[On what date Lincoln starts on his trip to visit Joshua F. Speed at Louisville has not been determined. His business in summer term of Sangamon Circuit Court is complete and he probably sets out at once.]

According to "Register," Lincoln learns that Joseph Duncan, Whig, has been defeated for governor. "The tears fairly came into Lincoln's eyes when the news arrived." Reporter adds: "We understand that Maj. [E. D.] Baker is anxious to sell his claims to a seat in the U.S. Senate, for a place in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lincoln won't trade with him."Register, 26 August 1842.

Lincoln pays $50 into his bank account, his half of fee for legal services in Drennan estate.Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln buys 30¢ worth of pearl buttons and needles. Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln attends House. A variety of business is taken up and House sits until 9:15 P.M.Journal; Globe.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of State Clayton, reminding him that Allen Francis of Springfield is applicant for Glasgow consulship. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 12 August 1849, CW, 2:61.

For nominal consideration Lincoln, sole heir of Thomas Lincoln, deeds west 80 acres of his father's 180-acre farm in Coles County to John D. Johnston, stepbrother, subject to Sarah Bush Lincoln's dower right. Mrs. Lincoln joins in deed. Coles County Record, D, 215; Deed to John D. Johnston, 12 August 1851, CW, 2:108-9.

Lincoln writes and signs chancery bill to foreclose in Talbott v. Dresser et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Lincoln writes August 19, 1856 that he had been absent from Springfield four days. Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 19 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

He must have been at home on 12th, 13th, and part of 14th.]

Morning is taken up with calling docket, making motions, and continuing cases.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of People v. Bantzhouse, Lincoln writes and files an affidavit for a change of venue. Lincoln defends John Bantzhouse, who allegedly shot and killed Walter Clark during a struggle that took place at Bantzhouse's New Berlin home. Lincoln requests the change of venue because Bantzhouse "fears he will not receive a fair and impartial trial in . . . Sangamon [County]." The court grants a change of venue to Macoupin County. Arrest Warrant, 22 February 1857, People v. Bantzhouse, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 28 February 1857, 2:1; Order, 12 August 1857, People v. Bantzhouse, Record Q 1857-1858, 77-78, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois State Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL; Affidavit for Change of Venue, 12 August 1857, People v. Bantzhouse, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Daily Illinois State Register (Springfield), 13 August 1857, 3:1; 14 August 1857, 3:1.

Lincoln deposits $4,800, fee for which he sued Illinois Central, in Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln arrives in the morning in Beardstown "on board the steamer Sam Gaty" from Naples, Illinois. A "procession of three or four hundred citizens...meet and escort" him as he travels by carriage to the National Hotel. Sometime after two o'clock in the afternoon, Lincoln, in his bid for a Senate seat against Stephen Douglas, delivers a two-hour campaign speech in the "public square" before an audience of between 2,500 to 3,000 people. A newspaper reports that Lincoln is scheduled to travel to Havana the next day "and thence to Peoria." Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 17 August 1858, 2:4-5; Speech at Beardstown, Illinois, 12 August 1858, CW, 2:538-41.

Lincoln and Hatch reach Council Bluffs and stop at Pacific House. They go sightseeing with N. S. Bates and W. H. M. Pusey, formerly of Springfield. At Cemetery Hill north of town they view countryside north, south, and west. Lincoln, learning that Grenville M. Dodge, railway construction engineer, is registered at Pacific House, chats with him for two hours on hotel porch about western railroads. Lincoln accepts invitation to speak on "the great political issues of the day" following evening. Chicago Tribune, 20 August 1859; Annals of Iowa, IV, 460-62; Union Pacific Railroad Company, History of the Union Pacific Railroad, Issued by the Union Pacific Railroad on the Occasion of the Celebration at Ogden, Utah, May 10, 1919, in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Driving of the Golden Spike (New York: n.p., 1919), 22.

By proclamation President appoints "last Thursday in September next, as a day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation." Proclamation of a National Fast Day, 12 August 1861, CW, 4:482-83.

Reappoints William S. Wood, who had charge of special train that brought Lincoln to Washington for his inauguration, commissioner of public buildings, as Senate failed to act on his appointment. N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1861; Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 285.

Cabinet meets; "nothing of special interest." Welles, Diary.

Judge David Noggle of Wisconsin talks to Lincoln regarding courtmartial of son, Lt. Charles L. Noggle. Noggle to Lincoln, 13 August 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln interviews Sydney H. Gay, editor of New York "Tribune," and remarks: "I regard Gen. Banks as one of the best men in the Army. He makes me no trouble." N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1862.

Mrs. Lincoln receives from Boston merchant donation of $1,000 for relief work in military hospitals. N.Y. Tribune, 13 August 1862.

Lincoln informs Gen. Cassius M. Clay: "I shall be quite willing, and even gratified, to again send you to Russia," if present minister, Simon Cameron, resigns with "full notice of my intention." Abraham Lincoln to Cassius M. Clay, 12 August 1862, CW, 5:368.

William G. Greene of Illinois calls and presents letter on behalf of Gen. McClernand signed by Gov. Yates (Ill.), O. M. Hatch, and J. K. Dubois. Lincoln writes McClernand: "For me to force you back upon Gen. Grant, would be forcing him to resign. I can not give you a new command, because we have no forces except such as already have commanders. . . . This is now your case, which, as I have before said, pains me, not less than it does you." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 12 August 1863, CW, 6:383-84.

Interviews Gen. Blair, former Cong. Edward Haight (N.Y.), and former Cong. R. Holland Duell (N.Y.). N.Y. Herald, 14 August 1863.

At 8:30 a.m., poet Walt Whitman spots President Lincoln, who is traveling between the nearby Soldiers' Home, where Lincoln frequently stays during the summer months, and the White House. Whitman records, "Mr. Lincoln . . . generally rides a good-sized, easy-going gray horse, is dress'd in plain black, somewhat rusty and dusty; [and] wears a black stiff hat . . . I see very plainly [his] dark brown face, with the deep cut lines, the eyes, &c., always to me with a latent sadness in the expression. We have got so that we always exchange bows, and very cordial ones." Allen Thorndike Rice, ed., Reminiscenes of Abraham Lincoln by Distinguished Men of His Time (New York: Haskell House Publishers, Ltd., 1971), 469-70.

Cabinet meets. Secs. Stanton and Fessenden absent. Welles, Diary.

Thurlow Weed confers with Lincoln and warns him that his reelection is impossible. Henry L. Stoddard, Horace Greeley: Printer, Editor, Crusader (New York: Putnam, 1946), 227; Weed to Seward, 22 August 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President issues pass to Col. Eaton to visit Gen. Grant and instructs him to ascertain Grant's reaction to becoming presidential candidate. Pass for John Eaton, 12 August 1864, CW, 7:492.

John Hay leaves on trip home and expects to be gone five or six weeks. Nicolay to Bates, 14 August 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President orders Maj. John Hay to proceed to Keokuk, Iowa, and having executed his verbal instructions to return. DNA—WR RG 94, Adjt. Gen. Off., Letters Received, XL, Supp. III.