[Thomas and Sarah Lincoln are granted "letter of dismission" from Pigeon Baptist Church, which is recalled on objection of Mrs. Nancy Grigsby. Differences are patched up, as Thomas is appointed January 10, 1829 to committee to settle quarrel between two sisters of congregation.Pigeon Church Record.]

Lincoln does not vote on roll call—motion to recess. Day is devoted to adoption of memorials to Congress for mail routes and choosing dates for election of state officers.House Journal.

Lincoln introduces his insolvent debtor relief bill. He reports bill to incorporate Beardstown and Sangamon Canal Co. He votes nay on amendment to Illinois and Michigan Canal Act, which passes 28 to 27.House Journal.

[House meets in morning. Lincoln's name is not mentioned in proceedings.House Journal.

Supreme Court convenes and remains in session until March 2, 1837.Record.]

Committee on Finance reports resolution and asks concurrence of House: "Resolved, That it is inexpedient to collect the State revenue in gold and silver exclusively and to provide for its safe keeping and disbursement, by the officers collecting the same." Lincoln votes with majority to adopt resolution.House Journal.

Lincoln and Edwards of Sangamon call for yeas and nays on resolution requesting commissioners of board of public works to report expenditures on each railroad, and number of engineers employed. He votes nay on tabling, and nay on resolution repealing internal improvement system.House Journal.

Amendment of Cavarly of Greene to bill giving fund commissioner power to hypothecate bonds to pay interest due on internal improvement debt is lost 41-47, Lincoln voting yea. He reports from committee "act to vacate the town plat of the town of Livingston."House Journal.

In U.S. Circuit Court, Logan & Lincoln file declaration in Moore v. Nelson & Ashworth, ejection suit from Fulton County. Record.

[Supreme Court begins long term, closing March 6, 1843.] Lincoln buys at Robert Irwin's store pair of martingales (harness) for $2.Irwin Ledger.

Whig convention continues all day. In evening addresses are made by Lincoln, Dixon, and Browning. Alton Telegraph, 16 December 1843; Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye, 28 December 1843.

McDougall, attorney for plaintiff in Morgan v. Griffin (SC) suggests dimunition of record and moves court for writ of certiorari. Record.

Chapman trial continues in U.S. Circuit Court.Alton Telegraph, 21 December 1844.

Lincoln signs "Lincoln for Deft." to stipulation written by M. Brayman, attorney for plaintiff in Charles H. Valentine & Co. v. John Delany.Photocopy.

In U.S. Circuit Court, Donaldson v. Reynolds and Walker is continued by agreement. Peters is attorney for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant.Record.

Stephen A. Douglas is elected to U.S. Senate, by legislature, over Cyrus Edwards, Whig.

"It is my intention," writes Lincoln to Thomas J. Henderson of Stark County, "to snatch a moment now and then, to send documents to some friends, out of my district, among whom I shall place Captain Butler and yourself." IHi—Journal, IV, 74.

He writes Herndon that Congressional Globe will begin arriving at Lincoln & Herndon office. He suggests his partner read and preserve them. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 12 December 1847, CW, 1:419-20.

Lincoln votes against reconsideration of resolution adopting rules of House. He votes to reconsider vote ordering engrossing of bill prohibiting appropriations from contingent fund except by joint resolution.Globe.

Webster & Huntington v. French et al. is called. After taking parole proofs and after tender by complainants in court of state bonds and promissory notes, which are accepted, court, by consent, dismisses complainants' bill and allows appeal to Supreme Court. Record.

Supreme Court meets but adjourns from day to day until January 4, 1854. Record.

Mrs. Lincoln sends Robert to John Williams' store for two spools silk thread. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

Lincoln writes Joshua Speed, acknowledging his letter of December 7, 1855 and deed from P. S. Loughborough to Lawrence Young. Because of conflicting engagement he declines to handle business, and suggests Speed write H. C. Whitney of Urbana. Lincoln writes James M. Loughborough, telling him of deed he received from Speed, and that he has refused case. Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 12 December 1855, CW, 2:328; Abraham Lincoln to James M. Loughborough, 12 December 1855, CW, 2:328.

Lincoln enters himself as security for costs in Keith & Thornton v. Burt in U.S. Circuit Court. Plaintiffs sue on $2,000 debt. Record; Bond owned by James A. Jones, Springfield, Ill.

