Supreme Court allows Joy's motion for mandamus. "Our case is decided against us, . . ." Lincoln writes. "Very sorry for the result; but I do not think it could have been prevented." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Lincoln makes opening argument in rehearing of famous tax case, Illinois Central RR v. McLean County, Illinois & Parke, first heard February 28, 1854. Record.