Lincoln, Brown of McLean, and Pace of Jefferson are appointed committee to consider Tazewell County road petition. He votes nay on Senate resolution for expunging U.S. Senate's censure of President Jackson for his removal of public funds from Bank of U.S.House Journal.

Lincoln moves report of auditor be tabled and 2,000 copies printed. Motion adopted. He votes for Archibald Williams of Quincy for U.S. senator on three ballots. Richard M. Young of Jonesboro is elected.House Journal.

[Sangamon Circuit Court meets in special one-day session to take up case of John S. Davis, larceny. Judge Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., presides.Record.]

[No roll calls are taken, and Lincoln's name does not occur in proceedings.House Journal.

Bill in Lincoln's hand to limit justices of the peace and constables is introduced by Cunningham of Coles.Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Limit Justices of the Peace and Constables, [14 December 1838], CW, 1:124.]

Lincoln's motion, agreed to yesterday, is reconsidered but tabled 44 to 41. "Lord Coke" appoints standing committees of "The Lobby." Committee on Etiquette, Politeness & Ceremony consists of Wickliffe Kitchell, chairman, and Lincoln, Wheeler of Pike, French of Edgar, and Hinshaw of McLean.House Journal; Register, 25 December 1839.

Bill authorizing circuit judges to appoint and remove clerks is refused second reading, Lincoln voting nay. He votes against engrossing for third reading bill of Hicks of Jefferson to provide for payment of internal improvement debt interest.House Journal.

Stuart & Lincoln buy $32.06 worth of merchandise from a Springfield merchant.Account (copy), 14 December 1840, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 185, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

In People ex rel. Duncan v. Compton (SC), Lincoln moves to discharge rule made July 16, 1841 that defendant, sheriff of Coles County, return certain fee bills and executions for costs. In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files his power of attorney and plea of confession in Montelius & Fuller v. Blankenship.Record.

Appellants in Schlenker et al. v. Risley (SC), action of trespass for false imprisonment, and Robinson v. Cheseldine & Nye, are ruled to assign errors by Friday. Lincoln appears alone for appellee in first case, writing reply to assignment of errors, and with Logan for appellant in latter.Record.

Robinson v. Martin is settled by agreement in U.S. Court. Contract is rescinded and plaintiff recovers land.Record.

Lincoln writes and signs reply to petition in Greathouse & Chesnut v. Smith. In Pentecost & Pickering v. Maghee et al. he writes and signs reply to assignment of errors.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Hall v. Perkins (SC), appeal from Tazewell, is argued before court by Baker and Bledsoe for appellant, Leonard and Brayman for appellee, and submitted. Lincoln's name is on record as one of counsel, so it is probable he is present.Record.

(On February 10, 1844, judgment is reversed and case remanded.5 Ill. 548.)

Lincoln writes memorandum in Todd v. Ware.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan & Lincoln lose their case when jury finds Chapman guilty of perjury. Their plea for new trial is denied.Alton Telegraph, 21 December 1844.

Exact date cannot be ascertained, but partnership of Lincoln & Herndon begins soon after Herndon's admittance to bar December 9, 1844.Herndon & Weik, 211-12.

Supreme Court opens winter term. Defendant, Lincoln's client in Edgar County, Illinois v. Mayo, is ruled to join in error by December 21, 1846.Record.

Lincoln writes abstract and assignment of errors for Supreme Court case, Wafer v. heirs of William Stover, but case is evidently dropped.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Rev. R. R. Gurley is elected chaplain of House. He wins by two votes over Rev. Mr. Cushman, for whom Lincoln votes. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln and Johnston leave for Springfield to continue hearings. Date of departure cannot be determined, but it was probably during this week. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

Lincoln replies to Turner's letter: "By my agreement with Logan, made when I filed the Bill last summer, he has the option to continue the cause over this ensuing term, and now elects to do so. This dispenses with your coming now, even if you should attend the trial when it does come off, which I think you need not do at any sacrifice." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Turner, 14 December 1853, CW, 2:207-8.

Lincoln writes Washburne again: "So far as I am concerned, there must be something wrong about U.S. Senator, at Chicago. My most intimate friends there do not answer my letters; and I can not get a word from them. Wentworth has a knack of knowing things better than most men. I wish you would pump him, and write me what you get from him. Please do this as soon as you can, as the time is growing short." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 14 December 1854, CW, 2:293.

Lincoln & Herndon have six cases in court. Jury is waived in Lewis v. Busher, in which they represent defendant, and court finds for plaintiff in sum of $1,096.10, part of debt on which suit was brought. Potter, Elder & Nute v. Ritter is settled by agreement, judgment for $353.37 being entered against defendant, their client. Third case is dismissed, and three are continued. Record.

Lincoln makes "long hunt" for paper Browning wants, but fails to find it. Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 15 December 1856, CW, 2:386.

