[Pigeon Baptist Church subscription list records gift from Thomas Lincoln of 24 pounds of manufactured corn.Pigeon Church Record.]

Lincoln writes a campaign platform in an effort to win a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He proposes "internal improvements" that would render the "Sangamo river" more navigable. Lincoln supports legislation that would "limit . . . the rates of usury." He declares that "education" is the "most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in." Twenty-three-year-old Lincoln concedes that he is "young and unknown," and he confesses that he desires to be "truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem."Communication to the People of Sangamo County, 9 March 1832, CW, 1:5-9; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 March 1832, 2:3-4.

Stuart & Lincoln participate in 23 cases before the Sangamon County Circuit Court. They obtain favorable judgments in nine cases totaling $3,045.17. They file the defendant's plea in five cases. The court continues five cases, dismisses two cases, and hears requests by the defendants to reverse judgment in two other cases.Record.

In one case, Stuart & Lincoln obtain a judgment of $203 in favor of their clients, James Anderson, John W. Anderson, and William Bell, in Anderson, Bell & Co. v. Patterson & Patterson.Record.

Eastham v. Clark & Sanks, and Langford v. Dryer, Cofflin & Co., are dismissed by Stuart & Lincoln representing plaintiffs. Atwood & Jones v. Douglas & Wright is continued. James M. Shackelford is made party to judgment which Lincoln obtained for Erastus Wright against C. G. Brooks October 15, 1838.Record.

Lincoln is appointed guardian for infant heirs of Dr. Jacob M. Early, captain of his company in Black Hawk War. Also as guardian, of William, Henry, and John Batterton, Lincoln files guardian's answer in T. M. Suter v. Thomas W. Sparks et al. Lincoln's survey of land (17.72 acres) involved in case of Butler v. Tilford et al. is accepted by court, and as commissioner, Lincoln deeds land to Butler. Judge Treat had appointed Lincoln at November 1839 term of Sangamon Circuit Court.Record; Deed Record, Book P.

Lincoln swears affidavit in Manning v. Morgan et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes and files bill in chancery case of William B. Crane v. Samuel Grubb in Sangamon Circuit Court (separate case from that of November 26, 1840).CSmH—Original.

He writes narration in Wilkinson v. Taylor, Breese & Co., adds two amendments, and signs "Logan & Lincoln."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes declaration in Mallory v. Maxey et al., signing "Logan and Lincoln."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"There will be a Whig meeting on next Saturday night, 9th. at Rochester. It is expected that Lincoln and other speakers will be there."Sangamo Journal, 7 March 1844.

Lincoln's bank account is charged 25¢ for pair of woolen mittens.Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln collects from auditor $211.75 for E. B. Tinney under private law for Tinney's relief, and writes receipt. Photocopy.

Lincoln reports bill from Committee on Post Office and Post Roads authorizing postmasters at county seats to receive subscriptions for newspapers and periodicals and permitting Post Office to act as agent in receiving payments. He also reports joint resolution for relief of H. M. Barney.Globe; Report to United States House of Representatives Concerning H. M. Barney, 9 March 1848, CW, 1:456-57.

Lincoln writes to William M. Meredith, secretary of treasury, asking that he and E. D. Baker be consulted when appointments are made for Illinois, as Whigs of that state hold them responsible to some extent. Lincoln and Baker write to Thomas Ewing, secretary of interior, recommending Mathew Gillespie for land office at Edwardsville. Abraham Lincoln to William M. Meredith, 9 March 1849, CW, 2:32; Abraham Lincoln and Edward D. Baker to Thomas Ewing, 9 March 1849, CW, 2:31.

Lincoln writes and files in Sangamon Circuit Court bill of complaint in McNew v. McNew. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln is in Clinton for the DeWitt County Circuit Court. David Davis to George Davis, 9 March 1859, David Davis Family Papers, IHi.

Town hall is crowded to hear Lincoln give "manly vindication of the principles of the Republican party, urging the necessity of the union of all elements to free our country from its present rule, and closed with an eloquent exhortation for each and every one to do his duty without regard to the sneers and slanders of our political opponents." Percy C. Eggleston, Lincoln in New England (New York: Steward, Warren & Co., 1922), 23.

Lincoln submits written questions to Gen. Scott about supplying and reinforcing Fort Sumter, S.C. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 9 March 1861, CW, 4:279.

Sec. Welles spends about half hour with Lincoln. Welles to wife, 9 March 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln makes brief remarks to delegation from Oregon. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 March 1861, 3:3.

Cabinet meeting "upon the State of the Country," meaning Fort Sumter, held at night. Bates, Diary.

Consensus of opinion is that Federal garrison will be evacuated in five days. John S. Tilley, Lincoln Takes Command (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1941), 165.

Following White House etiquette, Mrs. Lincoln receives friends in morning. N.Y. Times, 8 March 1861.

[George A. P. Healy's portrait of Buchanan is removed from President's House to rotunda of Capitol. DNA—RG 42 Commissioner of Public Buildings, Letters Sent, Blake to Healy, 9 March 1861.]

