Prior to departing for Washington, D. C., where he will take a seat in Congress, Lincoln writes and signs an agreement between himself and Cornelius Ludlum, of Springfield. Ludlum will occupy Lincoln's home while the family is away. Lincoln stipulates, "for the term of one year, to commence on the first day of November . . . the said Ludlum agrees to pay said Lincoln the sum of ninety dollars in quarter yearly payments, to be especially careful to prevent any destruction by fire, [and] to allow said Lincoln, the use of the North-up-stairs room, during the term, in which to store his furniture."Lease Contract Between Abraham Lincoln and Cornelius Ludlum, 23 October 1847, CW, 1:406-7.