Battalions under Maj. Stillman and Maj. David Bailey march out, with four days' rations, for Old Man's Creek, where portion of Black Hawk's band is believed encamped. Gov. Reynolds, finding Stillman's and Bailey's troops too impatient to await arrival of Gen. Atkinson and regulars, gives them orders to move against Indians, "for the purpose of taking all cautious measures to coerce [them] into submission."Stevens, Black Hawk War, 131-32; Whiteside to Atkinson, 18 May 1832, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln writes and signs a note certifying that Royal Potter "is dismissed on furlough" to care for a sick man. Certificate of Discharge for Royal Potter, 13 May 1832, RG 15, Entry 26: Records of the Bureau of Pensions and the Pension Service, Bureau of Pensions Correspondence and Pension Bounty Land Case Files Relating to Military Service Performed Between 1775 and 1861, Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Case Files of Bounty Land Warrant Applications Based On Service Between 1812 and 1855 and Disapproved Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, 1800-1900, National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

[No spring term of McLean Circuit Court is held.]

Lincoln participates in one case in the Edgar County Circuit Court. Along with Garland B. Shelledy, Justin Harlan, and Usher F. Linder, Lincoln represents plaintiff John W. Barber in the debt case of People for use of Barber v. Stanfield et al. John Pearson, Josiah McRoberts, and Augustus C. French represent the defendants. Lincoln makes the closing argument for Barber before the jury retires to deliberate. Order, 13 May 1842, People for use of Barber v. Stanfield et al., Order Book 2, 191, Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.

[A newspaper article reports that The Springfield Washington Temperance Society, to which Lincoln belongs, has 700 members. Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 13 May 1842, 1:6; Illinois State Register (Springfield), 11 March 1842, 2:6.]

Lincoln writes bill in chancery in Runyon v. Dresser, asking real estate conveyance.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Shelby Circuit Court convenes for four-day term at Shelbyville.]

Lincoln represents defendant in Ryan v. Anderson. Arriving in Danville, he writes and files pleas, as Fithian's attorney, in Brown v. Fithian.Record; Photocopy.

[War with Mexico is officially declared.]

Lincoln writes, for Charles H. Constable of Wayne County, job seeker, letter of introduction to Secretary Clayton. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 13 May 1849, CW, 2:48.

[Edgar Circuit Court convenes at Paris.]

Lincoln writes petition of Joshua Gipson for writ of certiorari, who makes his mark before court, re judgment of Sangamon County Justice of Peace Court. Photocopy.

In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Judge David Davis swears in a jury in the case of Brown v. Makemson et al. Lincoln's and Oliver L. Davis's client William N. Brown charged Andrew Makemson and several others with assault and battery. The jury returns a guilty verdict, and assesses $100 in damages. Judge Davis orders Makemson and the other defendants to pay the damages and all of the court costs. Lincoln pairs with Oliver L. Davis in another case, People v. Pate and Pate. Lincoln and Davis represent the defendants whom the state is suing to recover the penalties related to a recognizance bond. Johnson W. Pate, and Charles L. Pate acting as his surety, signed five bonds related to five larceny indictments issued against Johnson Pate. Lincoln and Davis file a plea, and Judge Davis renders his judgment that the "court finds the issue for the defendant." Lincoln files the judgment with the court. Judgment, 13 May 1852, Brown v. Makemson et al., Circuit Court Record D, 416; Order, 21 October 1851, People v. Pate and Pate, Circuit Court Record D, 340, both in Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Judgment, 13 May 1852, People v. Pate and Pate, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln is for defendant in Prettyman v. Stoltz, which is continued on plaintiff's motion. In Hatch v. Preston and Wightman he writes bill of evidence and exceptions, has Judge Davis sign, and court adjourns. Record; Photocopy.

Moore and Lincoln appear in court as attorneys for defendants in Drybread v. Clearwaters & Lowry. Suit is dismissed by agreement, each party paying half costs. Lincoln files plea and demurrer in Lisk v. Morford. Weldon is associated with him for defense. Record; Photocopy.

Lincoln receives another letter from Washburne. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln buys soap, bay rum, camphor, magnesia, and handkerchief perfume at his drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156-57.

