Lincoln writes and signs a note certifying that Thomas Pierce "served as a private" in Lincoln's company during the Black Hawk War. Certificate of Military Service, 15 August 1832, Record Group 15A, National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, Robert Allen, William Butler, and Archer G. Herndon sign Charles R. Matheny's bond for $1,000 as clerk of county commissioners' court.Record Book D, 354-55.

Lincoln writes "Friend Walker" enclosing court order "allowing your assignee to sell your property on a credit . . . take their bonds and security . . . and in the final settlement . . . set off their dividends against those bonds."Abraham Lincoln to [Isaac P.?] Walker, 15 August 1842, CW, 1:291.****

Lincoln for complainant and S. Strong for defendants sign agreement allowing complainant's withdrawal of notes and mortgages sued on in Ware v. Hobbs & Jones.Photocopy; Christian County File.

Representing plaintiff Reuben Coon, Lincoln writes and signs the declaration in Coon v. Lloyd et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In letter to S. R. Lowry dated August 17, 1850, Lincoln says: "Your letter of the 13th was received a day or two ago." He is evidently in Springfield this and following day. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Lowry, 17 August 1850, CW, 2:92-93.

Lincoln takes mortgage on Lots 9, 10, 11, and 12 in Block 3 in Allen's addition to Springfield and to part of lot 8 in Block 10 in Springfield from Daniel E. Ruckel and Catherine V. G. Ruckel, his wife. Mortgage secures promissory note for $300 bearing interest at 10 per cent from next December 25, 1851, and payable December 25, 1854. Book GG, 440-41; Promissory Note Drawn for Daniel E. Ruckel, with Lincoln's Receipts, 15 August 1851, CW, 2:109.

Lincoln again writes to T. J. Turner about Adams case: "When I served notice on Logan I promised him that if he would name any attorney in the vicinity . . . to be present at the taking of the depositions, I would request you to notify him of the time and place, but he is gone off to the 'World's Fair' . . . [New York] without having named any." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Turner, 15 August 1853, CW, 2:201.

In letter to George Robertson, former member of Congress, now professor at Transylvania College, Lincoln foreshadows his "House Divided" speech. He is convinced that there is no prospect of peaceful emancipation, and is afraid country is no longer united on abstract principle of liberty. "Our political problem now is, 'Can we, as a nation, continue together permanently—forever—half slave, and half free?' " Abraham Lincoln to George Robertson, 15 August 1855, CW, 2:317-18.

Robert Lincoln brings home from John Williams' store half-pound of gunpowder tea charged (63¢) to his father's account. Pratt, Personal Finances, 147.

Lincoln, arrives in Polo during evening and spends night. John G. Campbell, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln (n.p., [1905?]), 1-3.

Lincoln writes R. E. Williams, Bloomington lawyer, in regard to case to be tried there in autumn. "I well remember the transaction; but as Bakewell will need no lawyer but you, and as there is likely to be some feeling, and both the parties are old friends of mine, I prefer, if I can, to keep out of the case. Of course I will not engage against Mr. Bakewell." Abraham Lincoln to Robert E. Williams, 15 August 1857, CW, 2:413.

Lincoln has $3 worth of repairs made on his buggy. Obed Lewis Account Books.

[Lincoln and Hatch must have left for St. Joseph in late afternoon or evening. Their stay is longer than planned, as steamboat runs aground up river.]

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to John B. Fry, of New York. Lincoln confides that many Southerners have written to him with "assurances...that in no probable event will there be any very formidable effort to break up the Union." Lincoln reasons, "The people of the South have too much of good sense, and good temper, to attempt the ruin of the government, rather than see it administered as it was administered by the men who made it. At least, so I hope and believe." Abraham Lincoln to John B. Fry, 15 August 1860, CW, 4:95.

