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.

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).

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.