[Beginning today, New Salem receives mail on new schedule. Stage leaves Springfield each Saturday at 4 A.M. for Warren Court House (Monmouth), by way of Sangamo Town, Athens, New Salem, Havana, Lewistown, Canton and Knox Court House (Knoxville), distance of 115 miles. Return mail leaves Warren Court House each Tuesday at 6 A.M., arriving in Springfield 10 P.M. Thursday.Sangamo Journal, 17 August 1833.]

Senate meets in House at 11 A.M. Lincoln votes for James T. B. Stapp of Fayette for auditor, John Dement of Morgan for treasurer, and Ninian W. Edwards of St. Clair for attorney general. All are electedHouse Journal.

[Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. His unusual three-day absence from House is accounted for by introduction, January 2, 1836, of report of Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures, by John D. Hughes of St. Clair. Report, listing state expenses for 1836 at $89,150, is in Lincoln's hand, showing that he spent these days in committee gathering and discussing statistics.Report to Illinois Legislature on State Expenses, [2 January 1836], CW, 1:45.]

[Lincoln returns to New Salem during early part of week, or is too ill to attend House sessions, or is busy in committee.]

Rawalt of Fulton reports from Finance Committee resolution on purchase of public lands by state, and asks to be discharged. This is agreed to, but later Lincoln asks reconsideration, which is granted. Senate reports bill appropriating funds for completion and furnishing state house at Springfield.House Journal.

Lincoln writes John T. Stuart in Washington, sending resolutions he had introduced in legislature, and asks Stuart to show them to John C. Calhoun. Proposal is for Illinois to buy all public land in state for 25¢ an acre. Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 1 January 1840, CW, 1:181.

Stuart & Lincoln deposit $38.25 in stock into their account with a Springfield merchant.Account (copy), 1 January 1840, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 185, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

On this "fatal first of Jan. '41," Lincoln passes through an emotional crisis, the exact nature of which is unknown. One story is that he failed to appear at his own wedding; but more probably he broke his engagement with Mary Todd . Whatever the occurrence, result was acute mental anguish.Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 27 March 1842, CW, 1:282-83.

Lincoln writes affidavit for Solomon Goodman, who makes his mark, and swears it before William Lavely, justice of peace. He writes bill of divorce in Goodman v. Goodman. Lincoln deposits $15 cash into his account with a Springfield merchant, and the merchant debits Lincoln's account $2.50 for "Profit & Loss." Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Account (copy), 1 January 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Joseph Smith, Mormon leader, arrived Saturday and is today's sensation in Springfield. He has been arrested on warrant issued by Gov. Ford and hearing before Judge Pope in U.S. District Court is set for tomorrow. Smith is present at ball held Saturday evening at American House in honor of election of Sidney Breese to U.S. Senate.]

Lincoln's bank account is balanced, showing credit of $134.30.Irwin Ledger.

["The night was one of great hilarity and enjoyment in Springfield. A large and very general party at the State House and a select party by Mrs. Young at the American House. Ladies of Episcopal Church also gave a supper—proceeds for religious purposes. It was one of the handsomest things I ever attended. . . . A very large number in attendance, and all expressed themselves gratified." Missouri Republican, 6 January 1845.]

"There is a good deal of diversity among the whigs here, as to who shall be their candidate for the Presidency; but I think it will result in favor of Genl. Taylor," writes Lincoln to R. S. Thomas of Virginia, Illinois. He informs Thomas of what he has done regarding application for lieutenancy for one of his friends. He knows of nothing more he can do, for "you know I can have no intimacy with the President."Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 1 January 1848, CW, 1:422-23.

Lincoln writes draft to Robert Irwin for $4.22 to balance account. Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln has $37.93 credit on books at Bunn's store. Bunn Journal.

Lincoln buys $2.81 in merchandise. When Mrs. Lincoln needs two pieces of "Border," she sends neighbor, Edmund G. Johns, painter, to store. Irwin Journal and Ledger.

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.

