Logan and Lincoln file a replication to the defendant's amended answer in Wright et al. v. Adams. In three cases, Buckmaster v. Garrett, Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett, and Rupert & Lindenberger v. H. Garrett & Co., the defendants withdraw their pleas and the parties agree to dismiss the cases at the defendants' cost. Stuart & Lincoln appear for plaintiffs in these cases. In Trailor v. Radford, the court grants both parties permission to open depositions that they have filed. Record.

Stuart & Lincoln have five cases called in circuit court. Record.

Wilson v. Frazier, sheriff, is dismissed when Lincoln, for defendant, reports that plaintiff has died. In two other cases, Cunningham v. Fithian & Juneau and McDonald v. Fithian & Juneau, Lincoln moves and court orders that complainants plead in two days.Record.

Lincoln returns home and buys 12¼ yards of cloth ($2.95), 6 yards white flannel ($4.50), and a dozen pearl buttons, for winter underwear.Irwin Journal and Ledger.

Lincoln appears for plaintiff in Pearson and Anderson v. Monroe.Record.

[Journey probably continues next day.]

Fall term of DeWitt Circuit Court begins. Swett and Lincoln for appellant resist motion by Stuart and Moore to dismiss Barger v. Illinois Central RR, appeal from assessment of damages for right of way. Motion is overruled. Record.

Lincoln and Douglas, announced to speak here, arrive in town but neither makes address. Lacon Journal, 11 October 1854; Herndon & Weik, 300-01.

In Allen v. Illinois Central RR, jury finds for plaintiff and awards damages of $762.50. Lincoln and Moore appear for railroad. Lincoln and Moore also represent defendants in assumpsit case, Drybread v. Clearwaters & Lowry. After filing bill of discovery, they move that plaintiff be ruled to answer, and that further action be stayed until he does so. Record.

Lincoln writes and files plea in Spencer v. Illinois Central RR. He and Moore, as usual, are for defendant. Photocopy.

[Lincoln's presence at home is obvious inference from his speech in Lincoln yesterday and departure by train for Naples tomorrow morning.]

Lincoln writes Mark W. Delahay, declining to interfere on his behalf in senatorial contest in Kansas. However, he encloses letter of good wishes which he gives Delahay permission to show. He also writes William M. Dickson regarding Ohio election. "Now, let our friends bear, and forbear, and not quarrel over the spoils." Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay, 17 October 1859, CW, 3:489-90; Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay, 17 October 1859, CW, 3:490; Abraham Lincoln to William M. Dickson, 17 October 1859, CW, 3:490-91.

[Herndon writes $500 check on Lincoln & Herndon account in Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.]

President has Thomas H. Clay, son of Henry Clay, and several other Kentuckians as dinner guests. N.Y. Herald, 18 October 1861.

Interviews Dr. Bellows, Bishop Thomas M. Clark of Rhode Island, and George T. Strong, New York lawyer and treasurer of U.S. Sanitary Commission, regarding office of surgeon general and subject of exchange of prisoners. George Templeton Strong, Diary, 4 vols., edited by Allen Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas (New York: Macmillan, 1952).

Calls on Sec. Seward and Gen. McClellan in evening. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Writes Col. Ramsay: "The lady—bearer of this—says she has two sons who want to work. Set them at it, if possible. Wanting to work is so rare a merit, that it should be encouraged." Abraham Lincoln to George D. Ramsay, 17 October 1861, CW, 4:556.

[President's account charged $2.25 for 2 sponges and "water brush." Lutz Account Book.]

Commodore Nutt, publicized "pigmy" accompanied by showman P. T. Barnum, gives command performance at White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 October 1862, 3d ed., 2:5.

Cabinet meeting again on subject of trade at Norfolk. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Attorney General Edward Bates and instructs him to "make out and send me a commission for David Davis of Illinois, as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States." Lincoln's friend, Judge Davis, presides over Illinois's Eighth Judicial Circuit. A few days earlier, Lincoln asked Bates to determine whether or not Lincoln could legally appoint Davis to the Supreme Court position while the Senate is in "recess." Bates affirmed Lincoln's "lawful power" to appoint Davis. Edward Bates to Abraham Lincoln, 15 October 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 17 October 1862, CW, 5:465-66.

Gen. Corcoran asks President to give Lt. Morgan Doheny, 42d New York Volunteers, commission in regular army. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 17 October 1862, CW, 5:466.

Lincoln thanks author, John F. Callan, for copy of "The Military Laws of the United States." Abraham Lincoln to John F. Callan, 17 October 1862, CW, 5:466.

President confers with former Cong. Stanton (Tenn.) and Henry T. Hulbert of Tennessee regarding taxes due city of Memphis, Tenn. Hulbert to Lincoln, 19 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Issues proclamation calling for 300,000 volunteers. Proclamation Calling for 300,000 Volunteers, 17 October 1863, CW, 6:523-24.

Recognizes G. H. Garlichs as consul of Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach for Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Washington Chronicle, 20 October 1863.

Declines offer of William B. Thomas, manufacturer and abolitionist of Philadelphia, to supply 10,000 men for 60 or 90 days to protect Washington. Abraham Lincoln to William B. Thomas, 17 October 1863, CW, 6:525.

Answers plea of John Williams and Nathaniel G. Taylor of Knoxville against withdrawal of U.S. forces from upper East Tennessee. "You do not estimate the holding of East Tennessee more highly than I do. There is no absolute purpose of withdrawing our forces from it; and only a contingent one to withdraw them temporarily, for the purpose of not losing the position permanently." Abraham Lincoln to John Williams and Nathaniel G. Taylor, 17 October 1863, CW, 6:525.

In the evening, President Lincoln, his wife Mary, their son Tad, and Lincoln's secretary William O. Stoddard attend a benefit performance of William Shakespeare's Macbeth at Grover's Theatre. Owner Leonard Grover stages the play, which stars James Wallack as Macbeth, Charlotte Cushman as Lady Macbeth, and Edward Davenport as Macduff. A newspaper reports that the Lincoln party "occupied the lower stage boxes to the right." The benefit garners $2,018 for the United States Sanitary Commission, whose members tend to the needs of the soldiers. The newspaper adds, "Mr. Grover. . . gave the use of the entire resources of his establishment for this benefit, (including the services of two stars at his own expense,) and Miss Cushman generously contributed her valuable aid to the same object." Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 17 October 1863, 1:4, 3:1; 19 October 1863, 2:2; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 October 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

Cong. Kelley (Pa.) calls on President and presents him pocketknife on behalf of friends. Abraham Lincoln to Alfred B. Justice and Others, 17 October 1864, CW, 8:51.

O. H. Browning urges President to appoint Sec. Stanton chief justice of Supreme Court. Lincoln tells him that Atty. Gen. Bates has personally asked for it. Browning, Diary.

Cong E. B. Washburne (Ill.) sends Lincoln gloomy letter on prospects in coming election. President endorses envelope, "Stampeded." Washburne to Lincoln, 17 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.