Finch & Finch v. Gardner, trespass action in Pike County Circuit Court, is tried by jury, which awards plaintiff $275. Lincoln, Wheeler, and Grimshaw represent defendant; they vainly move arrest of judgment.Record.

[Herndon, in his Life of Lincoln, 209, says Stuart & Lincoln, formed in April 1837, is dissolved by mutual consent. Partnership with Stephen T. Logan is said to have begun today, although Logan and Lincoln have been trying cases together for weeks.]

[While Lincoln stays in Springfield, Logan is likely in Tremont to attend to Logan & Lincoln's cases in the Tazewell County Circuit Court, which convenes for a seven-day term. In two cases involving unpaid debts, Tharpe v. Hinman & Hinman and Tharpe v. Hinman et al., the court sustains the defendants' motion to dismiss the case for lack of security to cover court costs. Logan represents Abraham Tharpe, and Edward Jones and Benjamin F. James represent the Hinmans. Judgment, 14 April 1842, Tharpe v. Hinman & Hinman, General Record C, 498; Judgment, 14 April 1842, Tharpe v. Hinman et al., General Record C, 498; Judge's Docket Entry, April Term 1842, Tharpe v. Hinman & Hinman, Judge's Docket; Judge's Docket Entry, April Term 1842, Tharpe v. Hinman et al., Judge's Docket, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL.]

Tucker v. Williams is dismissed by agreement. Lincoln appears for defendant. He draws up affidavit of defendant in Wilkins v. Tucker. He writes Martin S. Morris that he has heard E. D. Baker has been trying to get Menard delegates, instructed for Lincoln, to vote for him.Record; Abraham Lincoln to Martin S. Morris, 14 April 1843, CW, 1:321-22.

Lincoln's associate for defendants in Stevenson and Wardwell v. Garrett and wife, H. O. Merriman, writes and files motion to arrest judgment. Photocopy.

On motion of complainant, decree of September 15, 1846 in Snell & Snell v. Woolston et al. is set aside; mortgagee having released his interest to complainant, bill against one defendant is abandoned. Others default. Complainant is ordered to recover $3,843.93, and mortgaged property to be sold to satisfy judgment. Lincoln represents defendants. Record.

Lincoln writes Walter Davis, Springfield mechanic, about pension and land claim. He certifies to pension commissioner facts of Lt. Thomas Davis, Mexican War casualty, brother of Walter Davis.Abraham Lincoln to Walter Davis, 14 April 1848, CW, 1:464; Certificate to Commissioner of Pensions Concerning Thomas Davis, 14 April 1848, CW, 1:464-65.

[McLean Circuit Court begins its session.]

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln defends John Bennett in the case of Rorebeck v. Bennett, a land dispute between Bennett and his son-in-law John Rorebeck. Judge David Davis dismisses the case, and the court orders Rorebeck to pay the court costs. Lincoln represents plaintiff James Shoaff in the case of Shoaff v. Thompson. Judge Davis dissolves an injunction in the case after the litigants reach an agreement. Lincoln and local attorney Benjamin S. Prettyman represent John A. Crain in the case of Crain v. Mattox et al. The longstanding suit concerns the title claims to a steam distillery, a gristmill, and the twelve-acre lot on which they are located in Pekin. Judge Davis hears the arguments of the attorneys and considers the evidence. The court rules in favor of Crain, and orders the administrator of the Mattox estate, Middleton Tackaberry, to pay Crain $250 for the "value of the property taken from the premises." The court also orders Tackaberry to pay Crain $135 in interest. Lincoln writes the court decree, and Judge Davis approves it. The court continues two cases in which Lincoln represents the plaintiffs: Atchison for use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois, and Hamilton v. Pekin, Illinois. Bill of Complaint, filed 5 September 1851, Rorebeck v. Bennett, box 96; Judgment, 14 April 1852, Rorebeck v. Bennett, General Record F, 398; Judgment, 14 April 1852, Shoaff v. Thompson, General Record F, 424, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Attorney's Notes (copy), 14 April 1852, Crain v. Mattox et al., copy files; Judgment (copy), filed 14 April 1852, Crain v. Mattox et al., copy files, both in Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Order, 14 April 1852, Atchison for use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois, General Record F, 403; Order, 14 April 1852, Hamilton v. Pekin, Illinois, General Record F, 403, both in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL .

Sneed v. Illinois Central RR comes to trial, with Lincoln appearing for company. Jury finds in favor of defendant. Record.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $3.31 worth of calico and chintz. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]

Court adjourns in afternoon and Lincoln, with bar, attends funeral of Mrs. Ward Hill Lamon. Bloomington Pantagraph, 20 April 1859.

