In James F. Reed & Peter Rickard v. Catherine Early et al. Lincoln writes and signs petition to sell real estate, writes answer of James C. Conkling, guardian, and writes court order to sell real estate. He receipts on back of execution order in Jacob Forsyth & Co. v. May & Truett that Springfield lots have been "levied."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

At meeting of town board, Lincoln, J. Whitney, and P. C. Canedy are appointed to investigate names on petitions for and against liquor licenses.Clerk's Minutes.

[U.S. Circuit Court meets in Christian Church. Nathaniel Pope, presiding judge, is described as an "able jurist and distinguished lawyer."Quincy Whig, 14 December 1839.]

Finance committee reports bill in relation to state bank, with amendment providing that "nothing in this act shall be construed to legalize the suspension of specie payments." Motion to table bill and amendment loses 58 to 26, Lincoln voting nay. He favors retention by legislature of right to alter bank charter.House Journal.

Act to authorize limited partnerships is refused third reading. Lincoln votes yea. Resolution to reserve hall of House [Second Presbyterian Church] for use of committees every night is amended by Lincoln to read Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.House Journal.

Lincoln writes Stuart about lost deeds belonging to old Mr. Wright and $80 which Stuart is supposed to have paid Robert A. Kinzie. He notes that Douglas is in town "but he is not now worth talking about." In House, he takes part in debate on opening session with prayer.House Journal; Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 23 December 1839, CW, 1:158-59.

At meeting of town board, Lincoln and other trustees decide to license smaller groceries for $25 for two-month period.Clerk's Minutes.

Contest between Kerr (Whig) and Love (Dem.) for House seat from Pike County is settled with Kerr seated 44 to 43. Lincoln votes yea.House Journal.

As member of joint select committee to investigate state bank, Lincoln attends first of almost daily hearings. He delivers subtreasury speech in evening. "A speech which no man can answer, but Calhoun will try Saturday evening," says Quincy Whig (January 4, 1840). Speech on the Sub-Treasury, [26] December 1839, CW, 1:159-79; Sangamo Journal, 6 March 1840.

Lincoln reports bill to vacate part of Bennett's addition to Petersburg. He is put on committee with Nance of Sangamon and Hull of Tazewell to take up bill incorporating Petersburg. Motion to postpone indefinitely bill making school commissioners elective fails 53 to 25. Lincoln votes nay.House Journal; Photocopy.

As member of joint committee to investigate state bank, Lincoln, with other members, signs letter to Thomas Mather, bank president, conveying resolution of investigation.Byrd Monroe et al. to Thomas Mather, 26 December 1839, CW, 1:179.

State bank investigating committee holds its first session in evening at bank. House adopts resolution instructing committee on state roads to prepare bill granting county commissioners' courts superintendency over state roads as with public roads. Lincoln votes yea.House Journal; House Report, 340.

Lincoln votes nay on consideration of bill to distribute school fund to counties. State bank investigation committee meets in evening, and on Lincoln's motion, elects chairman and clerk. Woodworth of Cook is named chairman and L. T. Jamison clerk.House Journal; House Report, 340-41.

House rejects, 55 to 24, resolution to investigate Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown. Lincoln votes nay. State bank investigation committee meets and resolves to present joint resolution listing all items to be investigated "to the Bank as it is, and that full and complete answers be required to all interrogatories."House Report, 340-41.