[Calhoun Circuit Court convenes at Gilead.]

Lincoln speaks at Whig rally in court house. Democratic Register calls him "the lion of the Tribe of Sangamon . . . and judging from outward appearance, originally from Liberia." Alton Telegraph, 11 April 1840; Sangamo Journal, 10 April 1840.

Lincoln is re-elected to Springfield Board of Trustees. Minutes of Board of Trustees, 7 April 1840; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 10 April 1840, 2:1.

Lincoln writes narration and praecipe in Edmunds v. Simpson et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan & Lincoln participate in two cases in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. In a garnishment hearing in the case of Trailor & Myer v. Saunders, Logan & Lincoln file an answer on behalf of their clients Archibald Trailor and Friedrick Myer. In the case of C. Goodell & Company v. John Duff & Company, the court denies the defendants' request to set aside the judgment against them. Logan & Lincoln represent plaintiffs Harrison Goodell and Calvin Goodell. Logan & Lincoln represent Samuel Gunn of Richland County in the bankruptcy case of In re Gunn before Judge Nathaniel Pope in the U.S. District Court. Order, 6 April 1842, Trailor & Myer v. Saunders, Record G, 349; Order, 6 April 1842, C. Goodell & Company v. John Duff & Company, Record G, 349, both in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 18 March 1842, 3:7.

Someone, perhaps Lincoln, withdraws $6 in cash from Lincoln's account with a Springfield store/bank. Account of Abraham Lincoln (copy), 6 April 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln leaves Circuit Court in afternoon, arriving in Peoria at sundown. Notice is given of his speech to Clay Club at court house at 7:30. In spite of severe rain, room is half filled to hear his two-hour address.Peoria Register, 19 April 1844.

[Mrs. Lincoln draws $46.50 in housekeeping money, evidently mainly for house furnishings.Irwin Ledger.]

Herndon, administrator of James Bell, pays Lincoln $5 for obtaining decree to sell real estate.Sangamon Probate File.

Lincoln signs petition for pardon of John Hoffman, convicted in Sangamon County Circuit Court, March term, of unlawful assembly and assault, fined $10 and sentenced to ten days. Photocopy.

House debates resolution to print extra copies of correspondence between War Department and Gen. Scott, Gen. Taylor, and Nicholas P. Trist, negotiator of treaty of peace with Mexico. Debate is cut short by motion to go into Committee of Whole. Lincoln votes against motion but it carries 93-80.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln loses Perkins v. Hall by default. Norman H. Purple represents complainant. Record.

Sale of land made by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln to Mr. and Mrs. Dean March 30, 1850 is recorded. Deed Record, DD, 482.

Lincoln buys "1¾ yds. Paper Cambric @ .15" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 145.

In Turley et al. v. Logan County, Illinois, defendant files affidavit of Isaac R. Diller, clerk of House of Representatives. Copy of Record, Sup. Ct. Files.

For Jesse K. Dubois, auditor, Lincoln writes legal opinion on duty of auditor under new bank law passed at last session of legislature. Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 6 April 1857, CW, 2:393.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges 16 pounds cotton batting. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.

Lincoln speaks in the evening before an audience of the Young Men's Association at Centre Hall. A newspaper reports that his speech dealt with "the progress of mankind as exhibited by their inventions." The report adds that "The first half of the lecture displayed great research and a careful study of the Bible, evidencing that the lawyer is not by any means unfamiliar with the Books of the Great Law-Giver. The latter half was brim full of original thought. The whole forcibly reminded us of his legal arguments, wherein he first states the facts in a clear and simple manner, and then reasons from those facts backward and forward to cause and effect." The paper concludes that "Mr. Lincoln is an able and original thinker, and in the department of literature fully sustains the reputation he has so justly earned at the bar." The Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 9 April 1858, 3:2-3; First Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions, [6 April 1858], CW 2:437-42.

Lincoln declines, on ground of other engagements, invitation from H. L. Pierce and others to attend meeting in Boston April 28, 1859 in honor of birth of Thomas Jefferson. In his letter he argues that Republicans, rather than Democrats, are Jefferson's true disciples. Although in Bloomington, Lincoln datelines letter "Springfield," evidently so that Boston committee will not mislocate his residence. Abraham Lincoln to Henry L. Pierce and Others, 6 April 1859, CW, 3:374-76.

In court he represents plaintiffs in Browning & Bushnell v. Price & Fell, assumpsit. Court tries case and awards plaintiffs $370.82 damages. Record.

[Robert buys half-pound of tea at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

Lincoln attacks his accumulated correspondence, writing six letters. He tells R. M. Corwine, Ohio delegate to Chicago convention, his opinion of presidential politics in Illinois. Seward would be best for northern part, worst for southern half. Chase is in same situation. Reverse applies to Bates. About his own chances Lincoln feels disqualified to speak. He thanks William Gooding of Lockport, Ill. for his letter, and tells William Hobbs and William Hanna of Bloomington that he prefers a vacation from speech-making. If they insist, he will speak April 10, 1860. He writes family history to Richard V. B. Lincoln of Pennsylvania. He relates circumstances of $200 fee for New York speech to Cornelius McNeill of Middleport [Watseka], Ill., Republican editor who is worried about press gossip that Lincoln "charged" for making speech. He tells John Pickering, Edwards County Republican, where copies of his New York speech can be obtained. Abraham Lincoln to Richard M. Corwine, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:36; Abraham Lincoln to William Gooding, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:36; Abraham Lincoln to William C. Hobbs and William H. Hanna, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:37; Abraham Lincoln to Richard V. B. Lincoln, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:37; Abraham Lincoln to Cornelius F. McNeill, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:38; Abraham Lincoln to John Pickering, 6 April 1860, CW, 4:38-39.

