Lincoln & Herndon file amended petition in Evans et al. v. Staley et al. in Sangamon Circuit Court. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes to Illinois State Senator Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville, regarding the upcoming congressional election. At the time, state legislatures elected U.S. senators. Lincoln explains, "I have really got it into my head to try to be United States Senator . . . I do not ask you to yield to me, if you are thinking of becoming a candidate yourself. If, however, you are not, then I should like to be remembered affectionately by you; and also, to have you make a mark for me." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 1 December 1854, CW, 2:290.

Mrs. Lincoln sends Robert to John Williams' store for two spools silk thread. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

Lincoln writes Washburne again: "So far as I am concerned, there must be something wrong about U.S. Senator, at Chicago. My most intimate friends there do not answer my letters; and I can not get a word from them. Wentworth has a knack of knowing things better than most men. I wish you would pump him, and write me what you get from him. Please do this as soon as you can, as the time is growing short." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 14 December 1854, CW, 2:293.

To T. J. Henderson of Stark County, who had written Lincoln that he was not committed, and would vote to prevent slavery extension, Lincoln writes careful letter. "We shall have a terrible struggle with our adversaries. They are desperate, and bent on desperate deeds." With letter he sends copy of his Peoria speech. "You may have seen it before; or you may not think it worth seeing now." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Henderson, 15 December 1854, CW, 2:293-94.

To Leonard Swett of Bloomington Lincoln writes: "I can not learn of a single copy of the Revised Code being here for sale. Sorry; but it seems to be so. Does the Rev. John S. Barger occassi[o]nally cross your path?" Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 17 December 1854, CW, 2:294.

In the U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln & Herndon file declaration in Collins et al. v. Cook. Plaintiffs ask damages of $1,000 for failure of defendant to pay two promissory notes of $596.23 and $132.27. Record.

Lincoln writes an opinion concerning the welfare of eighteen-year-old Irish immigrant John Fitzgerald. Shortly after arriving in Springfield, Fitzgerald "fell sick, and became a public charge." Someone asked Lincoln to determine which governmental entity—the City of Springfield or Sangamon County—should "bear the charge." After studying the "new city charter," Lincoln concludes, "I think the Legislature intended that all public charges, arising from the indigence of persons, resident within the City, were to be borne by the City—and not by the County." Opinion, 18 December 1854, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Opinion Concerning John Fitzgerald, 18 December 1854, CW, 2:294-95.

In third letter to Washburne, Lincoln tries to overcome objection which one of Washburne's friends—evidently T. J. Turner, Representative-elect from Stephenson County—has offered to his candidacy. Turner has questioned whether Lincoln would be "impartial representative" of whole state. Lincoln answers that he is mortified "that any one should suspect me of an inclination to the contrary." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 19 December 1854, CW, 2:295.