The deputy county sheriff serves Lincoln with a subpoena to appear as a witness for Peter S. Harvell in Harvell v. Woldridge.Photocopy.

Lincoln and Sangamon delegation oppose move for constitutional convention.House Journal.

Lincoln writes and files declarations for several cases before the Sangamon County Circuit Court: J. S. Stone & Co. v. Hughes, Colbern v. Wallace, Mason and Mason v. Renshaw and Renshaw, Herndon v. Sudduth et al., and Wright v. Brooks and Shackelford. In first four cases plaintiff is seeking to collect on notes long overdue.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes, for Sheriff Garret Elkin, an endorsement on the back of a summons in Hunter v. Enos et al.Photocopy.

Bill increasing capital stock of Bank of Illinois is amended by striking out section restricting notes smaller than $5. Sangamon delegation votes yea. On Lincoln's motion, bill for relief of Sangamon circuit clerk is amended to include clerks of Clinton, Fayette, and Franklin.House Journal.

Lincoln writes to William Butler of Springfield on renewal of his note: "I would rather you should not be at the trouble of sending me a horse, as you kindly offered to do. . . . No news."Abraham Lincoln to William Butler, 23 Febraury 1839, CW, 1:145-46.

Lincoln opposes all moves against Bank of Illinois. Motion by Trumbull of St. Clair to repeal bank's charter fails, 31-42. Bill providing for canal loan is refused second reading 34-36, Lincoln voting aye.House Journal.

"On the morning of the 23rd, addresses were received from Mr. Killpatrick and Mr. Lincoln. They portrayed the absurdities of locoism and the soundness of Whig principles."Sangamo Journal, 28 March 1844.

Lincoln writes answer of Virgil Hickox, which Hickox signs, in Lamb v. Hickox et al. (filed March 30, 1846).Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[After prayer and reading of Journal House adjourns.Globe.

At 7:30 P.M. Adams dies in speaker's room. He was 81 years old.]

Lincoln answers roll call. Journal.

Lincoln writes to John D. Johnston, his stepbrother, who wishes his help in securing contract for mail route: "I have made out a bid for you at $120, guaranteed it myself, got our PM here to certify it, and sent it on." Regarding previous letter of Johnston's concerning "some man's claim for a pension," he writes that those of whom he inquired about claim "decide that he can not get a pension." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 23 February 1850, CW, 2:76-77.

Lincoln writes praecipe and signs bond for costs in William C. Lumsden v. George L. Lumsden, debt case for Sangamon Circuit Court. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes and signs defendants' demurrer in Kelly v. Wells & Wells. Photocopy.

[Sometime during this week Lincoln has conference with officials of Illinois Central. Contrary to his expectation, he is continued in company's retainer. Abraham Lincoln to James Steele and Charles Summers, 12 February 1857, CW, 2:389.]

In Henry B. Rankin's autograph book Lincoln writes: "Today, Feb. 23 1858, the owner honored me with the privilege of writing the first name in this book." He also writes S. C. Davis & Co., St. Louis wholesale merchants, explaining cases in U.S. Circuit Court. Inscription in the Autograph Album of Henry B. Rankin, 23 February 1858, CW, 2:435; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel C. Davis and Company, 23 February 1858, CW, 2:434-35.

Lincoln writes $300 check payable to "Selves" on Lincoln & Herndon's joint account at Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Original owned by Springfield Marine Bank.

Lincoln leaves for New York to speak at Cooper Union. Illinois State Register comments: "Subject, not known. Consideration, $200 and expenses. Object, presidential capital. Effect, disappointment."

Philadelphia-to-Washington train, with Lincoln, W. H. Lamon, and detective Allan Pinkerton on board, switches to Baltimore & Ohio tracks about 4 A.M. at Baltimore and arrives Washington 6 A.M. Baltimore Sun, 25 February 1861; Ida M. Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Sangamon ed., 4 vols. (New York: Lincoln History Society, 1924), 3:42.

Cong. Washburne (Ill.) surprises Lincoln by meeting train with carriage and driving him to Willard's Hotel, 14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Francis F. Browne, The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886), 391-92.

Lincoln breakfasts with Sen. Seward (N.Y.), after which they call upon President Buchanan at White House and meet members of cabinet. Calls on Gen. Scott, who is not home. Returns to Willard's. National Intelligencer, 25 February 1861; N.Y. World, 27 February 1861.

Telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln in Harrisburg, Pa., of safe arrival Washington 6 A.M. N.Y. World, 25 February 1861.

At 2 P.M. Scott returns Lincoln's call. Illinois State Journal, 27 February 1861.

Visitors include Montgomery Blair [soon to be postmaster general] and father, Francis P. Blair, Sr., Washington newspaperman and political figure. Allen C. Clark, Abraham Lincoln in the National Capital (Washington, DC: W. F. Roberts Co., 1925), 9.

[About this date Lincoln visits Mathew B. Brady, 352 Pennsylvania Ave. and poses for several photographs. Frederick H. Meserve and Carl Sandburg, The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1944), 23 February 1861.]

Receives Illinois delegation headed by Sen. Stephen A. Douglas (Ill.) in late afternoon. Illinois State Journal, 27 February 1861.

