Lincoln explains to Rev. Slicer that Committee on Arrangements delegated authority to subcommittee of which he was not member. Consequently he had nothing to do with details of funeral arrangements. "Until I received your letter," he asserts, "I should have given it as my recollection, that you did actually participate."Abraham Lincoln to Henry Slicer, 1 June 1848, CW, 1:474-75.

Lincoln's Springfield bank balance is credited with cash deposit of $31.25, legal fee from David Newsom.Irwin Ledger.

House devotes day to private calendar. Lincoln is present.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln votes to go into Committee of Whole, where House takes up naval appropriations bill. It is soon diverted, however, to debate on slavery in territories.Journal.

Lincoln attends House. After discussion as to proper committee to which to refer bill to protect naturalized citizens against foreign governments, House again engages in partisan discussion of administration's Mexican policy.Journal.

Lincoln is on his way to Whig national convention. [House meets and adjourns until June 9, 1848.Globe.]

Whig convention effects temporary organization. In afternoon ex-Gov. John M. Morehead is elected permanent chairman and other recommendations of committee on organization are accepted.N.Y. Tribune, 17 June 1848.

Convention begins balloting on nominee for President. On first ballot Taylor leads with 111 votes, followed by Clay with 97, Scott with 43, Webster 22, Clayton 4, and McLean 2. On second ballot Taylor has 118, Clay 86, and Scott 49.N.Y. Tribune, 17 June 1848.

Taylor is nominated on fourth ballot. "The result was communicated to the immense concourse [outside], and then a cheer burst forth which made the very earth tremble." Fillmore is selected for Vice-President. Delegates adjourn to Independence Square for ratification meeting. Speakers hold forth from three stands "and a dozen stumps."N.Y. Tribune, 17 June 1848.

In Wilmington, Delaware, in the evening, Lincoln delivers a speech criticizing the policies of President James K. Polk. A newspaper reports, "[Lincoln] referred to the history of . . . Polk's administration—the abuse of power which characterized it—the high-handed and despotic exercise of the veto power, and the utter disregard of the will of the people." Additionally, Lincoln submits that Polk initiated the war with Mexico in order "to catch votes."Speech at Wilmington, Delaware, 10 June 1848, CW, 1:475-76.

Travelling all night, Lincoln arrives in Washington in morning. He finds letter from Mrs. Lincoln, who is in Kentucky. She is anxious to return to Washington.Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 12 June 1848, CW, 1:477-78.

While attending House, Lincoln answers his wife's letter. "Come on just as soon as you can," he writes, "I want to see you, and our dear—dear boys very much." He also writes to Herndon: "By many, and often, it had been said they would not abide the nomination of Taylor; but since the deed has been done, they are fast falling in, and in my opinion we shall have a most overwhelming, glorious, triumph."Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 12 June 1848, CW, 1:477-78; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 12 June 1848, CW, 1:476-77.

"In my anxiety for the result, I was led to attend the Philadelphia convention," writes Lincoln to R. S. Thomas. ". . . I have entered the names you sent me, on my book, and commenced sending documents to them." He explains attitude of Congress on school lands.Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 13 June 1848, CW, 1:478-79.

He attends House and in evening is present at public dinner in honor of Senator Crittenden at National Hotel.

In morning Lincoln goes to Land Office to inquire further into school lands.Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 13 June 1848, CW, 1:478-79.

He attends House, where bill to establish post routes and naval appropriations bill are under consideration.Journal.

House continues deliberations on naval appropriations bill. Lincoln votes on several amendments.Journal.

He writes to Richard S. Thomas on school lands, having found law dealing with fractional townships which have no 16th section for school support. They can claim other public land. Lincoln suggests this obscure law be given publicity in newspapers, which Thomas does by printing Lincoln's letter. Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 15 June 1848, CW, 1:479.

Bill appropriating money "for certain fortifications" is taken up in Committee of Whole. After amendment it is reported and passed, Lincoln voting aye.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln is present as House devotes day to private bills.Journal.

"Do you know any democrats who will vote for Taylor?" inquires Lincoln of R. S. Thomas, "and if so, what are their names? Do you know any Whigs who will not vote for him? and if so, what are their names? and for whom will they vote? Please answer this just as soon as it is received."Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 19 June 1848, CW, 1:479.