Many visitors call at Abraham Lincoln home. When one guest gives evidence of staying indefinitely, Lincoln appeals to group of Springfield young men to take him home. Paul M. Angle, Lincoln 1854-1861: Being the Day-By-Day Activities of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1933), 366.

President and Mrs. Lincoln hold New Year's reception at Executive Mansion from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Members of cabinet and families enter first, followed by gold-braided diplomatic corps, justices of Supreme Court, and officers of army and navy. At 12 noon gates are opened to public. The Marine Band plays "national airs in spirited style." Nicolay to Bates, 2 January 1862, 3 January 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 January 1862, 2d ed., 3:6; National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 January 1862, 3:1.

Lincoln writes General Buell at Louisville, Ky.: "General McClellan should not yet be disturbed with business. I think you better get in concert with General Halleck at once. I write you to-night. I also telegraph and write Halleck." Abraham Lincoln to Don C. Buell, 1 January 1862, CW, 5:86.

Advises Halleck at St. Louis: "Gen. McClellan should not yet be disturbed with business. I think Gen. Buell and yourself should be in communication and concert at once. I write you to-night, and also Telegraph and write him." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1861 [1862], CW, 5:87.

Informs Halleck: "General McClellan is not dangerously ill, as I hope, but would better not to be disturbed . . . I am very anxious that, in case of General Buell's moving toward Nashville, the enemy shall not be greatly re-enforced, and I think there is danger he will be from Columbus. It seems to me that a real or feigned attack upon Columbus from up-river at the same time would either prevent this or compensate for it by throwing Columbus into our hands." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1862, CW, 5:87.

President Lincoln writes to General George B. McClellan regarding the general's "uneasiness" about "the doings" of Congress's Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. Lincoln explains, "You may be entirely relieved . . . The gentlemen of the Committee were with me an hour and a half last night; and I found them in a perfectly good mood. As their investigation brings them acquainted with facts, they are rapidly coming to think of the whole case as all sensible men would." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 1 January 1862, CW, 5:88.

Gen. Burnside consults with President and restates part of conversation in letter: "Doubtless this difference of opinion between my general officers and myself results from a lack of confidence in me. . . . It is my belief that I ought to retire to private life." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

New Year's Day reception at White House begins at 10 a.m. with reception of foreign ministers, followed by the general public at noon until 2 p.m. The President "looked well---was never nearer gay or buoyant." Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 January 1863, 2:3; Washington Chronicle, 2 January 1863; Notes, 1 January 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC..

Army officers assemble at War Department and attend reception in body. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles exchanges greetings with President and colleagues at Executive Mansion. Welles, Diary.

At noon Secretary of State William H. Seward and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward take official copy of Emancipation Proclamation to room in White House where cabinet meets. Shortly afterward President signs it. Frederick W. Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 227.

After White House reception Lincoln goes to telegraph office in War Department, settles at Major Thomas T. Eckert's desk, puts feet on nearby table, and relaxes in conversation with General Henry W. Halleck and Assistant Secretary Fox. Bates, Telegraph Office, 143.

Prepares instructions for General Halleck to visit Burnside's headquarters and pass judgment on plan to move army across Rappahannock, then withdraws instructions because considered harsh by Halleck. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:31-33.

Directs Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to investigate "piteous appeal . . . made . . . by an old lady" who had been ordered to evacuate her boarding house. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 1 January 1863, CW, 6:33.

President and Mrs. Lincoln hold annual New Year's Day reception at White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Members of diplomatic corps begin to arrive at 10 A.M. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 11 A.M. official families pay their respects. Welles, Diary.

Mrs. Lincoln first appears at 11:30 A.M. to receive officers of Army and Navy. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Washington Chronicle, 31 December 1864.

Public reception begins at 12 M. and lasts until 2 P.M. Washington Chronicle, 1 January 1864.

Lincoln receives four Negroes, who wait in long line to be presented. Washington Chronicle, 1 January 1864.

[New Year's Day reception postponed until January 2, 1865.]