Between 3 P.M. and 4 P.M. President reviews District Militia as it passes through White House grounds. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1861, 3:2.

Between 9 P.M. and 10 P.M. speaks to group who had serenaded newly-appointed Washington postmaster Lewis Clephane. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1861, 3:2.

[Mrs. Lincoln, in New York to purchase fittings for Executive Mansion, buys carriage for $900. Baltimore Sun, 9 May 1861, 20 May 1861.

Entertains in evening at Metropolitan Hotel. N.Y. Tribune, 14 May 1861.]

At 11 A.M. Lincoln welcomes committee of General Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church. National Intelligencer, 14 May 1862; Response to Evangelical Lutherans, 13 May 1862, CW, 5:212-13.

Addresses 12th Indiana Regiment: "I assure you that the nation is more indebted to you, and such as you, than to me." Washington Star, 14 May 1862; Speech to the Twelfth Indiana Regiment, 13 May 1862, CW, 5:213.

President Lincoln writes to Abraham Hart, who is a member of Temple Mikveh Israel, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hart sent Lincoln a copy of the prayer offered up by Mikveh Israel's Rabbi Sabato Morais in response to Lincoln's April 10 proclamation, in which he asked all the country's religious congregations to pray for the "restoration of peace, harmony, and unity." Rabbi Morais prayed, "Bless the President of the United States . . . for his sterling honesty, [and] . . . for his firmness and moderation." Lincoln thanks Hart "for your expressions of kindness and confidence." Proclamation of Thanksgiving for Victories, 10 April 1862, CW, 5:185-186; Abraham Hart to Abraham Lincoln, 23 April 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Abraham Hart, 13 May 1862, CW, 5:212; Bertram Wallace Korn, American Jewry and the Civil War (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1951), 35-38.

Mrs. Lincoln sends bouquet of White House flowers to Mrs. Fox. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln offers "my sincere sympathy and condolence" to Peruvian nation on death of President Miguel San Roman. Abraham Lincoln to Pedro Diez Canseco, 13 May 1863, CW, 6:212-13.

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton about Clement Vallandigham, of Ohio. On May 5, Major General Ambrose Burnside arrested Vallandigham on a charge of treason. Lincoln ponders the government's next move. The Secretary of State William Seward and the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase "think we better not issue the special suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus spoken of." Chase believes that neither of the two federal judges who may hear the case will "issue" the writ because they had "refused a similar application last year." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 13 May 1863, CW, 6:215.

Lincoln writes Gen. Hooker: "If it will not interfere with the service, nor personally incommode you, please come up and see me this evening." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 13 May 1863, CW, 6:215.

Hooker at White House in evening on invitation of President. Hooker to Lincoln, 13 May 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Sec. Chase: "I understand there are, or have been, some charges against Lieutenant [James H.] Merryman [of Revenue Service], of which I know nothing. I only wish to say, he was raised from childhood in the town where I lived, and I remember nothing against him as boy or man. His father [Dr. Elias H. Merryman, involved with Lincoln in his imbroglio with Shields. See Sept. 19, 1842.], now dead, was a very intimate acquaintance and friend of mine." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 13 May 1863, CW, 6:214.

Telegraphs Gen. Totten: "I wish to appoint William Whipple, son of the General who fell in the recent battle on the Rappahannock, to West-Point, next Spring, and I wish to file this with you as a remembrance upon the subject." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph G. Totten, 13 May 1863, CW, 6:216.

Early morning. President and Sec. Seward are reading telegrams when Sen. Nesmith (Oreg.) brings newspaper accounts of Gen. Grant's activities. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Lincoln receives notice that Seward has made appointment for him to interview W. Aime Humbert, envoy extraordinary of Swiss Confederation to Japan, at 11 A.M. tomorrow. Seward to Lincoln, 13 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Repeats endorsement concerning church in Memphis, Tenn.: "I say again, if there be no military need for the building, leave it alone, neither putting anyone in or out, of it, except on finding some one preaching or practicing treason." Endorsement Concerning a Church at Memphis, Tennessee, 13 May 1864, CW, 7:339.