He votes to refer memorial from Chicago River and Harbor Convention to Committee on Commerce. Resolution is adopted 133-56.Globe.

In the House chambers, Lincoln argues for federal government involvement in relation to "internal improvements." Lincoln remarks, "The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it have any evil in it; but whether it have more of evil, than of good. There are few things wholly evil, or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded." United States Congress, Appendix to the Congressional Globe (Washington, DC: Blair & Rives, 1848), 709-711; Speech in United States House of Representatives on Internal Improvements, 20 June 1848, CW, 1:480-90.

Lincoln franks envelope of campaign documents to James Berdan of Jacksonville. IaDaM—Original.

Lincoln is present at House. He votes aye as naval appropriations bill is passed and on other roll calls.Globe.

In evening he attends Whig caucus. All are confident of success in election. Illinois is expected to do well. Returning to his room, however, he is perturbed to find pessimistic letter from Herndon.Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 22 June 1848, CW, 1:490-92.

Congressman Lincoln writes to his law partner William H. Herndon and encourages "young men" to participate in Zachary Taylor's presidential campaign. He writes, "You must not wait to be brought forward by the older men. . . . [D]o you suppose that I should ever have got into notice if I had waited to be hunted up and pushed forward by older men. You young men get together . . . and have regular meetings and speeches." Lincoln predicts, "the older men, and the women will go to hear you; so that it will not only contribute to the election of 'Old Zach' but will be an interesting pastime, and improving to the intellectual faculties of all engaged." Lincoln is annoyed that the "whig paper[s] of our district" do not reprint many of the "speeches" made by the members of Congress. He also chastises Herndon for continuing to "ask how Congress came to declare . . . war" on Mexico. Lincoln writes, "Is it possible you dont understand that yet? You have at least twenty speeches in your possession that fully explain it. I will, however, try it once more." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 22 June 1848, CW, 1:490-92.

In House he votes for bill for regulation of seamen on public and private vessels. It passes.Journal.

Lincoln is present at House. Committee on Commerce, to which President's message vetoing river and harbor bill has been referred, reports resolutions declaring that President's reasons for his veto "insufficient and unsatisfactory."Journal; Globe.

Lincoln attends House, but nothing of importance is done.Journal.

At Lincoln's order, Robert Irwin, his banker, pays Allen Francis $272 cash to cancel note and interest. Lincoln evidently borrowed from Francis to pay for his trip to Washington.Irwin Ledger.

["Barnburner" faction of Democratic party has nominated Van Buren for President on Wilmot Proviso platform.]

Lincoln begins letter to Mrs. Lincoln but does not finish it. Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

House discusses civil and diplomatic appropriations bill. It soon digresses to slavery in territories, comparative expenditures of government under this and preceding administrations, Taylor's position with respect to veto power and general uncertainty of his political opinions. Lincoln attends session.Globe.

He transmits to J. M. McCalla, second auditor of Treasury, papers in Thomas Davis claim case, and writes Walter Davis that he has done so.Endorsement: To J. M. McCalla, [26 June 1848], CW, 1:493; Abraham Lincoln to Walter Davis, 26 June 1848, CW, 1:493.

Lincoln writes to Horace Greeley criticizing article in "Tribune." "By putting us in the position of insisting on the line of the Nueces, you put us in a position which, in my opinion, we cannot maintain. . . . If the degree of arrogance is not too great, may I ask you to examine what I said on this very point in the printed speech I send you." He finishes his letter to his wife and sends it with draft for $100.Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, 27 June 1848, CW, 1:493-94; Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

Lincoln receives "dunn" from P. H. Hood & Co. for $5.38 and one from Walter Harper & Co. for $8.50 for goods purchased by Mrs. Lincoln. He hesitates to pay them, because, as he recalls, she told him when she left that no bills remained unpaid.Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 2 July 1848, CW, 1:495-96.

In House Lincoln speaks on bill changing time of holding courts in western Virginia and raising judge's salary from $1,600 to $2,500. He votes to strike out salary raise.Remarks in U. S. House of Representatives Concerning Salary of Judge of Western District in Virginia, 28 June 1848, CW, 1:494-95.