The county sheriff serves Lincoln, Bowling Green and J. Rowan Herndon with a subpoena to appear in the Sangamon County Circuit Court as witnesses for John Close in Close v. Ritter, an appeal from John N. Moore's justice of peace court where Close won a judgment for $73 on December 15, 1832. [Moore lives four miles northeast of New Salem.]Files.

The county sheriff also subpoenas Lincoln to appear as a witness on behalf of Jacob Bale in Simmons v. Bale, appealed from Bowling Green's justice of peace court at New Salem. Files.

[The Macoupin County Circuit Court begins a five-day term at Carlinville. In the absence of the prosecuting attorney, Judge Jesse B. Thomas, Jr. appoints Usher F. Linder prosecuting attorney pro tem.Record.]

Lincoln, "one of the Presidential Electors", delivers a speech in the evening "at the old Court room." A local newspaper reports that Lincoln's topics include "the great questions at issue between the people and the office-holders." The newspaper adds, "Although not more than two or three hours previous notice could be given of the intended meeting, the room, which is very spacious, was crowded to excess; and his speech which, although highly argumentative and logical, was enlivened by numerous anecdotes, was received with unbounded applause, and left a very favorable impression on the minds of his auditors."The Alton Telegraph (IL), 11 April 1840, 3:4.

Logan & Lincoln participate in four cases in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. Logan & Lincoln represent plaintiff Richard F. Barret in the replevin case of Barret v. Saunders. A panel of six jurors hears the evidence and renders a judgment in Barret's favor. The court orders the defendant to return Barret's possessions and assesses $0.01 in damages. In the case of Jackson v. Stafford, the jury decides in favor of Logan & Lincoln's client, plaintiff Caleb Jackson. Lincoln writes the court order instructing the defendant to pay $164.70 to Jackson in addition to the court costs. On Lincoln's motion, the court appoints Jesse B. Thomas as the guardian for an insane heir of Robert Crow in the case of Crow and Crow v. Crow et al. Judgment, 9 April 1842, Barret v. Saunders, Record G, 366, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield; Judgment, filed 9 April 1842, Jackson v. Stafford, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Decree, 9 April 1842, Crow and Crow v. Crow et al., Record G, 367, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield.

[Delegates representing the Whig party of Sangamon County hold a convention at the Christian Church in Springfield for the purpose of nominating candidates to run for the state legislature and for several county offices. Lincoln's law partner Stephen T. Logan is one of the four nominees for the Illinois General Assembly. Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 April 1842, 2:6.]

[Tazewell Circuit Court opens at Tremont.]

Lincoln attends opening day of Tazewell Circuit Court. On his motion,William and Deborah Phillips v. Jonathan Merriam, chancery, is continued.Record.

Lincoln and Saltonstall obtain leave to amend their bill by making new parties in Phillips et ux. v. Merriam et al.. Record.

[Schedule of insolvent debtor J. G. H. Smith filed in Menard County lists $15 note owed Lincoln. Original owned by King Hostick, Springfield, IL.]

Lincoln writes to Mrs. Lincoln. Letter is not extant but is mentioned in letter he writes to her April 16, 1848.Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 16 April 1848, CW, 1:465-66.

Lincoln meets with fellow Whig William Butler and informs him that he has decided to recommend someone other than Butler for the position of Receiver of the land office at Springfield. William Butler to Richard Yates, 11 April 1849, Yates Family Papers, Box 35 ½, folder 1, IHi, Springfield, IL.

In Tazewell Circuit Court, Prettyman files plaintiff's declaration in ejectment and proof of service in Reeves v. Wilkey. Jones and Lincoln, representing defendant, are ruled to plead in 20 days. Record.

Lincoln writes answer of William Butcher in Butcher v. Gipps et al. He writes, signs, and files replication in case, and writes William Butcher's deposition. Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Court denies defendant's motion for new trial in Hicks v. Meeker. Lincoln and Jones enter defendant's appearance and file plea of not guilty in Prettyman v. Yacle, ejectment suit. In Doolittle et al. v. Bailey et al., heirs of J. B. Doolittle are made parties to suit. Reeves v. Wilkey is continued. Record.

