Lincoln and Johnston take oath prescribed in act of legislature of June 22, 1852, whereby they were appointed commissioners to hear canal claims (see November 2, 1852). Edwin S. Leland, judge of Ninth Circuit, administers oath. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

P. Lindley, recorder of circuit court of LaSalle County, certifies correctness of abstract submitted as evidence before Lincoln and Johnston. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

Lincoln and Johnston engage R. E. Goodell as clerk. They have rented sheriff's office and are conducting hearings there. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

Lincoln and Johnston continue to hear claims.

"Noah Johnston, Esq., of Mt. Vernon, and Abraham Lincoln, Esq., of Springfield, Commissioners to take testimony in the case of Canal Claimants, arrived in this City on Wednesday last." Chicago Democratic Press, 10 December 1852.

Lincoln and Johnston hear claims against canal. Chicago Democratic Press, 10 December 1852.

Lincoln and Johnston continue hearings. Chicago Democratic Press, 10 December 1852.

"The Commission to take testimony for the state, relative to claims for damages to contractors on the Canal, has been in session at the Canal office for the past few days, and from the natural course of procedure we should judge its labors would close without prolonged delay." Chicago Journal.

[In Springfield, opening of Supreme Court, scheduled for today, is postponed because of absence of Justices Caton and Trumbull. Register, 14 December 1852.]

Lincoln and Johnston leave for Springfield to continue hearings. Date of departure cannot be determined, but it was probably during this week. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

[Supreme Court begins its session in Springfield with Justices Treat and Trumbull on bench. Register, 16 December 1852.

Justice Caton does not arrive from Ottawa until night. "The different wagons he rode in on the trip down broke down seven times and a Troy coach upset with him, injuring his head badly." Register, 18 December 1852.]

Lincoln and Johnston reach Springfield, where adjourned canal hearings resume December 20, 1852. Register, 20 December 1852.

Lincoln and Johnston resume hearings, "and will continue . . . probably two weeks." Register, 20 December 1852.

Lincoln deposits $3.31 cash at Robert Irwin's, probably to balance his account. Irwin Ledger.