Newton Cloud for Speaker, but James Semple is elected. On Lincoln's motion House elects David Prickett clerk.House Journal.

House meets at 10 A.M. and adjourns until 2 P.M. Votes for governor and lieutenant-governor are canvassed and Thomas Carlin and Stinson H. Anderson declared elected. Hardin of Morgan introduces resolutions calling for complete accounts of boards of Fund Commissioners and Public Works.House Journal.

Defendant defaults in Hooper, Martin, & Smith v. Haines & Son, and plaintiffs, Lincoln's clients, are awarded $626.82 damages in U.S. Circuit Court.Record.

Lincoln writes supplementary bill in chancery in Spear et al. v. Newton & Newton, which David Spear, his client, signs and swears.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Committee reports to Springfield Mechanics Union that they have consulted Lincoln about obtaining charter from legislature.Minutes of Union.]

Whigs, eager for party reasons to prevent sine die adjournment of House, absent themselves so there will be no quorum. Lincoln, Gillespie, and Gridley are present as observers. Over-confident, they vote on roll call. When quorum is announced they are taken by surprise, lose their heads in excitement and jump out window—all to no avail.House Journal; Sparta Democrat, 18 December 1840, 25 December 1840; Register, 11 December 1840.

Logan & Lincoln file with the clerk of the U.S. District Court a notice for the creditors of William L. Wilmans of White County and Thomas M. Hope of Madison County to appear for the final hearing of the bankruptcy cases In re Wilmans and In re Hope at Kaskaskia on March 6, 1843.Record.

In U.S. Circuit Court, on motion of Logan & Lincoln, attorneys for plaintiff in Vance v. Kilgore et al., defendants are ruled to plead tomorrow.Record.

Defendants default and court orders land sold to pay debt of $457.47 and damages of $158.81 in Woods et al. v. Yates et al. in U.S. Circuit Court. Logan & Lincoln appear for plaintiffs.Record.

[Either at June or Dec. term of U.S. Court, Lincoln is associate of Grant Goodrich in three cases in which Grace Lawson (Lawrence) is defendant. Cases involve fraud and misrepresentation in sale of land. Butterfield, Collins, and Baker are attorneys for defendant. "Lincoln in closing the case" wrote Goodrich, "made the best jury argument I ever heard him make."Hertz, Hidden Lincoln, 330.]

Lincoln writes to Herndon regarding case in Illinois Supreme Court. Last year plaintiff paid firm $20 advance fee and left Lincoln $10 to pay for abstracts. Lincoln forgot to leave $10 with Herndon. He sends it, and describes caucus. "The Whig majority . . . is so small . . . [it] leaves it doubtful whether we will elect them all."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 5 December 1847, CW, 1:416-17.

Lincoln is still listed as absentee.Globe.

[Mrs. Lincoln has William Butler, brother-in-law, buy firewood box costing, with drayage, 60¢.Irwin Ledger.]

Lincoln writes and files with Supreme Court clerk assignment of errors in McHenry v. Watkins. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In Cassity v. Chicago & Mississippi RR, appeal, jury finds for plaintiff and awards $12 damages. Lincoln & Herndon are attorneys for railroad. Pleadings are filed in two other cases. Record.

The fall term of Sangamon Circuit Court closes. Three Lincoln & Herndon cases are called, but quickly disposed of. Record.

Lincoln writes divorce decree for Mary Sinclair, plaintiff, in Sinclair v. Sinclair. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln buys at John Williams' store $12.11 worth of assorted cloth, buttons, whalebone, and cord. Pratt, Personal Finances, 146-47.

Three of Lincoln & Herndon's cases come to trial. In all of them they represent defendants, and in all of them verdict is in favor of plaintiffs. In two cases, however—Bowers v. Livergood, and Johnson v. Roach & Roach—damages are small ($16.25 and $10 respectively). In third suit, Turner & Kreigh v. Haddix, court finds for plaintiff in sum of $67.37. Record.

