Lincoln moves to amend eighth section of Illinois and Michigan Canal Act by adding: "The Governor, during the recess of the General Assembly, for any good cause, shall have power to remove any or all of the said commissioners from office, and to supply vacancies occasioned by such removals." Motion fails.House Journal.

Lincoln reports committee bill with amendments for Sangamon County division, says bill is compromise, and favors it because county can be divided only by vote of people. He is opposed to offering to people territory too small for acceptance.Illinois State Register, Vandalia, 12 January 1837;House Journal.

Judge S. H. Treat signs above report.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Resolution adopted at close of yesterday's session is reconsidered. Lincoln moves reference to Committee on Internal Improvements. Smith of Wabash takes this as direct attack. Lincoln replies he has no such intention.House Journal.

Act to authorize limited partnerships is refused third reading. Lincoln votes yea. Resolution to reserve hall of House [Second Presbyterian Church] for use of committees every night is amended by Lincoln to read Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.House Journal.

Motion of Hardin of Morgan to seat William J. Phelps as representative from Peoria is adopted, 48-33, Lincoln voting aye. He opposes bill for relief of William Dormandy. He points out that Dormandy has twice brought charred notes to state bank and has been refused payment, and that refusal has been upheld by court decision.House Journal.

Lincoln argues his motion of yesterday for writ of certiorari in Averill & Lowell v. Field. Court considers. Supersedeas is allowed in Hall v. Perkins.Record.

Benjamin R. Hampton, applicant for admission to bar, is examined by Gillespie, Lincoln, and J. Y. Scammon and admitted to practice.Record.

Lincoln writes agreement of parties for deposition to be used as evidence in McDonald v. Fithian and Juneau (SC) and signs for latter, his clients.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln argues his motion for new trial for Charles H. Chapman, convicted December 14, 1844 of perjury. Butterfield resists motion.Missouri Republican, 24 December 1844.

Supreme Court orders Dorman et ux. v. Lane reargued. Lincoln represents plaintiff in error, and Trumbull defendant in error.Record.

Lincoln votes against motion to table memorial from citizens of District of Columbia requesting that all laws authorizing or sanctioning slave trade in District be repealed. He votes aye on resolution declaring that general government has right to construct harbors and improve rivers for commerce and national defense. It passes, 134-54. Congressional Globe.

He receives check for $167 from Stephen A. Douglas, for Robert Smith of Alton. Bank Draft of Stephen A. Douglas to Abraham Lincoln, 21 December 1847, Stephen A. Douglas Papers, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln votes against resolution directing Committee on District of Columbia to report bill abolishing slave trade there. Resolution is adopted 98-88. He votes against tabling resolution whereby sale of public lands shall cease and be disposed of to occupants and cultivators at such prices as will indemnify cost of their purchase, management and sale. It is tabled 104-60.Globe.

William Wallace, Lincoln's third son, is born. Family Record in Abraham Lincoln's Bible, 4 November 1842 - 4 April 1853, CW, 1:304.

Lincoln writes to T. J. Turner: "We can use Bradshaw as a witness, and we ought, by all means, to do it, if we can have any assurance that he will testify fairly. . . . He can make the matter entirely plain, on all the points, and no one else can. If you conclude to trust him, write me, and I will, at this term, get an order of court to examine him." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Turner, 21 December 1853, CW, 2:208.

Lincoln is concerned with another ejectment case in U.S. Circuit Court, Taylor v. Humphries. In association with Taylor he files declaration, notice, affidavit of service, and bond for costs. In declaration plaintiff alleges that defendant, citizen of Kentucky, has withheld his land and damages him to extent of $5,000. Record.

Lincoln writes his friend Jesse K. Dubois, auditor, advising him to accept $90,000 from Illinois Central in temporary settlement of disputed claim for taxes due state. "I do not write this as a lawyer seeking an advantage for a client; but only as a friend, only urging you to do, what I think I would do if I were in your situation. I mean this as private and confidential only, but I feel a good deal of anxiety about it." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 21 December 1857, CW, 2:429.

