U.S. Circuit and District Courts for new Northern District of Illinois convene. Judges McLean and Drummond preside. "The dockets are heavy, and include many important cases." Chicago Democratic Press, 2 July 1855.

Lincoln attends session. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 10 July 1855, CW, 2:314.

Clark v. Stigleman et al. transferred from Springfield on creation of Northern District, is sent back by agreement of attorneys. Lincoln represents plaintiff. Record.

[Lincoln's account at John Williams' store is charged 25¢ for thread and "doz. Button Molds," and his drug store account is charged 15¢ for castor oil. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147, 151.]

Lincoln sends $480 to Aaron L. Chapin, president of Beloit College, which Judge Davis gave him to deposit in Chicago bank to Chapin's credit. He sends deposit certificate. Abraham Lincoln to Aaron L. Chapin, 5 July 1855, CW, 2:314.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $18.40 worth of wallpaper at John Williams', and spends 80¢ at drug store for cream of tartar, soda, and soda water. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147, 151.]

[Sometime during session of U.S. courts in Chicago Lincoln goes to Rockford, where he studies reaper manufactured by Manny & Co. He has been retained for defense in McCormick v. Manny & Co., and during June had interview with P. H. Watson, prominent patent lawyer of Washington, DC, in regard to case. Abraham Lincoln to Peter H. Watson, 23 July 1855, CW, 2:314-15.]

Chicago Democratic Press reports: "Lawyers from Abroad.—The following are among the legal gentlemen now in attendance upon the United States Courts sitting in this city: Messrs. Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, Archibald Williams, Joel Manning, B. S. Edwards, Chas. Ballance, E. N. Powell, Judge H. M. Weed, A. L. Merriam, J. K. Cooper, N. H. Purple, W. F. Brian, Judge Drury, and Hon. James Grant."

Lincoln writes Charles Hoyt of Aurora: "The U.S. Court is in session here now; and we have succeeded, by agreement with Edwards, in getting your case, and the three Rock-Island cases, dismissed, with leave to the plaintiff to reinstate them by the next term, if he desires." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 10 July 1855, CW, 2:314.

Another of Lincoln's cases, Taylor v. Humphries, before U.S. Circuit Court at Springfield in Jan., is sent back to Southern District. Record.

Lincoln has important case, Forsyth v. Peoria, Illinois. He and Williams represent plaintiff, Browning defendant. After court they take tea with R. S. Blackwell. Browning, Diary.

Arguments commence in Forsyth v. Peoria, Illinois. Browning, Diary.

Arguments in Forsyth v. Peoria, Illinois are concluded, and Judge McLean charges jury strongly in favor of defendant. Jury is still out when court adjourns. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln and Williams lose their case, for jury brings in verdict for defendant. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln returns home, and is busy in U.S. Circuit Court. With Logan, he files exceptions to auditor's report in Bank of Missouri v. Ryan et al. On their motion, leave is given to take further testimony. Defendant Ryan is also ordered to answer by first Monday in Sept. [September 3, 1855] Record.

Robert Lincoln fetches half-pound of gunpowder tea from John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

Lincoln reminds P. H. Watson that he has not forwarded papers in McCormick v. Manny. He secured copies of bill and answer at Chicago, but he asks Watson to send evidence as fast as possible. "During August, and the remainder of this month, I can devote some time to the case, and, of course, I want all the material that can be had." Abraham Lincoln to Peter H. Watson, 23 July 1855, CW, 2:314-15.

Z. A. Enos, Sangamon County surveyor, completes survey of more of Mrs. Bullock's land, at Lincoln's request. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes Charles Ballance of Peoria: "Your letters of the 23rd. & 24th., the first having nothing, and the other $20 in it, are both received. Money is always acceptable to me; but when I left Chicago, I was not in 'extremis' on that subject. Browning has written me that the court was hung in our Hall case." He also writes to Anson L. Brewer about status of Kelly v. Evans, Logan County estate case. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Ballance, 27 July 1855, CW, 2:315; Abraham Lincoln to Anson L. Brewer, 27 July 1855, CW, 2:315-16.