Lincoln votes with majority to defeat proposal to set up joint committee to reapportion General Assembly in accordance with state census soon to be taken. Purpose is to avoid special reapportionment session. He favors proposal to investigate reduction of county officers fees.House Journal.

Committee of Whole House discusses "an act to encourage the killing of wolves." Proposal to have bounty paid by county instead of state is lost. Lincoln votes for this amendment and against reduction of bounty. Amendment to Illinois and Michigan Canal act is given second reading and ordered printed.House Journal.

State road bill in Lincoln's hand is introduced by McMurtry of Warren, Knox, and Henry. Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Establish a State Road from Peoria to Hendersonville, [21 January 1837], CW, 1:69-70.

Act to prevent circulation of bank notes of smaller denomination than $5 passes House 63 to 20. Lincoln has steadily opposed measure and is only Sangamon representative to vote nay. He votes yea on bill incorporating Graysville and Albion Railroad Co.House Journal.

Lincoln writes Stuart about bill changing date of congressional elections to August 1840. In 1839 legislature, because of census of 1840, moved 1840 election forward one year. Bill has passed House, and, he says, will pass Senate. His prediction is incorrect; Senate tables it. Lincoln is very active in legislature.Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 21 January 1840, CW, 1:195; House Journal.

Long fight to change Supreme Court from Whig to Democratic begins. Lincoln opposes addition of five new judges. Senate bill to increase payment of bounty on wolf scalps is postponed indefinitely, Lincoln voting aye.House Journal.

Lincoln writes for George Trotter assignment to Seth Weatherby of three judgments ($880.53) obtained in Sangamon Circuit Court.Photocopy.

Lincoln writes N. J. Rockwell that he is candidate for Congress and repeats his argument of "'turn about is fair play.' I shall be pleased if this strikes you as a sufficient argument."Abraham Lincoln to N. J. Rockwell, 21 January 1846, CW, 1:359.

Smith v. Byrd and Trailor v. Hill are argued in Supreme Court. Lincoln appears for defendant in both cases.Record.

House goes into Committee of Whole on private calendar. Lincoln presents petition of Uriah Brown "praying for a further testing of his discovery of `liquid fire,' to be used in national defenses; which was referred to Committee on Naval Affairs." Petition tabled. House adjourns until January 24, 1848.Journal.

Supreme Court renders decision in Lewis v. Moffett & Johnson, tried 17th. It affirms award of $1,000 to Lewis, and reverses remainder of Circuit Court's decision. 11 Ill., 392.

Illinois Central incorporation bill is still in Senate committee. Senate Journal.

Lincoln is busy in U.S. Circuit Court on Smith v. Gardner. Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 26 January 1852, CW, 2:117-18.

Lincoln writes and signs assignment of errors and writes part of transcript of instructions to jury in Alton & Sangamon RR v. Baugh. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Snow and wind continue all day, making travel impossible. Trains are marooned on prairies, telegraph lines are down, no mails arrive, churches abandon services. Illinois Journal, 23 January 1855.

Lincoln, like all residents of Springfield, is snowbound.

Supreme Court, in Booth & Martin v. Rives, overrules motion Lincoln filed January 9, 1856. Record.

Lincoln and forty-eight others sign a petition requesting that Illinois Governor Joel Matteson pardon James H. Lee, of Springfield. At the November 1855, term of the Sangamon County Circuit court, Lee pleaded guilty to grand larceny for the theft of $26. The court sentenced Lee to one year in the state penitentiary. The petitioners note, "[A]lthough . . . Lee may have been guilty of taking the sum of money alledged . . . we believe that it was the first time he was ever guilty of a crime & we sincerly think he has determined & will be an honest & upright man in future."Petition for Pardon of James H. Lee, 21 January 1856, CW, 2:329-30.

[Lee is pardoned three days later. Photocopy.]