McLean Circuit Court convenes for winter term. Lincoln's attendance is indicated by letter he writes December 18, 1857 in which he states that he received letter on "coming home from Bloomington last night." Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428-29.

Lincoln & Herndon file a declaration and a praecipe for plaintiff Mark Hamilton in the case of Hamilton v. Moloney, a suit scheduled to begin in January in the U.S. Circuit Court. Hamilton, a resident of Missouri, is suing Thomas Moloney, of Bloomington, Illinois. Moloney gave Hamilton a bill of exchange in the amount of $447, redeemable at the McLean County Bank, at Bloomington. Hamilton presented the bill for payment, but the bank refused to pay. Declaration, Praecipe, filed 14 December 1858, Hamilton v. Moloney, Record Group 21, case file 525, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln writes Judd again, enclosing formal denial addressed to Messrs. Dole, Hubbard, and Brown, of Judd's "treachery" in 1855, his supposed half-heartedness in 1858, and his general conduct. To Judd himself Lincoln says: "I find some of our friends here, attach more consequence to getting the National convention into our State than I did, or do. Some of them made me promise to say so to you." Abraham Lincoln to Norman B. Judd, 14 December 1859, CW, 3:509; Abraham Lincoln to George W. Dole, Gurdon S. Hubbard, and William H. Brown, 14 December 1859, CW, 3:507-9.

"The appearance of Mr. Lincoln has somewhat changed for the worse within the last week," "Herald" reporter writes. "He . . . looks more pale and careworn. . . . But . . . the vigor of his mind and steadiness of his humorous disposition are obviously unimpaired." N. Y. Herald, 20 December 1860.

Lincoln writes to Arnold Fischel, with whom he met a few days earlier. A newspaper reported, "Rev. Dr. Fischel, of New York . . . urge[d] the appointment of Jewish chaplains for every military department, they being excluded by an act of Congress from the volunteer regiments." Lincoln writes, "[T]here are several particulars in which the present law . . . is supposed to be deficient, all of which I now design presenting to the appropriate Committee of Congress. I shall try to have a new law broad enough to cover what is desired by you in behalf of the Israelites." New York Herald, 13 December 1861, 3:3; Abraham Lincoln to Arnold Fischel, 14 December 1861, CW, 5:69; Isaac Markens, Abraham Lincoln and the Jews (New York: Isaac Markens, 1909): 8-9.

President recognizes Carl F. Adae as consul of Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz for Western U.S. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1861, 2:4.

Sends to Senate copies of documents in case of Col. Dixon S. Miles accused of drunkenness at Bull Run. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 14 December 1861, CW, 5:70.

Mrs. Lincoln holds first formal reception of the season from 1 to 3 P.M. National Intelligencer, 14 December 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 December 1861, 2:2.

President summons Gen. McDowell and Simon Cameron to White House. Gen. Heintzelman interviews President prior to McDowell's arrival. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 14 December 1862, CW, 6:2.

Gen. Herman Haupt calls at White House. Meets Mrs. Lincoln. Goes with President to Gen. Halleck's office for conference. Correspondence, 26, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln telegraphs John Nicolay at Gen. Burnside's headquarters: "What news have you?" Abraham Lincoln to John G. Nicolay, [14 December 1862], CW, 6:2.

About 10 P.M. Sen. Wilson (Mass.) brings H. Villard, war correspondent present at Battle of Fredericksburg, to see President. Henry Villard, Memoirs of Henry Villard, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 1:389-91.

Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Sen. Browning (Ill.) attends church. Tells Browning President would like to have him in cabinet. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln interviews former Cong. Samuel L. Casey (Ky.) and orders safe-conduct for him from Cairo, Ill. to Red River and return with any cargoes he may bring. Agreement Signed by Samuel L. Casey, 14 December 1863, CW, 7:62-63.

Restores all rights of person and property to Emily Todd Helm who takes oath of December 8, 1863. Amnesty to Emily T. Helm, 14 December 1863, CW, 7:63-64.

Declines to see Cong. Fernando Wood (N.Y.), who seeks amnesty for Northern sympathizers with rebellion. Memorandum, 15 December 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and family visit Ford's Theatre with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox to see James H. Hackett play Falstaff in Henry IV. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:1,15 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:4; Washington Chronicle, 15 December 1863.

President proclaims ratification of treaty with Tabeguache Band of Utah Indians. Washington Chronicle, 18 December 1864.

Writes note to Sec. Seward: "Will the Sec. of State please call at once?" Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.

Presents case to Sec. Stanton : "I think a man who offers to volunteer and is rejected, should not afterwards be drafted and forced to serve. This lady alleges that such is the case of her husband. Please have the case investigated and reported on." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 14 December 1864, CW, 8:168.