[Lincoln's account at Smith's store is charged 50¢ for tacks and peck of potatoes, Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

Lincoln writes to Delahay again. "I see by the despaches that . . . Kansas has appointed Delegates and instructed them for Seward. Dont stir them up to anger, but come along to the convention, & I will do as I said about expenses." He writes Solomon Sturges, Chicago banker, that he has not yet determined whether to attend convention, and cannot say whether he can accept his hospitality. Lincoln discusses his presidential chances in letter to James F. Babcock of New Haven, Conn., and lists 11 "confidential friends" working to nominate him. He writes letter of introduction for Dr. Theodore Canisius. Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay, 14 April 1860, CW, 4:44; Abraham Lincoln to Solomon Sturges, 14 April 1860, CW, 4:44; Abraham Lincoln to James F. Babcock, 14 April 1860, CW, 4:43-44; Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 14 April 1860, CW, 4:44-45.

President attends New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and meets pastor, Dr. Gurley. David R. Barbee, "President Lincoln and Doctor Gurley," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 5 (March 1948):5.

Cabinet approves call for 75,000 militia and session of Congress for July 4, 1861. 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), 151-52.

Lincoln takes his sons and John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President, for carriage ride. Nicolay to Bates, 14 April 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Prepares and distributes proclamation dated April 15, 1861 calling out militia. William O. Stoddard, Abraham Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life (New York: Fords, Howard & Hulbert, 1884), 223.

Senator Stephen A. Douglas (Ill.) and former Congressman George Ashmun (Mass.) confer with Lincoln. Although Douglas opposes administration on political issues, he pledges support to preserve Union. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 April 1861, 2:2.

[Maj. Anderson evacuates Fort Sumter, S.C. Official Records—Armies 1, I, 12.

Cabinet convenes for long night session. N.Y. Times, 16 April 1861.

Cabinet in special meeting to consider establishing military government over islands along coast of South Carolina. Lincoln interviews two paroled Southern prisoners. Bates, Diary.

Lincoln examines case of Col. Magoffin. N.Y. Tribune, 15 April 1862.

Transmits information on Mexican affairs to House of Representatives. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 14 April 1862, CW, 5:188.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) at White House in evening discusses with President bill to end slavery in District of Columbia, and successor for Judge Stephen T. Logan, former law partner of Lincoln in Springfield, on commission to examine into claims at Cairo, Ill. Browning, Diary; Browning to Grimshaw, 15 April 1862, Orville H. Browning Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Also in the evening, Bishop Daniel Payne of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has a forty-five-minute meeting with Lincoln, Carl Schurz and Elihu B. Washburne also present. Payne assures the President that "he had the prayers of the colored people; and since the booming of rebel cannon in Charleston harbor, first broke the stillness of morn, as the shot fell on Sumter's walls, he had prayed that God would stand behind the Government at Washington, as he had stood behind the throne of David, and the Government at Richmond might wax weaker and weaker." The President assures Payne of "his reliance on Divine Providence" and expresses a hearty wish for the welfare of the colored race. Christian Recorder (Philadelphia, PA), 26 April 1862, 2:3; Daniel A. Payne, Recollections of Seventy Years (Nashville, TN: Publishing House of the A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 1888), 146-48.

Lincoln explains to former Cong. Bouligny (La.) why promised appointment as surveyor of Port of New Orleans was not confirmed. Abraham Lincoln to John E. Bouligny, 14 April 1863, CW, 6:172-73.

Orders Gen. Hunter and Rear Adm. Du Pont to keep up demonstration against Charleston "for a time." Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter and Samuel F. Du Pont, 14 April 1863, CW, 6:173-74.

Telegraphs Gen. Hooker: "Would like to have a letter from you as soon as convenient." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 14 April 1863, CW, 6:173.

President reviews 67 courtmartial cases. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 14 April 1864, CW, 7:298; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 14 April 1864, CW, 7:298-99.

Interviews Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia pamphleteer associated with Union League. Lea to Lincoln, 18 April 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with judge advocate general on court martial cases. CW, 8:538.

Capt. Robert Lincoln arrives in Washington from scene of Gen. R. E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Va., in time for 8 A.M. breakfast with President. Helm, Mary, 259; Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 701-2.

During morning Lincoln confers at length with Cong. Colfax (Ind.), who is preparing to visit West Coast. Willard H. Smith, Schuyler Colfax: The Changing Fortunes of a Political Idol (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Collections, 1952), 207.

Interviews former Sen. Hale (N.H.), newly appointed minister to Spain, and goes for short drive with Gen. Grant, in town for cabinet meeting. Receives many members of Congress who call to congratulate him on successful conclusion of war. Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 701-2.

Interviews William A. Howard, Detroit lawyer. James A. Bishop, The Day Lincoln was Shot (New York: Harper, 1955), 115.

Writes Gen. Van Alen: "I thank you for the assurance you give me that I shall be supported by conservative men like yourself, in the efforts I may make to restore the Union, so as to make it, to use your language, a Union of hearts and hands as well as of States." Abraham Lincoln to James H. Van Alen, 14 April 1865, CW, 8:413.

Visits cipher room of War Dept., tells Gen. Thomas T. Eckert of plans to attend theater, and invites him to come along. Bates, Telegraph Office, 367.

About 10 A.M. Gov. Swann (Md:) and Sen. Creswell (Md.) present memorandum concerning Maryland appointments. Memorandum Concerning Maryland Appointments, 14 April 1865, CW, 8:411.