Lincoln writes to Alexander Sympson, of Carthage, Illinois, about the recent U.S. Senate election that Lincoln lost to incumbent Stephen Douglas. Lincoln writes, "I expect the result of the election went hard with you. So it did with me...perhaps not quite so hard as you may have supposed. I have an abiding faith that we shall beat them in the long run...the objects of the leaders will become too plain for the people to stand them. I write merely to let you know that I am neither dead nor dying." Abraham Lincoln to Alexander Sympson, 12 December 1858, CW, 3:346.

Blair spends most of day with Lincoln. He denounces compromise and concession. N.Y. Herald, 17 December 1860.

Lincoln replies to demands that he place in his cabinet two or three Southerners from opposition parties by publishing short editorial in "Illinois State Journal." Who knows whether they would accept? If so, who surrenders, they or Lincoln? Or do they commence "in open opposition?" Editorial in the Illinois State Journal, 12 December 1860, CW, 4:150.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges $8 shawl and 14 yards of "Moreno" ($15.40). Pratt, Personal Finances, 150.

President in cabinet meeting, unable to see Rabbi Fischel as arranged yesterday. Bertram W. Korn, American Jewry and the Civil War (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1951), 70.

Hiram Barney introduces George Bancroft to President and Mrs. Lincoln. Mark Howe, The Life and Letters of George Bancroft, 2 vols. (New York: Scribner, 1908), 2:143.

President wishes Rev. George H. Stuart, chairman of U.S. Christian Commission, success in "your christian and benevolent undertaking for the benefit of the soldiers." Abraham Lincoln to George H. Stuart, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:67.

Joins Gen. Totten at military armament board to examine inventions in gun carriages. Totten to Lincoln, 13 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Curtis: "I snatch a moment to both thank you, and apologize to you." Thanks him for executing trusts and apologizes for publication of Totten's report on conditions in Missouri containing confidential interviews with Curtis. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:65-66.

Writes Sec. Seward asking him to look at resolution in House of Representatives of Dec. 9 by Cong. Clement Vallandigham (Ohio) and "mention in Cabinet to-morrow." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 12 December 1861, CW, 5:66.

President at War Dept. early to get news of Army of Potomac near Fredericksburg, Va. Philadelphia News, 15 December 1862.

Approves action of Sec. Welles in dismissing Comdr. George H. Preble (USN) for failure to do his duty in permitting Confederate ship "Florida" to run blockade at Mobile, Ala. Welles, Diary.

J. W. Forney and friends from Pennsylvania call at White House and present cane to President. Washington Chronicle, 12 December 1862.

Maj. Moses Gist of 4th Delaware Infantry reports to President on firing tests given Peckham rifle cartridges designed to make ramrods unnecessary in loading by muzzle. They drop to bottom of bore and stay in place by means of powder released from cartridge in loading. Bruce, Tools of War, 220-22.

At 6 P.M. President talks to Sen. Browning (Ill.) about army matters and Gen. Cassius M. Clay. Browning, Diary.

John Nicolay makes trip to Fredericksburg; sent by President with letter of introduction to Gen. Burnside. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:552.

Lincoln forwards to Congress three swords formerly belonging to Gen. David E. Twiggs (CSA) and sent from New Orleans by Gen. Butler. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:552-53.

President answers Mayor Fernando Wood's (N.Y.) proposal for armistice and peace effort: "The war would cease on the part of the United States," if the people of the Southern States would cease resistance and maintain national authority. "Nor do I think it proper now to suspend military operations to try any experiment of negotiation." Abraham Lincoln to Fernando Wood, 12 December 1862, CW, 5:553-54.

Sen. Alexander Ramsey (Minn.) and Capt. Thomas A. P. Champlin interview President regarding courtmartial of Champlin. Ramsey to Lincoln, 15 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President sees no callers today because of illness. Browning, Diary.

Notifies Sec. Stanton that resignation of Gen. Palmer was not accepted. "I do not want him to resign, unless there be some reason not yet known to me." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 12 December 1863, CW, 7:61.

President interviews Cong. William H. Randall (Ky.) and orders discharge of two prisoners of war. Order for Discharge of Thomas Rice and Reuben Turner, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:165.

Sends request to Sen. Lane (Ind.): "Please call and see me at once." Abraham Lincoln to Henry S. Lane, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:165.

Directs Sec. Seward to study problem of seizure by Danish government of 2,200 carbines belonging to U.S. citizens. Seward to Lincoln, 15 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Reviews for Gen. Canby motive of government in questions of cotton and Louisiana state government. "I do not wish either . . . to take precedence of the military . . . but there is a strong public reason for treating each with so much favor as may not be substantially detrimental to the military." Abraham Lincoln to Edward R. S. Canby, 12 December 1864, CW, 8:163-65.