Atkinson arrives at noon with 320 regulars, volunteer infantry, and one six-pounder. Two Potawatomi chiefs come into camp and assure him that their people will remain peaceful. Volunteers camp south of river and regulars on north side. Order is issued against unauthorized firing of arms.Atkinson Letter Book, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Stevens, Black Hawk War, 128.

Lincoln's company draws 10 quarts of meal and 10 pounds of pork, although by this time most quartermaster stores are issued to regiments rather than to companies.Quartermaster's Record, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln, for plaintiff in Fithian v. Cunningham, moves defendant plead case following afternoon. So ordered.Record.

In the debt case of Cast v. Vanmeter, Lincoln files a plea for his client Ambrose D. Vanmeter.Plea, 17 May 1842, Cast v. Vanmeter, Alfred Whital Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

In Cumberland County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears for defense in People v. Lester, manslaughter, change of venue from Coles County. ISLA—File.

Lincoln attends House. Consideration of Post Office appropriations bill develops into debate on Congress' power over slavery in territories.Journal; Globe.

Lincoln records mortgage made by John Hay on 7th. Book CC of Mortgages, 43.

Lincoln probably visits his stepmother at her home near Charleston. He makes entries in Lincoln family Bible, and discusses his stepmother's support. Charles H. Coleman, Abraham Lincoln and Coles County, Illinois (New Brunswick, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1955), 133; Family Record Written by Abraham Lincoln to, [1851?], CW, 2:94-95; Memorandum of Births in the Hall Family, [1851?], CW, 2:96.

In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears in court on behalf of his client William C. McReynolds in the case of Munsell v. McReynolds, a suit to settle a partnership. Along with Leander Munsell's attorney, Kirby Benedict, Lincoln files an agreement which dismisses the case and obliges McReynolds to pay the court costs. In the case of Noblitt v. Duck, a suit involving a broken contract, Lincoln and Kirby Benedict represent defendant John Duck. Judge David Davis orders Lincoln and Benedict to file their plea by Wednesday, May 19. Judgment, 17 May 1852, Munsell v. McReynolds, Order Book 3, 291; Declaration, 7 May 1852, Noblitt v. Duck, case file, box 25; Order, 17 May 1852, Noblitt v. Duck, Order Book 3, 289, all in Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.

Stuart and Moore, for defendant, move to dismiss Barger v. Illinois Central RR, appeal from assessment for damages for right of way. Lincoln and Swett, for plaintiff, resist motion, and it is overruled. Record.

Lincoln and C. H. Moore represent Illinois Central Railroad Company in assumpsit case in which jury finds for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $100. Stuart and Edwards represent plaintiff. Record.

This is one of cases covered by Lincoln's draft of September 14, 1855 for fees.

[Lincoln's account at John Williams' store is charged $2.50 for "2 White Chambers." Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the plaintiff Mark Hamilton, who is suing Jesse Cooper for $3,000 in damages, in the case of Hamilton v. Cooper. Lincoln files a praecipe with the Clerk of the court. The praecipe instructs the court to notify Cooper, who lives in Carrollton, Illinois, of the case against him. Lincoln also names himself as a surety in the suit by signing a bond for costs. Praecipe, filed 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Record Group 21, case file 379, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL; Bond for Costs, 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Private Collection.

Lincoln writes to German-language newspaper editor Theodore Canisius, of Springfield, Illinois. Canisius seeks Lincoln's opinion on a Massachusetts "constitutional provision." The amendment would impose a two-year waiting period before "naturalized citizens" could vote or hold public office. Lincoln writes, "as I understand the Massachusetts provision, I am against it's adoption in Illinois, or in any other place, where I have a right to oppose it. Understanding the spirit of our institutions to aim at the elevation of men, I am opposed to whatever tends to degrade them. I have some little notoriety for commiserating the oppressed condition of the negro; and I should be strangely inconsistent if I could favor any project for curtailing the existing rights of foreign-born "white men", even though born in different lands, and speaking different languages from myself." Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Canisius, 17 May 1859, CW, 3:380-81.

Lincoln gives E. L. Baker, editor of "Illinois State Journal," copy of "Missouri Democrat" in which he had marked passages referring to Seward's position on slavery issue, and on margin of which he writes in pencil: "I agree with Seward in his 'Irrepressible Conflict,' but I do not endorse his 'Higher Law' doctrine. Make no contracts that will bind me." Baker takes this to Chicago. Herndon & Weik, 373-74; Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, [17 May 1860], CW, 4:50.

Representative of Washington County, Md., asks President to interfere in local matters to prevent civil war. N.Y. Tribune, 18 May 1861.

In the afternoon, the 1st Michigan Regiment and their band march to the White House, where they extend "their respects to Mr. Lincoln, who expressed himself highly gratified with their martial air." A newspaper reports, "[Former U.S. Senator Lewis] Cass [of Michigan] felt great interest in equipping and preparing its men, and felt . . . great pride in their appearance. . . . Michigan may well feel honored in such representations." New York Daily Tribune, 18 May 1861, 5:2.

John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President, makes official trip to Fortress Monroe, Va., in connection with newly formed army. Nicolay to Bates, 21 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Mrs. Lincoln and party visit encampment in City Hall Park. N.Y. Times, 18 May 1861.

Mrs. Lincoln leaves New York at 5 P.M. for Boston. Baltimore Sun, 20 May 1861.]

Lincoln pays $5.50 on harness account. Lutz Account Book.

Writes check for $8.00 to "William." CW, 8:471.

Sec. Seward shows Lincoln letter from James W. Webb. "He asked me not to require him to read it. I shall not say what else he said." Seward comments, "It is the P—Gen. S[cott]—& I against the two C's [Chase and Cameron]. . . . The P. is all right." Seward to Weed, 17 May 1861, Thurlow Weed Papers, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

President recognizes Christian Friedrich Mebius as consul at San Francisco of Free Hanse City of Lübeck. National Intelligencer, 21 May 1862.

Reviews with Sec. Stanton military situation in regard to Gen. McClellan's request for reinforcements. Gen. McDowell is to move toward Richmond and at same time keep approaches to Washington covered. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:273.

Orders McDowell to retain separate command, obey orders of McClellan while co-operating with him, and use own judgment in placing troops for greatest protection of capital. Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, [17 May 1862], CW, 5:219-20.

Writes Mary Motley, daughter of John L. Motley: "A friend of yours (a young gentleman of course) tells me you do me the honor of requesting my autograph. I could scarcely refuse any young lady—certainly not the daughter of your distinguished father." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Motley, 17 May 1862, CW, 5:220-21.

President drives to office of Rear Adm. Dahlgren at Navy Yard; later Dahlgren returns to town with him. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. George S. Boutwell (Mass.) meets President on White House steps and goes upstairs with him to locate on map Gen. Grant's position in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., after crossing Black River today. George S. Boutwell, Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs, 2 vols. (New York: McClure, Phillips, 1902), 2:307.

Lincoln declares Judge H. H. Leavitt's denial of motion for habeas corpus in Vallandigham case is equal to three victories in field. [Writ denied May 16, 1863.] Harper, Press, 243.

President lays before Senate treaty with certain bands of Chippewa Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344-45.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln prepares order for draft of 300,000 men, "to increase the active and reserved force of the Army, Navy, & Marine Corps of the United States." [Order seems not to have been issued.] Order for Draft of 300,000 Men, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344.

Instructs Sec. Stanton : "Please notify the insurgents, . . . that the government of the United States has satisfactory proof of the massacre, . . . at Fort-Pillow," and outlines action government proposes to take. [Presumably these instructions to Sec. Stanton were never signed and sent.] Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:345-46.