President discusses with Col. Blair value of conference of Border State congressmen on compensated emancipation. Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 134-35.

At 10 A.M. sends carriage for Sen. Browning's (Ill.) family. Browning, Diary.

Receives report from Gen. Wool at Fortress Monroe, Va., that Confederate ship Merrimac entered Hampton Roads preceding day and destroyed USS Cumberland and USS Congress, and that other ships and Fortress Monroe itself are in danger. Calls emergency cabinet meeting to discuss defense measures in event Merrimac starts toward Washington. Notebook, February 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; The Annals of the War, Written by Leading Participants North and South, Originally Published in the Philadelphia Weekly Times (Philadelphia, PA: Times Publishing, 1879), 23-26.

Drives with Browning to Navy Yard about 2 P.M.; Comdr. Dahlgren returns with them to White House. Browning, Diary; Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Most of cabinet at White House in afternoon, but not by appointment. Sec. Stanton divulges information that preparations are under way to stop Merrimac from reaching Washington by blocking river channel. The Annals of the War, Written by Leading Participants North and South, Originally Published in the Philadelphia Weekly Times (Philadelphia, PA: Times Publishing, 1879), 26.

President awaits news of battle between USS Monitor and Merrimac at telegraph office in evening with members of cabinet. Bates, Telegraph Office, 117.

After 4 P.M. dispatch reaches War Office describing fight between Monitor and Merrimac from 8 A.M. to 12 M., when Merrimac withdrew. Lincoln and two cabinet members present. Lincoln walks to White House. Notebook, February 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 224.

Asks Henry J. Raymond to reconsider compensated emancipation and print another article in New York Times. "One half-day's cost of this war would pay for all the slaves in Delaware, at four hundred dollars per head." Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 9 March 1862, CW, 5:152-53.

Cong. Thaddeus Stevens (Pa.) asks President to give Col. Joseph W. Fisher place of Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton, captured in bed at 2 A.M., March 9, 1863, at Fairfax, Va., by Gen. John S. Mosby (CSA). Memorandum Concerning Joseph W. Fisher, 9 March 1863, CW, 6:129.

Brig. Gen. of Vols. W. F. Smith interviews President to adjust rank as major general in regular Army. Memorandum Concerning William F. Smith, 9 March 1863, CW, 6:129-30.

Sen. Lemuel J. Bowden (Va.), Mr. Boyd, editor, and John Hawxhurst, Virginia legislator, call on President and ask promotion of Col. Joseph Snider, 7th Virginia Regiment, to brigadier general. Memorandum Concerning Joseph Snider, 9 March 1863, CW, 6:130.

President interviews Mil. Gov. John S. Phelps (Ark.) in presence of Sec. Stanton on proposition for placing army of 12,000 to 15,000 men in Arkansas, ready to move immediately on fall of Vicksburg, Miss. Phelps to Lincoln, 9 March 1863, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

Asks War Dept.: "Can any thing be done for this Lady-friend of Marshal Lamon? I do not see how." [Probably Miss Maria A. Donnelly of Martinsburg, Va., whose sister had been recently released from imprisonment in Richmond.] Endorsement, 9 March 1863, CW, 6:128.

President presents commission as lieutenant general to General Ulysses S. Grant at 1 P.M. in cabinet chamber in presence of cabinet, Generals Halleck and John A. Rawlins, Congressman Lovejoy (Ill.), and John Nicolay. Washington Chronicle, 10 March 1864; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 March 1864, 3d ed., 2:6.

Reads brief remarks: "The nation's appreciation of what you have done, and it's reliance upon you for what remains to do, in the existing great struggle, are now presented with this commission, constituting you Lieutenant General in the Army of the United States." Grant replies: "I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me and know that if they are met it will be due to those armies, and above all to the favor of that Providence which leads both Nations and men." Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:114-16; Speech to Ulysses S. Grant, [9 March 1864], CW, 7:234-35.

Following ceremony President hears half-hour discussion of military affairs and operations of Gen. Sherman. Welles, Diary.

In afternoon receives copy of Secretary Chase's letter withdrawing from presidential race. Memoranda, 9 March 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Telegraphs General Meade: "New York City votes 9,500 majority for allowing soldiers to vote, and the rest of the State nearly all on the same side. Tell the soldiers." Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 9 March 1864, CW, 7:233.

Transmits to Senate report from secretary of interior respecting points of commencement of Union Pacific Railroad. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 9 March 1864, CW, 7:233-34.

President accepts resignation of Sec. Usher, to take effect May 15, 1865. Endorsement Concerning John P. Usher, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:347.

Receives Gov. Thomas Swann (Md.) and friends, who complain about certain Maryland appointments. Memorandum Concerning Maryland Appointments, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:348.

Telegraphs W. O. Bartlett at Philadelphia: "It will soon be too late if you are not here." [Bartlett, delayed by inclement weather, was carrying James Gordon Bennett's refusal of appointment to French court. The Senate was to adjourn on March 11, 1865, hence further delay might be too late for getting appointment confirmed.] Abraham Lincoln to William O. Bartlett, 9 March 1865, CW, 8:346.