Lincoln enters into a law partnership with John T. Stuart. In a newspaper advertisement, the partners announce that they will "practice conjointly, in the Courts of this Judicial Circuit." Their office is located at "No. 4 Hoffman's Row, upstairs," in Springfield. In a separate advertisement, Stuart and Henry E. Dummer announce that their "partnership . . . has been dissolved by mutual consent." Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 April 1837, 3:2.

Lincoln files writ of attachment in Sangamon Circuit Court against William H. Wernwag, in behalf of William H. Marsh. Marsh claims Wernwag is indebted to him $216 for labor and materials on Sangamon River bridge of which Wernwag is contractor.Sangamo Journal, 29 April 1839.

Logan & Lincoln participate in five cases on the last day of the Sangamon County Circuit Court. They represent plaintiffs James Campbell and Samuel H. Dabney in the case of Campbell & Dabney v. Spear. The court voids an earlier land conveyance and rules that the land is liable to be sold to satisfy Campbell and Dabney's judgments against Isaac Spear. Logan & Lincoln represent William R. Miller in Miller v. Freeman & Freeman, another case involving the conveyance of land. The court orders the defendants to convey the land to Miller, when Miller pays the defendants the $39.07 balance on a note and $34.15 from an earlier judgment. Judgment, 12 April 1842, Campbell & Dabney v. Spear, Record G, 389; Decree, 12 April 1842, Miller v. Freeman & Freeman, Record G, 384; Judgment, 12 April 1842, Miller v. Freeman & Freeman, Record G, 388, all in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield.

Lincoln wins Boggs v. Overton when jury finds for defendant. He appears for defendants in Pillsbury and Alexander v. Baker and Sunderland. Case is continued at cost of defendants.Record.

Court hears argument of defendant for new trial in Harris v. Dean. New trial is granted. Lincoln appears for appellant and Leonard for appellee. Lincoln reads resolutions deploring death of William H. Wilmot.Record.

Walker v. Livingston and Powell, action in debt, is settled by agreement, plaintiff ordered to recover $276.58 debt and $55.44 damages. Lincoln represents plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln resumes his law practice writing receipts for witness fees and clerk's fees in Broadwell et al. for use of Thompson et ux. v. Broadwell and Broadwell. Lincoln represents one of the defendants, John B. Broadwell. Photocopy.

Lincoln, for petitioner in People ex rel. Davenport v. Brown et al., petitions for mandamus, which is denied. Lincoln and Peters lose case, suit over township organization, when court finds for defendant. Lincoln writes order of court and appeal to Supreme Court, which is granted. Photocopy.

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Clifton H. Moore, attorneys for the defendants in Wisner v. T. E. Sawyer & Company, ask for a continuance, and the court continues the case until the next term. Lincoln enters a motion for plaintiff Stacy B. Opdycke in the case of Opdycke v. Opdycke & Opdycke. Stacy B. Opdycke requests more time to sell the land that his children, Thomas G. Opdycke and Charlotte P. Opdycke, inherited upon their mother's death. The court had previously approved Stacy B. Opdycke's request to sell some of the land and had ordered him to reinvest the profits for the children's benefit. Lincoln writes and files the affidavit of defendant James West in preparation for West's arraignment in the forgery case, People v. West. Order, 12 April 1852, Wisner v. T. E. Sawyer & Company, General Record F, 384, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Decree, 12 April 1852, Opdycke v. Opdycke and Opdycke, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Decree, 24 September 1851, Opdycke v. Opdycke and Opdycke, General Record F, 321, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Affidavit of James West, filed 12 April 1852, People v. West, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

[Mary Lincoln buys a piece of "carpet binding" for 40¢ from John Williams & Company in Springfield. Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 145.

]

In Hawks, Osborn & Co. v. Major, before court October 2, 1852, jury is unable to agree and is discharged. Lincoln & Holmes are attorneys for plaintiff, Gridley for defendant. Record.

Gridley agrees that judgment be entered against his client for $70.67 debt and $39.82 damages in Woodworth case. In Jackson v. Miller jury returns verdict for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $250. Lincoln and Orme are plaintiff's attorneys. Record.

In Buck v. Allin, action in debt, Lincoln writes defendant's plea. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Court grants petition in Bishop v. Bishop et al., and commissioners are appointed to make partition and report April 18, 1856. Record.