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Judge David Davis hears the testimony and the evidence in the case of Tremont Female Seminary Trustees v. Hamilton. He reverses a lower court decision and rules in favor of Lincoln's and Alexander H. Saltonstall's client Lorenzo D. Hamilton. Lincoln takes the affidavit of defendant Remington K. Webster and files a plea for him in the case of Gill & Rupert v. Webster. Lincoln and Halsey O. Merriman represent defendant William B. Doolittle in the appeal case, Doolittle v. Doolittle. Doolittle is the administrator of his brother Irwin Doolittle's estate, and Irwin's widow Anne Maria Doolittle is suing William Doolittle to stop the sale of property to pay Irwin Doolittle's debts. Lincoln and Merriman make a motion to dismiss the appeal. The court takes the motion into consideration and continues the case. Lincoln serves as a juror to hear the petition of Mary Fitting in Ex Parte Mary Fitting. Mary Fitting's attorney presents evidence regarding the mental state of Fitting's husband John Fitting. The jury determines that John Fitting is a "distracted" person, and Judge Davis appoints Alexander Robinson as a conservator to oversee John Fitting's estate. Lincoln files a notice to the plaintiffs that he intends to ask the court "to enter satisfaction of said Decree" in the case of Cromwell and McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois. Logan & Lincoln represent Edward D. Baker in a dispute over money the plaintiffs claim that Baker owes to the estate of Nathan Cromwell.Order, 9 April 1852, Tremont Female Seminary Trustees v. Hamilton, General Record F, 371-72, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin IL; Affidavit, 9 April 1852, Gill & Rupert v. Webster, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Plea, 9 April 1852, Gill & Rupert v. Webster, New York Public Library, New York, NY; Motion to Dismiss, 9 April 1852, Doolittle v. Doolittle, case file, box 78; Decree, 9 April 1852, Doolittle v. Doolittle, General Record F, 361; Judgment, 9 April 1852, Ex Parte Mary Fitting, General Record F, 374, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Notice of Motion (copy), filed 9 April 1852, Cromwell and McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL .

McLean Circuit Court opens with meeting of bar called in consequence of death of D. B. Campbell, state's attorney. John T. Stuart is chosen chairman, W. W. Orme secretary. On Lincoln's motion, committee of A. Lincoln, A. Gridley, C. H. Moore, John Clark, and A. H. Saltonstall is instructed to draft resolutions. Record.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files his affidavit in Fleming v. Rogers & Crothers. Photocopy.

[Robert buys sugar and candles at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

[McLean Circuit Court commences second week of spring session.]

President devotes most of day to minor appointments. Memorandum: Appointment of Commissioner of Pensions, 9 April 1861, CW, 4:325; Memorandum: Appointment of Christian Metz, [c. 9 April 1861], CW, 4:325-26.

Sec. Stanton at White House early with report from Gen. McClellan on military operations. Stanton to McClellan, 8 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Postmaster Gen. Blair discusses McClellan's conduct with President and writes: "I can see that the President thinks you are not sufficiently confident, and it disturbs him." Blair to McClellan, 9 April 1862, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Major General George B. McClellan regarding their differences over the number of troops the General needs to advance on the enemy, and over the number of troops needed to defend Washington, D. C. Lincoln argues that it will take more than "twenty thousand unorganized men" to defend the capital. He reminds McClellan, "The country will not fail to note—is now noting—that the present hesitation to move upon an entrenched enemy, is but the story of Manassas repeated." Lincoln adds that he supports McClellan, "Butyoumustact." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 9 April 1862, CW, 5:184-85.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) visits White House in evening and goes with President to War Dept. for latest news. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln sends directions to Gen. Halleck: "If the rigor of the confinement of [Col.] Magoffin at Alton is endangering his life, or materially impairing his health, I wish it mitigated so far as it can be, consistently with his safe detention." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 9 April 1862, CW, 5:183-84.

President reviews I, VII, and IX Corps at noon. Brooks, Washington, 50; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 10 April 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

Telegraphs Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles editorial from Richmond Whig regarding military situation at Charleston. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 9 April 1863, CW, 6:166-67.

President invites conference: "Will Senator Sumner please call and see me this morning?" Abraham Lincoln to Charles Sumner, 9 April 1864, CW, 7:293.

Interviews Charles W. Butts, of Pennsylvania, former cavalry officer, regarding return to Portsmouth, Va. Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 9 April 1864, CW, 7:292.

Spends time with guests at last afternoon reception of season. Evening Star, 9 April 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

"That whole day [steaming up Potomac] the conversation turned on literary subjects. Mr. Lincoln read aloud to us for several hours. Most of the passages he selected were from Shakespeare." Adolphe de Pineton, marquis de Chambrun, Impressions of Lincoln and the Civil War: A Foreigner's Account (New York: Random House, 1952), 82-86.

President returns in excellent health. River Queen arrives at 6 P.M., bringing President, Mrs. Lincoln, Tad Lincoln, Attorney General James Speed, Assistant Secretary Otto, Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.), Senator James Harlan (Iowa), Mrs. Harlan and daughter Mary, and Marquis de Chambrun. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 10 April 1865, 3d ed., Extra, 2:2.

Presidential party arrives about sundown. Streets alive with people. Bonfires everywhere. General Robert E. Lee has surrendered. William H. Crook, "Lincoln's Last Day: New Facts Now Told for the First Time. Compiled and written down by Margarita S. Gerry," Harper's Monthly Magazine 115 (September 1907):523.

President visits Secretary Seward, severely injured by fall from carriage. Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 694-95.

Crowds in front of White House call for President. "He responded briefly but pleasantly." Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 697.