Leroy L. Hill gives Lincoln and Benjamin Talbott, trustees of A. G. Herndon, trust deed to tract containing 79.48 acres, and to lot in Springfield in consideration of loan of $350 for 12 months at 12 per cent. [Herndon acknowledges full satisfaction on June 6, 1839.]Record.

Whig rally opens in court house at 10:30 A.M. It soon adjourns to public square and continues until dusk. Evening meeting in court house lasts until after midnight. Lincoln and nine other orators are heard. Missouri Republican of April 13, 1840 declared Lincoln's speech lucid, forcible, and effective. Belleville Advocate thought it "weak, puerile, and feeble. . . . Poor Lincoln!"

Logan & Lincoln participate in twelve cases in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. In the case of Herndon v. Elkin et al., a land sale dispute, Logan & Lincoln represent Archer G. Herndon, the father of William H. Herndon, who became Lincoln's law partner in 1844. The court orders the defendants to pay Herndon $539.55. Logan & Lincoln, as attorneys for plaintiffs John G. Bassett and Darius North in North & Bassett v. State Bank of Illinois, present evidence to the jury. Before the jury can render a verdict, Logan & Lincoln agree to a judgment against their clients for the court costs. The parties involved in the case of Darling v. Reeves et al. agree to a change of venue from Sangamon County to Cass County. Lincoln serves as an attorney for the defense and opposes his law partner Stephen T. Logan, who represented the plaintiffs prior to forming a partnership with Lincoln. Logan & Lincoln represent plaintiffs Edward Crow and William D. Crow in Crow & Crow v. Crow et al., a dower and partition case. The court decrees that the partition and dower assignments should proceed as presented by Logan & Lincoln. John Carroll Power, Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois (Springfield, IL: Edwin A. Wilson, 1876; reprint, Springfield, IL: Phillips Brothers, 1970), 372-73; Judgment, 11 April 1842, Herndon v. Elkin et al., Record G, 380-81; Judgment, 11 April 1842, North & Bassett v. State Bank of Illinois, Record G, 370; Decree, 11 April 1842, Darling v. Reeves et al., Record G, 371; Decree, 11 April 1842, Crow & Crow v. Crow et al., Record G, 375-76, all in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield.

Upon learning of Michael Hill's pardon by Governor Thomas Carlin, Judge Samuel H. Treat orders the release of Hill, who had been convicted of manslaughter. Earlier in the court's term, Lincoln wrote and signed a petition to Governor Carlin asking for Hill's release. Order, 11 April 1842, People v. Hill, Record G, 378, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield.Petition for Pardon of Michael Hill, 2 April 1842, CW, 1:283-84.

Woodford Circuit Court opens two-day term. Arnold and Blair v. Richardson is dismissed by agreement at cost of Arnold. Jury finds for defendant in Robinson v. Cassel. Lincoln appears for plaintiff in first case and defendant in second. In Boggs v. Overton, trespass, Davis and Colton appear for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant.Record.

He writes and files pleas for Overton, rejoinder, and affidavit.Photocopy.

Meeting of members of bar of Peoria, McLean, Sangamon, and Tazewell Counties is held in court room in evening to select committee to draw up resolutions of sympathy on death of William H. Wilmot, attorney. Lincoln is chosen chairman and placed on resolutions committee. In court, Lincoln has two cases continued.Record.

Palfrey of Massachusetts moves to add to yesterday's resolution prefix: "Resolved, That no despotism is more effective than that which exists under the semblance of popular institutions." Debate on slavery ensues. Motion is finally tabled, Lincoln voting aye. Lincoln votes to repeal part of West Point appropriation act which provides board of visitors and allows them $2,000 expenses.Globe.

In Nelson v. Hall, appeal, jury is waived and court finds for plaintiff in sum of 30¢. Lincoln is counsel for defense. Lincoln and Brown lose Sweet v. Tuthill, replevin suit, when jury finds for plaintiff. Peters is plaintiff's attorney. Record.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $1.75 in merchandise. Irwin Ledger.]

L. C. Blakslee & Co. v. Gregory & Loving, trespass, is dismissed by agreement at defendants' costs. Lincoln and Holmes represent plaintiffs, Gridley defendants. Record.

McLean Circuit Court begins its session. Bloomington Intelligencer notes following lawyers "from abroad": Campbell, Lincoln and Stuart of Springfield, Jones of Tazewell, and Moore of DeWitt; "a large amount of business is to be disposed of."

Lincoln represents plaintiff in Woodworth v. Cox, action in debt. Gridley, for defendant, moves to dismiss suit for want of bond for costs. When papers are examined, bond for costs is found among them, and Gridley withdraws motion. In two cases against Illinois Central, Lincoln moves court to overrule plaintiff's depositions, which is done. Record.

