Lincoln signs as witness to following: "This is to certify that I have sold all my Rite and title to the New Salem ferry to John Ferguson this 20th of October 1831 James Richerson." [Richardson had taken over ferry from William Clary.]Photocopy.

Stuart & Lincoln win nine cases by default, getting damages of $935.71. The court appoints Stuart guardian ad litem of the minor defendants in Musick v. Musick et al. Stuart & Lincoln represent the complaintants in two chancery cases involving an estate, Mason v. Mason et al. and Mason v. Mason et al.. In both cases the court decrees the petitions as confessed by the defendants. The court appoints commissioners to assign dower in one case and to partition land in the other.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln have 11 cases called on last day of October term. Lincoln writes and files his affidavit stating that he drew original complaint in divorce case of Rogers v. Rogers, and that he advised his client, Samuel Rogers, to leave charge of adultery out of bill. Court gives leave to amend bill.Record.

Lincoln writes part of answer of Stephen T. Logan, guardian, in George Miles v. Mary Jane Sayles et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln annotates commissioner's report in Edward Crow & Co. v. Garrett, and writes and signs chancery bill to foreclose.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Lincoln and Isaac P. Walker, Democrat, debate in "mid-autumn" in Albion, Illinois. On morning of debate, Lincoln borrows copy of Byron's poems from log school house.Gibson W. Harris, "My Recollections of Abraham Lincoln," Farm & Fireside, 1 December 1904.]

Whig state central committee composed of Lincoln, A. G. Henry, J. F. Sped, E. D. Baker, and W. L. May issues call for state convention to be held in Springfield December 20, 1841 to nominate candidates for governor and lieut. governor. Convention is called off December 13, 1841, because Whigs are unanimously for Joseph Duncan.Call for Whig State Convention, 20 October 1841, CW, 1:261-62; Missouri Republican, 13 December 1841.

Mrs. Lincoln buys dress material and pair of hose for $2.31.Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln writes and signs request for subpoena in Williams v. Frazer.ISLA—Letter of Charles Hamilton, 28 February 1955.

[Coles County Circuit Court and Moultrie Circuit Court convene.]

[Lincoln has appointment to speak at Jacksonville but postpones his address until tomorrow.Register, 27 October 1848.]

[Fall term of Vermilion Circuit Court begins.]

Defendant in Scott et ux. v. Ellis obtains change of venue to Logan County. Barger v. Illinois Central RR, before court Monday, is tried before jury which awards appellant $637.33 damages. Illinois Central RR v. Hill, petition for right of way, is tried by Moore for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant. Court takes it under advisement. Record.

Lincoln, representing petitioner, argues divorce case entitled Stout v. Stout. Court grants petition, but orders petitioner to pay all costs. Question of alimony is continued (see May 15, 1856). Lincoln writes decree of court. Record.

In Allen v. Illinois Central RR, Lincoln writes bill of exceptions and instructions to jury. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes court order dismissing Spink v. Chiniquy by agreement. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln addresses evening meeting at courthouse. "He directed his remarks, for the most of the time, to the subject of the constitutionality of Congressional legislation upon the subject of slavery in the territories, and showed from a long line of illustrious precedents in legislation that it is proper and has been practiced by those who made the Constitution." Urbana Union, 23 October 1856.

A large crowd gathers in the public square to hear Lincoln speak. One newspaper reports that the procession of attendees entering the square measures approximately "one mile and a half long--double the length of any other procession ever seen in Rushville." Before delivering his remarks, Lincoln stops at the home of local businessman William H. Ray, and his "hospitable mansion...is thronged with the old friends and admirers of Mr. Lincoln." Lincoln begins speaking at two in the afternoon to an audience of between 2,000 and 3,000, "among whom was a large number of ladies." Lincoln states his views on slavery, and he defends his "House Divided" speech against Stephen A. Douglas's criticism. A couple of "disturbances" slightly mar Lincoln's speech. Some suspect that the Democratic party is behind the appearance of "a black flag...found fluttering from the top of the Court house steeple!" A newspaper reports that the incident is "a public insult offered to the Republicans of Schuyler County." During his speech, some "foolish boys" as well as "Several females" heckle Lincoln to the point that he is "compelled to stop in the midst of his speech and request them to be still." In spite of the problems, however, the paper adds that "the day passed off very pleasantly and successfully." Speech at Rushville, Illinois, 20 October 1858, CW, 3:329; Schuyler Citizen (Rushville, IL), 27 October 1858, 2:1-4; Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 23 October 1858, 2:2; Newton Bateman and Paul Selby, eds., Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Schuyler County (Chicago: Munsell Publishing, 1908), 442-43.

