Lincoln has not arrived in Washington as Thirtieth Congress convenes for its second session.Globe.

Lincoln is still listed as absentee.Globe.

[Mrs. Lincoln has William Butler, brother-in-law, buy firewood box costing, with drayage, 60¢.Irwin Ledger.]

Lincoln is still absent.Globe.

Lincoln arrives at capital and takes seat in House.Globe; National Intelligencer, 8 December 1848.

Lincoln replies to letter from Amos Williams of Danville, Illinois: "Herewith I send you a document of 'Information &c' which you can examine; and then if you think fit, to file a caveat, you can send me a description and drawing of your 'invention' or 'improvement' together with $20 in money, and I will file it for you."Abraham Lincoln to Amos Williams, 8 December 1848, CW, 2:14-15.

Lincoln is again appointed to Committee on Post Office and Post Roads. His appointment to Committee on Expenditures in War Department stands through 30th Congress. He votes in favor of resolution instructing Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into expediency of reporting tariff bill based on Tariff of 1842. It passes 96-94.Globe.

Lincoln votes against reconsideration of resolution adopting rules of House. He votes to reconsider vote ordering engrossing of bill prohibiting appropriations from contingent fund except by joint resolution.Globe.

Lincoln opposes motion to permit Mr. Palfrey to introduce bill, without previous notice, to repeal all acts maintaining slavery in District of Columbia. Motion is defeated 68-89. He votes in favor of resolution instructing Committee on Territories to report bill providing territorial governments for California and New Mexico and excluding slavery. It passes 106-80.Globe.

Lincoln votes against reconsideration of vote excluding slavery from New Mexico and California. Motion to reconsider is tabled 105-83. He votes to table bill, introduced by Giddings, for referendum by people of District of Columbia on slavery. It is also tabled, 106-79.Globe.

Washington citizens give complimentary dinner at Coleman's Hotel "to a portion of the two Houses of Congress and one or two other guests." Newspaper report does not give those present, but Lincoln may have attended.National Intelligencer, 25 December 1848.

Lincoln votes against resolution directing Committee on District of Columbia to report bill abolishing slave trade there. Resolution is adopted 98-88. He votes against tabling resolution whereby sale of public lands shall cease and be disposed of to occupants and cultivators at such prices as will indemnify cost of their purchase, management and sale. It is tabled 104-60.Globe.

Lincoln receives letter from his father asking for $20 to satisfy judgment.Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Lincoln and John D. Johnston, 24 December 1848, CW, 2:15-17.

Excitement prevails in House in consequence of yesterday's motion regarding slave trade. Southern members plan meeting. [Mrs. Lincoln buys load of firewood, again using William Butler, for $1.75.Irwin Ledger.]

Lincoln is appointed to select committee on erection of marble column at Yorktown to commemorate Cornwallis' surrender.Journal.

Lincoln responds to family members who seek loans. Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, of Charleston, Illinois, requests $20, to "satisfy a judgment." Lincoln complies, but cautions, "Before you pay it, it would be well to be sure you have not paid it." Lincoln denies a request for $80 from his step-brother, John Johnston, and instead offers, "You are not lazy, and still you are an idler. I doubt whether since I saw you, you have done a good whole day's work, in any one day. You do not very much dislike to work; and still you do not work much, merely because it does not seem to you that you could get much for it . . . You are now in need of some ready money; and what I propose is, that you shall go to work, 'tooth and nails' for some body who will give you money . . . Now if you will do this, you will soon be out of debt, and what is better, you will have a habit that will keep you from getting in debt again."Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Lincoln and John D. Johnston, 24 December 1848, CW, 2:15-17.

Lincoln writes Joshua Speed about uncollected judgment against Thomas C. Browne in Speed's favor. Speed has said Logan & Lincoln are to blame. Lincoln says they are not, but he would rather lose fee than cause hard feelings. "Nothing of consequence new here, beyond what you see in the papers."Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 25 December 1848, CW, 2:17.

Horace Greeley, in New York Tribune, has attacked mileage claims of members. Resolution is offered directing Committee on Mileage to report abuses and inquire whether Greeley's article amounts to allegation of fraud. Lincoln calls for division of resolution into two, which is ordered. First resolution is adopted without roll call; second passes, 101-43, Lincoln voting nay.Globe.

[Frances Stuart Todd, Mary Lincoln's cousin, marries Thomas H. Shelby, a lawyer from Lexington, Kentucky, at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

Lincoln party inspects the properties of the Illinois Central Railroad around the Chicago area until early evening. Chicago Tribune, 20 July 1859, Page 1.

Lincoln party departs Chicago for Cairo, Illinois. Chicago Tribune, 20 July 1859, Page 1.

Lincoln party travels between Springfield, Illinois and Freeport, Illinois along the Galena Line of the Illinois Central. The party would stop at every Illinois Central terminal along the way to inspect and assess the property. They only traveled during daylight hours.

Lincoln party stops in Freeport, Illinois to inspect the properties of the Illinois Central and spend 2 hours being shown around town. Freeport Weekly Journal, 21 July 1859., Page 3.

Lincoln party arrives in Dunleith, Illinois to inspect the properties of the Illinois Central. Freeport Weekly Journal, 21 July 1859., Page 3.

Lincoln party arrives in Dubuque, Iowa, across the Mississippi River from Dunleith, to stay at the Julien House hotel. Dubuque Herald., 19 July 1859, Page 3.

Lincoln party spends the Sabbath in Dubuque, Iowa, staying at the Julien House hotel. Dubuque Herald, 19 July 1859, Page 3.

Lincoln party probably arrives in Cairo and inspects the properties of the Illinois Central Railroad before heading north towards Springfield, Illinois and home. The party would stop at every Illinois Central terminal along the way to inspect and assess the property.

Lincoln votes against motion to table bill giving Illinois and other western States same amount of public land to aid in constructing roads and canals and improving navigation as was given to Ohio. It is tabled 93-77.Globe.

Lincoln votes to terminate debate on bill appropriating $1,000 compensation to legal representatives of deceased owner of slave transported west with Seminole Indians in 1835. Motion is adopted. He then votes to table bill, but motion is defeated. House adjourns until January 2, 1848.Globe.

[Mrs. Lincoln draws $30 from Lincoln's account. Robert Irwin credits account with $4.22, balance he owes Lincoln for legal services.Irwin Ledger.]