Goes by carriage to Seward's residence at 7 P.M. to dine privately. Baltimore Sun, 25 February 1861; Clarence E. Macartney, Lincoln and His Cabinet (New York: Scribner, 1931), 123-24.

On return from dinner finds long hall at Willard's lined with people and is so interested in greeting friends on either hand that he forgets to remove hat. N.Y. World, 25 February 1861.

Delegates to Peace Conference meeting in Washington call upon Lincoln at 9 P.M. Sen.-elect Chase (Ohio) [soon to be secretary of treasury] and Lucius E. Chittenden, delegate from Vermont, introduce them. Illinois State Journal, 27 February 1861; Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 68-78.

Lincoln holds impromptu public reception for members of Congress and persons of distinction crowding parlor and anterooms. Baltimore Sun, 25 February 1861.

Buchanan's cabinet calls at 10 P.M. Allen C. Clark, Abraham Lincoln in the National Capital (Washington, DC: W. F. Roberts Co., 1925), 9.

Group of New York businessmen presents compromise scheme to restore Southern commerce. William E. Baringer, A House Dividing: Lincoln as President Elect (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1945), 307.

[Irwin withdraws $50 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.

Mrs. Lincoln leaves Harrisburg at 9 A.M. on Presidential train, dines at home of John S. Gittings, Baltimore financier and director of B. & O., arrives Washington about 4 P.M., and rides to hotel with Seward and Washburne. N.Y. Herald, 23 February 1861; Baltimore Sun, 25 February 1861; National Intelligencer, 26 February 1861.

"Hon. A. Lincoln & Family 5 persons Meals in Room for 6" is assigned at Willard's to "No. 6." Private dinners, entertaining, liquor and cigars for numerous visitors bring bill to total of $773.75. (See April 19, 1861.) DLC—Willard's Register Ms.

President and Sec. Stanton in conference at War Dept. are interrupted by Gen. Butler with instructions from Gen. McClellan to go ahead with expedition to New Orleans. Apparently President is not in favor of it. Benjamin F. Butler, Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences . . . Butler's Book (Boston: A. M. Thayer, 1892), 335.

The Lincoln family mourns the death of Abraham and Mary's eleven-year-old son Willie, who died on February 20. A newspaper reports, "The . . . body of little Willie Lincoln was visited to-day by a number of the friends of the family. The body was laid out in a plain suit of brown clothes, with a blossom of mignonette [flowers] on his left breast. . . . The funeral will take place at two o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The youngest son [Tad] of President Lincoln is considerably better to-day." New York Herald, 24 February 1862, 5:2.

President receives resignation of Simon Cameron as U.S. minister to Court of St. Petersburg. Cameron to Lincoln, 23 February 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Requests interview: "Will Senator Wilson please call and see me." [Directed to either Sen. Wilson (Mass.) or Sen. Robert Wilson (Mo.).] Abraham Lincoln to Senator Wilson, 23 February 1863, CW, 6:115.

Lincoln promises to write Sec. Chase further about "paper issued by Senator Pomeroy," [printed circular opposing renomination of Lincoln and advocating nomination of Chase.] Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 23 February 1864, CW, 7:200-1; Official Records—Armies 573-75.

Receives information that Indianapolis, Ind., convention unanimously instructed delegates for Lincoln. Thompson to Usher, 23 February 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Interviews Hugh McCulloch, comptroller of currency, on money matters. McCulloch to Lincoln, 24 February 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets without Chase and two other members. Welles, Diary.

Judge Henniker of Pennsylvania calls on President with note from Congressman Thaddeus Stevens (Pa.). Stevens to Lincoln, 23 February 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President confers with William H. Schofield, who is interested in Baker University at Baldwin, Kans. Schofield to Lincoln, 24 February 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"The reception at the Presidential Mansion last evening was undoubtedly the largest that has taken place this winter." Among the visitors are Surgeon Alexander T. Augusta and Assistant Surgeon Anderson R. Abbott, both African Americans, of the 7th United States Colored Troops regiment, who are "kindly received" by the President. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 24 February 1864, 2d ed., 2:1.

President Lincoln writes to young Willie Smith, whom Lincoln has learned from "Your friend, Leroy C. Driggs...[that] you are a very earnest friend of mine." Lincoln thanks Smith for his friendship, and he encourages the boy to continue to "take so lively an interest in what just now so deeply concerns us." Smith, Lincoln writes, is a member of the generation that will one day "take charge of this country when we older ones shall have gone." Abraham Lincoln to Willie Smith, 23 February 1864, CW, 7:202.

President receives J. W. Forney and W. McLean regarding pardon for J. Y. Beall. Stevens to Lincoln, 24 February 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Informs Montgomery Blair and friends, who call at White House, that if their visit concerns Beall they will not be granted an audience. Daniel B. Lucas, Memoir of John Yates Beall: His Life, Trial, Correspondence, Diary and Private Manuscript Found among his Papers, including his own Account of the Raid in Lake Erie (Montreal: J. Lovell, 1865), 73.

In evening O. H. Browning sees Lincoln about Beall. President undecided. Looks badly and feels badly. Browning, Diary.