[Thomas Lincoln, Isom Enlow, Josiah LaFollette, and Daniel Vittetow are appointed to appraise "personal estate and slaves if any of Jonathan Joseph, deceased."Order Book C, 144, Hardin County Court; Warren, Parentage and Childhood, 113.

Josiah LaFollette was grandfather of Robert Marion LaFollette (1855-1925), governor of Wisconsin, U.S. senator, and in 1924 Progressive candidate for President.]

Gen. Atkinson and U.S. troops leave Fort Armstrong at 9:30 A.M. aboard Java, arriving at old Sauk village at 11 A.M. U.S. troops join volunteers at Rapids of Rock River, but steamboat is unable to pass rapids.Illinois Advocate, 15 May 1832; IHi—BHWC, Johnston Journal; Journal of Felix St. Vrain, Photocopy.

Lincoln gives deed to Gershom Jayne for interest in undivided half of 47-acre tract on north bank of Sangamon River, 12 miles northwest of New Salem, for which Jayne pays $30. Sangamon County Deed Book K, 686, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois Springfield.

The court appoints Lincoln guardian ad litem of the infant defendants in Rhodes & Walter v. Dean et al., a foreclosure case. The children are the minor heirs of Merit Lyon, deceased.Record.

[The Champaign County Circuit Court begins a two-day session. Lincoln had represented the plaintiffs in Brownfield et al. v. Brownfield et al.; however, the court record indicates that Brown appears as the plaintiffs' attorney at this term.Decree, 9 May 1842, Brownfield et al. v. Brownfield et al., Circuit Court Record A, 50, Champaign County Circuit Court, Urbana Free Library, Urbana, IL.]

[Lincoln is either on his way to or in Paris, Illinois, to attend the Edgar County Circuit Court which has begun a six-day term.]

[Moultrie Circuit Court convenes at Sullivan.]

On back of C. Ludlum's rent note Lincoln acknowledges receipt of full payment for house rental. Privately Owned.

In Smith & Dunlap v. Dunlap, decided by Supreme Court January 7, 1851, defendant moves that Sangamon Circuit Court enter partial satisfaction of judgment. Judge Davis overrules motion, grants defendant's appeal to Supreme Court and instructs clerk to enter foregoing order, which is in Lincoln's handwriting. Photocopy.

Lincoln and Parker win Crittenden v. Sweeney, trover and conversion, when jury finds for plaintiff in sum of $300. Reeves v. Wilkey, tried on 4th, is decided in favor of plaintiff. Third case is settled by agreement. With important rape case coming on for trial, court orders Lincoln to act as prosecutor for remainder of term. Record.

He writes indictment of Thomas Delny for rape, signing "Lincoln atty Pro tem." Indictment, May 1853, Tokyo Lincoln Center, Meisei University, Tokyo, Japan.

In riot case tried May 6, 1854 court fines each guilty defendant $9 and costs. Charges against two defendants are dismissed. In forgery case in which Lincoln is defending Benjamin Kellogg, People v. Kellogg, plaintiff is ruled to post $300 bond (see October 7, 1854). Three other cases in which Lincoln is counsel are continued. Record.

For plaintiff in Harriott & Gridley v. Tinney, he writes, signs, and files replication. Photocopy.

Gill v. McGrew, assumpsit case in which Lincoln is one of plaintiff's attorneys, is dismissed by agreement at defendant's costs. Record.

He writes agreement in Ayers v. Brown & Brown. Photocopy.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges $1.58 worth of ribbon. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

In Davis v. Scates, jury is called but discharged. Lincoln represents defendant. Mark v. Bailey et al., chancery suit before court May 2, 1855, terminates when report of master in chancery is approved. Lincoln is one of complainant's counsel. Lincoln writes agreement in Denniston v. Dorsett, assumpsit. Tazewell Circuit Court adjourns. Record; Photocopy.

On returning to Springfield, Lincoln's first duty is to visit land office in connection with two pre-emption claims sent him by Joseph Brackett. He declines invitation to speak in Minnesota during coming campaign, and files declaration in Wainwright, Huntington, & Floyd v. Curtis et al., alleging nonpayment of promissory note for $1,322.83, in U.S. Circuit Court. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph W. Brackett, 18 May 1857, CW, 2:395-96; Abraham Lincoln to Charles D. Gilfillan, 9 May 1857, CW, 2:395; Record.

French v. Courtney is tried by court. Lincoln appears for defendant. Court awards plaintiff $424.66, amount of his note and interest. Record.

