Lincoln votes nay on question whether bill relating to justices of peace should be read second time. He votes yea on printing 55 copies of bill on public roads. Lincoln, Gordon, and Wyatt of Morgan are appointed committee to which is referred "an act to increase the number of election precincts in Morgan County."House Journal.

Lincoln is appointed to Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures. Gov. Duncan has called legislature to deal with reapportionment, financing Illinois and Michigan canal, and financing state bank. Democratic convention meets again at 3 P.M.House Journal.

[No session of House.]

Lincoln is appointed on two standing committees, important one on Finance and less important one on Counties. He is put on latter to direct Sangamon division. Inspectors of penitentiary report and recommend "leasing the whole concern to some trusty and responsible person for six, eight or ten years."House Journal.

Speaking in House on resolution to investigate internal improvements, Lincoln says he does not regard inquiry as unfriendly. "We had gone too far to recede, even if we were disposed to do so." Remarks in Illinois Legislature Concerning Resolutions Asking Information on Railroad and Fund Commissioners, 8 December 1838, CW, 1:122-23.

On Lincoln's motion, rules are suspended and his bill to provide payment of interest on public debt is taken up. Motion to refer bill to Committee on Banks fails. He and Trumbull then add amendments designed to give fund commissioner power to hypothecate state bonds to pay interest due and cost of suits brought by state.House Journal.

Lincoln is handed by clerk of Sangamon Circuit Court execution directed to sheriff of Macoupin County, in West & Taylor v. Sharp & Anderson. Lincoln got judgment for $159.70 for plaintiff July 29, 1841. Execution Docket, D. Lincoln withdraws $65 cash from his account with a Springfield merchant. Account (copy), 8 December 1841, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln writes and signs assignment of errors in Dorman et ux. v. Lane (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln is present at taking of depositions of Ninian W. Edwards and Erastus Wright in Todd v. Ware.Emanuel Hertz, Abraham Lincoln: A New Portrait, 2 vols. (New York: Liveright, 1931), 542-43.

He writes "true copy" of court order in William A. Butler et al. v. John C. Butler et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln buys 88¢ worth of merchandise.Irwin Ledger.

[Supreme Court convenes, but lacks quorum and adjourns. Docket is not as large as usual.]

Lincoln writes to President Polk recommending appointment of Franklin L. Rhoads of Pekin and Thomas Graham Jr. of Beardstown as lieutenants. Abraham Lincoln to James K. Polk, 8 December 1847, CW, 1:418; Abraham Lincoln to James K. Polk, 8 December 1847, CW, 1:417-18.

House members draw for seats. Lincoln draws number 191. He votes for Nathan Sargent for sergeant-at-arms and Robert E. Horner for doorkeeper. Both are elected. He votes for William J. McCormick for postmaster but he is defeated by John M. Johnson. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln replies to letter from Amos Williams of Danville, Illinois: "Herewith I send you a document of 'Information &c' which you can examine; and then if you think fit, to file a caveat, you can send me a description and drawing of your 'invention' or 'improvement' together with $20 in money, and I will file it for you."Abraham Lincoln to Amos Williams, 8 December 1848, CW, 2:14-15.

Lincoln buys $1.50 in "sundries" at Bunn's. Irwin Ledger; Bunn Journal.

Lincoln writes and files in Sangamon Circuit Court affidavit in Penny v. McHenry. He also writes bill of exceptions and certifies transcript in case. He writes and signs "Lincoln & Herndon" to joinder in pleas in Husband v. Elder. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Illinois Supreme Court convenes at Springfield. Illinois Journal, 9 December 1851.]

"Noah Johnston, Esq., of Mt. Vernon, and Abraham Lincoln, Esq., of Springfield, Commissioners to take testimony in the case of Canal Claimants, arrived in this City on Wednesday last." Chicago Democratic Press, 10 December 1852.

"Now at this day comes Abraham Lincoln and enters the appearance of the said Defendants herein," records clerk when chancery case of Mahoney v. Welles et al. is called. Two other cases are set for trial following week, and third continued until next term. Record.

In three more Davis & Co. cases Lincoln files bills of complaint. Files.

Lincoln replies to letter of consolation from H. D. Sharpe: "I think we have fairly entered upon a durable struggle as to whether this nation is to ultimately become all slave or all free, and though I fall early in the contest, it is nothing if I shall have contributed, in the least degree, to the final rightful result." Abraham Lincoln to H. D. Sharpe, 8 December 1858, CW, 3:344.

