"We landed at the New Salem mill about the 19th April and got fast on Rutledges Mill dam." Interview of John Hanks by William H. Herndon, 1865-66, in Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis, eds., Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements about Abraham Lincoln (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998), 457.

Lincoln gets his first view of New Salem. In his address March 9, 1832 he said: "The time at which we crossed the mill dam, being in the last days of April, the water was lower than it had been since the breaking of winter in February, or than it was for several weeks after." Communication to the People of Sangamo County, 9 March 1832, CW, 1:5-9.

News reaches New Salem of Gov. Reynolds' call for mounted volunteers to meet at Beardstown April 22, 1832 to drive Black Hawk and his band west of Mississippi River. Sangamon County is called on for 350 men. Stevens, Black Hawk War, 113; ISLA—Bulletin, No. 54.

[Lincoln's name appears in Sangamo Journal as candidate for legislature.]

Lincoln writes Levi Davis, auditor, introducing Dr. Anson G. Henry who visits Vandalia to draw money to enable commissioners to commence state house in Springfield. Lincoln concludes: "We have, generally in this country, peace, health, and plenty, and no news."Abraham Lincoln to Levi Davis, 19 April 1837, CW, 1:77-78.

Someone, perhaps Lincoln, withdraws $30 cash from Lincoln's account at a Springfield store/bank. Account of Abraham Lincoln (copy), 19 April 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[At Bloomington spring term of McLean County Circuit Court begins.]

Seat from 6th New York district is contested on ground that 157 inmates of Blackwell's Island and city almshouse voted illegally for Jackson, Democratic candidate. Whig majority of Committee on Elections recommends that Monroe, Whig, be declared entitled to seat. Lincoln votes against giving seat to either candidate, and in favor of resolution declaring neither entitled to it.Journal.

Replying to Cyrus Edwards, who informs him that Morrison will not withdraw as candidate for Land Office, Lincoln reiterates his helplessness until Edwards and Morrison get together. Lincoln's friends have urged him to take office, but he has declined unless administration refuses to give it to Edwards. IHi—Journal, XXV, 144.

The McLean County Circuit Court begins its Spring session and a Bloomington newspaper reports that Lincoln and John T. Stuart are "in attendance." The Bloomington Intelligencer (IL), 28 April 1852, 2:1.

Benedict for plaintiff and Lincoln, Dill, Emerson and Steele for defendants agree to dismiss Jaquith v. Larkin & Burr, assumpsit suit continued at last term. Record.

In Ward & Miller v. Illinois Central RR, jury is sworn, and defendant's attorneys dismiss appeal. Record.

Scott v. St. Louis, Alton, & Chicago RR, Lincoln, Hanna, and Scott for plaintiff, is continued on defendant's motion. Record.

Lincoln writes plaintiff's plea in Champaign County, Illinois v. West Urbana, Illinois that defendant be ruled to plead by April 25, 1859. Record.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys yard goods, buttons, thread, and comb at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155-56.]

Cabinet in morning session hears Comdr. James Alden's (USN) story of conditions at Norfolk. Gideon Welles, "Fort Sumter, Facts in Relation to the Expedition Ordered by the Administration of President Lincoln for the Relief of the Garrison in Fort Sumter," Galaxy 10 (November 1870):118-19.

Lincoln orders "a blockade of the ports" in the seceded states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The states' status affects "that provision of the Constitution which requires duties to be uniform throughout the United States." Additionally, the blockade will protect "the lives, vessels, and property of good citizens of the country lawfully engaged in commerce on the high seas, and in waters of the United States." Proclamation of a Blockade, 19 April 1861, CW, 4:338-39.

Drives out to inspect forts around Washington. Attempts to aid Gosport Navy Yard, Va., but fails. Monaghan, Diplomat, 75-76.

Representatives of Mayor George W. Brown (Baltimore) present letter informing Lincoln "that it is not possible for more soldiers to pass through Baltimore unless they fight their way at every step." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:340-41.

President receives telegram from Gov. Hicks (Md.) and Brown that 6th Massachusetts Infantry passing through Baltimore is attacked by mob. Approximately four soldiers and nine citizens killed. Benjamin P. Thomas, Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (New York: Knopf, 1952), 260-61; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:340-41.

Interviews Col. John B. Magruder, commanding 1st U.S. Artillery defending Washington, who thinks of resigning. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 6.

President is "annoyed" to learn his hotel bill ($773.75) has not been paid. Sends John G. Nicolay to pay it and obtain receipt. DLC—Willards' Register; Lincoln to Willards', 19 April 1861, in possession of Willard Hotel, Washington, DC.

[See February 23, 1861.]

President announces ratification of treaty with Potawatomi Indians of Kansas. National Intelligencer, 21 April 1862.

In afternoon, accompanied by Secs. Stanton and Chase, Comdr. Dahlgren, and D. Dudley Field, New York merchant, boards revenue cutter "Miami" at Navy Yard for trip down Potomac to meet Gen. McDowell at Aquia Creek. Reaches destination. McDowell does not arrive. Lincoln spends night on board. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"The President and Halleck went down to the Army very privately yesterday leaving here before daylight, and returning the same night." "Castine" [Noah Brooks], Washington, April 20, 1863, in Sacramento Union, May 18, 1863. "The President and the Secretary of War went off on a reconnaissance yesterday, I suppose to Aquia Creek, but returned in the evening. What they did or saw has not transpired." Nicolay to Hay, 20 April 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President returns to Washington in morning from Baltimore. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 19 April 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

Recognizes Giovanni B. Cerruti as consul of Italy at San Francisco and Ferdinando de Luca as consul of Italy at New Orleans. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 April 1864, 2d ed., 1:6; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 21 April 1864, 2d ed., 3:2.

Does not attend cabinet meeting. Welles, Diary.

Rests preparatory to night reception at White House. Don C. Seitz, Lincoln the Politician: How the Rail-Splitter and Flatboatman Played the Great American Game (New York: Coward-McCann, 1931), 408.

Large crowd overruns White House at last reception of season. President gives "warm salutation and a pleasant word" to "official and social intimates." Washington Chronicle, 20 April 1864.