Lincoln votes nay on ordering second reading of "act to amend an act, entitled an act regulating elections." Motion is defeated 27 to 23.House Journal.

Lincoln gives notice that on Saturday next he will introduce bill amending law of 1829 for relief of insolvent debtors.House Journal.

He writes to Thomas J. Nance at New Salem: "There is but little of interest doing in the Legislature as yet: owing mostly to the census returns from several counties not having been made."Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Nance, 10 December 1835, CW, 1:38.

Lincoln is appointed to two of 14 standing House committees: important Committee on Finance, and minor Penitentiary Committee.House Journal.

Lincoln is appointed, with Menard of Randolph and Morgan of Monroe, to select committee to consider petition of president and directors of Kaskaskia Bridge Co. praying repeal of part of company charter.House Journal. [Supreme Court begins winter term, which ends 28 February 1838.]

On Lincoln's motion, rule of House is dispensed with and he introduces bill authorizing "Collector of ________ county to collect certain taxes." Bill is read twice and on his motion referred to committee of Lincoln, Naper of Cook, and Bowman of Wabash. J. Calhoun is elected House clerk. Lincoln votes for Andrew Johnston.House Journal; Photocopy; Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Authorize the Collector of ________ County to Collect Taxes, [10 December 1839], CW, 1:155.

Lincoln's and Trumbull's amendments to bill providing for payment of interest on public debt, introduced Tuesday, are taken up and passed. Hicks of Jefferson brings in bill for similar act, which, on Lincoln's motion, is referred to committee on Finance.House Journal.

[Fashionable ball is held at American House.]

Logan & Lincoln, attorneys for plaintiffs in Wilson et al. v. Palmer & Leverick win judgment by default in U.S. Circuit Court. Court awards $1,158.50 damages and $23.52 costs.Record.

Lincoln probably spends day conferring with Whig leaders in preparation for state convention to be held Monday and Tuesday. Delegations arrive from Cook, Winnebago, Jo Daviess, Gallatin, White, Edwards, and Vermilion counties.Missouri Republican, 13 December 1843.

Plaintiff in Favor v. Marlett et al. (SC), is ruled to file abstracts by 14th. Lincoln and Dickey represent plaintiff and Peters defendant.Record.

At Whig caucus Lincoln, Logan, and Hardin are nominated Whig candidates for U.S. Senate. On first ballot Hardin gets two-thirds of votes, and is chosen party nominee. Mrs. Lincoln acquires four yards gimp, 25¢.Irwin Journal.

Lincoln, attorney for appellees in McCall v. Lesher et al. (SC), moves to dismiss appeal. Griggs et al. v. Gear, and Weld v. Gear, similar cases from Jo Daviess County, come on appeal and writ of error. Hardin, attorney for appellees, asks that appeal be dismissed for error in execution of appeal bond. Lincoln, for appellants, asks writ of certiorari.Record.

"I presented your claim to Douglass this morning . . . ," writes Lincoln to Richard Yates of Jacksonville. "He will pay it in a few days. . . . I believe Mr. Calhoun and what force he can control are preparing to support Gen. Taylor for the Presidency. I get this impression from conversations with Duff Greene, who boards at the same house I do. There are, however, a great many Whigs here who do not wish to go for Taylor." Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 10 December 1847, CW, 1:419.

Lincoln buys $1.50 butter dish. Irwin Ledger; Bunn Journal.

Robbins and Taylor, attorneys for plaintiff in Glynn v. Murray et al., move to withdraw depositions. Their motion is overruled. Record.

Illinois Supreme Court convenes.

Mortgage taken by Lincoln from Cantralls November 28, 1851 is recorded. Book HH, 148.

Lincoln and Johnston continue hearings. Chicago Democratic Press, 10 December 1852.

Lincoln & Herndon's demurrer in Shoup v. Owens is sustained, and after argument, complainant is ordered to recover $581.92. In Blackford et al. v. People, defendants are enjoined from collecting part of judgment, and by agreement are allowed appeal to Supreme Court. Lincoln writes court order. Lincoln & Herndon are attorneys for complainant. They win two other cases, are granted new trial in third, and file pleas in four more. Record; Photocopy.

In preparation for motion for new trial in Correll et al. v. McDaniel et al., in which jury decided against him November 30, 1855, Lincoln writes summary of case, and files motion for new trial. Photocopy.

He wins Moore v. Alsop & Hickox when jury brings in verdict for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $130. Record.

