Clerk of Sangamon Circuit Court gives Lincoln execution in Kendall v. Moffett, directed to sheriff of Schuyler County. Execution Docket D.

(See November 30, 1839.)

Lincoln represents plaintiff in two assumpsit suits. In Brown v. Thomas & Crowder, and Neff, Wanton & Co. v. Francis, defendants default and damages of $335.95 and $397.44 are awarded. Allen v. Lindsay et al. is dismissed by agreement, which Lincoln writes, acting for plaintiff.Record; Photocopy.

["Register" mentions several recent meetings of Springfield Junto to decide who may be candidates for legislature, deciding on William Butler, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, and Lincoln. "Mr. Lincoln, perhaps, will not accept the nomination, though urged by Baker, who thinks Mr. Lincoln's influence in the Legislature would elect Baker, U.S. Senator."Register, 25 March 1842.]

Logan & Lincoln win Miller v. A. Freeman & Co. when jury returns verdict for defendant. Robbins, attorney for plaintiff, enters motion for new trial and files reasons.Record.

Lincoln and Calhoun continue debate. A good crowd attends each meeting and "Journal" gives Calhoun "due praise for making the most of a bad cause. The efforts of Mr. Lincoln were distinguished for ability, and in all candor we must say, that we did not discover a single position raised by Mr. Calhoun that he did not entirely demolish." Sangamo Journal, 28 March 1844; Debates with John Calhoun and Alfred W. Cavarly in Springfield, Illinois, 20-25 March 1844, CW, 1:334-35.

Lincoln loses People v. Funderburk when jury finds his client guilty of assault. Court sentences him to 30 days and fines him $100.Record.

Brown et al. v. Harlan et al. is submitted to court. In Wood v. Dormady, plaintiff files affidavit, and on his motion, court orders that execution issue forthwith. Lincoln appears for plaintiff with Jordan and Herndon in first case and Logan and Herndon in second.Record.

Lincoln files defendant's demurrer in Backinstos for use of Backinstos v. Freeman. Record.

House takes up private calendar. It also receives majority and minority reports of Committee on Elections, which is examining claims of James Monroe and D. S. Jackson to seat of 6th Congressional District of New York. Lincoln attends session.Globe; Journal.

Penny v. McHenry, before court September 4, 1849, comes to trial. Lincoln & Herndon appear for defendant. Lincoln writes testimony of Robert Irwin and part of testimony of Wiley P. Renshaw in case. After hearing arguments of counsel, jury retires to consider. In Nave for use of Matheny v. McCormick, jury is waived, and court awards their client $92.23 debt and $158.17 damages. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Defendants' motion in Watson & Moffett v. Gardner et al. is overruled. Lincoln & Herndon's motion for new trial in People v. McHenry & Graves is denied and McHenry is fined $50 and costs. Representing complainants in Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., Lincoln and Smith file Supreme Court order remanding case. Enos v. Wright et al. is continued. Record.

Lincoln writes, has sworn, and files separate answers of several defendants in Enos v. Wright et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

For Dewitt County case, Twining v. Cundiff, he writes and signs, for plaintiff, bill and process, and files by mail in Clinton. Photocopy.

Lincoln & Herndon win appeal, Johnson v. McMullen, when jury finds for plaintiff in amount of $100 and costs. Record.

Twelve Lincoln & Herndon cases come before circuit court, but only two are concluded. In Webster, Marsh & Co. v. Cobb et al. Lincoln & Herndon, for defendants, default and damages of $943.97 are awarded plaintiffs. In Archer v. Duff, slander, jury finds for plaintiff, their client, and assesses his damages at one cent. Pratt, Personal Finances, 146.

Four trials end busy week for Lincoln & Herndon. In Gatton v. Cooley & Cooley jury finds against their client, plaintiff; in Winters v. Shockey, verdict is for their client, although award is only $10; in Rorax v. Arnold, jury fails to agree. Fourth case, tried by court, results in victory for Lincoln & Herndon's client. Record.

Lincoln writes affidavit of Thomas Johnson filed in Johnson v. Wickham. In Smith et al. v. Green et al. he writes and signs "Logan, Lincoln & Herndon" to petition for partition, and writes Burch's affidavit, which Burch swears. Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In Circuit Court Lincoln & Herndon appear for plaintiff in Bliss v. Stevens, appeal from judgment of justice of peace. Stuart & Edwards and White & Shutt represent defendant. Jury is called, but after evidence is presented and arguments made, Lincoln & Herndon move case be dismissed. Of their other cases, two are dismissed by agreement and two are continued. Record.

