At 6:00 AM, Edward Baker Lincoln, the second child of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, dies in Springfield. Edward, who had been ill for nearly two months, would have turned four years old on March 10. In a letter he wrote a few weeks later to his stepbrother John D. Johnston, Lincoln informed Johnston that "we lost our little boy...We miss him very much." Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 2 February 1850, 3:1; Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 23 February 1850, CW, 2:76-77.

Edward Baker Lincoln is buried. "The funeral will take place this morning at 11 o'clock from the residence of Mr. Lincoln." Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 2 February 1850, 3:1.

In Supreme Court Lincoln & Herndon for appellants and Stuart and Edwards for appellees argue Pearl & Holland v. Wellman & Wellman. Wellmans sued in Tazewell Circuit Court to compel payment of judgment, which had been appealed and affirmed by Supreme Court in 1848. Tazewell court decided against Pearl and Holland and they again appealed. Record.

Lincoln concludes for appellants in Pearl & Holland v. Wellman & Wellman. Court affirms judgment of Circuit Court. Record; 11 Ill. 352.

[Register alludes to "ardent scramble" among Whigs for office of federal judge. "Among the most prominent names . . . are Messrs. Browning, Bushnell, Butterfield, Logan, Lincoln and Williams."]

Lincoln receives letter from Sylvester Emmons of Cass County, requesting recommendation for appointment under U.S. marshal. He writes to Thomas J. Turner about land case. Abraham Lincoln to Sylvester Emmons, 9 February 1850, CW, 2:72-73; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Turner, 8 February 1850, CW, 2:72.

Lincoln writes to Emmons: "I shall be entirely satisfied for you to receive the appointment you desire; still I know . . . [the marshal] will look to the wishes of the people of your county, rather than to mine, as to who shall have the appointment. Therefore as your friend, I advise you to get the recommendation of some of your prominent whigs— . . . and I will most cheerfully present them to the Marshall when he shall be here." Abraham Lincoln to Sylvester Emmons, 9 February 1850, CW, 2:72-73.

Lincoln writes to John Tillson, early settler, land-owner and philanthropist of Quincy, in behalf of "a near and favorite" neighbor, Mrs. Stout, who "thinks that some relatives of hers in Bond county have not done exactly right with her in relation to the estates of her grand-father & grand-mother, and that you have some knowledge on the subject." Abraham Lincoln to John Tillson, 15 February 1850, CW, 2:73.

Lincoln writes to William Fithian of Danville in response to inquiries about sale and rental value of properties belonging to Major Mobley which are to be sold under judgment secured by Lincoln, Fithian's attorney, in Sangamon Circuit Court August 29, 1849. Abraham Lincoln to William Fithian, 16 February 1850, CW, 2:74.

Lincoln writes and signs bill in chancery in Gatton et al. v. Turner & Ransom, Sangamon Circuit Court case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Declaration and praecipe in Bale v. Wright & Hickox, written and signed by Lincoln, for plaintiff, is filed in Petersburg. Photocopy.]

Lincoln, Richard Yates, W. Pickering, and others sign address to secretary of war recommending Capt. Napoleon Koscialowski, Polish revolutionary and Mexican War soldier, as major of proposed regiment. Lincoln also writes personal recommendation for Koscialowski to present to secretary. Abraham Lincoln to George W. Crawford, [20 February 1850], CW, 2:74-75; Abraham Lincoln to George W. Crawford, 20 February 1850, CW, 2:76.

Lincoln buys $1.50 in merchandise. Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln writes to his client Abraham Bale, of Petersburg, Illinois, regarding the Menard County Circuit Court case of Bale v. Wright & Hickox. Bale is suing Virgil Hickox and Asa D. Wright to collect $1,000, from a wheat sale. Lincoln writes, "I understand Mr. Hickox will go, or send to Petersburg to-morrow, for the purpose of meeting you to settle the difficulty about the wheat. I sincerely hope you will settle it. . . . If you settle, I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling, you will most likely get your money sooner; and with much less trouble & expense." Declaration, Praecipe (copy), 27 January 1850, Bale v. Wright & Hickox, IHi, Springfield, IL; Abraham Lincoln to Abraham Bale, 22 February 1850, CW, 2:76.

Lincoln writes to John D. Johnston, his stepbrother, who wishes his help in securing contract for mail route: "I have made out a bid for you at $120, guaranteed it myself, got our PM here to certify it, and sent it on." Regarding previous letter of Johnston's concerning "some man's claim for a pension," he writes that those of whom he inquired about claim "decide that he can not get a pension." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 23 February 1850, CW, 2:76-77.

Lincoln writes to John Murray and President Taylor regarding office Murray wants. Abraham Lincoln to John Murray, 25 February 1850, CW, 2:77.