Lincoln writes Joseph Gillespie to "come right up" about embarrassing case in Supreme Court—People ex rel. Lanphier & Walker v. Hatch. Case involved reapportionment act passed in 1857. Gov. Bissell had signed it inadvertently, then crossed off his name. Democrats bring suit to compel secretary of state to certify act. Case involves politics and Lincoln's senatorial ambitions, for reapportionment changed districts to Republican disadvantage. Lincoln also telegraphs George T. Brown, Alton Republican, to send Gillespie "at once. Don't fail[.]" Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 19 January 1858, CW, 2:432; Abraham Lincoln to George T. Brown, 19 January 1858, CW, 2:432; 19 Ill. 283.

Lincoln & Herndon file bill in chancery in Sangamon Circuit Court in Doup v. Gibson et al.Photocopy.