Lincoln signs firm name to receipt: "Received of M. G. Dale by the hand of J & D Gillespie the sum of Fifty Dollars on apc of services in the District Court in the cases connected with the Mississippi & Atlantic Rail Road Company." RPB—Original.

Lincoln's work in U.S. Court begins when Rice v. Wing, in which he argued demurrer June 21, 1859, is called. With Logan and Gillespie, Lincoln appears for defendant, and obtains leave to plead by January 5, 1860. Record.

Lincoln has cases in both U.S. and Supreme Courts. In former, four suits in which he and Gillespie represent defendant are continued, their clients being ruled to plead by January 11, 1860; fifth case, in which he also represents defendant, is continued at defendant's costs. In Supreme Court Lincoln moves that appeal in Headen et al. v. True be dismissed. Record.

Supreme Court overrules Lincoln's motion of yesterday. Moulton, representing appellant, is allowed ten days to perfect his appeal bond. Record.

In three cases he filed in U.S. Circuit Court during Nov. and Dec., Lincoln has defendants ruled to plead by January 9, 1860: S. C. Davis & Co. v. Strosnider; C. W. Green & Co. v. Smith, Hays & Co.; and C. W. Green & Co. v. W. S. Berry & Co.Record.

Defendants default in three cases continued January 7, 1860, and Lincoln obtains judgments for $3,669.59, $856.78, and $808.34 respectively. Record.

He writes for William Yates letter of introduction to his friend Leonard Swett. Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 9 January 1860, CW, 3:513.

Lincoln files pleas in five cases in U.S. Circuit Court: Rice v. Wing; Fox v. Johnson; Fox v. Dale; Whiting v. Dale; Rice v. Blakeman. These suits were called January 5, 1860, and defendants ruled to plead by January 11, 1860. Files.

In Supreme Court, People v. Illinois Central RR, filed February 1, 1859, comes to trial. Logan argues case for plaintiff, Lincoln and J. M. Douglas for defendant. Court takes it under advisement, and later finds for defendant. 27 Ill. 64-70.

Lincoln deposits $75 in his bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

He trades in his old buggy to his carriage maker, for $9.25 credit on his account, and pays $18.25 cash. Obed Lewis Account Books.

He writes $5.90 check to "Canedy & Johnson," druggists. DLC—Original.

Two of Lincoln's cases are called in U.S. Circuit Court. Allen & McGrady v. Illinois River RR, which Lincoln filed July 1, 1859, is continued on his motion. In Whiting v. Dale, defendant's attorneys enter motion for continuance and files affidavit. Court withholds decision. Files; Record.

Court orders Whiting v. Dale continued at defendant's costs. In Supreme Court six suits, in all of which Illinois Central is one of defendants, come to trial, continued from January 19, 1859. Cases are argued and submitted by Hay for plaintiffs and Lincoln for railroad. Court takes them under advisement, and later remands them. Record; 23 Ill., 473.

Lincoln writes Fernando Jones of Chicago: "Our republican friend, J. W. Fell, of Bloomington, Illinois, can furnish you the materials for a brief sketch of my history, if it be desired." He writes to another Republican, Alonzo J. Grover of Earlville, Ill. his views on fugitive slave law. Abraham Lincoln to Fernando Jones, 15 January 1860, CW, 3:514; Abraham Lincoln to Alonzo J. Grover, 15 January 1860, CW, 3:514.

Gill et al. v. Hoblit, involving technical defect in summons, comes up in Supreme Court. Lincoln argues and submits case for defendant, and court later orders remand. Record; 23 Ill. 473-75.

Lincoln files declaration in Piatt v. Wilson in U.S. Circuit Court. Defendant is charged with unlawful possession of land in Hamilton County. Hay and Cullom enter defendant's appearance, waive service of declaration and notice, and file plea of general issue, which Lincoln wrote. Files; Record.

Lincoln writes Gustave Koerner: "Yesterday the Judge decided the demurrer against us on all the points. On looking over your memorandum left with me, I find you desire me to 'have the case set for trial as late as I can'—but really I find I have no power [to] set a time for the trial. The opposite party is not here, in person, or by counsel; and the Judge, properly enough, refuses to make a stipulation for the absent party." Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 20 January 1860, CW, 3:514-15.

Lincoln makes two deposits at Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co., $27 and $118.25. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln writes J. W. Sheahan, editor of Chicago "Times" and strong Douglas supporter, denying that he had revised "in any just sense of the word," his debates prior to publication. "I only made some small verbal corrections, . . . not feeling justified to do more, when republishing the speeches along with those of Senator Douglas—his and mine being mutually answers and replies to one another." Abraham Lincoln to James W. Sheahan, 24 January 1860, CW, 3:515.

Lincoln is busy in U.S. Circuit Court with Beaver v. Taylor & Gilbert, Cairo land case tried June 20, 1859 and won by defendants. Now defendants' attorneys, Lincoln, Logan, Stuart, and Edwards, contest plaintiff's motion for new trial. Illinois State Journal, 26 January 1860.

[Court later denies motion.]

Lincoln acknowledges service of notice in chancery case involving Columbia Machine Manufacturing Co. Photocopy.

Lincoln delivers a lecture to the Young Men's Literary Association at the Presbyterian Church in Pontiac. The subject of his lecture is "The Wheel and Axle." He spends the night at the home of Jason W. Strevell in Pontiac. Sentinel (Pontiac, IL), 31 January 1860, 3:1; Charles N. Strevell, Story of the Strevell Museum: A Lifetime Hobby (Salt Lake City, UT: Board of Education, 1940), 47-51.

[In U.S. Circuit Court in Springfield, four of Lincoln's current cases come to trial. Rice v. Wing is dismissed at plaintiff's costs. In Fox v. Johnson, and Fox v. Dale, jury is sworn, but after plaintiff's evidence is shown, defendants default. Court continues Rice v. Blakeman by consent. Record.]

Lincoln, L. W. Ross, and O. H. Browning certify that they have examined Henry S. Greene and found him qualified to practise law. They recommend he be granted license. Recommendation for Henry S. Greene, 28 January 1860, CW, 3:515.

Lincoln files declaration in ejectment suit, Piatt v. Parker, in U.S. Circuit Court. Parrish for defendant waives service of declaration and notice and files plea. Files; Record.