Rawalt of Fulton reports from Finance Committee resolution on purchase of public lands by state, and asks to be discharged. This is agreed to, but later Lincoln asks reconsideration, which is granted. Senate reports bill appropriating funds for completion and furnishing state house at Springfield.House Journal.

Lincoln serves for first time as chairman of Committee of the Whole. Discussion is held on adverse report of Internal Improvement committee on incorporating Albion and Graysville Railroad Co. When speaker resumes chair, Lincoln reports progress on bill and asks leave to sit again, which is granted.House Journal.

[Lincoln's name is not mentioned in proceedings.House Journal.]

Lincoln votes with majority to pass bill incorporating Danville. He moves House adopt rule that "no bill shall be referred or amended after its engrossment for the third reading, without the consent of two-thirds of the members present." Motion is lost. [Similar motion he made December 11, 1834 was disapproved.]House Journal.

Lincoln proposes two rules which are adopted: "(1) No bill shall be committed or amended on the question of its passage, except by the consent of two thirds of all the members present," and "(2) When any petition, remonstrance or claim is presented by a member and such member may not deesire its reading, he may make the motion to dispense with its reading and ask its reference at the time of presentation—and the chair may consider the motion as agreed to, unless some member should object and so state to the House." He makes brief remarks about fugitive slave resolutions, and moves indefinite postponement of "the subject."House Journal; Additional Rules Adopted by the House of Representatives of Illinois, [5 January 1839], CW, 1:125; Remarks in Illinois Legislature Concerning Resolutions in Relation to Fugitive Slaves, 5 January 1839, CW, 1:126.

[A newspaper reports that Colonel Lehmanowsky of Poland, purportedly a former officer in Napoleon's army, delivers an "original, ingenious, and eloquent" sermon in the Presbyterian Church in Vandalia. The report adds that Colonel Lehmanowsky "is to deliver a series of lectures on the history of Napoleon Bonaparte." Lincoln was in Vandalia and may have attended. The Alton Telegraph (IL), 19 January 1839, 2:4.

]

On Lincoln's motion, House resolves itself into Committee of the Whole, on bill appropriating $128,300 to complete state house. Friends of Vandalia, led by Ewing and Hankins of Fayette and Ficklin of Coles, attempt to defeat bill. Lincoln leads fight for Springfield.House Journal.

Hankins of Fayette proposes to appoint commissioners to locate new capital but is voted down 61 to 23. Proposal by Green of Clay to submit appropriation of $128,300 for state house to public vote is turned down 63 to 23; appropriation bill is ordered to third reading.House Journal.

Late in afternoon Lincoln moves to postpone order of day, and take up Senate bill appropriating $128,300 for state house at Springfield. His motion is lost and House adjourns.House Journal.

Lincoln reports, from select committee, bill repealing all laws in relation to state road leading from William Crow's in Morgan County to Musick's bridge in Sangamon County. Lincoln's fight to hold capital in Springfield succeeds when House approves, 56 to 26, appropriation bill.House Journal.

Lincoln presents remonstrance of Sangamon County citizens against division into four parts. On his motion it is referred to Committee on Counties of which he is member.House Journal.

Party conflict over public printer ends with election of Democrat, William Walters, 65 to 63. Levi Davis and John D. Whiteside are re-elected auditor and treasurer, respectively. Lincoln votes for Whiteside. He votes for G. W. Olney for attorney general, but W. Kitchell is elected.House Journal.

[Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. Penitentiary Committee recommends construction of new prison. Larger shops should be built, library and hospital added, and warden's salary raised.House Journal.]

Lincoln writes bill establishing counties of Menard, Logan, and Dane. It is read twice and referred to committee of Calhoun of Sangamon, Thornton of Shelby, Fish of Montgomery, Roman of St. Clair, and Lincoln.Photocopy.

Bill amending election laws is debated, with Lincoln, Baker, and Hardin demanding more care in counting votes.House Journal.

John Calhoun reports from select committee, of which Lincoln is member, bill to establish counties of Menard, Logan, and Dane. Lincoln adds two amendments and bill is ordered engrossed for third reading. Bill making school commissioners elective passes 54 to 17. Lincoln and Baker vote nay.House Journal.

[Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. Dawson presents "petition and remonstrance of sundry citizens of Sangamon County, praying the establishment of the county of Dane, and against a division of Sangamon County into four equal parts." On Dawson's motion petition is tabled. House Journal.]

Act to prevent circulation of bank notes of smaller denomination than $5 passes House 63 to 20. Lincoln has steadily opposed measure and is only Sangamon representative to vote nay. He votes yea on bill incorporating Graysville and Albion Railroad Co.House Journal.

House fights over resolutions concerning independent treasury and recharter of national bank. By slight majority Whigs condemn both as "injudicious, inexpedient and unwise." Lincoln and others call for various divisions of resolutions and amendments to get votes on record.House Journal.

Several members wishing to change vote on resolutions of yesterday, House considers requesting Senate to return resolutions. Motion is lost 51 to 38, Lincoln and other Sangamon Whigs voting nay. He votes yea on bill incorporating Charleston Marine and Fire Insurance Co.House Journal.