Lincoln dines and takes tea with Orville H. Browning. In evening he speaks on Nebraska question at Kendall's Hall. Browning, Diary. After speech Lincoln, Jonas, and several others go to "oyster-saloon." Jonas and Lincoln then walk to Quincy House, where they part late at night. Before retiring, Lincoln hunts up stage driver and makes arrangements for his return trip next day. Speech at Quincy, Illinois, 1 November 1854, CW, 2:285-86.

Lincoln leaves on stage for Naples "before daylight in the morning." Abraham Lincoln to Abraham Jonas, 21 July 1860, CW, 4:85-86.

[Trip, covering approximately 50 miles, requires full day.]

Lincoln probably takes Great Western from Naples, leaving at 9:00 A.M. and reaching Springfield at 1:45 P.M.

[In his letter of October 30, 1854 to Yates Lincoln wrote that he expected "to be back in time to speak at Carlinville on Saturday, if thought expedient."]

Election day. Lincoln is 162nd voter to appear; 587 votes are cast in his precinct. He heads list of candidates, receiving 385 votes, one more than Yates. Lincoln and Logan are elected to legislature. Election Returns.

Lincoln writes and files in Sangamon Circuit Court foreclosure bill in Irwin & Lincoln v. Sidener. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At daylight Lincoln leaves for Clinton, where special term of the DeWitt Circuit Court is held. Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 12 November 1854, CW, 2:286-87.

Case which is to have long history is called but continued, Allen v. Illinois Central RR Swett and McKinley represent plaintiff, Lincoln and Moore defendant. Plaintiff claims that in construction of railroad he has been damaged through obstruction of drain and removal of earth. Transcript of Record, Supreme Court Files.

Lincoln corrects plea filed in Williams v. Clearwater. Photocopy.

Anti-Nebraska legislature having been elected, Lincoln conceives senatorial ambitions. He writes Charles Hoyt of Aurora: "Some friends here are really for me, for the U.S. Senate; and I should be very grateful if you could make a mark for me among your members. Please write me at all events, giving me the names, post-offices, and 'political position' of members round about you. Direct to Springfield." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 10 November 1854, CW, 2:286.

He also writes to John Y. Scammon of Chicago, and writes plea and notice for Joseph Winkel and Andrew C. Scott in Scott v. Winkel & C. Scott, signing "Wickizer & Lincoln." Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes grand jury true bill in People v. A. G. Herndon, and Judge Davis signs. Lincoln writes judgment of court in Cushman v. Illinois Central RR, and Judge Davis signs. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

Lincoln writes Jacob Harding of Paris; he suspects that Whig has been elected to legislature from Edgar County. If so, "could you not make a mark with him for me, for U.S. Senator?—I really have some chance." Lincoln returns to Springfield in evening. Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Harding, 11 November 1854, CW, 2:286.

Lincoln writes Browning detailed account of election results. "Yates is beaten from 100 to 150. The whole thing was done in Morgan & Scott counties; in all the rest of the District we did better then we expected. . . . We now understand here that Mr. Williams is beaten also. Schuyler and Brown are said to have played thunder. . . . It looks as if Anti Nebraska will have the H. R—the Senate doubtful." Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 12 November 1854, CW, 2:286-87.

Lincoln attends special term of DeWitt Circuit Court. As usual he is concerned with litigation to which Illinois Central is party. He files demurrer in Williams v. Clearwater, which is continued. Record.

Carey v. Illinois Central RR comes to trial. Jury finds defendant guilty of trespass and assesses plaintiff's damages at $168.53. Dye v. Illinois Central RR is settled by agreement which includes payment of $100 and costs to plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln writes agreement. Photocopy.

In Cundiff et al. v. Illinois Central RR, jury finds for defendant. Court overrules motion for new trial. Record.

Lincoln acts with Moore for defense in Ryan v. Perce, Keith, and Clark, losing case. Photocopy.