One Illinois Central case in which Lincoln appears is Bishop v. Illinois Central RR, decided against company April 20, 1854. New trial was granted, and case is continued. 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 writes Koerner: "The meeting of the Central committee was at Bloomington, and not here. I was there attending court; and, in common with several other outsiders, one of whom was Judge Trumbull, was in conference with the committee, to some extent." He drafted resolution protesting "against any distinction between native and naturalized citizens, as to the right of suffrage," but was called from meeting room while matter was being discussed, forgot it, and does not know what committee did. He writes and signs, with two other executive committeemen of the 4th Ward Republicans, call for ward meeting April 13, 1859 to nominate alderman candidate. Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 11 April 1859, CW, 3:376-77; Call for Republican Meeting, 11 April 1859, CW, 3:377.

President confers for several hours with Governor Thomas H. Hicks (Md.). Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 April 1861, 4:1.

Interviews Carl Schurz regarding appointment to command of four regiments. Schurz to Lincoln, 11 April 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Purchases harness punch from Lutz and Co., leather goods merchants, for $1.25. Lutz Account Book. In possession of John Plugge, Chevy Chase, Md.

President summons Asst. Sec. Fox, Postmaster Gen. Blair, and Lt. Wise to White House for evening meeting. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $100, interest on Van Deren note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

President calls morning meeting of Secretaries Welles, Seward, Chase, Stanton, Assistant Secretary Fox, and General Halleck to discuss general military situation. Welles, Diary; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 11 April 1863, 3d ed., 2:1.

Group which returned from General Hooker's headquarters together has dinner with President at White House. General Schurz converses privately with Lincoln, who thinks Schurz cannot "forget that he is an adopted citizen of the country." Noah Brooks, "Personal Reminiscences of Lincoln," Scribner's Monthly 15 (1877/1878):674.

President refuses request of Schurz to have his division separated from Army of Potomac. Abraham Lincoln to Carl Schurz, 11 April 1863, CW, 6:168.

In evening, President Lincoln attends the Washington Theatre to watch British burlesque actress Matilda Vining Wood portray Pocahontas. A newspaper reports, "President Lincoln was present and laughed some." A critic once wrote, "Mrs. Wood is one of the few artists to whom it is impossible to be indifferent. The moment her voice is heard from the wing, the ear is attent, and when her saucy face appears, all eyes are . . . watchful lest they miss the comical, or impudent, or ludicrous, or mock-heroic byplay, which radiates over her features." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 13 April 1863, 1:4, 2:1; Barnard Hewitt, "Mrs. John Wood and the Lost Art of Burlesque Acting," Educational Theatre Journal 13, no. 2 (May 1961): 82-85.

[Irwin withdraws $9 from Springfield Marine Bank, semiannual payment of interest on scholarship at Illinois State University. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Lincoln postpones trip to Fortress Monroe, Va., because Mrs. Lincoln is unwell. Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 11 April 1864, CW, 7:293-94.

Interviews L. H. Putnam, "a very intelligent colored man," and sends him to Sec. Stanton to discuss Negro forces. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 11 April 1864, CW, 7:295.

Endorses military pass issued to John Ehler, aged 10: "They say that by the destruction of a bridge this boy has been unable to pass on this. Might it not be renewed for the little fellow?" Endorsement Concerning John Ehler, 11 April 1864, CW, 7:294.

President consults with General Benjamin Butler on freedpeople problem. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 11 April 1865, 2d ed., 2:5; Butler, Correspondence, 5:589; CW, 8:588; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 12 April 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 1:5-6.

Marshal Lamon and Sec. Usher call on President, who sends Lamon to Richmond on business connected with reconstruction convention. Lamon, Recollections, 279-81.

Cabinet meets. Cotton question chief topic. Welles, Diary.

President issues proclamation closing certain ports of entry and proclamation concerning foreign port privileges. Proclamation Concerning Blockade, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:396-97; Proclamation Modifying Bloackade of Key West, Florida, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:397; Proclamation Concerning Foreign Port Privileges, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:397-98.

Grand celebration at White House. President appears at window over door and Mrs. Lincoln at neighboring window. Reads speech to crowd on lawn. Evening Star, 12 April 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 1:4.

In this, his last public speech, President discusses status of Confederate States and his plan for restoring them to their place in Union. Albert G. Riddle, Recollections of War Times: Reminiscences of Men and Events in Washington, 1860-1865 (New York: Putnam, 1895), 329; Last Public Address, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:399-405.

Writes pass: "Allow the bearer, W. H. Lamon &friend, with ordinary baggage to pass from Washington to Richmond and return." Pass for Ward H. Lamon, 11 April 1865, CW, 8:395.

Mrs. Lincoln writes Gen. Grant that President is ill but "would be very much pleased to see you this . . . evening . . . &I want you to drive . . . with us to see the illumination." CW, 8:588.