Lincoln writes and attests will of Joshua Short, farmer of New Salem area. Will of Joshua Short, 22 August 1836, CW, 1:51.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files an affidavit certifying that Nancy and Peyton Chrisman, two defendants in the chancery case Miller v. Chrisman et al., are not residents of Illinois. He writes and files a praecipe ordering the court clerk to publish a notice of the pendancy of the case in a newspaper for the benefit of the out-of-state defendants. In the same praecipe, Lincoln also orders the clerk to summon two other defendants, St. Clair and Jacob Chrisman, who live in Peoria County.Record.

Stuart and Lincoln sign marginal release of mortgages given by Henry B. Truett for $500 March 21, 1838.Deed Book M, 413.

[Although no evidence of Lincoln's presence in Belleville on this day has been found, Field's letter of August 17, 1840 indicates that it was his and Lincoln's immediate destination. Distance from Springfield—approximately 100 miles—could have been covered easily in four days.]

Lincoln writes supplemental bill in Waggoner and Waggoner v. Eastep.Photocopy.

At special term of Christian Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon win Vandeveer v. Whitecraft et al. when jury finds for plaintiff in sum of $476. In Cawood v. Benson, jury fails to agree and is dismissed, and on motion of Lincoln, for plaintiff, change of venue is granted to Sangamon County. Lincoln writes bond for costs and affidavit for costs in Woods v. Ketchum et al.Record; Photocopy.

[Register reports incorporation of town of Lincoln, 30 miles northeast of Springfield on Chicago & Mississippi Railroad. "The town was named by the proprietors of whom our enterprising citizen, Virgil Hickox, is one, in honor of A. Lincoln, esq., the attorney of the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad Company."]

Lincoln receives letter from Richard S. Thomas in regard to note he and Lincoln hold for collection. Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 24 August 1854, CW, 2:226.

Lincoln writes and mails to Lincoln declaration and praecipe in Stigleman, Johnson & Co. v. Bruce & Young. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On the day after the first debate with Stephen A. Douglas, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lincoln writes to the Urbana Union newspaper editor, Joseph O. Cunningham. Cunningham inquired about when Lincoln might speak in Urbana. Lincoln writes, "I am . . . pressed by invitations from almost all quarters; and while I hope to be at Urbana sometime during the canvass I cannot yet say when. . . . Douglas and I, for the first time this canvass, crossed swords here yesterday; the fire flew some, and I am glad to know I am yet alive. There was a vast concourse of people—more than could [get] near enough to hear." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph O. Cunningham, 22 August 1858, CW, 3:37.

Robert buys pocket knife and yard goods at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 159.

Lincoln declines invitation to horse show at Springfield, Mass. "For reasons not necessary to be mentioned, I am constrained to decline the honor which you so kindly tender me." Abraham Lincoln to George Bliss and Others, 22 August 1860, CW, 4:99.

He sits for J. Henry Brown. InFtwL—Brown Journal, Photocopy.

President consults with Messrs. Dudley and Hunt, Kentucky Unionist commissioners, on neutrality of state. Hay, Letters and Diary.

At 10 AM, reviews Colonel Edward D. Baker's California regiment on parade, and remarks to Baker, "If I was a military man, I should call this a very splendid regiment." National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 August 1861, 1:2; New York Times, 23 August 1861.

Asks Attorney General Bates: "Will the Attorney General please make out pardons in the Missouri cases he and I spoke of, and place them in my hands?" Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 22 August 1861, CW, 4:495.

Writes Sec. Cameron: "Victor B. Bell [Illinois businessman], now of Colorado, is one of my most valued friends; . . . I would like for him to be an Asst. Quarter Master or Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers. Can you not fix it for me?" Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 22 August 1861, CW, 4:495-96.

[Mrs. Lincoln and party attend demonstration of lifesaving equipment at Long Branch, N.J., in afternoon escorted by former Gov. William A. Newell (N.J.), who gives "grand hop" in her honor in evening at Mansion House. New York Times, 24 August 1861.]

Archbishop Hughes attended by Secretary of State William H. Seward pays a morning visit to White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln answers Horace Greeley's editorial, "The Prayer of Twenty Millions": "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it." Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, 22 August 1862, CW, 5:388-89; National Intelligencer, 23 August 1862; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 23 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.

Lincoln informs Secretary of State Gideon Welles that a record is kept of recruits answering late call. Over 18,000 reached Washington in one week. Welles, Diary.

In Panoche Grande, Calif., land grant case of Gen. Sickles, Lincoln decides: "I do not think I should meddle as a volunteer." Abraham Lincoln to Daniel E. Sickles, 22 August 1863, CW, 6:402; Milton H. Shutes, Abraham Lincoln and the New Almaden Mine (San Francisco, CA: L. R. Kennedy, 1936), 17.

In evening President, John Hay, and Mrs. Long visit observatory, 23d and E Sts. NW. Hay goes to Soldiers' Home with President and falls asleep listening to him read Shakespeare. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President confers with Sec. Stanton regarding release of Joseph Howard, Jr., who perpetrated New York newspaper hoax involving purported proclamation of President Lincoln. Harper, Press, 302.

The members of the 166th Ohio Regiment assemble in front of the White House, where President Lincoln remarks, "It is not merely for to-day, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives...I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order that each of you may have through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise and intelligence...It is for this the struggle should be maintained, that we may not lose our birthright...The nation is worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel." Speech to One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment, 22 August 1864, CW, 7:512; Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 23 August 1864, 3:1.