Lincoln writes a letter to Norman B. Judd, a member of the Illinois State Senate from Chicago. He seeks Judd's advice on how to prevent "fraudulent votes" in the upcoming election. Lincoln fears that the opposition "will introduce into the doubtful districts numbers of men who are legal voters in all respects except residence and who will swear to residence and thus put it beyond our power to exclude them." Lincoln suspects that the "fifteen Celtic gentlemen, with black carpet-sacks in their hands" whom he recently encountered in Naples were there for that purpose. He also relays to Judd that he heard that "about four hundred of the same sort were to be brought into Schuyler [County], before the election, to work on some new Railroad." Lincoln explains that he checked with a source in Schuyler who "thinks that is not so." Lincoln suggests to Judd that perhaps someone could infiltrate the ranks of the suspect voters, someone "in disguise, who could, at the nick of time, control their votes." Lincoln concludes, "If we can head off the fraudulent votes we shall carry the day." Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949 (Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1950), 1391; Abraham Lincoln to Norman B. Judd, 20 October 1858, CW, 3:329-30.

Lincoln returns to attend wedding of C. C. Brown, young lawyer whose examination for bar he and Herndon conducted, and Bettie Stuart, daughter of his first partner. Autobiography of C. C. Brown, Ms. owned by Stuart Brown heirs, Springfield, Ill.

President congratulates Acting Governor Frank Fuller (Utah Territory) on completion of telegraph line to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, thus uniting Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Abraham Lincoln to Frank Fuller, 20 October 1861, CW, 4:558.

President orders provisional court of record for Louisiana and appoints Charles A. Peabody of New York to be judge. Executive Order Establishing A Provisional Court in Louisiana, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:467-68.

Gen. John Cochrane discusses military situation with Lincoln and urges replacement of Gen. Halleck with Gen. McClellan. Cochrane to Lincoln, 26 October 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln deposits May salary warrant for $2,083.34 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Endorses expedition of Gen. McClernand to states of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa for purpose of organizing troops: "To the end, that when a sufficient force, not required by the operations of General Grant's command, shall be raised, an expedition may be organized under General McClernand's command against Vicksburg and to clear the Mississippi river and open navigation to New Orleans." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:468-69.

Writes memorandum on Army of Potomac showing grand total of 231,997 troops of which 144,662 are fit for duty. Confederate Army shows total of 89,563. Memorandum on Army of the Potomac, [20 October] 1862, CW, 5:469; Memorandum on Confederate Army, [20 October] 1862, CW, 5:469-70.

Publishes notice that draftees who may claim exemption on account of alienage should apply to State Dept. or through their ministers or consuls. Notice to Aliens, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:470.

President meets with Major General Daniel E. Sickles, probably regarding estate known as Panoche Grande, Calif., of which Sickles is part owner. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 October 1863, 2d ed., 2:4; Abraham Lincoln to Daniel E. Sickles, 22 August 1863, CW, 6:402.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President confers with Thomas C. Durant, New York promoter of Union Pacific Railroad, about surveying plans. Durant to Lincoln, 17 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Approves in letter to W. S. Rowland idea of creating National Rifle Corps. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Remarks to Atty. Gen. Bates: "I have no friend in Missouri." Bates to Lincoln, 22 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President sends congratulations to Isabel II, Queen of Spain, on marriage of niece and condolences on death of nephew. Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:53-54.

Congratulates William I, King of Prussia, on birth of grandson. Abraham Lincoln to William I, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:56-57.

Orders that Annie Wittenmyer, special agent of Iowa Sanitary Association, "have transportation to any of the Armies, and any privileges while there." Order Concerning Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:54-55.

Sets apart, by proclamation, last Thursday in November as day of Thanksgiving. Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:55-56.

Receives letter from F. P. Blair, Sr., urging Montgomery Blair for chief justice for two reasons: 1. He deserves it for what he has done for administration. 2. Appointment would disperse ostracism caused by removal from cabinet. William E. Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, 2 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1933), 2:298-99.

Dr. Bellows visits Lincoln to present gift of gold box from citizens of California. Washington Chronicle, 29 October 1864.

Lincoln asks favor: "If not inconsistent with the service, will Gen. [Christopher C.] Augur please allow the furlough requested. The father of the boy is a domestic in my service." Abraham Lincoln to Christopher C. Augur, 20 October 1864, CW, 8:53.