Governors of Indiana, Ohio, Maine, and Pennsylvania confer with President about military status of militia. Baltimore Sun, 9 April 1861.

President interviews Virginia Unionists who want assurances that Forts Sumter, S.C., and Pickens, Fla., will be evacuated. Sends for former Cong. John Minor Botts (Va.), prominent Virginia Unionist, to discuss pacific policy of Government. Baltimore Sun, 8 April 1861.

Capt. Theodore Talbot, assistant adjutant general, talks to President before leaving for Charleston. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Anderson, 4 April 1861, CW, 4:321-22; Baltimore Sun, 8 April 1861.

Robert S. Chew, clerk in state dept., accompanied by Talbot, carries note from President to Gov. Francis W. Pickens (S.C.) informing him that "an attempt will be made to supply Fort-Sumpter with provisions only; and that, if such attempt be not resisted, no effort to throw in men, arms, or ammunition, will be made, without further notice, or in case of an attack upon the Fort." Abraham Lincoln to Robert S. Chew, 6 April 1861, CW, 4:323-24; Official Records—Armies 1, I, 251.

President learns that orders to reinforce Fort Pickens are not carried out. Federal naval commander at Pensacola Harbor refuses to let troops land. Benjamin P. Thomas, Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (New York: Knopf, 1952), 254.

Sec. Welles confers with President and sends special messenger to Pensacola, Fla., to land troops at Fort Pickens. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln attends for short time only Mrs. Lincoln's second afternoon reception. Baltimore Sun, 8 April 1861.

Visits Navy Yard. Randall, Lincoln, 3:15.

Secs. Seward and Welles and Commodore Silas H. Stringham (USN) go to White House at 11 P.M. for President's decision on conflicting orders given USS Powhatan. Lincoln directs Seward to telegraph order to restore Powhatan to Sumter expedition. Welles, Diary.

In evening Comdr. Dahlgren at White House reviews with Lincoln progress of Army of Potomac. Sec. Stanton drops in, makes few slighting remarks, tells President there is no change below. Lincoln refers to his telegram sent Gen. McClellan at 8 P.M.: "I think you better break the enemies' line from York-town to Warwick River, at once." Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 6 April 1862, CW, 5:182.

Grand review postponed because of weather. Washington Chronicle, 7 April 1863.

President rides horseback from place to place visiting disabled soldiers. Brooks, Washington, 48.

President Lincoln, his wife Mary, their son Tad, Attorney General Edward Bates, and others visit the Army of the Potomac's headquarters. A newspaper reports, "The visit . . . has served to relieve the monotony of camp life . . . It is pleasant also to see a lady in the camp, and Mrs. Lincoln probably had a new experience in sleeping for the first time in her life in a tent." Bates recalled that the presidential party "attended the review of Cavalry—in grand style . . . over 10.000 cavalry—the grandest sight I ever saw." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 April 1863, 2:1; Howard K. Beale, ed, The Diary of Edward Bates 1859-1866 (Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1933), 287-288.

Receives March salary warrant for $2,022.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Mrs. Masson calls on Lincoln and asks that James H. McEwen, prisoner of war at Rock Island, Ill., be pardoned. Abraham Lincoln to John Catron, 6 April 1864, CW, 7:288.

President decides that Gen. Butler need not come to Washington relative to plan for exchange of prisoners. Butler, Correspondence, 4:29.

Attends meeting in House of Representatives at night, to hear speech of George Thompson, English antislavery orator. Washington Star, 7 April 1864.

President authorizes Gen. Weitzel to give permission to "gentlemen who have acted as the Legislature of Virginia, in support of the rebellion" to assemble at Richmond and take measures to withdraw Virginia troops. Abraham Lincoln to Godfrey Weitzel, 6 April 1865, CW, 8:389.

In Col. Theodore S. Bowers' tent quotes Artemus Ward's account of escape of "Polly Ann." Bates, Telegraph Office, 187.

Mrs. Lincoln and party join President on board steamer River Queen. Adolphe de Pineton, marquis de Chambrun, Impressions of Lincoln and the Civil War: A Foreigner's Account (New York: Random House, 1952), 73-77.

President informs Gen. Grant of Sec. Seward's accident and of conferences with former Assoc. Justice J. A. Campbell in Richmond. If war is further persisted in South, confiscated property will bear additional cost. Confiscations will be remitted to people of any state which promptly withdraws its troops from resistance to government. If Confederate Legislature of Virginia wishes to meet for this purpose, Weitzel will protect them. "I do not think it very probable that anything will come of this; but I have thought best to notify you." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 6 April 1865, CW, 8:388-89.

President visits military offices, anxious for news from Grant. Official Records—Armies 1, XLVI, pt. 3, 595.