Menard Circuit Court opens for special three-day term. Lincoln appears for four supervisors of Menard County indicted for failure to do their duty; jury finds William Young and William McNeely not guilty and prosecution drops case against Bennett Abell and Bluford Atterbury. James v. Engle is by agreement dismissed at defendant's cost. Lincoln & Herndon appear for plaintiff. Lincoln writes bond for costs in Elmore v. Moon.Record.

Lincoln writes assignment of errors in Wilcoxon v. Roby (SC) and signs Logan's name.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In U.S. Circuit Court, Donaldson v. Reynolds and Walker is continued by agreement. Peters is attorney for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant.Record.

Stephen A. Douglas is elected to U.S. Senate, by legislature, over Cyrus Edwards, Whig.

In People v. Browne, Washburne, attorney for plaintiff, and Lincoln, for defendant, argue plaintiff's motion to have writ of alternative mandamus made peremptory. Court denies motion. Douglas gives brilliant levee at state house in honor of his election to U.S. Senate. Record; Sangamo Journal, 24 December 1846.

Whig members of legislature meet in "Sangamo Journal" office to select candidate to fill congressional seat left vacant by resignation of E. D. Baker. Lincoln declines, and Judge William Brown is chosen. Chauncey v. Jackson is argued before Supreme Court by O. C. Skinner for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant.Sangamo Journal, 14 January 1847; Record.

Defendant in Roney v. Monaghan (SC), is ordered to join in errors on transcript filed December 14, 1846, joinder in error to be made before January 4, 1847. Morris and Pearson appear for appellant and Lincoln for appellee.Record.

Lincoln buys two books ("Miss Leslie's Cookery," 87¢, "Miss Leslie's Housekeeper," 80¢), lamp shades, $1.50, and $3.17 in groceries.Irwin Ledger and Journal.