Lincoln receives reply to his letter of March 24, 1848 to David Lincoln. Latter has found that his uncle was Lincoln's grandfather.Abraham Lincoln to David Lincoln, 2 April 1848, CW, 1:461-62.

Lincoln is present at session of House, which continues consideration of private bills.Journal.

Lincoln writes to David Lincoln, of Virginia, regarding their shared family roots. David provided information that prompts Abraham to assert, "There is no longer any doubt that your uncle Abraham, and my grandfather was the same man." Abraham shares information about various uncles and he asks, "What was your grandfather's christian name? Was he not, a Quaker? About what time did he emigrate from Berks county, Pa. to Virginia? Do you know any thing of your family (or rather I may now say, our family) farther back than your grandfather?" Lincoln closes, "I shall be much pleased to hear from you again." Abraham Lincoln to David Lincoln , 24 March 1848, CW, 1:459; Abraham Lincoln to David Lincoln, 2 April 1848, CW, 1:461-62.

"Mr. Lincoln moved to suspend the rules of the House to take up the joint resolution from the Senate relative to contracts for the purchase of hemp for the use of the navy, for the purpose of referring it to the Committee on Naval Affairs." Motion fails to receive two-thirds majority necessary to suspend rules.Globe; Discussion in United States House of Representatives, 3 April 1848, CW, 1:462-63.

House debates resolution to print extra copies of correspondence between War Department and Gen. Scott, Gen. Taylor, and Nicholas P. Trist, negotiator of treaty of peace with Mexico. Debate is cut short by motion to go into Committee of Whole. Lincoln votes against motion but it carries 93-80.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln is present as House takes up private calendar. He votes against motion to adjourn until April 10, 1848. Motion fails.Journal.

Lincoln writes to Mrs. Lincoln. Letter is not extant but is mentioned in letter he writes to her April 16, 1848.Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 16 April 1848, CW, 1:465-66.

Lincoln visits Patent Office to inquire about application for patent by Jesse Lynch of Magnolia. Lynch is optimistic about Taylor's chances, but Lincoln informs him that same day his letter arrived he received one from another man in Magnolia which was less hopeful.Abraham Lincoln to Jesse Lynch, 10 April 1848, CW, 1:463-64.

Lincoln votes to concur in Senate resolution congratulating people of France on their establishment of republican government.Globe.

Palfrey of Massachusetts moves to add to yesterday's resolution prefix: "Resolved, That no despotism is more effective than that which exists under the semblance of popular institutions." Debate on slavery ensues. Motion is finally tabled, Lincoln voting aye. Lincoln votes to repeal part of West Point appropriation act which provides board of visitors and allows them $2,000 expenses.Globe.

Day is taken up with introduction of bills, committee reports, and speeches on contested election in 6th New York district. Lincoln votes against resolution declaring James Monroe entitled to seat occupied by D. S. Jackson. It fails 75-95.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln writes Walter Davis, Springfield mechanic, about pension and land claim. He certifies to pension commissioner facts of Lt. Thomas Davis, Mexican War casualty, brother of Walter Davis.Abraham Lincoln to Walter Davis, 14 April 1848, CW, 1:464; Certificate to Commissioner of Pensions Concerning Thomas Davis, 14 April 1848, CW, 1:464-65.

In accordance with request from his wife, Lincoln goes shopping for pair of plaid stockings for his son Eddie. He visits two shops, but one has gone out of business and other does not have the kind Mrs. Lincoln wants. Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 16 April 1848, CW, 1:465-66.

Lincoln writes to his wife Mary and confesses, "When you were here, I thought you hindered me some in attending to business; but now, having nothing but business . . . it has grown exceedingly tasteless to me . . . I hate to stay in this old room by myself." Lincoln reports that he is having trouble finding the "little plaid stockings" that Mary asked him to purchase for their son Eddy. Lincoln asks what his sons Eddy and Robert "think of the little letters father sent them?" He adds, "Dont let the blessed fellows forget father."Abraham Lincoln to Mary Lincoln, 16 April 1848, CW, 1:465-66.

Lincoln votes to authorize Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into expediency of repealing all duties on French products provided France will reciprocate with respect to American products. It passes 99-85. He votes to suspend rules to permit introduction of resolution requesting President to inform House whether Gen. Scott has been suspended from his command, and if so, for what reason. It fails.Globe.

Seat from 6th New York district is contested on ground that 157 inmates of Blackwell's Island and city almshouse voted illegally for Jackson, Democratic candidate. Whig majority of Committee on Elections recommends that Monroe, Whig, be declared entitled to seat. Lincoln votes against giving seat to either candidate, and in favor of resolution declaring neither entitled to it.Journal.

In compliance with request from Benjamin Kellogg, Lincoln visits Patent Office. He leaves Kellogg's letter with request for information desired. It is returned to him in evening with pencilled notations. Lincoln writes secretary of war nominating Hezekiah H. Garber of Petersburg to West Point.Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin Kellogg, Jr., 21 April 1848, CW, 1:466-67; Abraham Lincoln to William L. Marcy, 20 April 1848, CW, 1:466.

Lincoln answers Kellogg's letter. "I return the letter, because I suppose you will understand their notes better by seeing them, than you could by my writing about them."Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin Kellogg, Jr., 21 April 1848, CW, 1:466-67.

[House adjourns until April 24, 1848.]

Lincoln is present at House session. Numerous motions are introduced to suspend rules to make one bill or another order of day. All are voted down, and House adjourns early.Globe.

Imprisonment of 80 slaves who escaped on steamer docked at Georgetown provoked outburst in "National Era," abolition paper, and mob threatens to dismantle press. This precipitates heated debate in House. Finally Brown of Mississippi moves to table subject to prevent its going "to the country to a greater extent than it had already gone out." Lincoln votes aye; and motion passes 130-42.Globe.

Burt of Committee on Military Affairs introduces amendment to military bill providing for limiting major generals to one and brigadier generals to two on ratification of treaty of peace. Lincoln votes against motion to table. Motion is defeated 73-105.Globe.

Lincoln lays on clerk's table memorial of heirs of Abraham Tipton, previously presented to House in 1835 and referred to Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.Journal.

"My hope of Taylor's nomination is as high,—a little higher—than it was when you left," writes Lincoln to E. B. Washburne. ". . . My prayer is, that you . . . send us a good Taylor delegate from your circuit. Make Baker . . . help about it. He is a good hand to raise a breeze." He sends similar request to Archibald Williams of Quincy.Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 30 April 1848, CW, 1:467; Abraham Lincoln to Archibald Williams, 30 April 1848, CW, 1:467-68.