Lincoln votes for motion to reconsider bill, passed yesterday, providing for settlement of accounts of officers who collected duties in Mexico. Motion fails 86-88. He votes three times on minor matters relating to Indian appropriation bill. Journal.

Lincoln votes against Senate amendment to civil and diplomatic appropriations bill to provide for extension of U.S. laws and Constitution to new territories west of Rio Grande. Amendment is rejected, 100-114, on sectional vote. Globe.

This is so-called Walker Amendment to provide temporary government for New Mexico and California.

Lincoln answers roll call at day and night sessions. House does not adjourn until 7 A.M. March 4, 1849. Lincoln stays until end. Journal.

He votes aye on motion that House recede from its rejection of Walker Amendment to appropriations bill. It passes, 110-107. He also votes for Walker Amendment, which passes 187-19. Globe.

During night House amends Senate amendment providing territorial government for New Mexico and California to declare that laws of Mexico remain in effect. Among them is law prohibiting slavery. Polk is ready with veto message. About 6 A.M. appropriations bill with both Walker and House amendments eliminated is presented to Polk. He approves it and crisis is deferred. James K. Polk, The Diary of James K. Polk during his Presidency, 1845 to 1849, Now First Printed from the Original Manuscript in the Collections of the Chicago Historical Society, 4 vols., edited and annotated by Milo Milton Quaife (Chicago: McClurg, 1910).

Lincoln attends inauguration of President Taylor. In evening he, Washburne "and a small number of mutual friends" attend Inaugural Ball. "We did not take our departure until three or four o'clock in the morning. When we went to the cloak and hat room, Mr. Lincoln . . . was unable to find his hat . . . and after an hour . . . started off bareheaded for his lodgings." Rice, 19-20.

Lincoln is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, (Barton, Life of Lincoln, 1:307) and argues the case of Lewis for use of Longworth v. Lewis. The case originated in the U.S. Circuit Court, District of Illinois in Springfield where the federal district and circuit judges could not agree on a point involving the statute of limitations. Since they could not agree, they certified the question to the U.S. Supreme Court. Transcript of Records, II, Dec. Term 1845, No. 3.

Attorneys, including Lincoln, in Lewis for the use of Longworth v. Lewis conclude their trial before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case involves the Illinois statute of limitations as applied to suits brought by nonresidents. The court announces its decision five days later. Transcript of Records, II, Dec. Term 1845, No. 3.

Lincoln, his party now in power, writes two notes to John M. Clayton, secretary of state, recommending Dr. Anson G. Henry of Springfield as secretary of Minnesota Territory (with supporting recommendation), and Archibald Williams of Quincy as U.S. district attorney for Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 8 March 1849, CW, 2:31; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 8 March 1849, CW, 2:31.

Lincoln writes to William M. Meredith, secretary of treasury, asking that he and E. D. Baker be consulted when appointments are made for Illinois, as Whigs of that state hold them responsible to some extent. Lincoln and Baker write to Thomas Ewing, secretary of interior, recommending Mathew Gillespie for land office at Edwardsville. Abraham Lincoln to William M. Meredith, 9 March 1849, CW, 2:32; Abraham Lincoln and Edward D. Baker to Thomas Ewing, 9 March 1849, CW, 2:31.

Lincoln writes Meredith about several applicants for U.S. marshal for Illinois. Benjamin Bond of Carlyle is "personally, every way worthy of the office"; but "in my individual judgment, the appointment of Mr. Thomas [of Galena] would be better." Lincoln applies for patent on "new and improved" manner of combining adjustable buoyant chambers with steam boats or other vessels." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 10 March 1849, CW, 2:36-37; Application for Patent on an Improved Method of Lifting Vessels over Shoals, 10 March 1849, CW, 2:32-36.

With Edward D. Baker, Lincoln calls on Secretary Thomas Ewing, Interior, and discusses patronage. Paul I. Miller, "Lincoln and the Governorship of Oregon," Mississippi Valley Historical Review, XXIII, 391.

Lincoln writes to U. S. Secretary of State John M. Clayton recommending John C. Richardson for the U. S. Marshal position in Missouri. Lincoln states that Richardson, "of Booneville, MO...is a family relative of mine." Lincoln adds, "being an office not in my own state, I feel I have no right to interfere, farther than to say he is a most worthy and competent man." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 12 March 1849, General Records of the Department of State 1789-1949, Appointment Records, Applications and Recommendations for Office, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, 1797-1901, Record Group 59, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD.

Lincoln loses the trial of Lewis for use of Longworth v. Lewis before the U.S. Supreme Court when the court decided in favor of the plaintiff. Chief Justice Taney ruled that the plaintiff sued before the statute of limitations took effect. Transcripts of Records, II, Dec. Term, 1848, No. 3.]

Lincoln endorses E. D. Baker's nomination of Nathaniel G. Wilcox, Schuyler County Whig, as Navy purser. Endorsement: Edward D. Baker to Nathaniel G. Wilcox, [14 March 1849], CW, 2:37.

[Lincoln's bank balance gains $21 on payment of legal fee by one Keeling. Irwin Journal.]

[Sangamon Circuit Court convenes for spring term.]

Before departing from Washington for home via St. Louis on railroad, stage, and steamer, Lincoln endorses to Secretary of State Clayton Edward D. Baker's nomination of himself (Baker) as agent to go to California and bring territory into Union as Whig state. Endorsement: Edward D. Baker to John M. Clayton, [20 March 1849], CW, 2:38.

Lincoln meets Benjamin Bond, who is en route to Washington seeking appointment as marshal. Lincoln writes letter of introduction to Secretary of State Clayton. He writes note to House postmaster asking that letters Bond wrote to Lincoln and Baker at that address be turned over to Bond. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 26 March 1849, CW, 2:38; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Johnson, [c. 26 March 1849], CW, 2:38.

Lincoln, on his way home, writes to Cyrus Edwards explaining that he has made no recommendation for General Land Office because, while he is for Edwards, Baker is for Don Morrison, and unless Lincoln and Baker agree on recommendation, appointment will probably go to some other state. If one will withdraw they will recommend the other. IHi—Journal, XXV, 144.

En route to Springfield, upon completing a term in Congress, Lincoln writes from Carrollton to Secretary of the Navy William B. Preston on behalf of two friends. Lincoln recommends John Dickey, with whom he and Preston had served in the House. Lincoln explains, "While at Pittsburg on my way home, Col. Dickey...overtook me. I knew he desired some appointment; and I volunteered to ask him how I could serve him." Lincoln emphasizes Dickey's "excellent business capacity, and habits." Lincoln adds, "I hope he may succeed in what he desires." Lincoln also asks Preston's assistance regarding Dr. Anson G. Henry, of Springfield. Henry wishes to be appointed Register of the Land Office at Minnesota. Lincoln explains that he has already mentioned Henry's name to Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing, who is responsible for making the land office appointments. In fact, Lincoln "urged the appointment upon [Ewing] so pressingly, that I believe he will gratify me when he comes to fill the office, ifhedoesnotfor-getmyanxietyaboutit. Lincoln asks "if you will, at some convenient moment, tell [Ewing] to remember Lincoln's man for Register." Abraham Lincoln to William B. Preston, 29 March 1849, Record Group 48: Records of the Department of the Interior, 1826-1985, Entry 15: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, 1833-1964, Divisional Records, 1843-1943, Records of the Appointments Division, 1817-1922, Field Office Appointment Papers, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD.

"Honorable A. Lincoln arrived in this city on Saturday evening." Illinois Journal, 2 April 1849.