In U.S. Circuit Court two of Lincoln's cases are called—Wainwright et al. v. Curtis et al., and Eshrick, Black & Co. v. Tobias, Hittle & Co. Defendants are ruled to plead by Wednesday. Record.

Lincoln writes Messrs. Cornell, Waite & Jameson of Chicago that register of land office has declined to enter land which they wished. He has made memorandum of facts and has deposited $400 in gold with Jacob Bunn, who will hold it subject to their order. "Now, if you please," he concludes, "send me ten dollars as a fee." Abraham Lincoln to Paul Cornell, Charles B. Waite, and John A. Jameson, 2 June 1857, CW, 2:396-97.

Two of his cases in U.S. Circuit Court are continued. Record.

In both cases called on the 1st defendants default, and Lincoln obtains judgments for his clients. In Eshrick, Black & Co. v. Tobias, Hittle & Co. amount is $867.26; in Wainwright, Huntington, & Floyd v. Curtis et al. two judgments, one for $1,104.25, other for $620.52, are entered. Two other cases are continued. Record.

Mrs. Lincoln buys yard goods and buttons. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Saltonstall v. Edes et ux., foreclosure suit in which Lincoln entered himself as security for costs March 24, 1857, is called in U.S. Circuit Court. Defendants default, and court orders foreclosure and sale of lands within 20 days unless note for $3,122.59, to secure which mortgage was given, is paid. Record.

Ejectment suit, Tallman v. Harvey, occupies U.S. Circuit Court for most of day. Clark and Lincoln represent plaintiff, while Ives and Thompson and McClernand and E. B. Herndon appear for defendant. After hearing evidence and arguments, court takes the case under advisement (see June 7, 1858). Record; Files.

Lincoln writes Charles A. Purdy that register of land office "says the way for you to get your Patents, is to send these Receipts or Certificates to the General Land Office, with your address, and the Patents will be forwarded directly to your address. Accordingly, I inclose the Receipts to you." Abraham Lincoln to Charles A. Purdy, 9 June 1857, CW, 2:397.

Logan and Lincoln, representing defendant, file affidavit in Gale v. Morgan County Bank in U.S. Court. Plaintiff has brought suit to recover $10,000 from defendant. Record.

Lincoln writes and files declaration in Gilbert v. Read et al. Plaintiff asks damages of $3,000 because he had been suspended from Shurtleff College. IHi—Original.

Lincoln, with McClernand, is court appointed defense attorney in United States v. Andrew J. Sloan, charged with stealing mail. Accused pleads not guilty but is convicted and sentenced to two years in penitentiary. Record.

In response to invitation of grand jury of U.S. Court, Douglas speaks in state house. "The representative hall was a perfect jam—a very large number of ladies were present on the occasion. We were pleased to see in attendance, Col. W. H. Herndon, the Hon. A. Lincoln, the Hon. S. M. Cullom and many other prominent men in the republican party." Register, 15 June 1857.

Lincoln buys two pounds of cream of tartar at Corneau & Diller, drugs. Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.

[McLean Circuit Court convenes for special term at Bloomington. Judge Norton presides in place of Judge Davis.]

Lincoln's suit against Illinois Central for his fee in famous McLean County tax case is called in McLean Circuit Court. No one appears for defendant, so jury, after hearing Lincoln's evidence, assesses his damages at $5,000, amount sued upon. Parties in Pike v. Shaffer, in which Lincoln appears for plaintiff, agree that trial shall be set for June 23, 1857. Record.

Pike v. Shaffer is again continued by agreement. Record.

On motion of defendant's attorney, verdict in Lincoln's suit against Illinois Central is set aside. Jury is again called, and again finds for plaintiff, this time for $4,800. (Lincoln had forgotten $200 retainer.) Court overrules defendant's motion for new trial. Defendant is allowed appeal to Supreme Court, but this appeal is never taken. Record; Brief of Argument in Abraham Lincoln vs. Illinois Central Railroad, [23 June 1857], CW, 2:397-98.

Issue is joined before jury in Coffin v. Palmer et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, Lincoln and Smith for plaintiff. Court adjourns before arguments are finished. Record.

In the evening, Lincoln is in Springfield, where he delivers a speech "in reply to the speech recently made by Judge [Stephen] Douglas." Lincoln takes issue with Douglas's support of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision. Lincoln asserts, "That decision declares two propositions—first, that a negro cannot sue in the U.S. Courts; and secondly, that Congress cannot prohibit slavery in the Territories. . . . [W]e think the . . . decision is erroneous. We know the court that made it, has often over-ruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to have it to over-rule this." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 29 June 1857, 2:1; Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 26 June 1857, CW, 2:398-410.

Lincoln loses Coffin v. Palmer et al. when jury decides that defendants are not holding land belonging to plaintiff. Record.

To Orville H. Browning, Lincoln writes: "When I went to Bloomington . . . I saw Mr. Price and learned from him that this note was a sort of 'insolvent fix-up' with his creditors—a fact in his history I have not before learned of." Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 29 June 1857, CW, 2:410.