Republicans hold "ratification" meeting at which Trumbull delivers principal address. Lincoln writes part of his speech. Keynote of his contribution is that "each and all of the States will be left in as complete control of their own affairs . . . as they have ever been under any administration." Wide-Awake parade stops at Lincoln's house en route to Wigwam for Trumbull's speech, calls for Lincoln, who addresses them briefly in similar vein. Illinois State Journal, 21 November 1860; Passage Written for Lyman Trumbull's Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 20 November 1860, CW, 4:141-42; Remarks at Springfield, Illinois, 20 November 1860, CW, 4:142-43.

Crowd gathers at station to see Lincoln off. Train stops at Lincoln, Bloomington, and Lexington, and Lincoln makes brief talks. In Chicago his party goes to Tremont House, where Hamlin awaits them. Meeting of future President and Vice-President is "cordial in the highest degree." N.Y. Herald, 22 November 1860; Chicago Journal, 22 November 1860; Remarks at Lincoln, Illinois, 21 November 1860, CW, 4:143; Remarks at Bloomington, Illinois, 21 November 1860, CW, 4:143-44; Remarks at Lexington, Illinois, 21 November 1860, CW, 4:144.

Lincoln and his wife, Mary, are in Chicago, where Lincoln meets with Vice President-elect Hannibal Hamlin. The Lincolns, Hamlin, and others tour the "Wigwam," a structure built to house the 1860 Republican national convention. A newspaper reports, "Lincoln and . . . Hamlin . . . avoided all stiffness or formality, and entered into a social conversation . . . An unusual number of political vultures are in the city . . . They seemed determined to rush upon Mr. Lincoln, and occupy his time from more important duties . . . Men are here with pockets full of cabinets and any quantity of highly important advice." New York Herald, 23 November 1860, 4:6.

Public reception takes up morning. "Until noon, a steady stream of visitors poured in at the Lake street entrance of the Tremont House." Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, and Hamlin shake hands with all who pass. After reception Lincoln declines to receive visitors. At 5 he dines with Trumbull and Hamlin. Chicago Tribune, 24 November 1860; N.Y. Herald, 24 November 1860.

Lincoln gives his autograph to George D. Rumsey, son of Mayor Julian S. Rumsey of Chicago. Photocopy.

Lincoln and Hamlin seclude themselves at Lake View, home of Ebenezer Peck, and discuss cabinet business. William E. Baringer, A House Dividing: Lincoln as President Elect (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1945), 84.

"Mr. Lincoln attended St. James Church . . . with Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, and in the afternoon, by invitation, was present at the Mission Sabbath School and made a short address to the children." Chicago Journal, 26 November 1860.

Lincoln sits for Samuel Alschuler, formerly of Urbana, who photographed Lincoln in 1858. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 26 November 1860, CW, 4:145.

Before leaving Tremont House, Lincoln pens note to his old friend Henry Whitney, formerly of Urbana, replying to Whitney's note on behalf of Alschuler, photographer. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 26 November 1860, CW, 4:145.

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln leave Chicago at 9 A.M. and reach Springfield at 6:30. Lincoln's return "is the delight of the reporters and a number of office-seekers, who have been lying in wait for him since [Nov. 24]. The President and party traveled in separate cars. No ovations were received on the way on account of the rainy weather." Chicago Journal, 26 November 1860; N.Y. Tribune, 27 November 1860.

Lincoln spends most of day reading several hundred accumulated letters. N.Y. Tribune, 28 November 1860.

To Hamlin he writes: "I deem it proper to advise you that I also find letters here from very strong and unexpected quarters in Pennsylvania, urging the appointment of General Cameron to a place in the cabinet." He writes autograph for Fred R. Jackson of Stillwater, N.Y. Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin, 27 November 1860, CW, 4:145.

Lincoln answers demand of H. J. Raymond of N.Y. "Times" for policy statement: "On the 20th. Inst. Senator Trumbull made a short speech which I suppose you have both seen and approved. Has a single newspaper, heretofore against us, urged that speech [upon its readers] with a purpose to quiet public anxiety? Not one, so far as I know." Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 28 November 1860, CW, 4:145-46.

"Quite a number of country people were in town, and paid their respects to the President-elect. Mr. Lincoln, like the rest of Anglo-American mankind, feasted on a roast turkey, and having special cause to thank his Maker, attended Divine service." He has long interview with George Fogg of Republican National Committee. N.Y. Tribune, 1 December 1860.

Lincoln has many visitors, among them Hugh White of New York, with whom he served in Congress, and "several Kentuckians of standing," who are favorably impressed with his "conversational powers." N.Y. Tribune, 1 December 1860; N.Y. Herald, 6 December 1860.

Lincoln writes Alexander H. Stephens requesting copy of speech Stephens has made in Georgia legislature. For John H. Littlefield, law student at his office, Lincoln writes: "I will pay five dollars to whomever will loan that sum to the bearer, Mr. Littlefield." Abraham Lincoln to Alexander H. Stephens, 30 November 1860, CW, 4:146; Note for John H. Littlefield, 30 November 1860, CW, 4:146.