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.

Sen.-elect Chase (Ohio) and former Cong. Amos Tuck (N.H.) have long interview with Lincoln, presumably about cabinet appointments. N.Y. Tribune, 7 January 1861.

Another visitor, an old man from Mississippi dressed in homespun, expresses wish that every man in South could talk face to face with President-elect. Illinois State Journal, 7 January 1861.

Early in morning Lincoln calls on former Lt. Gov. Gustave Koerner (Ill.), still in bed at hotel. Soon Lincoln returns with Norman B. Judd, Chicago Republican, to talk over appointment of Sen. Cameron (Pa.) to cabinet. Lincoln is "very much distressed." Koerner and Judd oppose appointment, but Lincoln seems to think it necessary. T. J. McCormack, ed., Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 1809-1896, 2 vols. (Cedar Rapids, IA: The Torch Press, 1909), 2:114.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and Gov. Chase of Ohio" attend church service. Harry E. Pratt, Concerning Mr. Lincoln, in which Abraham Lincoln is Pictured as He Appeared to Letter Writers of his Time (Springfield, IL: 1944), 35.

Lincoln writes to U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull, of Illinois, regarding the question of whether or not Lincoln should appoint the controversial U.S. Senator Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, to a cabinet post. Trumbull warned, "Our truest friends in the Senate" do not support Cameron for treasury secretary. Lincoln writes, "What I would most like, and what I think he should prefer too, under the circumstances, would be to retain his place in the Senate...I may mention before closing that besides the very fierce opposition to Gen. C. he is more amply recommended for a place in the cabinet, than any other man." Lyman Trumbull to Abraham Lincoln, 31 December 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 7 January 1861, CW, 4:171.

John A. Clark, Illinois political friend of Cong. Washburne (Ill.), calls on Lincoln, who "seems as calm and serene as a summer morning." Clark to Washburne, 9 January 1861, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Dr. Charles H. Ray, editor, Chicago "Tribune," visits briefly with Lincoln and is "interrupted by a visitor" before stating purpose of call. Ray to Washburne, 7 January 1861, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln withdraws $20 from Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Company. Writes check for $10.97 to Bressmer, McQuinton & Matheny, dry goods. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

Iowa delegation urges Lincoln to appoint as postmaster general Col. Fitz-Henry Warren, assistant editor, New York "Tribune." N.Y. Herald, 9 January 1861.

Lincoln receives former Cong. Tuck (N.H.), who is interested in appointment to collectorship in Boston. Tuck to Chase, 14 January 1861, Salmon P. Chase Papers, 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.

Sen. Seward (N.Y.) accepts secretaryship of state. "The republicans are in ecstacies. . . . Mr. Lincoln takes the news from Charleston [firing on "Star of the West," chartered side-wheel steamer] very gravely. It is thought that the Rubicon is now crossed." N.Y. Herald, 11 January 1861.

Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by brother-in-law, Clark M. Smith, and former Cong. Tuck (N.H.), leaves for New York to make purchases for White House. Helm, Mary, 153.

Lincoln withdraws $24.05 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

In a letter he marks, "Confidential," President-Elect Lincoln writes to Republican Congressman James T. Hale, of Pennsylvania. Hale and other border-state representatives seek to appease the states considering secession. Lincoln cites his recent election victory and vows not to "surrender to those we have beaten." Lincoln adds, "They now have the Constitution, under which we have lived over seventy years, and acts of Congress of their own framing, with no prospect of their being changed; and they can never have a more shallow pretext for breaking up the government, or extorting a compromise, than now." Abraham Lincoln to James T. Hale, 11 January 1861, CW, 4:172.

Acknowledges receipt from Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, general in chief of the army, of correspondence and notes "concerning various military movements, suggested by yourself." Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 11 January 1861, CW, 4:172-73.

An impromptu presentation of handsome, richly ornamented, gold-headed cane is made to Lincoln this morning in business office of St. Nicholas Hotel by returned Californian, an old friend and client. Chicago Tribune, 14 January 1861.

