Lincoln writes and files with the Sangamon County Circuit Court a declaration in Roll v. Anderson. Stephen T. Logan represents the defendant John Anderson. Lincoln's client, John E. Roll, is seeking to recover damages for a black mare that escaped while on loan to Anderson.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On Lincoln's motion, House rules are dispensed with, and bill to incorporate Vandalia and Alton Turnpike Road Co. is read by title and ordered to second reading. On his motion, Menard, Logan, and Dane counties are added to eighth judicial circuit.House Journal.

Lincoln votes for Hardin of Morgan's amendment to Cass County boundary bill. He opposes move to extend Menard County boundaries.House Journal.

Lincoln & Herndon files in Sangamon Circuit Court petition for partition in May L. Welles, widow of Charles, v. four defendants named Welles & Great Western Railroad. Record.

Lincoln has his wheelbarrow repaired ($1) at carriage shop. Obed Lewis Account Books.

Lincoln receives complaining letter from John E. Rosette, lawyer and editor of Springfield Republican. Abraham Lincoln to John E. Rosette, 20 February 1857, CW, 2:389-90.

Lincoln writes Edward G. Miner recommending G. A. Sutton for superintendent of addition to Insane Asylum. Abraham Lincoln to Edward G. Miner, 19 February 1858, CW, 2:434.

He deposits $344.64 in his account at Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln deposits $40 in his personal bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln leave Albany at 7:45 A.M. grateful for safe deliverance and resolved never to return. Rivalry between governor and members of legislature for honor of entertaining Lincoln has hampered visit. Villard, Eve of '61, 95-96.

Mayor, civil dignitaries, and Corps of Burgesses escort the Lincolns to depot. N.Y. Times, 20 February 1861.

Lincoln agrees to preinauguration housing arrangement in Washington: "I suppose I am now public property; and a public inn is the place where people can have access to me." Lamon, Recollections, 34-35.

At Troy, N.Y., replies from platform alongside train to welcome by 10,000 people and spokesman, Mayor Isaac McConihe. Remarks at Troy, New York, 19 February 1861, CW, 4:227; Henry J. Raymond, The Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln . . . Together with his State Papers, including his Speeches, Addresses, Messages, Letters, and Proclamations and the Closing Scenes Connected with his Life and Death (New York: Derby & Miller, 1865), 145.

Speaks a New York towns of Rhinebeck, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, and Peekskill [which boasts of the oldest Lincoln Society in America]. Arriving 30th Street Station in New York 3 P.M. has hair smoothed and receives kiss from Mrs. Lincoln before leaving car. N.Y. Times, 20 February 1861; Monaghan, Diplomat, 30.

Presidential party occupies 11 carriages in procession to Astor House. Estimated 250,000 people watch; "crowd not as large as usual" on such an occasion. Lincoln rides in open carriage with Chairman Charles G. Cornell, city alderman, Col. Edwin V. Sumner, military aide in Lincoln party, and Judge David Davis, old Illinois friend and member of presidential party, and waves to crowd. No band or military company in procession. Baltimore Sun, 20 February 1861, 21 February 1861.

Acknowledges welcome of crowd at Astor House with few remarks at 4 P.M. Addresses crowd later: "I have kept silence for the reason that I supposed it was peculiarly proper that I should do so until the time came when, according to the customs of the country, I should speak officially." Dines with family. Baltimore Sun, 21 February 1861; Remarks upon Arriving at the Astor House, New York City, 19 February 1861, CW, 4:229-30; Speech at the Astor House, New York City, 19 February 1861, CW, 4:230-31.

Receives Republican electors of city headed by William Cullen Bryant, editor, New York Evening Post, about 8 P.M. at hotel, followed by Kings County, N.Y., delegation and several Republican clubs. N.Y. World, 20 February 1861.

Wives of politicians hold reception for Mrs. Lincoln. Monaghan, Diplomat, 31.

Lincoln thanks Brooklyn Common Council for invitation, but engagements will not permit visit. Promises people of Newark, N.J., that he will bow from train. Reply to the Brooklyn Common Council Committee, New York City, 19 February 1861, CW, 4:232; Abraham Lincoln to the People of Newark, New Jersey, 19 February 1861, CW, 4:231.

President recommends by proclamation that people celebrate Washington's Birthday publicly by listening to reading of his "Farewell Address." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 February 1862, 2d ed., 3:6; Proclamation for Celebration of Washington's Birthday, 19 February 1862, CW, 5:136-37.

President Lincoln writes to Superintendent in the Office of U.S. Army Nurses Dorothea Dix. Earlier in the day, Dix wrote to Lincoln, presumably to offer her assistance in caring for the Lincolns' eleven-year-old son, Willie, who is seriously ill. Lincoln writes, "The President's & Mrs L's thanks to Miss Dix for her kind inquiry by note of this morning. They do not, just now, need the nurse, but will preserve Miss Dix note, and call on her if occasion hereafter shall require." Abraham Lincoln to Dorothea L. Dix, 19 February 1862, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Willie continues critically ill though somewhat easier than yesterday. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 February 1862, 2d ed., 3:5.

President approves act prohibiting "coolie trade" by American citizens in American vessels. Stat. L., XII, 340.

At special cabinet meeting President presents question of extra session of Senate and brevetting of regular officers. Welles, Diary; Bates, Diary.

Lincoln requests copy of letter from Asst. Sec. Fox to Rear Adm. Du Pont and hopes that Fox will go to Charleston before attack. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives request from Senate for copy of letter written by Gen. Scott to secretary of war relative to insubordination of Gen. McClellan. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 7 March 1863.

Writes W. H. Herndon: "Would you accept a job of about a month's duration at St. Louis, five dollars a day & mileage? Answer." [Herndon declined the assignment.] Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:111.

Sends following nominations to Senate: 1. Commodore Charles H. Davis to be rear admiral; 2. Capt. John A. Dahlgren to be rear admiral; 3. Capt. Stephen C. Rowan to be commodore; 4. Comdr. David D. Porter to be captain. [Davis and Dahlgren were appointed retroactively rear admirals as of February 7, 1863, and Rowan a commodore as of July 16, 1862.] Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:111-12.

Writes Thurlow Weed: "The matters I spoke to you about are important; I hope you will not neglect them." [In this connection approximately fifteen New York merchants pledge $1,000 each. Probably raised to finance party machinery.] Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:112-13.

President recognizes Eli B. Budd as consul of Costa Rica at New York. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 February 1864, 2d ed., 2:3.

"A fair, plump lady" from Dubuque, Iowa, who merely wants to see Lincoln, interrupts cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

In the afternoon, President Lincoln and his family host a "private reception" in the White House for some "celebrated little people." Lincoln's guests include Charles Nestel and his sister Eliza Nestel, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The siblings are members of an entertainment troupe that is performing at Washington, D. C.'s Odd Fellows' Hall. The Nestels are better known, respectively, by the stage names Commodore Foote and the Fairy Queen. A newspaper reports that a large number of the "elite...of the city" have been attending the "wonderful performances." Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 20 February 1864, 2:5, 3:1; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 February 1864, 2d ed., 2:6.

President Lincoln and his family attend an evening performance by Edwin Booth as Sir Edward Mortimer in The Iron Chest and as Petruchio in Katherine and Petruchio at Grover's Theatre. Daily National Republican (Washington, D.C.), 19 February 1864, 3:4; 20 February 1864, 2:3.

Lincoln submits papers of Col. James C. Briscoe to Sec. Stanton , "simply remarking that they seem to be good and ample." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 19 February 1865, CW, 8:307.