[Lincoln deeds Lots 11 and 12, Evans' Addition to City of Bloomington, to Francis Thomas. Mrs. Lincoln joins in deed, which is acknowledged before James H. Matheny, clerk of Sangamon Circuit Court. Deed Book 27 (McLean County), 686.]

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.

Cabinet discusses general matters in short session. Bates, Diary.

Lincoln appoints W. H. Lamon marshal for District of Columbia. National Intelligencer, 12 April 1861.

Receives unofficially Virginia commissioners: former Congressman William B. Preston (Va.), Alexander H. H. Stuart, and George W. Randolph. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 13 April 1861, 2:2.

Confides in Sen. Charles Sumner (Mass.) that Fort Sumter, S.C., will not be surrendered. Pierce, Sumner Memoir and Letters, 4:41.

President confers with Francis Stevens who wants to build ships for government. Stevens to McClellan, 15 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes check to "Self for Robert" for $25.00. CW, 8:489.

Lincoln invites Dr. Henry to White House for breakfast. Anson G. Henry to wife, 12 April 1863, Anson G. Henry Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

President and Sec. Stanton visit Navy Dept. about noon for report on naval action at Charleston. Between 2 and 3 P.M. Sec. Welles receives word of Rear Adm. Du Pont's failure to capture Charleston and goes immediately to White House with news. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln acknowledges receipt of Gen. Hooker's letter by hand of Gen. Daniel Butterfield. Hooker proposes to cross Rappahannock and move against enemy as soon as cavalry gets between Richmond and enemy to block his retreat. Cavalry marches on 13th. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 12 April 1863, CW, 6:169.

President sends congratulations to Alexander II, Emperor of Russia, on birth of nephew. Abraham Lincoln to Alexander II, 12 April 1864, CW, 7:296-97.

Joint committee of City Councils of Washington visits President and calls attention to excess of quota set for the District of Columbia. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 13 April 1864, 2d ed., 2:5.

Cabinet meets. Principal subjects of discussion are exportation of French tobacco and national debt. Welles, Diary.

After breakfast O. H. Browning introduces to President William C. Bibb, influential Unionist of Montgomery, Ala., interested in reconstruction, and receives various passes and orders. Browning, Diary.

Col. William P. Kellogg (resd.), former chief justice of Nebraska Territory, and Sen. Harlan (Iowa) interview President in morning about appointment of governor of Nebraska and in evening discuss problem of rehabilitation of Southern States. Paul M. Angle, ed., "The Recollections of William Pitt Kellogg," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 3 (September 1945):332-35.

In conversation with Marquis de Chambrun, Lincoln "spoke at length of the many struggles he foresaw in the future and declared his firm resolution to stand for clemency against all opposition." Adolphe de Pineton, marquis de Chambrun, Impressions of Lincoln and the Civil War: A Foreigner's Account (New York: Random House, 1952), 93.

Visits Sec. Stanton in War Dept. about 5 P.M. and decides to revoke permission for convocation of Virginia Assembly. Flower, Stanton, 271-72.

Telegraphs Gen. Weitzel: "Is there any sign of the rebel Legislature coming together on the understanding of my letter to you? If there is any such sign, inform me what it is; if there is no such sign you may as [well] withdraw the offer." Abraham Lincoln to Godfrey Weitzel, 12 April 1865, CW, 8:405-6.

Explains to Weitzel that former Assoc. Justice J. A. Campbell is in error if he understands Confederate Legislature of Virginia is accepted as rightful legislature of State. It is but "the gentlemen who have acted as the Legislature of Virginia in support of the rebellion." However they have de facto power "to withdraw the Virginia troops, and other support from resistance to the General Government," and for this purpose they were encouraged to meet. Since Virginia troops have been captured by Gen. Grant, do not let them assemble. Abraham Lincoln to Godfrey Weitzel, 12 April 1865, CW, 8:406-8; Official Records—Armies 1, XLVI, pt. 3, 725.

Writes Weitzel: "I do not remember hearing prayers spoken of while I was in Richmond; but I have no doubt you have acted in what appeared to you to be the spirit and temper manifested by me while there." [ Stanton had reprimanded Weitzel for not ordering prayers for President in churches.] Abraham Lincoln to Godfrey Weitzel, 12 April 1865, CW, 8:405-6; Official Records—Armies 1, XLVI, pt. 3, 724.