"Your letter, asking me to procure passports, has been received," writes Lincoln to H. O. Merriman of Peoria or A. L. Merriman of Pekin: "I have just been to Mr. Buchanan [secretary of state], who turned me over to an understrapper. . . . He gave me a printed circular showing exactly what is to be done, which I transmit to you."Abraham Lincoln to Halsey O. or Amos L. Merriman, 16 February 1848, CW, 1:452.

He attends House where loan bill is under consideration.Journal.

Managers of "Birth Night Ball" meet at City Hall.National Intelligencer, 16 February 1848.