Lincoln is called upon by old Indiana farmer named Jones, for whom 30 years ago he worked as common farmhand at $1 per day. Chicago Tribune, 14 January 1861.

In letter to Sen. Seward (N.Y.) Lincoln reveals that he is trying to get at least one Southerner in cabinet; also informs him that there is "scarcely any objection" to him as secretary of state, but that there will be trouble over "every other Northern cabinet appointment." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 12 January 1861, CW, 4:173.

Hawkins Taylor, Republican from Keokuk, Iowa, shows Lincoln postscript of letter from Col. Warren supporting Senator Cameron (Pa.) for cabinet. Taylor to Cameron, 12 January 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Mrs. Lincoln arrives in New York City in company with Philip Dorsheimer, treasurer of state of New York. Stays at Astor House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 15 January 1861, 2:2.]

Lincoln withdraws $3.30 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

Lincoln announces selection of Judge Edward Bates of Missouri and Senator William H. Seward (N.Y.) for cabinet. No further selections will be made until he arrives in Washington. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 January 1861, 2:1.

[A Republican who has just returned from Maryland reports that 10,000 men have been secretly organized in Maryland and Virginia to prevent the inauguration of Lincoln. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 January 1861, 2:4.]

In evening Cong. William Kellogg (Ill.), member of House Committee of Thirty-three, arrives in Springfield to confer with Lincoln. "His object is supposed to be in reference to a compromise of the national difficulties." N.Y. Tribune, 22 January 1861.

Matias Romero, Mexican chargé d'Affaires in Washington, calls upon Lincoln at home. Ernest G. Hildner, Jr., "The Mexican Envoy Visits Lincoln," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 6 (September 1950):184.

Lincoln deposits $200 in Springfield Marine Bank and withdraws $31.25. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164, 175.

Cong. Kellogg (Ill.) and Lincoln spend most of day together. N.Y. Herald, 21 January 1861.

George G. Fogg, secretary of Republican National Executive Committee, returning to Springfield monopolizes Lincoln's time throughout day. His visit relates to selection of New England member of cabinet and action of Republican congressmen upon compromise propositions. N.Y. Herald, 25 January 1861.

Committee of Central Republican Club of Philadelphia visits Lincoln to urge Sen. Cameron's (Pa.) appointment to cabinet. Smith to Cameron, 24 January 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln replies: "I have every reason to hope that your wishes will be gratified." Remarks to a Pennsylvania Delegation, 24 January 1861, CW, 4:179-81.

Again waits in vain at station for arrival of Mrs. Lincoln and Robert. 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.

Editorial that seems to be authoritative appears in Springfield "Illinois State Journal": "Mr. Lincoln is not committed to the Border State Compromise, nor to any other. He stands immovably on the Chicago Platform, and he will neither acquiesce in, nor counsel his friends to acquiesce in, any compromise that surrenders one iota of it." Despite Lincoln's desire for privacy there is "a perfect inundation of Chicago politicians." N.Y. Tribune, 30 January 1861.

Lincoln withdraws $25.40 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 175.

In the morning, President-Elect Lincoln departs Springfield on the Great Western Railroad. He is traveling to visit his stepmother Sarah Bush Lincoln, "who resides near Charleston, in Coles county." A newspaper reports that Lincoln "expects to return" to Springfield on the evening of February 1.Illinois Journal (Springfield), 31 January 1861, 2:1.

Arrives Charleston on freight train shortly after 6 P.M., having changed trains at Mattoon. Charles H. Coleman, Abraham Lincoln and Coles County, Illinois (New Brunswick, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1955), 191.

In the evening, Lincoln arrives in Charleston, where he spends the night at home of Illinois State Senator Thomas A. Marshall. Many friends visit with Lincoln during his stay. Illinois Journal (Springfield), 2 February 1861, 2:3; Charles H. Coleman, Abraham Lincoln and Coles County, Illinois (New Brunswick, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1955), 209-10.