Lincoln reaches home in evening. "He expresses himself delighted with his visit and with the cordial reception he met with from the people of that incipient State." Illinois State Journal, 10 December 1859.

Lincoln writes William H. Seward: "With your permission, I shall, at the proper time, nominate you to the Senate, for confirmation, as Secretary of State, for the United States." He encloses this note in letter to Hamlin, asking him to consult with Trumbull, "and if you and he see no reason to the contrary, deliver the letter to Governor Seward at once. If you see reason to the contrary, write me at once." He writes explanatory letter to Seward, and letter to Trumbull asking him to confer with Hamlin about Seward, sending copies of both letters to Seward. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 8 December 1860, CW, 4:148; Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin, 8 December 1860, CW, 4:147-48; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 8 December 1860, CW, 4:148-49; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 8 December 1860, CW, 4:149.

President approves idea of telegraph line from Washington to Fortress Monroe, Va. New York interests are advocating submarine line to Hatteras, N.C., Port Royal, S.C., Key West, Fla., and Fort Pickens, Fla. N.Y. Tribune, 9 December 1861.

Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) reviews with President case of Gen. C. S. Hamilton. Howe to Lincoln, 10 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln asks Capt. Dahlgren to see him at once. Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dahlgren, 8 December 1862, CW, 5:545.

Sends recommendation to Congress on behalf of Comdr. John L. Worden. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1862, CW, 5:547.

Borrows "Lyrics by the letter 'H'" from Library of Congress. [Charles Graham Halpine, Lyrics by the Letter H, New York and Cincinnati, 1854.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President receives joint committee from 38th Congress and announces that Annual Message will be communicated to Congress tomorrow at 12:30 P.M. Senate Journal, 8.

Annual report describes past year as one of health, sufficient harvests, improved conditions in national affairs, and peace with foreign powers. Treaties with Great Britain have suppressed African slave trade and adjusted possessory claims in Washington Territory. Negotiations with Spain, Chile, Peru, Nicaragua, and Colombia have been satisfactory. Foreigners within lines of insurgents are classed as belligerents, and naturalized persons must serve in military. Condition of organized territories is generally satisfactory. Under sharp discipline of civil war, Nation is beginning a new life. Operations of Treasury during last year have been successfully conducted. Pay of Army and Navy promptly met. People have borne burdens cheerfully. Blockade is increasing in efficiency; but illicit trade is not entirely suppressed. Production of war vessels has created new form of naval power. Post office may become self-supporting in few years. In Dept. of Interior public lands are being taken up, legislation is needed for Indian system, consideration should be given to enlarging water connections between Mississippi River and northeastern seaboard. When Congress assembled year ago, tone of public feeling and opinion at home and abroad was not satisfactory. With emancipation and employment of Negro troops there is new reckoning. Crisis which threatened to divide friends of Union is past. Looking to resumption of national authority within states, proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction is thought fit. State governments set up under prescribed mode will be recognized. War power is still main reliance. Chief care must be directed to Army and Navy. Annual Message to Congress, 8 December 1863, CW, 7:36-53.

President issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction whereby: 1. Persons in rebellion, with certain exceptions, who take oath to support Constitution are granted full pardon. 2. Exceptions are civil, diplomatic, and specified defense agents of Confederate government, and persons guilty of mistreating Negro prisoners of war. 3. Governments reestablished as prescribed in rebellious states shall be recognized as free governments of such states. 4. President will not object to provisions adopted by reestablished governments in relation to freed people. 5. Proclamation has no reference to states wherein loyal state governments have been maintained. 6. Congress shall have sole right of admitting members representing reestablished governments. Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, 8 December 1863, CW, 7:53-56.

[This proclamation is authority for pardons granted by Lincoln throughout remainder of war.] Lincoln sends "my profoundest gratitude" to Gen. Grant and his command for fighting at Chattanooga and Knoxville. Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 8 December 1863, CW, 7:53. Deposits in Riggs Bank November salary warrant for $2,022.34. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Nominates "Commander D. D. Porter, to be a Rear Admiral in Navy, on the Active List, from the 4th. July 1863." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 8 December 1863, CW, 7:56-57.

Recommends to Congress that "Capt. John Rodgers, U.S. Navy, receive vote of thanks" for skill and gallantry exhibited in engagement with rebel steamer "Fingal," alias "Atlanta." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1863, CW, 7:57.