Lincoln attends evening concert in Capitol grounds. In crowd he sees two ladies of the town, "our two girls . . . whose peculiarities were the wearing of black fur bonnets, and never being seen in close company with other ladies. . . . One of them was attended by their brother, and the other had a member of Congress in tow. He went home with her; and if I were to guess, I would say, he went away a somewhat altered man—most likely in his pockets, and in some other particular. The fellow looked conscious of guilt."Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

Congressman Lincoln writes to his wife Mary Lincoln, who is visiting family in Lexington, Kentucky. He received invoices from two merchants, and writes, "I hesitated to pay them, because my recollection is that you told me . . . there was nothing left unpaid." Lincoln relays news about Congressman William Richardson's family: "Mrs. Richardson is still here; and what is more, has a baby—so Richardson says, and he ought to know." Lincoln advises Mary to hire someone to help her care for their sons, "the dear codgers," Robert and Eddie. Lincoln adds, "Father expected to see you all sooner; but let it pass; stay as long as you please, and come when you please. Kiss and love the dear rascals." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

[Washington Monument cornerstone is laid with ceremony. Executive officials, congressmen, military companies, fire companies, school children, and fraternal organizations march to site, where Robert C. Winthrop delivers oration.National Intelligencer, 6 July 1848; Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, 1:454-55.]

Lincoln votes against motion to table resolution from Committee on Commerce which declares that President's reasons for vetoing river and harbor bill are "insufficient and unsatisfactory." Motion to table is defeated, 65-109. Debate on resolution follows.Globe.

At his House desk, Lincoln writes secretary of war about military commissions for two constituents, withdrawing one application.Abraham Lincoln to William L. Marcy, 6 July 1848, CW, 1:496.

Lincoln and 14 other representatives sign petition to Robert E. Horner, doorkeeper of House, asking that "A. G. Matlock be retained in his present situation as messenger."Petition Concerning A. G. Matlock, 8 July 1848, CW, 1:497.

He votes on several roll calls in House where amendments to Indian appropriations bill are under consideration.Journal.

In evening Lincoln receives letter from Herndon. He is pained by latter's belief that young men are being "ungenerously thrust back" by "old fossils."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 10 July 1848, CW, 1:497-98.

Lincoln attends House.Globe.

He also answers Herndon's letter. He thinks Herndon mistaken about old men. "I was young once, and I am sure I was never ungenerously thrust back. . . . The way for a young man to rise, is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that any body wishes to hinder him." He sends to Stephen A. Hurlbut, northern Illinois Whig, form letter introducing campaign paper, "The Battery," asking for subscribers, and adding personal note.Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 10 July 1848, CW, 1:497-98; Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut, 10 July 1848, CW, 1:498.

From Herndon Lincoln receives another letter which gives him "unalloyed pleasure. I now almost regret writing the serious, long faced letter, I wrote yesterday;" he replies, "but let the past as nothing be. Go it while you're young."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 11 July 1848, CW, 1:499.

In House he votes for three resolutions criticizing President's message.Globe.

House debates amendments to appropriations bill. Many members are absent and it is impossible to get quorum. Fines are imposed on absentees and sergeant-at-arms is ordered to bring them before House in morning. Lincoln is present.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln receives memorandum from Richard M. Young, commissioner of General Land Office, in response to request for information for constituent.Abraham Lincoln to John Hogan, 14 July 1848, CW, 1:499-500.

In House, absentees move for remittance of fines imposed, but speaker refuses to recognize them. Lincoln "remarking that he believed he was still a member," moves previous question. Matter is finally laid on table.Remarks in U. S. House of Representatives Concerning Apprehension of Absentees, 13 July 1848, CW, 1:499; Globe.

Lincoln forwards Young's memorandum to John Hogan. "Taylorism seems to be going right, for which, I am very glad. Keep the ball rolling." Abraham Lincoln to John Hogan, 11 July 1848, CW, 1:499-500.

House takes up bill disbanding wartime military establishment and approves amendments. Lincoln is present.Journal.

Stephen T. Logan visits Lincoln's Springfield bank and reports he has $50 fee for Lincoln's credit, and will deposit cash soon.Irwin Ledger.

Roll call taken in Committee of Whole to determine quorum does not list Lincoln as absentee. House debates civil and diplomatic appropriations bill.Journal; Globe.

Lincoln moves to suspend rules to permit introduction of bill establishing post routes; but motion fails to receive two-thirds majority.Globe.

He writes to secretary of war regarding A. G. Henry's claim for Mexican War expenses.Abraham Lincoln to William L. Marcy, 17 July 1848, CW, 1:500.

S. T. Logan deposits $50 cash in Lincoln's account at Robert Irwin & Co., Springfield.Irwin Journal.

Lincoln votes against amendment to appropriations bill striking out appropriation for Savannah River. It is defeated by negative vote of speaker, 85-85. He votes to agree to conference committee's report on bill for prosecution of war and on other amendments to appropriations bill.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln reports and explains bill from Committee on Post Office and Post Roads providing for post routes. He also moves amendment, but bill is passed without it.Journal; Globe; Remarks in U. S. House of Representatives Concerning Bill to Establish Certain Post Routes, 19 July 1848, CW, 1:500.

Lincoln votes aye on passage of appropriations bill; it is defeated 77-100. General confusion ensues, with motions to reconsider. Appropriation for Savannah River is main reason for bill's defeat. This leads to partisan debate on internal improvements.Journal; Globe.

Appropriations bill again comes up for passage. Lincoln votes for it again, and it passes 108-78, with Savannah River item included.Globe.

Mrs. Lincoln and boys probably arrive from Lexington about this time, Lincoln's last letter to Mary having been written July 2, 1848, in which he sent $100 for expenses. [See July 2, 1848.]Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

House receives from Polk message relating to California and New Mexico. Amid considerable confusion, Lincoln obtains floor and announces his desire to speak, but defers his remarks to permit message to be referred to appropriate committees. There are cries of "No, no, go on," as he resumes seat.Globe; Remarks in U. S. House of Representatives, 24 July 1848, CW, 1:501.

Lincoln is present in House. Conference committee reports Indian appropriations bill. Report is accepted and bill passed.Globe.

Lincoln attends House. [All day and all night Senate debates bill for territorial governments in Oregon, California, and New Mexico. It provides that antislavery laws of Oregon shall continue, but forbids legislatures of California and New Mexico to pass any law relating to slavery. Status of slavery may be decided by Supreme Court.Globe.]

Congressman Lincoln speaks in the House of Representatives and compares the two candidates who seek the U.S. presidency. Lincoln backs the Whig candidate Zachary Taylor, who is running against Lewis Cass, a Democrat. Lincoln addresses Cass's supporters: "Have no fears . . . of your candidate. He exactly suits you, and we congratulate you upon it. . . . If elected, he may not maintain all, or even any of his positions previously taken; but he will be sure to do whatever the party exigency, for the time being, may require." Speech in U. S. House of Representatives on the Presidential Question, 27 July 1848, CW, 1:501-16.

[Senate passes territorial bill. It has approval of President Polk.Globe; Diary.]

Lincoln votes to table Senate bill establishing territorial governments in Oregon, California, and New Mexico. Motion is carried on vote of Northern Whigs. Bitter partisan debate on Congress' power over slavery in territories follows.Globe.

Lincoln answers roll calls on motions to suspend rules. Debate on establishment of territorial government in Oregon is order of day. House agrees to Senate resolution fixing August 14, 1848 as date of adjournment.Journal; Globe.