Lincoln writes to fellow Republican William D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, regarding the whereabouts of a newspaper that Kelley sent to Lincoln. Lincoln explains, "It reached me at the close of our monster meeting here, when my house was full of friends, some of whom over-hauled my news-paper mail before I did . . . Please send me another copy . . . inclosed in a letter envelope, so that it may not, by any means be over-looked in a mass of common news-papers." William D. Kelley to Abraham Lincoln, 7 August 1860, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William D. Kelley, 15 August 1860, Kelley Collection, Columbia University, New York, NY.

To William Fithian of Danville he appeals for help in Vermilion legislative district. "To lose Trumbull's re-election next winter would be a great disaster." Abraham Lincoln to William Fithian, 15 August 1860, CW, 4:95.

President visits Navy Yard twice today; during noon visit talks with Comdr. Dahlgren about housing 66 prisoners charged with mutiny in 79th New York Regiment. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; N.Y. Tribune, 16 August 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 August 1861, 2:1.

During afternoon Gen. Charles W. Sandford visits President and promises to return from New York with 10,000 men whenever required. N.Y. Tribune, 16 August 1861.

Lincoln names five commissioners of police for District of Columbia. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 August 1861, 3:2.

Telegraphs Gen. Fremont: "Been answering your messages ever since day before yesterday. Do you receive the answers? The War Department has notified all the governors you designate to forward all available force. So telegraphed you. Have you received these messages? Answer immediately." Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 14 August 1861, CW, 4:484-85.

Telegraphs Gov. Morton (Ind.): "Start your four regiments to Saint Louis at the earliest moment possible. . . . hasten everything forward as soon as any one regiment is ready. . . . We shall endeavor to send you the arms this week." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 15 August 1861, CW, 4:485.

[Mrs. Lincoln visits Princess Clothilde, wife of Prince Napoleon, in New York hotel. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 August 1861, 2:1.]

Sec. Welles meets with President at 9 A.M. to discuss personnel. Welles, Diary.

President sends Richard M. Blatchford, member of committee of three appointed by Lincoln to superintend disbursement of public monies appropriated to raise troops for Union, to Rome as minister resident. National Intelligencer, 15 August 1862.

Calls Secs. Chase and Welles together and settles Connecticut appointments. Donald, Chase Diaries, 112.

President at War Dept. in morning regarding status of Gen. Anderson, who receives assignment to Fort Adams, R.I. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Anderson, 15 August 1863, CW, 6:386-87.

Extends leave of absence of Gen. Blair and Col. Martin D. Hardin for 20 and 10 days respectively. Extension of Leave for Francis P. Blair, Jr., 15 August 1863, CW, 6:388; Extension of Leave for Martin D. Hardin, 15 August 1863, CW, 6:388.

Prepares proclamation authorizing use of military force, if necessary to overcome opposition to draft law. Abraham Lincoln to Horatio Seymour, [15 August] 1863, CW, 6:389-91.

Committee of the Union League, Washington Council No. 4 meets in the evening with the President at the Soldier's Home. The committee reads a statement pleading for justice in the case of Dr. David M. Wright, who killed Second Lieutenant Alanson L. Sanborn in Norfolk, Virginia. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 17 August 1863, 2:5.

President congratulates Atanasio Cruz Aguirre on elevation to presidency of Oriental Republic of Uruguay. Abraham Lincoln to Atanasio Cruz Aguirre, 15 August 1864, CW, 7:493-94.

Sends printed copy of correspondence with Horace Greeley regarding Niagara Falls peace effort to Henry J. Raymond for publication in New York "Times" when proper time comes. Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 15 August 1864, CW, 7:494-95.

Telegraphs Gen. Sherman near Atlanta: "If the government should purchase, on its own account, cotton Northward of you and on the line of your communications, would it be an inconvenience to you, or detriment to the Military service, for it to come to the North on the Railroad?" Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 15 August 1864, CW, 7:495-96.

Requests Sec. Usher to bring up case of Patrice DeJanon, professor of Spanish dismissed from West Point. Abraham Lincoln to John P. Usher, 15 August 1864, CW, 7:496.