Lincoln's only vote favors Senate resolution setting Saturday, December 20, 1834, for election of successor to John M. Robinson in U.S. Senate.House Journal.

Lincoln suggests member of House for each 8,500 of population, and sees his motion defeated. He votes nay on motion to read third time bill "supplemental to an act to incorporate the subscribers of the Bank of the State of Illinois, in Springfield."House Journal.

Williams of Adams, chairman of committee on Finance, to which was referred part of governor's message, reports for Whig majority of committee. Lincoln is believed to be author of report. Majority and minority reports are printed in "Journal."House Journal; Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, 1:240-44.

Day is devoted to discussion of suspension of specie payments by state bank. Amendment by Daley of Greene to legalize suspension is tabled, Lincoln voting nay. Many members declare that bank should wind up its affairs when 60-day period of suspension expires December 21, 1839.House Journal.

Lincoln opens debate on fiscal policy, Democrats having accepted challenge "after many efforts on the part of the Locos to get off." He attacks Democratic subtreasury.Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 18 December 1839, CW, 1:157-58.

Senate and House meet to elect attorney general. Josiah Lamborn, Democrat, is elected, 75 to 45, over David M. Woodson, Whig. Lincoln votes for Woodson.House Journal.

Motion to dismiss appeal in Benedict v. Dellehunt is argued by Emmerson and resisted by Trumbull and Lamborn. Court considers. Appellant is ruled to assign errors by December 21, 1841 in Averill & Lowell v. Field, assumpsit action from Tazewell County in which Logan & Lincoln appear for appellant and Baker & Bledsoe for appellee.Record.

On Brayman's motion, cases of Mety & Allen v. Wolff & Hoppe, and Bruce v. Truett are reversed by Supreme Court for failure of defendants to join in error as ordered.Record.

Lincoln draws up affidavit and praecipe in Spear v. Lowry. David Spear sues to recover horse, three cows, and three calves.Photocopy.

Lincoln's account is charged 70¢ for coat binding procured by his tailor Biddle for Lincoln's suit. He deposits $35 cash, and takes home 70¢ worth of merchandise.Irwin Ledger.

Logan & Lincoln file replication to defendant's plea in Napier v. Wooldridge in U.S. Circuit Court.Record.

Lincoln and Powell appear for plaintiff in Wren v. Moss et al. (SC), and argue motion made for rule on defendants to join in error. Motion is resisted by Merriman. Court considers. Judgment of lower court is affirmed in Regnier v. Cabot et al. Justice Purple delivers court opinion.Record; 7 Ill. 34.

In People v. Browne, Washburne, attorney for plaintiff, and Lincoln, for defendant, argue plaintiff's motion to have writ of alternative mandamus made peremptory. Court denies motion. Douglas gives brilliant levee at state house in honor of his election to U.S. Senate. Record; Sangamo Journal, 24 December 1846.

Lincoln votes against reconsideration of vote excluding slavery from New Mexico and California. Motion to reconsider is tabled 105-83. He votes to table bill, introduced by Giddings, for referendum by people of District of Columbia on slavery. It is also tabled, 106-79.Globe.

In Supreme Court Blackwell begins argument for plaintiffs in Compher et al. v. People. Stuart follows for defendants. In afternoon Lincoln continues for defendants and is followed by Purple for plaintiffs. Arguments take up entire day. Record.

In the U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln & Herndon file declaration in Collins et al. v. Cook. Plaintiffs ask damages of $1,000 for failure of defendant to pay two promissory notes of $596.23 and $132.27. Record.

Lincoln writes an opinion concerning the welfare of eighteen-year-old Irish immigrant John Fitzgerald. Shortly after arriving in Springfield, Fitzgerald "fell sick, and became a public charge." Someone asked Lincoln to determine which governmental entity—the City of Springfield or Sangamon County—should "bear the charge." After studying the "new city charter," Lincoln concludes, "I think the Legislature intended that all public charges, arising from the indigence of persons, resident within the City, were to be borne by the City—and not by the County." Opinion, 18 December 1854, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Opinion Concerning John Fitzgerald, 18 December 1854, CW, 2:294-95.