At 11 A.M. cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Grant reports to cabinet on surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox, and Sec. Stanton presents draft of plan for reestablishing authority in Confederate States. Flower, Stanton, 301.

President tells several cabinet members about his recurring dream of ship "moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore," that presages Union victories. David J. Harkness, "Lincoln and Byron, Lovers of Liberty," Lincoln Herald 43 (December 1941):9; Lamon, Recollections, 118-19; 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), 255.

President Lincoln writes and signs an endorsement allowing an unknown prisoner to take the oath of December 8, 1873. Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln to Unknown, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Cabinet meeting lasts from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Informal discussion relative to what should be done about President Davis and other leaders of Confederacy. 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), 254-57; Lamon, Recollections, 248.

Between 2 and 3 P.M. President lunches with Mrs. Lincoln in private parlor. Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 703-4.

Edward D. Neill, White House employee, sees President about signed commission. Rufus R. Wilson, ed., Intimate Memories of Lincoln (Elmira, NY: Primavera Press, 1942), 610.

Lincoln interviews Vice President Johnson at 3 P.M. Mrs. Nancy Bushrod, Negro woman, pushes by guards and sees President regarding husband's pay. James A. Bishop, The Day Lincoln was Shot (New York: Harper, 1955), 152.

Cong. Samuel Shellabarger (Ohio) calls on President at approximately 4 P.M. to discuss appointments. James A. Bishop, The Day Lincoln was Shot (New York: Harper, 1955), 162.

Asst. Sec. Dana reports to President at 4:30 P.M. that Jacob Thompson, Confederate agent in Canada, is now in U.S. making ready to sail for Europe. Should he be allowed to leave country? President is willing for him to leave. Charles A. Dana, Recollections of the Civil War. With the Leaders at Washington and in the Field in the Sixties (New York: Appleton, 1902), 172.

Sec. Hugh McCulloch makes friendly call on President. Hugh McCulloch, Men and Measures of Half a Century: Sketches and Comments (New York: Scribner, 1888), 222.

Around 5 P.M. Cong. Edward H. Rollins (N.H.) calls on President to get petition endorsed. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 14 April 1865, CW, 8:413.

In late afternoon President and Mrs. Lincoln go for drive. They stop at Navy Yard to view three monitors, damaged in Fort Fisher, N.C., engagement. President talks of time when they can return to Illinois and live quietly. Pratt, Personal Finances, 124; Rufus R. Wilson, ed., Intimate Memories of Lincoln (Elmira, NY: Primavera Press, 1942), 430.

Between 6 and 7 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln return from drive and find Governor Richard J. Oglesby (Ill.) with other Illinois friends at White House. Reads four chapters of Petroleum V. Nasby's book [David R. Locke, The Nasby Papers: Letters and Sermons Containing the Views on the Topics of the Day of Petroleum V. Nasby, Indianapolis, 1864.] to Oglesby and General Isham N. Haynie. Edwin C. Haynie, "At the Death-bed of Lincoln," Century Magazine 51 (April 1896):954; Helm, Mary, 255.

After supper President interviews Cong. Colfax (Ind.) relative to special session of Congress and order of Gen. Weitzel. Former Cong. Cornelius Cole (Calif.) accompanies Colfax. Willard H. Smith, Schuyler Colfax: The Changing Fortunes of a Political Idol (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Collections, 1952), 207-8; Henry B. Rankin, Intimate Character Sketches of Abraham Lincoln (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1924), 282.

At 8 P.M. former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.) sees President regarding cotton claim against government. President gives him appointment as follows: "Allow Mr. Ashmun &friend to come in at 9 A.M. to-morrow." [Ashmun considered this Lincoln's last autograph.] Card of Admission for George Ashmun, 14 April 1865, CW, 8:413.

President exchanges few words with former Cong. Arnold (Ill.) while getting in carriage to go to theater. Arnold, 431.

At approximately 8:30 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Clara Harris and Major Henry R. Rathbone, enter Ford's Theatre for performance of Our American Cousin featuring Laura Keene. Washington Chronicle, 16 April 1865; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 April 1865, 2d ed., 1:6.

[Exact time of assassination is not agreed upon. After extensive research Otto Eisenschiml wrote:] "It is therefore safe to say that Booth fired his shot at or close to 13 minutes past 10 P.M." Otto Eisenschiml, In the Shadow of Lincoln's Death (New York: Funk, 1940), 353.

Shortly afterward President, completely insensible, is moved across street to house of William Petersen, 453 10th St. NW., and placed upon bed in small room at rear of hall on ground floor. Mrs. Lincoln stays near her husband. Robert Lincoln and John Hay come from White House. Dr. Stone tells Robert there is no hope. Family and others whose official or private relations to President give them right to be present begin their long night wait for death to overtake him. John G. Nicolay, A Short Life of Abraham Lincoln: Condensed from Nicolay & Hay's Abraham Lincoln: A History (New York: Century, 1923), 539-40; Arnold, 433.