Lincoln begins answering his mail. "Mark me down on your side," he notes on letter from Dr. Julius Lehmann of Bloomington, who has written about case against Herman Schroeder. He returns Lehmann's letter, and on January 8, 1859 wins $5,000 judgment for him. Jonathan K. Cooper of Peoria, who wrote asking Lincoln's help in getting George Phelps appointed prosecuting attorney, is told that two others are ahead of Phelps, whom he does not know. Photocopy.

He writes to Washburne: "I have just reached home from the circuit, and found your letter of the 2nd. and for which I thank you. . . . I must repeat that I think the thing did not originate in malice to you, or to any one; and that the best way all round is to now forget it entirely." To J. M. Lucas of Washington he writes of "curious state" of politics. Democrats are disposed to stick to Douglas, but are horrified at prospect of following him out of party. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 10 May 1858, CW, 2:445-46; Abraham Lincoln to Josiah M. Lucas, 10 May 1858, CW, 2:445.