Lincoln writes plaintiff's answer and replication in Forney v. L. C. Blakslee & Co.Photocopy.

In the Woodford County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Simon P. Shope represent plaintiff Joseph Forney in the case of Forney v. L. C. Blakslee & Co., and in a second case with the same title of Forney v. L.C. Blakslee & Co. In each case, Forney is suing the defendant for an unpaid promissory note. Forney seeks $270 in damages in one case, and he seeks $370 in damages in the other case. In both cases, Judge James Harriott overrules the defendant's demurrer to the plaintiff's declaration, and Judge Harriott orders the cases continued. Pleas, Joinder, March 1858 Term, Forney v. L.C. Blakslee & Co.; Declaration, filed 12 March 1858, Forney v. L.C. Blakslee & Co., both in Woodford County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Order, 2 April 1858, Forney v. L.C. Blakslee & Co., Common Law Record B, 216, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL.

The second week of the McLean County Circuit Court Spring term commences. Lincoln is scheduled to speak to the Young Men's Association the next evening, and the editor of a local newspaper promises that Lincoln's address will be "eloquent and instructive." The Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 29 March 1858, 3:1; 5 April 1858, 3:1; 12 April 1858, 3:1.

Lincoln speaks in the evening before an audience of the Young Men's Association at Centre Hall. A newspaper reports that his speech dealt with "the progress of mankind as exhibited by their inventions." The report adds that "The first half of the lecture displayed great research and a careful study of the Bible, evidencing that the lawyer is not by any means unfamiliar with the Books of the Great Law-Giver. The latter half was brim full of original thought. The whole forcibly reminded us of his legal arguments, wherein he first states the facts in a clear and simple manner, and then reasons from those facts backward and forward to cause and effect." The paper concludes that "Mr. Lincoln is an able and original thinker, and in the department of literature fully sustains the reputation he has so justly earned at the bar." The Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 9 April 1858, 3:2-3; First Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions, [6 April 1858], CW 2:437-42.

[Herndon is in Chicago part of this week, probably at Lincoln's suggestion, conferring with "leading Republicans" on calling state convention and giving battle to Douglas. They decide to call convention. Herndon to Trumbull, 12 April 1858, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

[Lincoln is associated with Gallagher, Wait, and Oglesby for plaintiff in Ayer v. Dudley, Macon County attachment suit. Record does not show whether he attended court in person. Record.]

Lincoln writes to fellow Republican and attorney Jackson Grimshaw, of Quincy, Illinois. Lincoln encloses a document from a court case in which the two men are involved. Grimshaw had written to Lincoln about the case and also about the status of Kansas's Lecompton constitution. Grimshaw wrote, "We have a rumour here per telegraph that Lecompton is defeated in the [U.S.] house. He explained that the "Republicans of [Illinois's] 5 District" recently met and composed "resolutions." Grimshaw added, "We are not content merely with the defeat of Lecompton, we are opposed to the extension of slavery & believe [Stephen A.] Douglass & the leaders of the Illinois Democracy are responsible for offering the south the opportunity of carrying slavery into Kansas." Lincoln replies, "I have not seen the political resolutions you refer to; but, I doubt not, our friends every where, act in the right spirit, and with the best judgment. We probably shall have a State convention early in summer, when, by mutual consultation, we can secure uniformity of action, if, indeed, any such uniformity be lacking before." Jackson Grimshaw to Abraham Lincoln, 3 April 1858, SC 606, Manuscripts, IHi, Springfield, IL; Abraham Lincoln to Jackson Grimshaw, 11 April 1858, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE.

Lincoln endorses a petition addressed to Illinois Governor William H. Bissell regarding David Thompson. In 1856, a Woodford County Circuit Court jury found Thompson guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to the Alton Penitentiary for eight years. Lincoln writes, "I was appointed by the court to defend . . . Thompson. I thought at the time his conviction was wrong, and I am now clearly of opinion he ought to be pardoned. I have recently been at Woodford; and the universal sentiment there seems to be in favor of his pardon." Indictment, filed 25 September 1855, People v. Thompson; Jury Verdict, April 1856 Term, People v. Thompson, both in case file, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL; Endorsement: Petition to William H. Bissell for Pardon of David Thompson, 12 April 1858, CW, 2:442-43.

Lincoln writes declaration in Dean v. Kelly et al. Plaintiff has three other lawyers, Davis, Swett, and Whitney. Defendant also has four lawyers, Somers, Coles, Sim, and Sheldon, who move to dissolve injunction. Later in day plaintiff's attorneys move dismissal of suit at his costs, which court orders. Record.

