Lincoln writes receipt: "Received, May 1, 1858, of William Spencer, by the hand of H. W. Beckwith, twenty-five dollars in full of all fees in said Spencer's cases in the Vermilion Circuit Court against Hamilton White, and generally, in full of all demands up to date. A. Lincoln." Photocopy.

Lincoln arrives and registers at Dunbaugh House. Barton, Life of Lincoln, 1:311; ISLA—Mrs. H. E. English to H. E. Pratt, 19 July 1941.

In the Cass County Circuit Court case of People v. Armstrong, Lincoln defends William Duff Armstrong. Armstrong, whose family had ties to Lincoln from his New Salem days, is on trial for the murder of James Metzker. A jury finds Armstrong not guilty. Lincoln employs several strategies to gain an acquittal for Armstrong, including the use of an almanac to discredit a key prosecution witness, who testifies he had seen the fight by the light of the moon high in the sky. Circuit Court Transcript, 15 April 1858, People v. Armstrong, case file; Order, 7 May 1858, People v. Armstrong, Circuit Court Record C, 174, both in Cass County Circuit Court, Cass County Courthouse, Virginia, IL; William E. Barton, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, 2 vols., (Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill, 1925), 1:310-318.

Waiting in Great Western station at Jacksonville for train to Springfield, stretched out on two seats, Lincoln encounters Henry Stryker, lawyer, also bound for Springfield. Stryker asks Lincoln's advice on how to handle law case. Lincoln makes suggestions, Stryker follows them and wins case. At his office, Lincoln looks through accumulated mail. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 10 May 1858, CW, 2:445-46; ISLA—Mrs. H. E. English to H. E. Pratt, 19 July 1941.

Lincoln begins answering his mail. "Mark me down on your side," he notes on letter from Dr. Julius Lehmann of Bloomington, who has written about case against Herman Schroeder. He returns Lehmann's letter, and on January 8, 1859 wins $5,000 judgment for him. Jonathan K. Cooper of Peoria, who wrote asking Lincoln's help in getting George Phelps appointed prosecuting attorney, is told that two others are ahead of Phelps, whom he does not know. Photocopy.

He writes to Washburne: "I have just reached home from the circuit, and found your letter of the 2nd. and for which I thank you. . . . I must repeat that I think the thing did not originate in malice to you, or to any one; and that the best way all round is to now forget it entirely." To J. M. Lucas of Washington he writes of "curious state" of politics. Democrats are disposed to stick to Douglas, but are horrified at prospect of following him out of party. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 10 May 1858, CW, 2:445-46; Abraham Lincoln to Josiah M. Lucas, 10 May 1858, CW, 2:445.

Lincoln writes to Joseph Means, farmer, in reply to questions about land tenure. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Means, 11 May 1858, CW, 2:446.

Lincoln receives another letter from Washburne. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

To Washburne Lincoln writes: "I think our prospects gradually, and steadily, grow better; though we are not yet clear out of the woods by a great deal. There is still some effort to make trouble out of 'Americanism.' " Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln writes to newspaper publisher Jediah F. Alexander, of Greenville, Illinois, with regrets that he will be unable to speak at an upcoming Republican convention. Alexander hoped Lincoln's presence might persuade former Whigs to side with the Republicans. He noted Lincoln's "well-known . . . reputation here." Lincoln explains, "It is too early, considering that when I once begin making political speeches I shall have no respite till November. The labor of that I might endure, but I really can not spare the time from my business." Abraham Lincoln to Jediah F. Alexander, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:446-447.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the plaintiff Mark Hamilton, who is suing Jesse Cooper for $3,000 in damages, in the case of Hamilton v. Cooper. Lincoln files a praecipe with the Clerk of the court. The praecipe instructs the court to notify Cooper, who lives in Carrollton, Illinois, of the case against him. Lincoln also names himself as a surety in the suit by signing a bond for costs. Praecipe, filed 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Record Group 21, case file 379, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL; Bond for Costs, 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Private Collection.

Lincoln and Mark W. Delahay go from Alton to Edwardsville, where Lincoln makes "fine Republican speech." Delahay to Trumbull, 22 May 1858, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois, 18 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln, representing plaintiff, files replication in Macready v. Alton, Illinois in U.S. Circuit Court. (He filed declaration April 17, 1858.) Files.

He writes opinion concerning right to planks taken from land owned by W. B. Warren. Opinion Written for William B. Warren, 20 May 1858, CW, 2:454.

In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files praecipe in S. C. Davis & Co. v. Monical & Son. Files.

He writes William H. Davenport about state of Davenport's land case in Vermilion Circuit Court. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Davenport, 22 May 1858, CW, 2:454-55.

Lincoln files declarations in three cases in U.S. Circuit Court: Anderson, Lamoureux & Co. v. Robinson (see June 23, 1858); Hamilton v. Cooper (see June 19, 1858); and S. C. Davis & Co. v. Monical & Son. Nonpayment of promissory notes and bill of exchange is alleged, and damages of $4,000, $3,000, and $1,200 respectively are sought. Files.

Lincoln writes to Washburne again. He is worried about political affairs, which "just now bear a very mixed and incongruous aspect." Local signs indicate reconciliation between Douglas and Buchanan, but rumor from Chicago has it that Douglas will assume Free-Soil ground and assail Buchanan when he returns to Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 27 May 1858, CW, 2:455.

Lincoln writes to Samuel Caldwell, who, on March 17, had written to Lincoln "asking an opportunity to study law in my office." Lincoln replies, "It would afford me pleasure to oblige you; but you perhaps are not aware that I do not keep office in a way that is most suitable for a young man to study law in. I am from home perhaps more than half my time, so that as a preceptor I should be of no value. You will find many better opportunities, here than in my office." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Caldwell, 27 May 1858, CW, 11:14-15.

In Joyner v. Bowen & Marvel in U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files separate answer and affidavit of defendant Daniel Bowen. Validity of land title is involved. Lincoln pleads statute of limitations. Files.

He writes to I. S. Piper opinion on debt question. Abraham Lincoln to I[srael?] S. Piper, 28 May 1858, CW, 2:455-56.

Lincoln writes to John M. Clark of Vincennes, Iowa, about Lincoln's attempts to collect a debt owed to Clark by a gentleman with the surname of Whitten. Lincoln admits to Clark that he "mislaid the note" that Clark had sent him "long ago." Lincoln informs Clark that he did "not think it could be collected." Lincoln states that Whitten currently works in Chicago, and Lincoln will once again try to collect the debt when he is in Chicago—"in July perhaps." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clark, 31 May 1858, William P. Palmer Collection, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH.