Many visitors call at Abraham Lincoln home. When one guest gives evidence of staying indefinitely, Lincoln appeals to group of Springfield young men to take him home. Paul M. Angle, Lincoln 1854-1861: Being the Day-By-Day Activities of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1933), 366.

["It seems Messrs. Lincoln and (Vice President-elect Hannibal) Hamlin have both received anonymous letters threatening violent opposition to their inauguration." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 2 January 1861, 1:1.]

Lincoln writes Sen. Simon Cameron (Pa.), candidate for Republican nomination in 1860: "Since seeing you things have developed which make it impossible for me to take you into the cabinet. . . . I suggest that you write me declining the appointment, in which case I do not object to its being known that it was tendered you." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 3 January 1861, CW, 4:169-70.

Apparently telegraphs Cameron letter is in mail. Cameron to Lincoln, 5 January 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to U.S. Senator William H. Seward, of New York. Seward warned, "A plot is forming to seize the Capitol on or before" the March 4 inaugural. Lincoln expresses more concern about February 13, the day that the electoral college will meet to certify the election. He writes, "If the two Houses refuse to meet...or meet without a quorum of each, where shall we be? I do not think that this counting is constitutionally essential to the election; but how are we to proceed in absence of it?" William H. Seward to Abraham Lincoln, 29 December 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 3 January 1861, CW, 4:170-71; The New-York Times, 15 February 1861, 1:3-4.

Grants interview to Jeriah Bonham, owner-editor, Chicago "Farmer's Advocate." Jeriah Bonham, Fifty Years' Recollections with Observations and Reflections on Historical Events, giving Sketches of Eminent Citizens—their Lives and Public Services (Peoria, IL: Franks, 1883), 184.

Sen.-elect Salmon P. Chase (Ohio), former governor of Ohio and candidate for Republican nomination in 1860, arrives in Springfield. "He comes by invitation of the President and will probably be tendered the Secretaryship of State." N.Y. Herald, 5 January 1861.

After interview with Lincoln Chase writes Cong. Elihu B. Washburne (Ill.), friend of Lincoln: "It is a mistaken supposition that Mr. Lincoln has as yet tendered me the Treasury Dept." Chase to Washburne, 14 January 1861, Elihu B. Washburne, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Illinois Legislature re-elects Lyman Trumbull U.S. Senator. "Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Governor Wood, the State officers, the Supreme Judges, and many other distinguished personages had seats within the bar." Illinois State Journal, 10 January 1861.

Lincoln withdraws $20.97 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

Lincoln writes Gen. John E. Wool, commanding Dept. of the East, to thank him for his "patriotic and generous letter." Abraham Lincoln to John E. Wool, 14 January 1861, CW, 4:175.

Former Cong. Richard Yates (Ill.) is inaugurated governor of Illinois. His inaugural address, "although delivered under the very eyes of the President-elect . . . is so radical as to make it altogether improbable that it has his sanction." N.Y. Herald, 14 January 1861.

Lincoln withdraws $30 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

["When Mrs. Lincoln was on her way home from New York, attended by her son Robert, she found herself at Buffalo, without a pass over the State Line Railroad; no provisions had been made for that part of her trip from New York City to Springfield. After Mrs. Lincoln had taken her seat at Buffalo Bob entered the office of R. N. Brown, esq., the superintendent of the State Line Railroad, and said: 'My name is Bob Lincoln; I'm a son of Old Abe—the old woman is in the cars raising h-ll about her passes—I wish you would go and attend to her.' Mr. Brown allowed Mrs. Lincoln and Bob to ride over his railroad free of charge." Baltimore Sun, 22 February 1861.]

New York delegation consisting of George Opdyke, New York merchant, Hiram Barney, New York attorney, and Judge John T. Hogeboom consults with Lincoln on cabinet appointments for Sen. Cameron (Pa.) and Sen.-elect Chase (Ohio). They tell Lincoln "a thousand truths which he ought to know." Ray to Washburne, 16 January 1861, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln adjusts his account of purchases for 1860 with brother-in-law, Ninian W. Edwards, and his store, Smith, Edwards & Co., against a loan of approximately $2,587 and interest at 10 per cent, which Lincoln made to them in 1852. Pratt, Personal Finances, 75-76.