Lincoln signs fee book receipting docket fee of $10 in Baker v. Baker, tried in January 1857. Fee Book.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon, Orville Hickman Browning, and Nehemiah H. Bushnell file a declaration and a praecipe for the plaintiff Mary Macready in the case of Macready v. Alton, Illinois. Macready is suing the city of Alton for $20,000 in damages. She fell into a hole and injured herself while walking on a sidewalk in Alton. Macready claims that the City allowed "a deep and dangerous excavation to be and remain in one of the public sidewalks." Further, the City did not "warn and notify persons upon said sidewalk, of the excavation." Declaration, Praecipe, filed 17 April 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, case file 335; Clerk's Docket, 17 April 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol. 1, fol. 67, U. S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, both in National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Scott v. St. Louis, Alton, & Chicago RR, Lincoln, Hanna, and Scott for plaintiff, is continued on defendant's motion. Record.

Lincoln receives letter from Chicago charging that Elihu B. Washburne is urging re-election of Douglas. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 April 1858, CW, 2:443-44.

Two Democratic conventions—Douglas and Buchanan wings of party—meet in Springfield. Lincoln and other Republicans are on hand to observe. In evening Republican conference is held in state library. G. T. Brown to Trumbull, 21 April 1858, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln sums up: "The democracy parted in not a very encouraged state of mind. . . . Our friends . . . parted in high spirits." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 April 1858, CW, 2:443-44.

Lincoln reads letter Herndon received from Washburne saying he is not for Douglas. "Did him good—" writes Herndon to Washburne. Lincoln "sends you back his best respects and says all is right." William H. Herndon to Elihu B. Washburne, 21 April 1858, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; C. H. Ray to Washburne, 21 April 1858, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On this and two following days Lincoln takes Judge Davis's place on bench at Champaign Circuit Court. He makes notes in judge's docket on 76 chancery and 62 common law cases. Record; Photocopy.

To T. A. Marshall of Charleston Lincoln writes: "I wish you, G. W. Rives of Edgar, and O. L. Davis of Vermilion, to co-operate in getting a Senatorial candidate on the track, in your District. Davis is here, and agrees to do his part. The adversary has his eye upon that district, and will beat us, unless we also are wide awake. . . . I am most anxious to know that you will not neglect the matter." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas A. Marshall, 23 April 1858, CW, 2:443.

In the Champaign County Circuit Court, Lincoln serves as the judge in the case of Chaddon v. Beasley et al., a dispute over an unpaid promissory note. Lincoln orders "stricken from the file" a plea of abatement filed by Barnett Z. Greene, "a defendant not served with process issued herein." The Court also denies the defendants' request "to plead to the merits" because they make their request "now at 8 oclk P. M. of the last day of term," which Lincoln deems, "comes too late." Lincoln orders the Court clerk to assess the damages. The clerk assesses the damages at $409.60, and the Court orders the defendants to pay plaintiff Lyman D. Chaddon the damages and the court costs. Plea in Abatement, 24 April 1858, Chaddon v. Beasley et al., case file 72, Champaign County Circuit Court, Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana, IL; Order, 24 April 1858, Chaddon v. Beasley, et al., Circuit Court Record B, 570, Champaign County Circuit Court, Urbana Free Library, Champaign County Historical Archives, Urbana, IL; Judge's Docket, April 1858 Term, Chaddon v. Beasley et al., Judge's Docket, 246-47, Champaign County Circuit Court, Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana, IL.

[Lincoln's statement in his letter of April 26, 1858 to Washburne—"I am here at this time, but I was home during the sitting of the two Democratic conventions"—shows he did not return to Springfield for week-end. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 April 1858, CW, 2:443-44.]

From Urbana, Illinois, where he is attending the Champaign County Circuit Court, Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Elihu B.Washburne. Lincoln discounts speculation that the congressman is trying to convince Republicans to throw their support to U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas in his bid for re-election. Lincoln attributes the allegation to a misunderstanding amid a charged atmosphere. Lincoln adds, "[T]he whole matter was not worth another moment's consideration . . . I am satisfied you have done no wrong, and nobody has intended any wrong to you." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 April 1858, CW, 2:443-44.

Lincoln is attending Vermilion Circuit Court, which convened Monday. CW, 2:445.****

Lincoln writes and signs replication and amends bill in Davenport v. Sconce and DonCarlos. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.