With selection of U.S. senator impending, Lincoln buys stack of small notebooks and lists members of legislature, labelling each Democrat, Whig, Anti-Nebraska Democrat (D., W., A.N.D.), or otherwise. His analysis shows, in Senate, 11 Democrats, 9 Whigs, 5 Anti-Nebraska Democrats. In House he finds 30 Democrats, 28 Whigs, 14 Anti-Nebraska Democrats, 1 Nebraska Whig, 1 Abolitionist, 1 vacancy. Lincoln copies this into several notebooks and gives them to friends as guides in senatorial campaigning. List of Members of the Illinois Legislature in 1855, [1 January 1855?], CW, 2:296-98.

Illinois legislature completes organization. Anti-Nebraska members elect speaker and all other officers of House; in Senate they elect secretary and clerk. Lincoln, watching developments with his own candidacy in mind, telegraphs result to E. B. Washburne. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 6 December [January] 1855, CW, 2:303-4.

Lincoln writes and signs Lincoln & Herndon to mechanics lien bill in Stigleman, Johnson & Co. v. Paddleford & Co., Sangamon Circuit Court case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In the evening, Lincoln is at the statehouse, where he speaks to a group that seeks to encourage Illinois's black residents to relocate to Liberia, in Africa. A newspaper reports, "Mr. Lincoln was emphatically non-committal, and no man could have handled the subject with more grace and...tact. He stated that it was a subject entered into by men of all parties and shades of thought, and that if it could be accomplished without trouble...he would be in favor of the project...No one can object to this position." Outline for Speech to the Colonization Society, [4 January 1855], CW, 2:298-301; Sunday Morning Republican (St. Louis, MO), 7 January 1855, 2:5-6.

In Clark v. Stigleman et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, before court at July term, 1854, Lincoln files Calvin Stigleman's affidavit for continuance. Photocopy.

He writes, signs, and swears his own affidavit in Stigleman, Johnson & Co. v. Paddleford & Co.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In letter to Washburne, Lincoln sums up situation in legislature as it affects his candidacy. "I understand myself as having 26 committals; and I do not think any other one man has ten." But "I do not know that it is much advantage to have the largest number of votes at the start." Lincoln and B. S. Edwards write legal opinion regarding settlement of estates of Joseph Smith and James Bradford. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 6 December [January] 1855, CW, 2:303-4; Opinion Concerning the Estates of Joseph Smith and James M. Bradford, 6 January 1855, CW, 2:301-3.

Lincoln buys pair of gloves and sewing materials for Mrs. Lincoln. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Richard Yates about Lincoln's chances of winning the upcoming election to the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senators were elected by the state legislatures at this time. Lincoln is the Whig candidate, and incumbent Senator James Shields is the Democratic candidate. Lincoln surveys the legislature and speculates on which legislators will or will not support him: "At the meeting of the Legislature we had 57 to their 43, nominally. But [William C.] Kinny did not attend which left us only 56. Then [A. H.] Trapp of St. Clair went over, leaving us only 55, and raising them to 44. Next [Uri] Osgood of the Senate went over, reducing us to 54 and raising them to 45." Lincoln comments on the treachery and on the messy business of politics: "What mines, and pitfalls they have under us we do not know; but we understand they claim to have 48 votes. If they have that number, it is only that they have already got some men whom we have all along suspected they would get; and we hope they have reached the bottom of the rotten material. In this too, we may be mistaken. This makes a squally case of it." As to when the issue will be settled, Lincoln concludes, "If the election should be protracted, a general scramble may ensue, and your chance will be as good as that of any other I suppose... I suppose the election will commence on the 31st. and when it will end I am sure I have no idea." Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 14 January 1855, CW 10:25-26.

[Evening heavy snow, accompanied by strong wind, commences. Illinois Journal, 23 January 1855.]

Snow and wind continue all day, making travel impossible. Trains are marooned on prairies, telegraph lines are down, no mails arrive, churches abandon services. Illinois Journal, 23 January 1855.

Lincoln, like all residents of Springfield, is snowbound.

Lincoln has two cases in U.S. Circuit Court. In Collins et al. v. Cook, filed December 18, 1854, defendant defaults and Lincoln & Herndon get judgment for $1,453.59 for their clients. In Taylor v. Humphries, ejectment, defendant also defaults, and court orders that Lincoln's client recover property and costs. Record.

Travel to and from Springfield is still impossible. Lincoln buys overshoes, small shawl, and for his wife two combs and cotton flannel. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

First train to reach Springfield in four days comes in from Alton. Snowdrifts continue to bar entrance from north. Illinois Journal, 25 January 1855.

Logan and Lincoln, representing complainants in Bank of Missouri v. Ryan et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, file replication. Record.

Judgment in Taylor v. Humphries is set aside by agreement, and Logan files defendant's plea. Lincoln writes and files plaintiff's replication. In Bank of Missouri v. Ryan et al., Logan and Lincoln, now acting together, file motion for appointment of auditor to examine accounts of defendant Caldwell. Motion is argued and auditor appointed. Record; Files.

Lincoln buys another "Small Shawl" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

One train from Bloomington forces its way into Springfield—first to arrive from north in more than a week. Illinois Journal, 29 January 1855.

During afternoon Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., case involving trust for benefit of Illinois College, is before Supreme Court. D. A. Smith of Jacksonville, retained with Lincoln by appellants, commences his argument, but court adjourns before he finishes. Record.