A committee from Indiana Legislature brings invitation to Lincoln to pass through Indianapolis on way to Washington. N.Y. Herald, 28 January 1861.

Lincoln acknowledges receipt of "a very substantial and handsome overcoat," gift of Isaac Fenno, clothing dealer of Boston. Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Fenno, 22 January 1861, CW, 4:179.

John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President-elect, writes Gen. Edwin C. Wilson on Lincoln's instructions, expressing satisfaction at assurance that militia of Pennsylvania is ready to come to support of Union "in the event of trouble or danger." Nicolay to Wilson, 23 January 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Francis P. Blair, Jr., Congressman-elect (Mo.), visits Springfield to press claim of his brother Montgomery to cabinet appointment. Blair says: "The day of compromise is gone, and the day of fighting come." Harry J. Carman and Reinhard H. Luthin, Lincoln and the Patronage (New York: Columbia University Press, 1943), 38; N.Y. Herald, 24 January 1861.

Dr. Gilt of Virginia calls on Lincoln on behalf of Cassius M. Clay, Kentucky abolitionist, and Judge John C. Underwood, Virginia unionist, relative to cabinet posts. Blair to Blair, 24 January 1861, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln deposits $165.10 in Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164.

Waits in vain at station for arrival of Mrs. Lincoln and their eldest son Robert on night train from east. Villard, Eve of '61, 54-55.

"It is evident," writes the "Herald" correspondent, "that influences are now at work here to commit Mr. Lincoln on the border State propositions; but he as yet manifests no signs of yielding." N.Y. Herald, 26 January 1861.

Lincoln is delighted by return of Mrs. Lincoln and Robert from East; he has been expecting them for three days. Villard, Eve of '61, 54-55.

Deposits $136 in Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164.

Lincoln determines to leave for Washington on February 11, 1861. Nicolay to Bates, 27 January 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes committee of Indiana Legislature accepting invitation to visit Indianapolis, and names February 12, 1861 as date. Abraham Lincoln to R. A. Cameron, Walter March, and David C. Branham, 26 January 1861, CW, 4:181.

Lincoln writes to Major David Hunter, of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, regarding arrangements to travel to Washington, D. C., for the March 3 inaugural. Lincoln explains, "I have determined to leave here for Washington on February 11th, subject to be changed for any extraordinary cause. I find the journey will have to be a circuitous, and rather tedious one. I expect the pleasure of your company." Edwin V. Sumner to Abraham Lincoln, 17 December 1860; David Hunter to Abraham Lincoln, 18 December 1860, both in Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter, 26 January 1861, Private Collection.

Withdraws $5.25 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

Lincoln publicly designates February 11, 1861 as day of departure for Washington. He also makes known desire for "the utmost privacy" during remainder of stay in Springfield. N.Y. Herald, 28 January 1861.

He plans to "go via Lafayette to Indianapolis, where he will receive the hospitalities of Indiana Legislature; thence he will proceed, probably by way of Cincinnati to Columbus, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Albany. From Albany he intends to make for Harrisburg direct, thence to Baltimore and Washington; but a tour to New York and Philadelphia is not impossible." Baltimore Sun, 29 January 1861.

"The first draft of the Inaugural Message is now being made by the President-elect, . . . It will not be finished until after consultation with the Republican leaders in Washington. . . . No further invitations will be issued to prominent politicians to visit the President-elect, and none are desired here. The Cabinet will be completed in Washington." N.Y. Tribune, 29 January 1861.

Lincoln invites his cousin, John Hanks, to "go along" on visit to Coles County, Ill., January 30, 1861. Abraham Lincoln to John Hanks, 28 January 1861, CW, 4:181.

Committee representing citizens of Indianapolis calls upon Lincoln to present transcript of resolutions inviting him to visit city en route to Washington. The same day Lincoln writes committee accepting invitation and setting February 12, 1861 as date. Abraham Lincoln to James Sulgrove, Eric Locke, William Wallace, and John F. Wood, 28 January 1861, CW, 4:181-82.

Withdraws $40.90 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.