Alton and Springfield Railroad convention assembles in U.S. District Court. Judge Treat is elected president. Lincoln is present with 12 other Sangamon delegates. Morgan County has four delegates, headed by Hardin and Lamborn, and five have come from Madison County.Alton Telegraph, 20 December 1845.

On motion of Lincoln & Herndon, attorneys for plaintiff, Rockwell et al. v. Bradford is continued in U.S. Circuit Court.Record.

Railroad convention hears report of committee appointed to call on Gov. Ford to ascertain status of Northern Cross Railroad. After discussion they adjourn until Thursday.Alton Telegraph, 20 December 1845.

Lincoln writes and signs assignment of errors in Rysinger and Nye v. Cheney (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan reports to Railroad convention plan for concentrating efforts of Sangamon, Morgan, and Madison Counties for purchase of Northern Cross Railroad and construction of Alton and Springfield. Lincoln's name is not mentioned in proceedings, but he probably attends.Alton Telegraph, 20 December 1845.

[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.]

"To succeed, I must have 17 votes in convention," writes Lincoln to B. F. James. ". . . If you and other friends can secure Dr. Boal's entire senatorial district, that is, Tazewell 4, Woodford 1, and Marshall 1, it just covers the case. . . . In doing this, let nothing be said against Hardin. . . . Let the pith of the whole argument be `Turn about is fair play.' "Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. James, 6 December 1845, CW, 1:351-52.

Lincoln writes and signs assignment of errors in Murphy v. Summerville (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

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

[Justice Caton arrives, but Supreme Court lacks quorum and adjourns.] Lincoln writes and signs assignment of error in Fell v. Price and Edwards, and Simpson v. Ranlett (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, attorney for appellees in McCall v. Lesher et al. (SC), moves to dismiss appeal. Griggs et al. v. Gear, and Weld v. Gear, similar cases from Jo Daviess County, come on appeal and writ of error. Hardin, attorney for appellees, asks that appeal be dismissed for error in execution of appeal bond. Lincoln, for appellants, asks writ of certiorari.Record.

Supreme Court orders defendants to join in error in Ellis v. Locke, and Ross et al. v. Nesbit. Lincoln appears for appellant in first and defendant in second. Plaintiff is ordered to assign errors and file abstracts in Simpson v. Ranlett. Lincoln and Dickey represent appellant and Peters appellee.Record.

Chickering's motion for leave to file supplemental record is granted in Griggs et al. v. Gear. In Weld v. Gear, appellee is ordered to join in error by December 29, 1845. Rule against defendant made July 8, 1842 inPeople ex rel. Duncan v. Thorn is dismissed for want of prosecution. Lincoln appears for appellant in first two cases and for defendant in latter.Record.

Lincoln writes and files certificate of publication in Wren v. Moss et al. (SC).Photocopy.

Mrs. Lincoln buys more clothing material ($8).Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln for appellees moves that appeal be dismissed in McCall v. Lesher et al. (SC). After argument, motion is denied. Regnier v. Cabot et al. (SC) is argued before court by Robbins for appellant and Harris and Logan for appellees.Record.

McCall v. Lesher et al. is argued by Logan for appellant and Lincoln for appellees. Donaldson v. Reynolds and Walker is continued in U.S. Circuit Court. Lincoln represents defendants.Record.

Mrs. Lincoln buys 1½ pounds cotton batting.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Argument in McCall v. Lesher et al. is continued by Lincoln and Logan and case submitted to court.Record.

Lincoln writes assignment of errors, signing Logan & Lincoln, inWilson, administrator v. Alexander (SC).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln purchases three yards brown Holland, and a yard "Green Barage," each costing 75¢.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln and Powell appear for plaintiff in Wren v. Moss et al. (SC), and argue motion made for rule on defendants to join in error. Motion is resisted by Merriman. Court considers. Judgment of lower court is affirmed in Regnier v. Cabot et al. Justice Purple delivers court opinion.Record; 7 Ill. 34.

Motion argued by Lincoln and Powell yesterday in Wren v. Moss et al. that defendants be ruled to join in error, is allowed.Record.

Lincoln writes and signs reply to assignment in errors in Wright v. Bennett (SC), case on custody of illegitimate child.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln spends $5.43 on clothing material, charging to account, and buys $6.80 groceries.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Cunningham v. Fithian et al. (SC), appeal from Vermilion, is argued by J. B. Thomas and J. J. Brown for appellant and Lincoln and Logan for appellees.Record.

Magone v. Little et al. (SC), error from Jo Daviess, was submitted early in term by Campbell and Lincoln, for plaintiff in error. Opinion is given by Justice Scates, reversing lower court.Sangamo Journal, 15 January 1846.

Lincoln continues argument in Cunningham v. Fithian et al.Record.

Argument in Cunningham v. Fithian et al. is continued by J. J. Brown for appellant.Record.

Mrs. Lincoln takes home remnant linen ($1.31) and 6¢ worth of buttons.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Eldridge v. Rowe (SC) is argued by Peters for appellant and Lincoln for appellee. Logan for appellee in Ellis v. Locke (SC) moves default (December 17, 1845) be set aside and order of reversal for nonjoinder in error be vacated and case dismissed. J. J. Brown concludes argument in Cunningham v. Fithian et al.Record.

Hall v. Irwin et al. (SC), is argued by Minshall for plaintiff and Lincoln and Thomas for defendants.Record.

Lincoln appears alone for appellant in Ellis v. Locke (SC); in three other cases he is associated with McConnel, Trumbull, and Powell. Record.

Lincoln writes to Samuel D. Marshall about Dorman et ux. v. Lane which he handled in Supreme Court for Marshall. He outlines his next procedure and concludes, "Dont speak of this, lest they hear it, and take the alarm."Abraham Lincoln to Samuel D. Marshall, 30 December 1845, CW, 1:352.

Defendant in Chauncey v. Jackson is ordered by Supreme Court to join in error by January 2, 1845. Butterfield appears for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant.Record.

Lincoln pays into his bank account $11.99 cash, and $50 note made to him by Nathaniel Hay.Irwin Ledger.