Lincoln speaks at the Tremont House before a Republican gathering. He urges the attendees to keep a "steady eye on the real issue, let us reinaugurate the good old 'central ideas' of the Republic. We can do it. The human heart is with us—God is with us. We shall again be able not to declare, that 'all States as States, are equal,' nor yet that 'all citizens as citizens are equal,' but to renew the broader, better declaration, including both these and much more, that 'all men are created equal.'" Daily Democratic Press (Chicago, IL), 11 December 1856, 2:2-3; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 13 December 1856, 2:6, 16 December 1856, 2:3; Speech at a Republican Banquet, Chicago, Illinois, 10 December 1856, CW, 2:383-85.

In another case in U.S. Circuit Court, Stoddard v. Ball, Lincoln files bond for costs, praecipe, and declaration. Case concerns distribution of proceeds of sale of Stoddard's Addition to St. Louis. Files.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges ribbon. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Lincoln writes Trumbull again: "Let there be no compromise on the question of extending slavery. If there be, all our labor is lost, and, ere long, must be done again. The dangerous ground—that into which some of our friends have a hankering to run—is Pop. Sov. Have none of it. Stand firm. The tug has to come, & better now, than any time hereafter." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 10 December 1860, CW, 4:149-50.

Cabinet meets. New York deputation, consisting of Judge Henry E. Davies, New York Court of Appeals, and Messrs. Richard O'Gorman, New York lawyer, and Savage (probably James W.), argues importance of exchange of prisoners. Gen. Hunter's application to muster brigade of Indians dropped. Sec. Chase to discuss organization of courts at Beaufort, S.C., with Atty. Gen. Bates and make recommendation. Donald, Chase Diaries, 48-50.

Lincoln drafts dispatch concerning "Trent" affair in reply to Lord John Russell, British Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Draft of a Dispatch in Reply to Lord John Russell Concerning the Trent Affair, [10? December 1861], CW, 5:62-64.

President and Mrs. Lincoln attend evening wedding of Capt. Charles Griffin and Sally Carroll, daughter of William T. Carroll, clerk of Supreme Court. N.Y. Herald, 11 December 1861.

Sen. Wilmot (Pa.) asks President to appoint his son, Thomas M. Wilmot, to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Thomas M. Wilmot, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549.

President sends communication to House of Representatives regarding arrest of part of crew of U.S.S. "Sumter." Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549.

Recommends to Congress that vote of thanks be given Lt. Comdr. George U. Morris (USN.) for valiant action against "Merrimac" at Hampton Roads. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:549-50.

Sen. Timothy O. Howe (Wis.) and two colleagues call on Lincoln in interest of Gen. Egbert L. Viele. Howe to Lincoln, 10 December 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes J. K. Dubois: "In the summer of 1859 when Mr. Freeman visited Springfield, Illinois, in relation to the McCallister & Stebbins bonds I promised that, . . . I would ask the members of the Legislature to give him a full and fair hearing of his case. . . . I sincerely wish it may be given him." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 10 December 1862, CW, 5:548-49.

Lincoln telegraphs Gov. Johnson (Tenn.) at 10:30 A.M.: "I still desire very much to see you can you not come" Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson, 10 December 1863, CW, 7:59.

Transmits to both Houses of Congress report and documents relating to "An Act to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems of the United States." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 10 December 1863, CW, 7:59.

Lincoln's health much improved; he sees visitors with special business. Chicago Tribune, 11 December 1863.

Interviews Cong. Arnold (Ill.) in evening. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President creates special commission consisting of Gen. W. F. Smith and Henry Stanbery, former attorney general of Ohio, to investigate and report upon civil and military administration in militarydivision bordering upon and west of Mississippi River. Order Appointing Commissioners to Investigate the Military Division Bordering upon and West of the Mississippi, 10 December 1864, CW, 8:161-62.

Lincoln "intended" to give chief justiceship to Montgomery Blair "but was forced to give it to Chase. L. said he would sooner have eat flat irons than do it." Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[See December 8, 1864.] Interviews Mr. Blondeel and H. A. Risley about "some countrymen of Mr. Blondeel." Risley to Nicolay, 10 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sees Thomas Nast, illustrator for "Harper's Weekly," on introduction of George W. Curtis of New York, leading member of National Union Convention. Curtis to Lincoln, 9 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Because Congress is not in session for the day, President is "overwhelmed" by Senators and Representatives from early morning with requests from their constituents. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 December 1864, 2:4.

Receives letter of resignation from Marshal Lamon, because Lincoln does not take proper precautions against assassination. Ward H. Lamon to Abraham Lincoln, 10 December 1864, Ward H. Lamon Papers, Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.