In Hinzey v. Jacobs, appeal from justice's court, jury finds for plaintiff in sum of $20. Lincoln & Herndon represent defendant. Four other cases of theirs are called, but all are continued with orders or filing pleas. Record.

To Whitney Lincoln sends legal opinion, and adds note deploring attacks on "Long John" Wentworth by Chicago newspapers. In letter to Trumbull he summarizes local political situation. "Nearly all the democrats here stick to Douglas; but they are hobbling along with the idea that there is no split between him and Buchanan." Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428-29; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428.

Lincoln writes announcement of appointment of Edward Bates to cabinet for insertion in "Missouri Democrat." To John D. Defrees he comments: "I am sorry any republican inclines to dally with Pop. Sov. of any sort. It acknowledges that slavery has equal rights with liberty, and surrenders all we have contended for." He writes Montgomery Blair of Maryland that he is corresponding with Gilmer. Trumbull can show Blair copy of Lincoln's letter. He complains to Henry J. Raymond of New York "Times" about misrepresentations of Mississippian, William Smedes, whose writing "Times" has published. "A very mad-man," says Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:154-55; Abraham Lincoln to John D. Defrees, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:155; Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:155; Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 18 December 1860, CW, 4:156.

President and cabinet discuss informally Trent affair. New York Times, 19 December 1861.

Congressmen Schuyler Colfax (Ind.) and Reuben E. Fenton (N.Y.) urge Lincoln to get army into action or find way to offset hostile public sentiment. Rice, 74.

President, accompanied by Secretary of State William H. Seward and Edwin M. Stanton, legal adviser to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, watches seamen drill at Navy Yard. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 December 1861, 2:1.

Congratulates Alexander II, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, on birth of son to Grand Duchess Olga Teodorowra. Abraham Lincoln to Alexander II, 18 December 1861, CW, 5:74-75.

At 9:30 P.M. with John Hay walks to Seward's residence for conference, then with Seward to General George B. McClellan's house, where they discuss war until midnight. N.Y. Herald, 19 December 1861.

At 10 A.M. President receives committee, consisting of Congs. Crittenden (Ky.), John W. Crisfield (Md.), and William A. Hall (Mo.), to present views of people in Border States. Washington Chronicle, 19 December 1862; Abraham Lincoln to John J. Crittenden, John W. Crisfield, and William A. Hall, 17 December 1862, CW, 6:8.

Asks opinion of Gov. Gamble (Mo.) on ability of enrolled militia alone to maintain order north of Missouri River; if so, might other forces be moved south of river? Abraham Lincoln to Hamilton R. Gamble, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9.

Transmits to Congress documentation "relative to certain valuable publications presented to the Library of Congress" by British Museum. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9-10.

Committee of nine from Republican senatorial caucus meets with Lincoln at 7 P.M. and confers several hours on resignation of Sec. Seward and reconstruction of cabinet. Collamer to Lincoln, 18 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Scrapbook clipping, 23 December 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Collamer, 18 December 1862, CW, 6:9.

Late in evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) calls on Lincoln, D. W. Wise of Boston present. Lincoln will not discuss Wise's proposition for preparing biography. Browning, Diary.

President believes Gen. Schofield must be relieved of command of Dept. of Missouri. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 18 December 1863, CW, 7:78-79.

Confers with Alexander M. White of Pennsylvania representing Gov. Curtin (Pa.). Bates to Lincoln, 18 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Attends second lecture on Russia by Bayard Taylor, former secretary to minister at St. Petersburg, at Willard's Hall. Washington Chronicle, 19 December 1863; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:6; John T. Stuart to Mary Stuart, 20 December 1863, Stuart-Hay Families Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Hay, Letters and Diary.

Requests Cong. Washburne (Ill.) to superintend preparation of medal for Gen. Grant. Gaillard Hunt, Israel, Elihu, and Cadwallader Washburn: A Chapter in American Biography (New York: Macmillan, 1925), 231; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu Washburne, 18 December 1863, CW, 7:79.

President discusses with Montgomery Blair and Gen. Banks Cong. Ashley's (Ohio) bill regarding states in rebellion. Hay, Letters and Diary.