Lincoln, Yates, Herndon, and Jayne sign note to John M. Palmer: "It is our judgment that whether you do or do not finally stand as a candidate for Congress, it is better for you to not to publicly decline for a while. It is a long time till the election; and what may turn up no one can tell." Abraham Lincoln et al. to John M. Palmer, 1 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln writes to Joseph Gillespie about prospect of collecting nine-year-old judgment against "Bradford & Brother, or Bradford & Son or some firm name having Bradford in it." He hopes to meet Gillespie at Alton in three days, en route to stump speech at Paris via Alton. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 2 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln talks politics with Richard Yates, saying he is confident Fremont will carry Illinois. Yates to Trumbull, 3 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Meeting to organize Fremont and Dayton Club is held at courthouse. "Mr. Lincoln being called upon, explained the object of the meeting, and made a graphic and forcible statement of the true issue in the impending struggle. His remarks were very happy, frequently interrupted by applause and sounds of laughter." Illinois State Journal, 4 August 1856.

Herndon writes Trumbull: "Lincoln this moment has gone south east—down to Coles, Edgar &c will go further south." Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Before leaving, Lincoln writes John Bennett letter in which he argues that vote for Fillmore is really vote for Buchanan. Choice is between Fremont and Buchanan, and unless Fillmore men prefer latter, they must vote for Fremont. He writes to H. G. Wells of Michigan, offering to take stump at Kalamazoo August 27, 1856, if he can get there. "I can not promise positively." Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 4 August 1856, CW, 2:358; Abraham Lincoln to Hezekiah G. Wells, 4 August 1856, CW, 2:358-59.

Lincoln takes morning Springfield & Alton train, arriving in Alton about noon. He boards next train east toward Terre Haute, alighting at Paris after dark. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 2 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln, Matson of Indiana, and H. P. H. Bromwell address large Fremont meeting. (Bromwell is candidate for Congress.) "Much enthusiasm prevailed, and the meeting promised a rousing majority on behalf of Edgar County for Fremont." Illinois State Journal, 13 August 1856; Archer to Trumbull, 11 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Speech at Paris, Illinois, 6 August 1856, CW, 2:359.

Lincoln and Bromwell speak at Fremont meeting. Illinois State Journal, 13 August 1856; Archer to Trumbull, 11 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

One who attends both meetings writes Trumbull that "a good impression has been made particularly in the Fillmore wing." Marshall to Trumbull, 7 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Trumbull that he has just returned from speaking in Edgar, Coles, and Shelby counties. "Our whole trouble along there has been & is Fillmoreism. . . . I think we shall ultimately get all the Fillmore men, who are realy anti-slavery extension—the rest will probably go to Buchanan where they rightfully belong; if they do not, so much the better for us." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 11 August 1856, CW, 2:359-60.

[Lincoln writes August 19, 1856 that he had been absent from Springfield four days. Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 19 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

He must have been at home on 12th, 13th, and part of 14th.]

[To reach Polo by next evening, Lincoln must have left Springfield during day.]