Lincoln has two cases in Supreme Court—People v. Moore et al., and Trustees of Township 23N, Range 1E v. Allin et al. In first case Lincoln, for defendants, withdraws his demurrer and defaults. In second, in which validity of sale of school lands is involved, Lincoln makes argument for defendants. Court later decides for defendants. Record; 21 Ill. 120.

He writes two clients about law case. Opponents demand case be continued or dismissed. "Write me at once which shall be done." Abraham Lincoln to Messrs. Cole and Wall, 21 January 1859, CW, 3:350.

Lincoln makes two deposits at Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co., $27 and $118.25. Marine Bank Ledger.

Representative William Kellogg (Ill.) still in Springfield, seeking to ascertain how far Lincoln will go by way of compromise on slavery question. Remarks Concerning Concessions to Secession, [c. 19-21 January 1861], CW, 4:175-76.

In addition, two delegations are in town—one from New York on behalf of Sen. Cameron (Pa.), the other from Indiana to push claims of former Cong. Caleb B. Smith (Ind.). N.Y. Herald, 22 January 1861.

Lincoln writes Cameron to visit him again, then apparently neglects to mail letter. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 21 January 1861, CW, 4:177.

M. Romero again calls on Lincoln, this time to take leave. Abraham Lincoln to Matias Romero, 21 January 1861, CW, 4:177-78.

["Mr. L has undertaken his Cabinet without consulting me. For the present I shall be content to leave the responsibility on his own broad shoulders." William H. Seward to Weed, 21 January 1861, Thurlow Weed Papers, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.].

President in fine spirits at White House reception tonight. N.Y. Herald, 22 January 1862; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 January 1862, 3:2.

President approves sentence dismissing General Fitz John Porter from service. Order Approving Sentence of Fitz-John Porter, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:67.

Establishes width of track of Pacific railroads at five feet. Order Establishing Gauge of Union Pacific Railroad, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:68.

Submits to Congress joint resolutions of corporate authorities of city of Washington urging construction of railroads concentrating upon city. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 21 January 1863, CW, 6:68-69.

Endorses letter of Gen. Halleck to Gen. Grant: "It may be proper to give you some explanation of the revocation of your order expelling all Jews from your department. The President has no objection to your expelling traitors and Jew peddlers, which, I suppose was the object of your order; but, as it in terms proscribed an entire religious class, some of whom are fighting in our ranks, the President deemed it necessary to revoke it." Official Records—Armies 1, XXIV, pt. 1, 9.

President transmits to Senate documentation "respecting the recent destruction by fire of the church of the Compañia at Santiago, Chile." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 21 January 1864, CW, 7:143.

In the evening, President Lincoln and his wife Mary Lincoln host a dinner for members of the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, "and a few others, with their wives." Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles noted that the gathering "was pleasant. A little stiff and awkward on the part of some of the guests, but [it] passed off very well." Howard K. Beale, ed., Diary of Gideon Welles, 3 vols., (New York: W. W. Norton, 1960), 1:512; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 January 1864, 2d ed., 2:4.

General Ulysses S. Grant arrives in Washington for brief meeting with the President, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and General Philip E. Sheridan before returning to City Point, Virginia. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 January 1865, 3d ed., 2:6.

President receives word from General Grant suggesting that Robert join his headquarters staff with rank of captain. David C. Mearns, The Lincoln Papers: The Story of the Collection, with selections to July 4, 1861, 2 vols. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1948), 1:12.

Recognizes C. F. Mebius as consul at San Francisco for Electorate of Hesse Cassel. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 26 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:2.

"Mrs. Lincoln wears a very heavy black corded silk, elaborately trimmed, a shawl of white point lace, and a headdress composed of black velvet and lace" at her afternoon reception. President attends and greeted visitors. Despite "exceedingly disagreeable" weather, the reception is well attended. Washington Chronicle, 22 January 1865; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 21 January 1865, 2d ed., 2:4.