Two more Illinois Central cases are tried, both before juries. In first case—Lear v. Illinois Central RR—jury finds defendant guilty of trespass and assesses plaintiff's damages at $225. In second, Spencer v. Illinois Central RR, brought by William Spencer, verdict is also for plaintiff, but amount of damages is only $6.50. Lincoln and Wickizer, for defense in Lorenzo Scott v. Joseph Winkel & Andrew Scott, dismiss case by agreement with counsel for plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln writes court decree in Billington v. Mattlen et al., chancery to foreclose mortgage. Photocopy.

He reaches home in evening. Abraham Lincoln to Ichabod Codding, 27 November 1854, CW, 2:288.

[Fall term of Sangamon Circuit Court is scheduled to open, but Judge Davis does not appear, and opening is deferred until Tuesday.]

Twelve of Lincoln & Herndon's cases are called, among them one in which Lincoln is principal. This is foreclosure suit, Irwin & Lincoln v. Sidener. Defendant defaults, and court decrees that Lincoln recover from Sidener $594.80, principal and interest due on note. Equity of redemption in real estate—E½ of Lot 4 in Block One, Old Town Plat—is barred, and property ordered sold. Record.

Four of six Lincoln & Herndon cases are continued. Fifth—Welk & Sulver v. Carrigan—is dismissed on motion of plaintiffs, whom Lincoln & Herndon represent. In sixth—Cannan v. Arnold—defendant defaults, and court awards plaintiff, Lincoln's client, property in controversy plus damages of one cent. Record.

Court day is marked by two trials, one before jury, other before court. In both cases verdict is against Lincoln & Herndon's clients, but jury awards damages of only $12.50, court of $23. Another case—Williams v. Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co.—is dismissed, each party paying his own costs. Record.

Order of dismissal in Welk & Sulver v. Carrigan, secured Wednesday, is set aside on Lincoln & Herndon's motion. Maxey v. Fuller & Alvord is tried by jury, which returns verdict of $200 in favor of plaintiff, whom Lincoln & Herndon represent. Batterton v. Willis is tried by court and results in verdict of $3.50 for plaintiff, Lincoln's client. Record.

Lincoln & Herndon lose important case when jury returns verdict of $10,000 for plaintiff in Dunlap v. Sayles. Logan, Stuart and Edwards represented plaintiff. In three other cases motions are entered. Record.

Lincoln writes to N. W. Matheny, clerk of Sangamon Circuit Court, declining office of representative. Abraham Lincoln to Noah W. Matheny, 25 November 1854, CW, 2:287-88.

Lincoln writes two important letters. One is to T. J. Henderson, member of House from Stark County, asking for his vote in senatorial election. Other is to Ichabod Codding, asking by what authority he (Lincoln) has been placed on Republican state central committee. He writes Elihu N. Powell of Peoria that, as Powell advised, he declines to serve as representative. He stood for election only to help Yates. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Henderson, 27 November 1854, CW, 2:288; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu N. Powell, 27 November 1854, CW, 2:289.

Lincoln & Herndon have six cases in court. One is jury trial, Fullenwider & Scott v. Arnold. When jury finds for defendant, Lincoln & Herndon, plaintiffs' attorneys, file bill of exceptions. Another case is dismissed by agreement, and balance are continued. Record.

After disposal of few cases in court, B. S. Edwards announces death of Charles R. Welles, member of bar. Court adjourns, and bar meets in court room. Conkling, Stuart, and Lincoln are appointed committee to bring in resolutions of condolence. Conkling reports resolutions, and meeting adjourns. Record; Resolutions on the Death of Charles R. Welles, 29 November 1854, CW, 2:289-90.

When court meets at nine o'clock, B. S. Edwards presents resolutions and makes brief eulogy of Welles. He then asks that resolutions be inscribed on record and that court adjourn until next day. Judge Davis so orders. Record.