Lincoln and William Green serve as clerks at election held at house of John McNeil [assumed name of John McNamar]. John Clary is elected constable with 41 votes, defeating four rivals, J. Rowan Herndon, William McNeely, Baxter B. Berry, and Edmund Greer. Lincoln did not vote. Bowling Green certifies that judges and clerks qualify according to law. James Rutledge, Hugh Armstrong, and James White serve as judges.Election Returns; Election Return, 20 September 1832, CW, 1:13.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files declaration for Silas Harlan, plaintiff, in Sangamon Circuit Court in Harlan v. Moffett & Moffett, assumpsit. Lincoln writes and signs declaration in Judy v. Manary & Cassity.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln is listed as attorney in Bell v. Mitchell in Tazewell court but case is probably handled by Farnham, Frisby, & D. Stewart, also retained.Record.

Lincoln records receipt of note given by H. B. Truett & Co. to Charles Harkness of Philadelphia. [Stuart & Lincoln bring suit and get judgment in Sangamon Circuit Court November 23, 1839 for $234.50, amount of note, and $40.34 damages.]Stuart & Lincoln fee book.

In Thorp v. Bole and Hinman, defendant enters motion to quash sheriff's return. It is sustained by court and case continued. Thorp v. Bole et al. is continued. In both cases Logan & Lincoln represent plaintiff and Jones and James defendants.Record.

Lincoln writes answer of Gideon Hawley in Mather, Lamb & Co. v. Hawley et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln draws up instructions for Merryman in case his opponent should wish to have matter settled. In case no settlement is made, he selects as weapons cavalry broadswords of largest size, and outlines other duel preliminaries. Fearing arrest, Lincoln leaves for Jacksonville early to await his second and friends.Memorandum of Duel Instructions to Elias H. Merryman, [19 September 1842], CW, 1:300-2.

Lincoln pays clerk's fees in two cases of Wood & Abbott v. Thomas et al.Fee Book.

[Logan County Circuit Court begins.]

Lincoln attends Whig ratification meeting at Dedham in afternoon, and speaks at Cambridge in evening. "Mr. Lincoln . . . is a capital specimen of a `Sucker' Whig, six feet at least in his stockings, and every way worthy to represent that Spartan band of the only Whig district in poor benighted Illinois," writes one of his Cambridge hearers in Boston Atlas (September 22, 1848).

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, at Pekin, Lincoln writes plea for the defendant in Boyle v. Stafford. Lincoln also writes an amendment to the original answer of two of the defendants in Pearl v. Pearl et al.Photocopy.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $4.35 in "sundries." Bunn Journal.]

"Our citizens were favored with a political address from Hon. David L. Gregg. . . . Mr. Gregg took the hide completely off that 'old coon,' whiggery, and buried its carcass so deep in the 'ashes of despair,' that the resurrection trump which Mr. Lincoln (who attempted to follow Mr. Gregg) attempted to sound, could not impart hearing into its ears, or give vitality to its prostrate and hidden carcass." Pekin Reveille, in Register, 25 September 1852.

Lincoln loses divorce case, William McCorkle v. Nancy McCorkle, when court awards divorce without alimony. Court sets his fee at $15. Record.

In Wheeler v. Illinois Central RR, attorneys argue demurrer to plaintiff's declaration. Court sustains second count in declaration. Lincoln appears for railroad. Record.

[McCormick v. Manny, set for hearing at Cincinnati to suit Judge McLean, commences. Distinguished counsel represent both parties—Edward M. Dickerson and Reverdy Johnson for McCormick; George Harding, Edwin M. Stanton , and Lincoln for Manny. Lincoln is prepared to make strong effort to win case. William M. Dickson, "Abraham Lincoln at Cincinnati," Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 69 (June 1884):62.]

Lincoln, Douglas, and others appear at rally. According to Democratic reporter, Lincoln's crowd is so small he soon gives up. Speech at Olney, Illinois, 20 September 1856, CW, 2:376.

Mrs. Lincoln writes to Emily Todd Helm about her trip to New York. "I often laugh," she says, "& tell Mr. Lincoln that I am determined my next husband shall be rich." This throws light on Lincoln's mysterious eastern trip, suggesting pleasure tour taken on strength of large fee won from Illinois Central. Sandburg & Angle, 201; Helm, Mary, 122-23.

Finding that Douglas is to speak at 1 P.M., Lincoln postpones his meeting from 2 to 3, and writes note in pencil to Douglas. Lincoln's supporters, escorting him to rally, interrupt Douglas, and brawl is narrowly averted. Register, 23 September 1858; Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Douglas, [20 September 1858], CW, 3:201-2.

Lincoln and family arrive in evening. Illinois State Journal, 22 September 1859.

Lincoln writes Nathaniel Grigsby, whose brother Aaron had married Lincoln's sister in Indiana. "There is now a Republican electoral ticket in Missouri, so that you can vote for me if your neighbors will let you. I would advise you not to get into any trouble about it." He tells Gov. Morgan of New York, Republican national chairman, that Illinois is indeed in danger of losing legislature. Judd can tell him what national committee can do to help. Currently, however, Indiana is biggest problem because of their Oct. election. "Bend all your energies upon Indiana now." He acknowledges letter from his old friend Nathan Sargent. Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel Grigsby, 20 September 1860, CW, 4:116; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin D. Morgan, 20 September 1860, CW, 4:116-17; Abraham Lincoln to Nathan Sargent, 20 September 1860, CW, 4:117.

In the afternoon, Lincoln, Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of State William Seward, Prince de Joinville, of France, and others observe as Colonel Hiram Berdan's "regiment of Sharp-shooters" demonstrates its "efficiency." A newspaper reports, "The Prince De Joinville and son and nephews are receiving unofficial but hospitable attentions from the President and Secretary of State." During the shooting exhibition, "Two hundred and sixty shots were fired, the target being completely riddled. The President made an excellent shot." New York Times, 21 September 1861, 1:1-2.

President carefully prepares text of preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Urges Sec. Stanton to send paroled prisoners to seat of Indian difficulties "with all possible despatch." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 20 September 1862, CW, 5:432.

Lincoln shows John Hay dispatch from Gen. Rosecrans relative to first day's fighting near Chattanooga and expresses anxiety. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Sends message to Mrs. Lincoln in New York: "I neither see nor hear anything of sickness here now; though there may be much without my knowing it. I wish you to stay, or come just as is most agreeable to yourself." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 20 September 1863, CW, 6:469.

Leaves Soldiers' Home at 10 P.M. and spends night in White House. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 21 September 1863.

President confers with Acting Sec. of Interior William T. Otto regarding sale of public lands in Kansas. Otto to Lincoln, 20 September 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Sec. Stanton announces capture of two steamers on Lake Erie by Confederates from Canada. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln telegraphs Gen. Sheridan: "Have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all, officers and men. Strongly inclined to come up and see you." [Sheridan defeated Gen. Early on Berryville Pike and drove him through Winchester, Va.] Abraham Lincoln to Philip H. Sheridan, 20 September 1864, CW, 8:13.

Directs Stanton to let Francis A. Mallison, who collaborated in producing bogus proclamation in newspapers of May 17, 1864, be discharged. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 20 September 1864, CW, 8:13-14.