At Bloomington, where McLean Circuit Court is in session, Lincoln writes in autograph book of George Perrin Davis, son of Judge David Davis: "My young friend, George Perrin Davis, has allowed me the honor of being the first to write his name in this book." Inscription in Autograph Album of George P. Davis, 21 December 1858, CW, 3:347.

In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files declaration and bond in C. W. Green & Co. v. Smith, Hays & Co., suit to enforce payment of promissory notes totalling $600. Files.

Lincoln informs Trumbull of Weed's visit, and says he gave him three resolutions which might do much good "if introduced, and unanamously supported by our friends." He advises Gov. Curtin on Curtin's inaugural remarks: "I think you would do well to express, without passion, threat, or appearance of boasting, but nevertheless, with firmness, the purpose of yourself, and your state to maintain the Union at all hazzards." He thanks Francis P. Blair Sr. of Washington for his account of Blair's interview with Gen. Scott. "If the forts shall be given up before the inaugeration, the General must retake them afterwards." Washburne has also talked to Scott, and reported. Lincoln writes Washburne to tell commanding general forts must be held or retaken. Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 21 December 1860, CW, 4:158-59; Abraham Lincoln to Andrew G. Curtin, 21 December 1860, CW, 4:158; Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Sr., 21 December 1860, CW, 4:157-58; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 21 December 1860, CW, 4:159.

President interviews wife of 1st Lt. Robert F. Hunter on behalf of husband courtmartialed and cashiered for drunkenness on duty. Abraham Lincoln to John F. Lee, 21 December 1861, CW, 5:78.

In the afternoon, near the Navy Yard, Lincoln and others observe as the New York Fifteenth Regiment's Engineer Corps "tests" the stability of a newly-constructed "pontoon bridge." A newspaper reports, "The President was invited to ride over, and immediately ordered his carriage to be driven across, remarking that if he should get overboard he could wade ashore." NewYork Herald, 22 December 1861, 5:1-2.

Sen. Browning (Ill.) in long conference with President discusses: 1. "Trent" affair; 2. treaty with Mexico; 3. Rothschild offer of loan. Later they visit Gen. and Mrs. McClellan. Browning, Diary; Monaghan, Diplomat, 190.

[Mrs. Lincoln in Philadelphia at Continental Hotel. Helm, Mary, 207.]

President interviews Cong. Calvin T. Hulburd (N.Y.) relative to deserters in Canada. Hulburd to Lincoln, 21 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Approves joint resolution tendering thanks of Congress and medal to Gen. Grant. Washington Chronicle, 22 December 1863.

Remains at War Dept. while decoders read message, intercepted in mail at New York, intended for Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State (CSA). Bates, Telegraph Office, 71-72.

President informs Sens. Foster (Conn.) and Dixon (Conn.) he has sent up nomination of Henry Hammond to be marshal of Connecticut. Abraham Lincoln to Lafayette S. Foster and James Dixon, 21 December 1863, CW, 7:82-83.

Sends note to Gov. Peirpoint (Va.): "Please come up and see me to-day." Abraham Lincoln to Francis H. Peirpoint, 21 December 1863, CW, 7:83.

Comments, in letter to Sec. Stanton , on aspects of "strikes in the Ship-yards," social influence of St. Louis upon Gen. Pope, and future of Gen. Schofield. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 21 December 1863, CW, 7:84-85.

President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln at Continental Hotel in Philadelphia: "Do not come on the night train. It is too cold. Come in the morning." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174-75.

Interviews delegation from Baltimore urging retention of H. W. Hoffman in customhouse. Thomsen to Chestnut, 21 December 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. Butler: "I now learn, correctly I suppose, that you have ordered an election, . . . to take place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Let this be suspended, at least until conferrence [sic] with me, and obtaining my approval." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler, 21 December 1864, CW, 8:174.