In Bryan v. Jones, trespass case in which Rosette represents plaintiff, and Lincoln & Herndon, France, and Campbell for defendant, jury finds defendant guilty and assesses plaintiff's damages at $200. Roll v. Wochner is argued again. Court finds for plaintiff and assesses damages at $60.95. Record.

Correspondent of New York Tribune describes Lincoln's day: "Monday morning found him on the alert. . . . He was to be found on the street, in offices or workshops, and took especial delight in familiarizing himself with our people. . . . In the afternoon he delivered another speech to an immense audience." N.Y. Tribune, 30 August 1860; Second Speech at Leavenworth, Kansas, 5 December 1859, CW, 3:502-4.

The Illinois Electoral College delegates meet in the capitol and "cast their vote for Lincoln and [Hannibal] Hamlin." A newspaper reports, "A large number of spectators were present to witness the proceedings, which were conducted without any special formality." In the afternoon, Lincoln and members of the Electoral College attend a "grand dinner" that James C. Conkling hosts. New York Herald, 6 December 1860, 5:2, 5:4-5.

He reads synopsis of Buchanan's message, and is irritated at what he considers President's desire to place responsibility for secession crisis on free states. N.Y. Herald, 10 December 1860.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges "3 yds. Cashmere @ 1.40." Pratt, Personal Finances, 150.

President and Secs. Cameron and Seward receive Col. David B. Birney's 23d Philadelphia Zouaves after their parade. N.Y. Times, 6 December 1861.

Lincoln proclaims treaty with Arapaho and Cheyenne Indians. National Intelligencer, 11 December 1861.

Interviews Mrs. John Nininger, sister of Gov. Alexander Ramsey (Minn.), who wants son appointed to Naval Academy, Newport, R.I. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 5 December 1861, CW, 5:59.

Receives November salary warrant for $2,083.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Transmits to Senate treaty with King of Hanover "concerning the abolition of the Stade or Brunshausen Dues" [tolls levied on vessels ascending River Elbe and passing mouth of Schwinge River]. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 December 1861, CW, 5:58.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) interviews President in interest of Gen. Butler. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 552.

President receives Senate resolution requesting "all information in his possession touching the late Indian barbarities in the State of Minnesota." Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, 5 December 1862, CW, 5:540-41.

Receives November salary warrant for $2,022.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

[Irwin deposits $75 in Springfield Marine Bank, interest on Cline note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

10 A.M. President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln at Metropolitan Hotel, New York: "All doing well." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Lincoln, 5 December 1863, CW, 7:34.

Is toasted at banquet by city authorities to commemorate turning of Potomac water into aqueduct. Washington Chronicle, 7 December 1863.

Receives November salary warrant for $2,022.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

President interviews A. H. Markland, who leaves for Savannah, Ga., to meet Gen. Sherman. Dennison to Lincoln, 5 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lord Lyons takes leave of President and Sec. Seward. Goes to New York to improve his health. Washington Chronicle, 7 December 1864.

President, with Mrs. Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and Secretaries Nicolay and Hay, attends Grover's Theatre for performance of Charles Gounod's Faust by Grand German Opera Company. ["Robert Le Diable" was postponed.] Washington National Republican, 6 December 1864; National Intelligencer, 5 December 1864; Washington Chronicle, 4 December 1864; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 6 December 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln receives November salary warrant for $1,981.67. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

President recommends to Senate that Comdr. William H. Macomb (USN) be advanced in grade 10 numbers for distinguished conduct at capture of Plymouth, N.C., and that Lt. Comdr. James B. Thornton (USN), executive officer of U.S.S. "Kearsarge," be advanced in grade 10 numbers for faithful discharge of duties in action against Confederate steamer "Alabama" on June 19, 1864. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:133-34.

Recommends to Congress that Lt. [Lt. Comdr. as of October 27, 1864, by retroactive promotion] William B. Cushing (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for destroying Confederate steamer "Albemarle" on October 27, 1864, and that Capt. [Commodore as of June 19, 1864, by retroactive promotion] John A. Winslow (USN) receive vote of thanks from Congress for skill and gallantry while commanding "Kearsarge" at time "Alabama" was destroyed. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:134-35; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1864, CW, 8:135.