Lincoln writes court order continuing Davenport v. Sconce & DonCarlos, which Judge Davis signs. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln attends the Illinois Republican State Convention. John Hanks displays a Lincoln-for-President "banner" made from "two old time fence rails." The audience encourages Lincoln to comment. Lincoln recalls that in 1830, when he first came to Illinois, he "built a cabin, split rails, and cultivated a small farm . . . six or eight miles from Decatur." He could not attest that the banner rails were ones he had created, but over the years, "he had mauled many and many better ones." New York Daily Tribune, 22 May 1860, 7:1; Press and Tribune (Chicago, IL), 10 May 1860, 1:2; Remarks to Republican State Convention, Decatur, Illinois, 9 May 1860, CW, 4:48-49.

White House party, including President, spends afternoon at Navy Yard. Views dress parade of 71st New York Regiment and attends band concert. Boards steamer USS Pensacola and watches target practice by 11-inch Dahlgren gun. At 7 P.M. Presidential party leaves Navy Yard to customary salute of thirty-four guns. National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; Bruce, Tools of War, 17-18; Nicolay to Bates, 10 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Baltimore Sun, 10 May 1861.

In the evening, President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, host a reception for "commissioned officers, and their families, of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps and the Volunteer Militia." Major Robert Anderson, whose forces strove to repel the Confederate attack on Ft. Sumter, arrives unnoticed. A newspaper reports, "The President . . . hastened in quest of the Major, and leading him forward placed him by his side." Lincoln's sons Willie and Tad "especially" admire Anderson, "and it was mentioned of one of them that in sitting for his photograph lately he insisted upon having . . . a picture of Major A. in his hand." Marine Band provides music. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1861, 3:1; Sun (Baltimore, MD), 10 May 1861, 1:4; Michael Burlingame, ed., With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865 (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2000), 41-42.

President takes cruise around Hampton Roads in revenue cutter Miami. Holds conference at Fortress Monroe, Va., and decides to send force against Norfolk under General Wool. Reads from Shakespeare to Colonel Cannon during day. At dinner converses with Wool about plan to take Norfolk. Wool remarks: "If you stay here 48 hours, I will present Norfolk to you." Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton use tugboat in searching for possible landing places whence to begin march on Norfolk. About 2 P.M. crosses to place selected for landing, about one mile below Fort Wool, Va. Lincoln goes ashore. Returns to Fortress Monroe where troops are embarking. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 May 1862, 2d ed., 2:2-3, 3:5; Boston Advertiser, 12 May 1862; Chester D. Bradley, "President Lincoln's Campaign against the Merrimac," Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 51 (Spring 1958):80-83; LeGrand B. Cannon, Personal Reminiscences of the Rebellion, 1861-1866 (New York: Burr Print. House, 1895), 157-59, 172-75; William E. Baringer, "On Enemy Soil: President Lincoln's Norfolk Campaign," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 7 (March 1952):18, 25.

President assists Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton in framing dispatch to General George B. McClellan relating to army corps, and writes directly: "Do the Commanders of Corps disobey your orders in anything? . . . are you strong enough, even with my help—to set your foot upon the necks of Sumner, Heintzelman, and Keyes all at once?" Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 9 May 1862, CW, 5:207-8; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 9 May 1862, CW, 5:208-9.

[Gen. Hunter, commanding Dept. of South, issues General Orders No. 11 freeing slaves in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, without informing President. (See May 19, 1862.) Proclamation Revoking General Hunter's Order of Military Emancipation of May 9, 1862, 19 May 1862, CW, 5:222-24.]

President interviews Gen. Sigel regarding assignment. N.Y. Herald, 10 May 1863.

Receives report of Capt. Diller that 1,000 pounds of new gunpowder is ready for trial at Frankford Arsenal, Pa. Diller report to Lincoln, 31 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Walks to Treasury Park with Sec. Stanton to watch demonstration of liquid fire by A. Berney. Bruce, Tools of War, 238.

Directs Gen. Dix: "It is very important for Hooker to know exactly what damage is done to the Railroads, at all points between Fredericksburg and Richmond. . . . Please ascertain fully what was done, & what is the present condition, as near as you can, and advise me at once." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dix, 9 May 1863, CW, 6:207.

At request of Congressman James A. Garfield (Ohio), President interviews Lt. Harrison Millard (resigned) relative to civil appointment. Abraham Lincoln to Hiram Barney, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:332-33.

Recommends to friends of Union and liberty to unite in common thanksgiving and prayer of gratitude for military success. Abraham Lincoln to the Friends of Union and Liberty, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:333.

Recognizes Frederick Klumpp as consul of Würtemburg at New Orleans and August Widemann at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 1:6.

Receives news of failure of General Banks's Red River expedition from Gwinn H. Heap, clerk to Rear Admiral David D. Porter, accompanied by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Welles, Diary.

Highly pleased by dispatches reporting advances of General Ulysses S. Grant. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Responds to serenade by crowd at White House led by band from 27th Michigan Volunteers. Response to Serenade, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:334; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1864, 2d ed. 2:1.