Lincoln draws agreement by which ten men pledge $500 "to be used in giving circulation, in Southern and Middle Illinois, to the newspaper published at St. Louis, Missouri, and called 'The Missouri Democrat.' " Money is to be paid to John G. Nicolay as soon as he shall furnish evidence indicating successful termination of undertaking. Seven men besides Lincoln sign agreement. Agreement Regarding the Missouri Democrat, 3 July 1857, CW, 2:410.

[In Decatur, Lincoln's case (for plaintiff, with Prather), Gatling et al. v. Great Western RR, is argued before court and taken under advisement. Record.]

U.S. Circuit Court convenes with Judges McLean and Drummond on bench. Chicago Democrat reports that "Honorables O. M. Hatch, Secretary of State, Jesse K. Dubois, State Auditor, Senator Trumbull, A. Lincoln, W. H. Bailhache, of the Springfield Journal, and other notables, are at the Tremont House."

Lincoln collects from Chicago Dock & Canal Co. $100 "atty fees" and $100 for "services." Photocopy.

Lincoln is in Chicago for the U.S. Circuit Court session. In the evening, he and attorneys Orville H. Browning and Nehemiah H. Bushnell watch William E. Burton perform the part of "Timothy Toodles" in the play, "Toodles," on stage at North's National Theatre. A critic writes, "[Burton] as good as played it alone—his supporters being of more injury than assistance. In consequence of their utter failure to carry their respective parts, he was obliged to cut short much of this rich comedy. . . . Upon the whole, would it not be better to give Burton a clear stage and let him play it alone?" Theodore Calvin Pease and James G. Randall, eds., The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, 2 vols., Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1925-1933), 1:293-94; Chicago Daily Tribune (IL), 8 July 1857, 1:2, 1:8; 9 July 1857, 1:4.

Chicago Democrat (July 11, 1857) contains item relating to case in which Lincoln is later to make one of his best arguments. "In the U.S. Circuit Court, now in session in this city, the case of the steamer Hurd et al. v. Rock Island Bridge Co. was called up, and on motion was continued to some future day. The parties are endeavoring to have a day fixed for the trial of the case before Judge McLean."

[Mrs. Lincoln buys cloth and thread at John Williams & Co. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.]

At night Lincoln and Browning again attend theater, this time to see Burton play Captain Cuttle in "Dombey and Son." "This is very admirable— Mrs. Burton did Susan Nipper, the black eyed one very well—The others were hum drum." Browning, Diary, 1:294.

Case of Peter S. Hoes v. James Barclay et al., ejectment suit, comes to trial in U.S. Circuit Court. Williams, Lawrence, and Williams represent plaintiff, Logan and Lincoln defendants. Chicago Democrat, 16 July 1857.

Trial of Hoes v. Barclay et al. continues. Chicago Democrat, 17 July 1857.

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln are registered at Cataract House, Niagara Falls. LL, No. 319.