Lincoln writes to secretary of state hoping that Richard W. Thompson of Indiana may secure diplomatic appointment. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 4 July 1849, CW, 2:56.

Lincoln writes Secretary Ewing, asking that if anyone in his district is to have "little favor" of appointment as Land Office examiner, William Porter be selected. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 5 July 1849, CW, 2:56-57.

He buys six "tumblers" at Bunn's store. Bunn Journal.

[U.S. District Court, Judge Pope presiding, opens session in Chicago.]

Lincoln writes David Davis, relating his trip to Washington and failure in patronage struggle. Photocopy.

He buys 75¢ worth of "sundries" at Bunn's store. Bunn Journal.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing regarding the recent appointment of a Commissioner of the General Land Office. Lincoln had applied for the position by asking various individuals to write letters recommending him for the job. Lincoln lost out to Chicago attorney Justin Butterfield. Lincoln concedes Butterfield's appointment, but questions Ewing about some missing letters of recommendation in Lincoln's file. In particular, Lincoln mentions that he "was surprised" to learn that the letters from Richard Wigginton Thompson and Elisha Embree, "late Whig members of Congress from two of the Wabash districts in Indiana," were not among the letters in his file. Lincoln was assured by both men that they had sent letters on his behalf. The letters from Thompson and Embree, in Lincoln's estimation, represented his best chance of obtaining the appointment: "I relied upon, and valued, them more than any other two letters I had, because of the high standing of the writers, because of their location within the Public Land states, and because they did (what few other members of Congress could) speak of my character and standing at home." Lincoln notes the salient importance of the Thompson letter: "The letter of Mr. Thompson was a recantation from Mr. B. to me; so that without it, I not only lost him, but he stood in full life recommending Mr. B." Lincoln finds it curious that the Thompson and Embree letters, "in particular, happen to be missing," and he asks Ewing to reply. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 9 July 1849, CW 11:3-4.

In letter to Joseph Gillespie, Lincoln deplores Cyrus Edwards' belief he has played false with him. He encloses another letter to be shown to Edwards stating that he first determined to be applicant only when he was informed by telegraph that "the question was narrowed down to Mr. B. and myself." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 13 July 1849, CW, 2:57-59.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court, Lincoln files a bill for divorce in the case of Plunkett v. Plunkett. Robert S. Plunkett seeks to end his marriage to Ann Alexander Plunkett, whom Lincoln's former law partner Stephen T. Logan represents. In the bill, Lincoln describes Robert as "an affectionate husband," and explains, "on or about the 14th day of February . . . 1846 . . . Ann wilfully deserted and absented herself from [Robert] . . . without any reasonable cause, and has continually since remained absent from him, being now for more than the space of two years." Bill for Divorce, filed 14 July 1849, Plunkett v. Plunkett, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln receives letter from John Addison, Land Office clerk, Washington, stating that Butterfield has James Berdan in mind for job. Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 22 July 1849, CW, 2:59-60.

Lincoln writes patronage letters. He asks John Addison to forward letters arriving at Land Office supporting Lincoln for commissioner. "I should like to see them. I have now about forty such." He informs James Berdan that Berdan is now being considered for appointment by Butterfield. "I took the precaution to withdraw the letters filed in my favor for Comr.; so that the very pretty one you wrote for me, can not rise in judgment against you." He also sends testimonial to Secretary Ewing for George H. Holtzman, clerk applicant. Abraham Lincoln to John Addison, 22 July 1849, CW, 2:59; Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 22 July 1849, CW, 2:59-60; Photocopy.

[First train runs on Sangamon & Morgan Railroad, rebuilt Northern Cross Railroad, in which Lincoln is interested. ISLA—File.]

Lincoln is rebuilding his law practice. He writes and files a declaration for his client, Edward D. Baker, in Baker v. Browne. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln and Benjamin S. Edwards, representing John B. Watson, write and file a declaration in Watson v. Sangamon & Morgan Railroad, a case before the Sangamon County Circuit Court to collect payment for cross ties Watson delivered to the railroad. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln buys scythe and handle at Irwin's store. Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln writes and files a bill for specific performance in Webster & Huntington v. French et al., signing for complainants' attorneys, Logan, Lincoln & Herndon, and Brayman. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of State John M. Clayton and offers advice regarding President Zachary Taylor's policy of granting the various cabinet heads the power to fill department positions. Lincoln writes, "I am disappointed with the effect of it on the public mind. It is fixing for the President the unjust and ruinous character of being a mere man of straw. This must be arrested, or it will damn us all inevitably. . . . [T]he public must be brought to understand, that they are the President's appointments. He must occasionally say, or seem to say, 'by the Eternal,' 'I take the responsibility.' " Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 28 July 1849, CW, 2:60.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files with the Sangamon County Circuit Court a declaration and affidavit in Bailer v. Davis. Lincoln's client, Henry Bailer, signs the affidavit with his mark. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.