Lincoln writes and signs a declaration and praecipe in Harrison v. Dickinson and Taylor.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In the evening, State Representative Lincoln addresses the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, on the topic of "the perpetuation of our political institutions." Lincoln warns against the "mobocratic spirit, which . . . is now abroad in the land." He states, "There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law." Lincoln acknowledges that "[p]assion" played a role in America's fight for independence. But, Lincoln argues, "Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason" will best serve "for our future support and defence." Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, 27 January 1838, CW, 1:108-15.