Governor John Reynolds commissions Lincoln as a captain of a rifle company in the Thirty-first Regiment of Illinois Militia. Thomas Wigginton is also commissioned captain and Coonrod Elmore second lieutenant. Commission Records, 1809-1836, 15:485, 1830-1843, 16:19, Adjutant General Records, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Executive Record, 1832-1837, 2:13, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Wayne C. Temple, Lincoln’s Arms, Dress and Military Duty During and After the Black Hawk War (Springfield: State of Illinois Military and Naval Department, 1981), 17.

Carpenter of Sangamon reports from select committee offering amendment to bill "authorizing Samuel Musick to build a toll bridge across Salt Creek in Sangamon County." Amended bill passes House. John M. Robinson is reelected to U.S. Senate. Lincoln votes for Richard M. Young.House Journal.

Douglas, from committee on Petitions, reports bill for new county to be formed out of Sangamon. On Lincoln's motion it is referred to select committee of Wilson of Sangamon, Richardson of Schuyler, and himself. He introduces resolution asking doorkeeper if assistant is necessary.House Journal; Photocopy; Resolution in the Illinois Legislature to Request Doorkeeper of the House to Make a Statement Concerning Need for an Assistant Doorkeeper, [20 December 1836], CW, 1:55.

Lincoln writes and files a commissioner's report in Houghton v. Hart et al. Lincoln represented the complainant, Elijah Houghton, in this chancery case in which Houghton was seeking to obtain a deed.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, Smith of Madison, and Thomas of St. Clair are appointed committee to consider petition for repeal of act incorporating Upper Alton. He votes with majority (44 to 42), expressing disapproval of General Assembly electing members to state offices "as corrupting in its tendencies."House Journal.

Finance committee reports bill in relation to state bank, with amendment providing that "nothing in this act shall be construed to legalize the suspension of specie payments." Motion to table bill and amendment loses 58 to 26, Lincoln voting nay. He favors retention by legislature of right to alter bank charter.House Journal.

Motion for supersedeas in Hall v. Perkins is argued by Bledsoe for appellant and resisted by Lincoln and J. B. Thomas. In Averill & Lowell v. Field, Lincoln suggests diminution of record, files his affidavit, and moves writ of certiorari. Motion of Lincoln and Emmerson, attorneys for appellee in Benedict v. Dellehunt, made December 18, 1841, is overruled.Record.

In Wren v. Moss et al. (SC), plaintiff's attorneys, Lincoln and Powell, file motion that writ of error be issued, and file affidavit of Clarissa Wren.Record.

Mrs. Lincoln spends $5.43 on clothing material, charging to account, and buys $6.80 groceries.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln presents petition from A. G. Henry, and gives notice of motion for leave to introduce bill to amend "an act to raise . . . an additional military force . . . approved Feb. 11, 1847." He votes against resolution declaring war just and necessary and that indemnity must depend on obstinacy of enemy in prolonging it. Congressional Globe.

Washington citizens give complimentary dinner at Coleman's Hotel "to a portion of the two Houses of Congress and one or two other guests." Newspaper report does not give those present, but Lincoln may have attended.National Intelligencer, 25 December 1848.

Lincoln pays $259.50 to Irwin's for accumulated charges, and store pays Lincoln $19.95 cash for "profit & loss." Irwin Journal.

Trial of Columbus Insurance Co. v. Peoria Bridge Co. continues. Defendants plead act of legislature authorizing construction of bridge. Case turns on question of power of state to authorize obstruction of navigable stream. Court takes the case under advisement. Register, 20 December 1851.

Lincoln and Johnston resume hearings, "and will continue . . . probably two weeks." Register, 20 December 1852.

"The United States' District and Circuit Court opened in this city on Tuesday—Judge Drummond present, and all the officers. . . . It is said the docket is quite large, and that the term is likely to be interesting." Illinois Journal, 22 December 1853.

Lincoln and Logan lose ejectment case, Morrison v. Briggs, in U.S. Circuit Court. Jury finds for plaintiff, orders that defendant restore property and pay damages of one cent. Record.

Springfield bar meets. Stephen T. Logan is called to chair, and J. B. White is elected secretary. E. B. Herndon states that James H. Matheny is about to retire as circuit clerk, and that his long, efficient service merits recognition. He presents resolutions commending Matheny, which are adopted. Lincoln pays Matheny graceful tribute. Illinois State Journal, 24 December 1856; Remarks to the Springfield Bar on the Retirement of James H. Matheny, 20 December 1856, CW, 2:386.

Lincoln writes to his friend Jesse W. Fell of Normal, Illinois. Fell prompted Lincoln to provide an autobiography that could be used to promote Lincoln's political career. Lincoln writes, "Herewith is a little sketch . . . There is not much of it, for the reason, I suppose, that there is not much of me. If any thing be made out of it, I wish it to be modest, and not to go beyond the material." Of his early years in Indiana, Lincoln recalls, "It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods . . . There were some schools, so called; but no qualification was ever required of a teacher, beyond ' readin, writin, andcipherin' . . . If a straggler supposed to understand latin, happened to sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked upon as a wizzard." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse W. Fell, Enclosing Autobiography, 20 December 1859, CW, 3:511-12.

Thurlow Weed arrives and calls on Lincoln at home, where they confer until mid-afternoon. It is rumored that Weed has received little encouragement for his proposed compromise. Lincoln draws up three short resolutions for presentation to Republicans of Senate Committee of Thirteen. News of secession of South Carolina reaches Springfield and produces sensation. Lincoln, however, receives it calmly. Resolutions Drawn up for Republican Members of Senate Committee of Thirteen, [20 December 1860], CW, 4:156-57; N.Y. Tribune, 21 December 1860; N.Y. Herald, 25 December 1860.

Mrs. Lincoln buys more yard goods and edging. Pratt, Personal Finances, 150.

Recent report shows President has made 650 army appointments of all kinds since August 27, 1861, including 60 brigadier generals. Thirty-one officers have been honorably retired, and 215 promoted. New York Times, 21 December 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 21 December 1861, 2:4.

President sends to Congress committee report on industrial exhibition to be held in London in 1862. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 20 December 1861, CW, 5:77.

Sec. Chase hands his resignation to President this morning. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:11.

Lincoln sends note to Chase: "Please do not go out of town." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:11.

Sec. Welles calls on Lincoln after breakfast and urges him not to accept Sec. Seward's resignation. Calls again after visit with Seward and reports that Seward has decided to withdraw resignation. Welles, Diary.

President considers accepting resignations of Seward and Chase and notifies them "that the public interest does not admit of it. I therefore have to request that you will resume the duties of your Departments respectively." Washington Chronicle, 23 December 1862; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward and Salmon P. Chase, 20 December 1862, CW, 6:12-13.

In evening Gen. Burnside arrives from headquarters of Army of Potomac for conference with President. Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 19 December 1862, CW, 6:10.

President replies to Henry C. Wright, lecturing agent of Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society: "I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress." Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Wright, 20 December 1863, CW, 7:81.

Cabinet meets. Three members present. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln interviews H. T. Blow about case of L. A. Welton. Blow to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Confers with Gen. Banks about duties in New Orleans. Banks to Lincoln, 20 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Recognizes Dennis Donohoe as consul of Great Britain at New Orleans. Washington Chronicle, 23 December 1864.

Recognizes Moritz von Baumbach as consul at Milwaukee for Duchy of Saxe Meiningen. Washington Chronicle, 24 December 1864.