Lincoln replies to letter from Nicholas H. Ridgely of Springfield directing him to clear flaw in title of land on which Springfield Gas Works stands. "It is all right now, I think." Abraham Lincoln to Nicholas H. Ridgely, 1 May 1856, CW, 2:340.

In Beath v. Hainline, appeal from justice of peace, jury is dispensed with, and court decrees that judgment of lower court be affirmed for $20. Plaintiff is ordered to pay one third of costs in Circuit Court, defendant all other costs. Lincoln represents plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln wins case when, after jury has been called, plaintiff in Gipps v. Crosby dismisses suit. (This is case Lincoln lost May 5, 1855. Case had gone to Supreme Court, and been remanded to Circuit Court for retrial.) Record.

In Roberts v. Harkness, jury finds that defendant does not owe plaintiff as alleged. Lincoln, one of defendant's counsel, writes instructions to jury. Record; Files.

Lincoln loses Graham v. Robinson when court decided that defendant is not indebted to plaintiff, whom he represents, and orders his client to pay costs. In Opdycke v. Opdycke & Opdycke, which appears on docket almost every term, Lincoln files another order for sale of real estate. Record; Files.

Lincoln, for complainant, agrees that previous default in Harris Lime Rock Co. v. Harris et al. be set aside. Fuller enters appearance of all defendants and agrees to file answer before August 1, 1856 and to waive all objections to depositions filed in case. Record.

Lincoln writes court order to that effect. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In Davis v. Scates, jury is called but discharged. Lincoln represents defendant. Mark v. Bailey et al., chancery suit before court May 2, 1855, terminates when report of master in chancery is approved. Lincoln is one of complainant's counsel. Lincoln writes agreement in Denniston v. Dorsett, assumpsit. Tazewell Circuit Court adjourns. Record; Photocopy.

Lincoln's name heads list of signers of call for county convention to be held in Springfield May 24, 1856 for electing delegates to state Anti-Nebraska convention at Bloomington May 29, 1856. Journal, 10 May 1856; Call for Republican Convention, 10 May 1856, CW, 2:340.

When conservatives protest, Herndon, who has signed Lincoln's name without permission, writes his partner, and receives telegram sanctioning his act. Herndon & Weik, 311.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $5.88 worth of wallpaper at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]

Spring term of DeWitt Circuit Court commences. Lincoln appears in two cases continued from fall term. Emery v. Illinois Central RR, in which he and Moore represent railroad, is settled by agreement, plaintiff paying costs. Alexander v. Warner is dismissed by Lincoln as plaintiff's attorney. Record.

Stout v. Stout, divorce case in which Lincoln appears for the petitioner, is called and continued. (Divorce granted October 20, 1855; alimony is yet to be settled.) Record.

Lincoln writes and files pleas and rejoinder in Terre Haute & Alton RR v. Daniel Earp, signing "Thornton & Rice p.d." Files.

Circuit Court of Champaign County convenes for spring term, with larger attendance of lawyers than usual. "Hon. A. Lincoln of Springfield" heads list. Urbana Union, 22 May 1856.

In the Champaign County Circuit Court case of Spink v. Chiniquy, Lincoln is one of the attorneys representing Charles Chiniquy, a Catholic priest whom plaintiff Peter Spink is suing for slander. Spink alleges that Chiniquy called him a perjurer, thus damaging Spink's reputation "amongst all his neighbors & other worthy citizens." Spink seeks $10,000, in damages. Amended Declaration, May 1855 Term Spink v. Chiniquy, IHi, Springfield, IL; Urbana Union (IL), 29 May 1856, 3:1.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys hat ($1), ribbon, elastic, and pair "small Congress Garters" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]

Chiniquy case occupies court all day. "Plaintiff brought up among his witnesses another priest who was impeached by the opposite party, whose witnesses swore they would not believe him under oath." Urbana Union, 29 May 1856.

Chiniquy case monopolizes court until evening, when term ends. Jury fails to bring verdict and is discharged. Urbana Union, 29 May 1856.

So little business has been transacted that special term of court is called for next month. Urbana Union, 22 May 1856.

Chiniquy signs note written by Lincoln: "Urbana, May 23- 1856 Due A. Lincoln fifty dollars, for value received- C. Chiniquy." Photocopy.

Lincoln and Lamon have nine cases in Vermilion Circuit Court. One case, appeal from justice of peace, comes to trial and is decided in favor of their client. Their other cases are continued or dismissed by agreement. Record.

[In Springfield, convention elects Lincoln delegate to state Anti-Nebraska convention at Bloomington May 29, 1856. Illinois State Journal, 26 May 1856.]

Court tries Parris v. Littler (Lincoln and Lamon for defendant) and awards plaintiff $35 and costs. Clapp v. Turner & Lamon, in which they represent defendant, is settled by agreement, plaintiff obtaining judgment for $216.14 and costs. In Selsor v. Lamon & Turner, they enter appearance of defendants but make no defense. Court awards plaintiffs damages of $324.67. Illinois State Journal, 26 May 1856.

Lincoln writes indictment in People v. Tucker, signing "Lamon atty pro tem." Original owned by King Hostick, Springfield, Ill.

Lincoln starts for Bloomington convention, arriving in Decatur by train late in afternoon. There is no train to Bloomington until next day; he puts up at Oglesby House, walks about town with others bound for convention, and recounts his early experiences in Macon County. Henry C. Whitney, Life on the Circuit with Lincoln (Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1892), 73-75; IBloHi—Trans., III, 91-92.

Early in morning Lincoln leaves by train for Bloomington. There he goes to home of David Davis. In evening, crowds gather before Pike House, and Lincoln leads off with speech. Palmer, Wentworth, Washburne and others follow. Illinois State Journal, 29 May 1856; Register, 31 May 1856; Chicago Democratic Press, 30 May 1856; Henry C. Whitney, Life on the Circuit with Lincoln (Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1892), 73-74; Speech at Bloomington, Illinois, 28 May 1856, CW, 2:340-41.

Convention convenes at 10 A.M. Lincoln attends as delegate from Sangamon County. He serves on nominating committee and is nominated as presidential elector. Climax of meeting comes when business is finished and he addresses delegates. "When he concluded, the audience sprang to their feet, and cheer after cheer told how deeply their hearts had been touched." Illinois State Journal, 3 June 1856, 4 June 1856; Speech at Bloomington, Illinois, 29 May 1856, CW, 2:341.

Lincoln reaches home and reads accumulated mail. Abraham Lincoln to Daniel D. Page and Henry D. Bacon, 31 May 1856, CW, 2:341-42.

He writes Page & Bacon, St. Louis banker-merchants, about difficulty with U.S. marshal for Southern Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to Daniel D. Page and Henry D. Bacon, 31 May 1856, CW, 2:341-42.