Lincoln purchases from federal government tract of 47 acres at $1.25 per acre, on Sangamon River 12 miles northwest of New Salem.

[On November 1, 1839 President Van Buren issues Certificate No. 15,701 to N. part of N.W. ¼ of Sec. 3 in T. 19 N. of R. 7 W.Book 31, 355, original owned by Mrs. Edna Orendorff Macpherson, Springfield, Ill.]

In Demint et al. v. Sintz, the plaintiff's attorneys Baker & Hewett, request a continuance and the court continues the case until the next term. In Torrey v. Green Lincoln files a demurrer for his New Salem friend, William Green.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln represent the plaintiffs in two cases, Reed v. Fleming and Goodacre v. Simpson, that go to a jury. The jury fails to agree on a verdict in the first case and finds in favor of the defendant in the second case. The court gives Stuart & Lincoln permission to amend their bill of complaint in Hart v. Hart et al., and Lincoln writes and files the judge's decree. The court continues two other Stuart & Lincoln cases.Record.

Three cases of Stuart & Lincoln are called on last day of term. Todd v. Kendall is dismissed by agreement, and Kendall v. Richardson, ejectment suit, is dismissed by plaintiff. They appear for plaintiff in first and defendant in second case. They obtain leave to take deposition of W. D. Chitton in St. John v. Chitton et al.Record.

In Sangamon Circuit Court, on motion of complainant, order issued March 9, 1840 appointing Lincoln guardian for infant heirs of Dr. Jacob M. Early is set aside. Richter v. Holtzman is dismissed by agreement. Lincoln is attorney for plaintiff. In Jacksonville, E. D. Baker opens three-day political debate. Probably Lincoln accompanies Baker.Record; Register, 27 March 1840.

Lincoln writes affidavit of Stacey B. Opdycke in Opdycke v. Hammett & Hammett, Tazewell Circuit Court case, and mails to Tremont, where it is filed March 21, 1843.Photocopy.

[State central committee postpones district convention until first Monday in May. They do this, they say, because John J. Hardin, now in Kentucky, understood this was the time, and also to secure party harmony.Sangamo Journal, 16 March 1843.]

Lincoln and Baker debate with Calhoun and Cavarly during last evenings of this week.Simeon Francis to J. J. Hardin, 17 March 1844, John J. Hardin Papers, Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln has 12 cases called on first day of 12-day term of Sangamon Circuit Court. He confesses judgment for defendant in Atwood et al. v. Crosby. People v. Tunison et al., rape case in which Lincoln & Herndon represent defendants, is nolle prossed. Seven cases are continued, two dismissed, and one set for hearing later.Record.

Lincoln has four cases in Circuit Court. In Williams and Loose v. Spotswood his client defaults and plaintiffs are awarded $87.37 damages. Early v. Bradford et al., petition for dower, is dismissed by agreement, Lincoln & Herndon representing complainant. In Duryee v. Dikeman Lincoln & Herndon obtain rule on plaintiff to file security for costs. People v. Sudduth et al., Lincoln for defense, is tried by jury, which finds Sudduth guilty and fines him $3. Other defendants are found not guilty. Record.

House debates motion to reconsider resolution directing printing of 10,000 copies of abstract of war contracts let by administration. Democrats, fearing Whigs will use document to "fix upon the present Administration the charge of fraud," oppose printing. Lincoln votes against reconsideration. Motion is defeated, 93-78.Globe; Journal.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files a declaration and notice on behalf of Henry McHenry in McHenry v. Penny, an ejectment case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Ten of Lincoln & Herndon's cases are called in Circuit Court. They dismiss three, file demurrers in two others and plea in sixth. In another they argue demurrer filed by their opponents. Their opponents file pleas in three cases. Record.

Lincoln signs a receipt and a duplicate of the receipt for the $25 payment he receives from the Board of Trustees of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Lincoln testified on behalf of the board before a House committee of the Illinois General Assembly concerning a bill introduced by Mr. Haven to "prevent diverting water from the Des Plaines river at Joliet." Receipt, 16 March 1853; Duplicate Receipt, 16 March 1853, both in Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln pays his carriage maker $11 for varnishing and placing new back panel. Obed Lewis Account Books.

Lincoln writes A. L. Brewer about claim—Kelly v. Evans—which Herndon filed in probate court of Logan County. He says that he made special trip to Lincoln last fall, only to find that no action had been taken on claim. On April 2, 1855 he will be there for court, and will give special attention to matter. Abraham Lincoln to Anson L. Brewer, 16 March 1855, CW, 2:308-9.

Logan Circuit Court convenes for two-week term at Lincoln. Record.

Lincoln draws up petition for pardon of John Hibbs, Logan County citizen sentenced to two years for manslaughter in 1856, and collects signatures. Petition to William H. Bissell, [8 May 1857], CW, 2:394; Endorsement: David Davis to William H. Bissell, [c. 8 May 1857], CW, 2:394-95.

To Mark Delahay of Kansas Lincoln writes: "I can not enter the ring on the money basis—first, because, in the main, it is wrong; and secondly, I have not, and can not get, the money." If, however, Delahay is appointed delegate to convention, Lincoln will supply $100 for expenses. He writes to Trumbull about Delahay's senatorial ambitions. Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay, 16 March 1860, CW, 4:31-32; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 16 March 1860, CW, 4:32.

Lincoln receives written opinions from four cabinet members on wisdom of sending supplies to Fort Sumter, S.C.: Sec. Chase, yes; Sec. Cameron, no; Sec. Caleb B. Smith, no; Atty. Gen. Edward Bates, no. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 15 March 1861, CW, 4:284-85.

Recognizes Luis Molina as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Nicaragua. National Intelligencer, 18 March 1861.

Sends message to Senate relative to "dispute now existing between the Governments of the United States and Great Britain concerning the boundary line between Vancouver's Island and the American Continent." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 16 March 1861, CW, 4:287-88.

Asks Sec. Welles to give employment to W. Johnson, "a servant who has been with me for some time." Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles, 16 March 1861, CW, 4:288.

Postmaster Gen. Blair calls on President for news about agitation to remove Gen. McClellan from command, but learns nothing. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Hugh W. Crothers, aide to Gov. Peirpoint (Va.), calls on President in interest of Col. Isaac H. Duval. Memorandum Concerning Isaac H. Duval, 16 March 1863, CW, 6:136-37.

Former Cong. Kellian Van R. Whaley (Va.) visits President to get Rev. Henry Stevens appointed hospital chaplain. Memorandum: Appointment of Henry Stevens, 16 March 1863, CW, 6:137.

Cabinet meets. Discusses whether to issue letters of marque under new statute. Pierce, Sumner Memoir and Letters, 4:129.

Congress approves act extending franking privilege to all mail matter to or from President and Vice President. Washington Chronicle, 19 March 1864.

Lincoln inquires of Gov. Murphy (Ark.): "What of your election on the 14th.?" Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Murphy, 16 March 1864, CW, 7:250-51.

Early in morning, Lincoln tells Orville H. Browning at White House that Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton has gone to see General Ulysses S. Grant about operations of J. W. Singleton. Browning, Diary.

Takes short carriage ride accompanied by Tad. Still feeble. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 March 1865, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4.

Writes Gov. John Evans (Colorado Terr.): "As you are Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and Hon. J. M. Ashley, of Ohio is, and probably will again be, Chairman of the Committee on Territories, of the H. R. there is no objection to your corresponding with him about territorial matters." Abraham Lincoln to John Evans, 16 March 1865, CW, 8:356.