Johnson v. Beam & Turley, Lincoln & Herndon for plaintiff, is dismissed at defendant's costs. Webster v. Rhodes & Angell, Lincoln, Herndon, and Parks for plaintiff, is also dismissed, each party paying his costs. Record.

[Filed in Danville is bill in Davenport v. Sconce & DonCarlos, which Lincoln corrected and evidently mailed. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

Deputation of 60 citizens of Baltimore calls upon President and secretary of treasury. Cabinet in session, presumably to complete appointments before Senate adjourns. Baltimore Sun, 26 March 1861.

On letter written to him this day Lincoln writes "Foolishness." William C. Jewett to Lincoln, 25 March 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Vice President Hamlin confers with Lincoln about military appointment for nephew. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1862, CW, 5:171.

In the afternoon, President Lincoln and some unnamed family members tour the navy yard. A local newspaper reports that as the presidential "carriage proceeded . . . many of the worthy workmen expressed sentiments of high regard for the unostentatious and affable Chief Magistrate who wears so modestly the honors of his exalted station." Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC), 26 March 1862, 3:4.

Lincoln suspends death sentence for breach of parole passed on Col. Ebenezer Magoffin, brother of former Gov. Magoffin (Ky.). Lee to Lincoln, 26 March 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President commutes death sentence of James S. Pleasants, citizen of Montgomery County, Md., to imprisonment during war. Commutation of Sentence of James S. Pleasants, 25 March 1863, CW, 6:148.

Authorizes Benjamin Gratz to shelter Mrs. Susan S. Grigsby, wife of Confederate officer, and "be responsible for what she may do." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin Gratz, 25 March 1863, CW, 6:148.

Refuses request of Gen. Rosecrans to renominate Gen. Robert B. Mitchell. Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 25 March 1863, CW, 6:148-49.

Forwards five-pound bank note from British subject to U.S. Christian Commission for purchase of Bibles. Stuart to Lincoln, 25 March 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Greets at White House six exchanged soldiers who took part in Andrews train raid in April 1862. Washington Chronicle, 26 March 1863.

Attends Grover's Theatre with Private Secretary John G. Nicolay to witness performance of Hamlet starring E. L. Davenport. Daily National Republican, 26 March 1863, 2d ed., 2:5; N.Y. Herald, 26 March 1863.

[Irwin draws draft for $10.79 to pay taxes on Council Bluffs, Iowa, land. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Cabinet meets. Sec. Welles calls attention to scarcity of seamen. Suggests transfer of 12,000 men from Army to Navy. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln in his study all evening with F. B. Carpenter. Talks Shakespeare. Recites poem, "Oh! Why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" Carpenter, Six Months, 58.

President Lincoln writes to Commissioner of Public Buildings Benjamin B. French regarding a bill in Congress that removes French's position "from the control of the Department of the Interior, and . . . enlarg[es] the powers and patronage of your office." Lincoln continues, "The proposed change may be right for aught I know." But, Lincoln adds, "[I]f the change is made, I do not think I can allow you to retain the office; because that would be encouraging officers to be constantly intriguing, to the detriment of the public interest, in order to profit themselves." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin B. French, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:266-67.

Asks Thurlow Weed if it is true that he is hurt because one of his suggestions on how to run affairs of government was not followed. Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 25 March 1864, CW, 7:268-69.

President arises early, does not look too well, eats very little. Robert comes aboard during breakfast and reports fighting at front. Several officers, including Rear Adm. Porter, assemble and walk with President to Gen. Grant's headquarters. Lincoln expresses desire to visit scene of fighting. About noon special train is made up, and large party proceeds over military railroad to Gen. Meade's headquarters and sees evidence of fighting during visit. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 520-21; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:5.

President mounts horse and rides over part of battlefield where dead are being buried. Train returns slowly to City Point. Cars with wounded attached. President weary and worn; declines invitation to supper at Grant's headquarters and returns to River Queen. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 521-22; Horace Porter, Campaigning with Grant (New York: Century, 1897), 401-16.

At 8:30 A.M. informs Sec. Stanton : "Arrived here, all safe about 9 P.M. yesterday. No War News." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865, CW, 8:373-74.

At 1:25 P.M. telegraphs Stanton : "I am here within five miles of the scene of this morning's action. I have nothing to add to what Gen. Meade reports, except that I have seen the prisoners myself and they look like there might be the number he states—1600." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865, CW, 8:374.