At request of Robert Smith of Alton, Stuart, Lincoln, and Edwards submit lengthy opinion attacking validity of charter of Mississippi and Atlantic Railroad. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Smith, 1 March 1854, CW, 2:212-16.

Lincoln writes plea for Patrick Sullivan, plaintiff, in Sullivan v. People, in Supreme Court from Macon County. Oglesby acts with Lincoln. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes and sends to Bloomington declaration and praecipe in Bishop v. Illinois Central RR, signing for "Stuart & Lincoln." Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln pays his carriage maker $11 for varnishing and placing new back panel. Obed Lewis Account Books.

Spring term of Sangamon Circuit Court commences. Lincoln & Herndon have eight cases called. One case is set for hearing one week later, one is continued, one is dismissed on motion of attorneys for both parties, while five are dismissed at cost of Lincoln & Herndon's clients. Record.

In the Morgan County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents defendant James Dunlap in the case of Selby v. Dunlap. In a series of editorials, Paul Selby, the publisher of the Jacksonville Journal, accused Dunlap of political and financial misdeeds. Dunlap allegedly beat Selby with a cane. Selby is suing Dunlap in an action of trespass vi et armis and he seeks $10,000 in damages. On this day, the jury "hear[s] the testimony . . . and part of the arguments of Counsel" before recessing until the next morning. Lincoln spends the night at the Mansion House hotel, located at the "corner of North Main street and the square." Declaration, filed 30 September 1853, Selby v. Dunlap, case file 1328; Order, 21 March 1854, Selby v. Dunlap, Law Record I, 5, both in Morgan County Circuit Court, Morgan County Courthouse, Jacksonville, IL; Daily Jacksonville Constitutionist (IL), 21 March 1854, 2:5; 23 March 1854, 2:1; 25 March 1854, 2:1; Frank J. Heinl, An Epitome of Jacksonville History to 1875 (Jacksonville, IL: n.p., 1925), 19; Charles M. Eames, Historic Morgan and Classic Jacksonville (Jacksonville, IL: Daily Journal Steam Job Printing Office, 1885), 158.

Lincoln "wins" case when jury awards Selby only $300. Illinois Journal, 24 March 1854.

Lincoln & Herndon have five cases in Sangamon Circuit Court; three come to trial. In Alsop v. Harrison, jury returns verdict of $228.50. In Crafton v. Doran, court affirms verdict of justice of peace in amount of $47. In both cases Lincoln & Herndon represent defendants. In third case court also finds against Lincoln & Herndon's client. Record.

Lincoln writes to Kentucky attorney George B. Kinkead, who represented Lincoln in the Fayette County, Kentucky, Circuit Court case of Oldham & Hemingway v. Lincoln et al.. Kinkead reported that the plaintiffs "dismissed their suit." Edward Oldham and Thomas Hemingway, both of Lexington, Kentucky, also sued Kinkead and Ninian W. Edwards, Lincoln's brother-in-law. Oldham and Hemingway hired Lincoln and Edwards to collect some debts for their company, and claimed that the defendants failed to pay them $472.54. Lincoln writes, "I expect and desire you to be paid a separate fee for your attention to that suit; and to authorize you to retain what you shall deem reasonable on that account, out of any money of mine which is, or may come into your hands." Petition, Affidavit, 11 May 1853, Oldham & Hemingway v. Lincoln et al.; Separate Answer of Abraham Lincoln, 27 May 1853, Oldham & Hemingway v. Lincoln et al., both in Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Kentucky State Archives, Frankfort, KY; Abraham Lincoln to George B. Kinkead, 31 March 1854, CW, 2:216-17.