"Whig prospects were never so bright as now," writes Lincoln to Stuart. Lincoln fears he may "not be permitted to be a candidate" for legislature, but is jubilant over subscriptions to "The Old Soldier." He lists Van Buren men who have come out for Harrison.Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 1 March 1840, CW, 1:206-7.

Sangamon Circuit Court opens for 14-day term. Lincoln represents Rhoda Hart, executrix in three cases against Penny & Co., Harrison & Co., and McIlvain & Co. All are continued. Kendall v. Hardin & Reagor is continued with summons to defendants. Bond in Tydings & Widney v. Hathaway & Fullenwider is filed, as is affidavit written by Lincoln in Ragsdell & Ashbury v. Spear that plaintiffs are unable to pay costs. Bevans v. James N. Brown et al. is dismissed by agreement at defendant's cost. Lincoln is appointed guardian, and files answer as guardian in Peter Poindexter v. Eliza Underwood et al.Record; Photocopy.

[Third issue of The Old Soldier is published. Old Soldier (Springfield, IL), Issue 3, 2 March 1840.]

Lincoln, attorney for defendant, confesses judgment for $357.43 in Billon v. Porter, and $123.31 in Logan v. Francis. Lincoln writes order of court in petition to sell real estate in Keys & Matheny v. Matheny et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln, Scammon, and Judd for plaintiff in VanWagenen v. Pearsons get judgment by default for $456.20 and costs. In Carman & Carman v. Glasscock et al., jury awards plaintiff $85 against two defendants. Plaintiff's attorneys, Stuart & Lincoln, take nonsuit as to defendant John Strode; remaining three defendants recover costs.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln win by default Trotter v. Laswell et al., and Neff, Wanton & Co. v. Stockton. Lincoln gets judgment by consent, for $200 in Hay v. Lasswell & Mock. Trotter v. Lasswell and Keedy v. Elkin are continued. In Vaughn v. Ransdell and Spear v. Camp, defendants file pleas and plaintiffs their joinder.Record.

Lincoln writes two pleas in Manning v. Morgan et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Jury is called in Vaughn v. Ransdell. Lincoln wins case when plaintiff is awarded $245.96 and costs. Walker, defendant's attorney, enters motion for new trial. Lincoln, Strong, and Doremus represent defendant in Crowl v. Lindsay. They win case when judgment of lower court is affirmed.Record.

Lincoln writes affidavit of Stuart & Lincoln's client Isaac Cogdal in Webster & Hickox v. Cogdal; he writes replication in Spear v. Camp.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln is appointed guardian for infant heirs of Dr. Jacob M. Early, captain of his company in Black Hawk War. Also as guardian, of William, Henry, and John Batterton, Lincoln files guardian's answer in T. M. Suter v. Thomas W. Sparks et al. Lincoln's survey of land (17.72 acres) involved in case of Butler v. Tilford et al. is accepted by court, and as commissioner, Lincoln deeds land to Butler. Judge Treat had appointed Lincoln at November 1839 term of Sangamon Circuit Court.Record; Deed Record, Book P.

Lincoln swears affidavit in Manning v. Morgan et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln as attorney for plaintiff in Carter v. Bennett & Ransdell, moves court for leave to amend declaration. Motion granted, and case continued.Record.

Motion for new trial made by Walker, attorney for defendant in Vaughn v. Ransdell on March 7, 1840, is denied.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln, attorneys for plaintiff in Spear v. Camp, are given leave to amend declaration. Case is tried before court, and court considers.Record.

Lincoln writes notices calling for election of mayor and alderman, under Springfield's new charter, and election of town trustees, plus acceptance or rejection of charter. He signs with four other trustees.Notice of an Election, 18 March 1840, CW, 1:207-8.

Lincoln draws up affidavit of defendant, David Spear, in Ragsdell & Ashbury v. Spear. Spear states that Ragsdell is unable to pay costs of suit and that Ashberry has become nonresident of state, and asks that plaintiffs be ruled to give security for costs.IHi—Photocopy.