Lincoln writes to Dr. William Fithian to inform him that he is scheduled to deliver a speech in the doctor's hometown of Danville on September 22. Lincoln explains that Stephen A. Douglas will speak in Danville on September 21, which provides Lincoln with an opportunity: "My recent experience shows that speaking at the same place the next day after D. is the very thing—it is, in fact, a concluding speech on him." Lincoln ends the letter by asking Fithian to "Give full notice to all surrounding counties" about his upcoming visit to Danville. Abraham Lincoln to William Fithian, 3 September 1858, CW, 3:84-85.

In Bloomington, Lincoln is the guest of Judge David Davis. Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 7 September 1858, 2:3.