Selling canoe in Havana, Lincoln and Harrison start afoot to New Salem. "The long strides of Lincoln after slipping back in the burning sand six inches every step were just right for me," wrote Harrison. "And he was greatly diverted when he noticed me behind him stepping in his tracks to keep from slipping."George M. Harrison to W. H. Herndon, n.d., William H. Herndon Papers, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Resolution inquiring whether directors or officers of state bank hold seats in House is discussed. Baker moves to amend by inquiring whether any members are indebted to bank. Lincoln votes to table resolution and casts four other votes favorable to bank. He reports bill extending corporate powers of Springfield.House Journal.

Plaintiff's bill of exceptions is filed by Stuart & Lincoln in Cannon v. Kenney. Commissioners appointed (1838) in chancery case of Sarah Broadwell v. John B. Broadwell et al., file report. On Lincoln's motion, costs are apportioned. He confesses judgment for $159 in James Bell & Co. v. Elkin. Stuart is attorney for plaintiffs.Record.

Judgment by default is ordered in Short v. Ditson et al., Hornsby v. Elkin & Spear, Ditson v. McMurry, and Dunham for use of Gray v. Lasswell. Stuart & Lincoln appear for plaintiffs in all four cases.Record.

Lincoln writes praecipe in first, declarations in second and third cases.Photocopy.

"Mr. Lincoln desires to address the people at the court house in this place on Monday next, at 1 o'clock P.M."Sangamo Journal, 17 July 1840.

Lincoln orders Sheriff Elkin to stay collection of judgment for $196.22 he obtained for plaintiff in Stafford v. Whitney & Whitney March 26, 1841.Sangamon County, Execution Docket D.

Marion delegation arrives with banner, one side of which reads: "U.S. Bank Bill—J. J. Hardin, Cashier—Abraham Lincoln, President." At meeting at 2 P.M. on town square, Lincoln is appointed one of committee of five to select officers and report resolutions for Friday's convention. Anthony Thornton is chosen president and resolutions read, then speeches from Lincoln, Linder, Bledsoe, and others are heard.Sangamo Journal, 25 July 1844, 8 August 1844.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of Logan & Lincoln v. Smith, Lincoln files a declaration. Lincoln and his partner, Stephen T. Logan, are suing James D. Smith, who is the executor of William Trailor's estate. In 1841, Logan and Lincoln defended Trailor in a murder case. Trailor promised to pay the attorneys $100 for their services, but Trailor died before paying the debt. Logan and Lincoln declare, "Trailor in his life-time, and the . . . defendant . . . since the death . . . of . . . Trailor . . . wholly neglected and refused and still do neglect and refuse" to pay.Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 19 June 1841, CW, 1:254-258; Declaration, filed 17 July 1845, Logan & Lincoln v. Smith, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln's bank account is debited $25 for payment on house to Charles Dresser, and credited $25 when friend repays loan.Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln moves to suspend rules to permit introduction of bill establishing post routes; but motion fails to receive two-thirds majority.Globe.

He writes to secretary of war regarding A. G. Henry's claim for Mexican War expenses.Abraham Lincoln to William L. Marcy, 17 July 1848, CW, 1:500.

S. T. Logan deposits $50 cash in Lincoln's account at Robert Irwin & Co., Springfield.Irwin Journal.

Lincoln writes Edward Seymour of Kaskaskia acknowledging receipt of copy of declaration and notice in Morrison v. Briggs. Lincoln is for defendant. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Seymour, 17 July 1854, CW, 2:224.

Lincoln is in Dixon, Illinois, where he speaks to Republicans attending a "Ratification meeting." A newspaper reports, "He is about six feet high, crooked-legged, stoop shouldered, spare built, and anything but handsome in the face. It is plain that nature took but little trouble in fashioning his outer man . . . As a close observer and cogent reasoner, he has few equals and perhaps no superior in the world. His language is pure and respectful, he attacks no man's character or motives, but fights with arguments. . . . He spoke full two hours and still the audience cried, 'go on.'" Amboy Times (IL), 24 July 1856, 2:1.

Lincoln and Logan lose case when verdict for plaintiff is returned in Hoes v. Barclay et al.Chicago Democrat, 21 July 1857.

Lincoln is in Douglas's audience at morning speech in nearby Atlanta. Calls for him ring out when Douglas finishes, but he again declines to take advantage of Democratic meeting. Douglas speaks again in afternoon at B. S. Edwards' grove, Springfield. In evening Lincoln speaks at state house, devoting his speech mainly to refutation of Douglas's charges of disunion sentiments, resistance to the Dred Scott decision, and Negro equality. Remarks at Atlanta, Illinois, 17 July 1858, CW, 2:504; Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 17 July 1858, CW, 2:504-21; Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 52-54.

President signs commission of W. O. Stoddard as "Secretary to the President to sign land patents . . . 15th day of July, 1861." William O. Stoddard, Lincoln's Third Secretary: The Memoirs of William O. Stoddard, ed. by William O. Stoddard, Jr. (New York: Exposition Press, 1955), 74.

Approves act authorizing national loan, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 259.

Several Kansas men and Sen. Browning (Ill.) consult with Lincoln from 8:30 to 11 P.M. on treaty with Delaware Indians and construction of railroad. Browning, Diary.

[Statement of John Alexander (see July 6, 1861) indicates probability of review at White House on this date. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 142-505.]

At 10 A.M. President visits Capitol and remains for convenience of Senate which adjourns at 2 P.M. Browning, Diary.

Informs Congress that Cornelius Vanderbilt has presented to U.S. steamer "Vanderbilt." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 July 1862, CW, 5:331-32.

Committee of Synod of Reformed Presbyterian Church presents to President resolution on slavery. Remarks to Committee of Reformed Presbyterian Synod, 17 July 1862, CW, 5:327.

Lincoln signs "An act to suppress insurrection, and to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for other purposes," together with joint resolution explanatory of act, and draft of Message stating objections to bill before it becomes law. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 17 July 1862, CW, 5:328-31; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 17 July 1862, 2d ed., 3:5-6; Stat. L., XII, 589.

Approves act amending act of February 28, 1795, and subsequent amendments, authorizing call-up of militia, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 597.

Joint Congressional Committee notifies President of adjournment unless he has further communications. Senate Journal, 880.

[Mrs. Lincoln leaves New York at 6 A.M. for Washington accompanied by Lt. S. Long and Thomas W. Sweney, assessor of internal revenue at Philadelphia, former colonel of 99th Pennsylvania Infantry and apparently friend of Tad. N.Y. Tribune, 17 July 1862; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas W. Sweney, 16 October 1863, CW, 6:520-21.]

President at cabinet meeting affirms his faith in Gen. Meade. Welles, Diary.

Directs Sec. Stanton to place governor of Kansas on same ground as other loyal governors in giving original commissions. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 17 July 1863, CW, 6:335.

President asks Gov. Curtin (Pa.) to come to Washington relative to 2d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Abraham Lincoln to Andrew G. Curtin, 17 July 1864, CW, 7:444.

Assures Gen. Hunter that Gen. Grant wishes him to remain in command and no one is scapegoat. Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter, 17 July 1864, CW, 7:445.

Telegraphs Grant hope that desperate effort to get position "shall not be desparate [sic] in the sense of great loss of life." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 17 July 1864, CW, 7:444-45.