[Tazewell Circuit Court opens for two-week term. On docket are 23 criminal, 78 chancery, and 229 common law cases. Court attracts 25 lawyers, including most of Peoria bar, and Stuart, Lincoln, Baker, Logan, Doremus, D. B. Campbell, and Urquhart from Springfield. Judge Wm. Thomas of first circuit exchanges circuits with Judge Treat.Record.]

[Seventeenth issue of The Old Soldier is published. Old Soldier (Springfield, IL), Issue 17, 23 September 1840.]

Lincoln delivers and files special plea to set aside default (September 17, 1841) in Field v. Averill & Lowell. Judgment is sustained and defendants allowed appeal.Record.

[Woodford Circuit Court holds first session at Versailles. Logan & Lincoln are represented by Logan, while Lincoln apparently goes to Clinton, arriving in time to file bill in chancery (real estate) in Peter v. Martin et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

[Woodford Circuit Court is in session today and tomorrow].

[Livingston Circuit Court holds one-day session.]

Lincoln buys curry comb (25¢).Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln writes pleas, signing for Davis and Lincoln, in People v. Barnard. He appears with Davis in Duffy v. Ward. Duffy gives note for $20 each to his attorneys for services. Case continued.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

DeWitt Circuit Court convenes for fall term. Stuart and Lincoln appear for defendants in Ayers v. Griffin et al. Court decrees that by reason of defendant's insolvency conveyance of lands made by him was fraudulent. Moore v. Grosh et al., before court April 29, 1847, is dismissed by agreement. Lincoln is attorney for defendants. Record.

Lincoln files complainants' petition for release from bond in Watson & Lloyd v. Troxel et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln congratulates Seward on his speech. "I have been thinking about what you said in your speech. I reckon you are right. We have got to deal with this slavery question, and got to give more attention to it hereafter than we have been doing."William H. Seward, Autobiography of William H. Seward, edited by Frederick W. Seward, vol. 1 of Seward at Washington (New York: Derby & Miller, 1891), 79-8on.

He then starts on his journey home.Boston Atlas, 25 September 1848.

Lincoln writes Secretary Ewing declining Oregon governorship, about which Lincoln read in the papers. He sends letter to Dr. A. G. Henry at Springfield, for dispatch through Whig channels. They hold it up, thinking Lincoln has declined in haste and might reconsider. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 27 September 1849, CW, 2:65; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 27 September 1849, CW, 2:66.

Defendant in People v. Hawley posts bond for appearance. Lincoln and Parker win Ely v. Kirk when jury finds for defendant. Record.

Lincoln gives J. A. Crain receipt for $10, for fee in Crain v. Walter et al. "except a contingent fee as per his written promise to me." Emanuel Hertz, Abraham Lincoln: A New Portrait, 2 vols. (New York: Liveright, 1931), 605.

Lincoln writes replication and demurrer in People v. Moss et al., in which, with Campbell and Stuart, he acts for People. Photocopy.

Two of Lincoln's cases are called and continued. Record.

Lincoln writes affidavit of Samuel Hall in Perkins v. Hall and has it sworn by defendant. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Woodford Circuit Court begins fall term. Lincoln wins appeal, Marteny v. McCloud, when jury awards plaintiff $10. Troster v. Brown, trespass, Lincoln for defendant, is continued. Record.

Lincoln writes to Illinois Central Railroad attorney Mason Brayman, of Chicago, and reports, "I have drawn on the I.C. R R Co or rather on you on their account, for $100." Lincoln explains, "The reason I have taken this liberty is, that since last fall, by your request I have declined all new business against the road, and out of which I suppose I could have realized several hundred dollars; [I] have attended . . . to a great variety of . . . business for the Co . . . and have received nothing. I wish now to be charged with this sum, to be taken into account on settlement." Abraham Lincoln to Mason Brayman, 23 September 1854, CW, 2:233-34.

Blanton et ux. v. Withers et al. is dismissed by Lincoln. Issue is joined in Chicago & Mississippi RR v. McLean County Bank & Gridley, bill for specific performance, Lincoln for complainant. Court finds for railroad; defendant is ordered to pay trust fund and costs, and granted appeal to Supreme Court. Record.

Fremont meeting is held at old State House. Speaking starts at one o'clock. Lincoln, who arrives after meeting has opened, is second speaker. "He demonstrated that the Republicans are walking in the 'old paths'—read the recorded sentiments of Washington, Jefferson and others, and dwelt at length upon the position of Henry Clay, (now quoted against him,) the Nestor of the old Whig party." Speech at Vandalia, Illinois, 23 September 1856, CW, 2:377-78.

[At Taylorville, Christian County Commissioner's Court orders Lincoln paid $50 fee in Overholt & Squier v. Christian County, Illinois. Record.]

Lincoln concludes his argument. T. D. Lincoln, for plaintiffs, speaks balance of day. Speech to the Jury in the Rock Island Bridge Case, Chicago, Illinois, 23 September 1857, CW, 2:415-22; Chicago Press, 25 September 1857.

Before leaving town, Lincoln writes Judd suggesting German speaker be sent to Vermilion County. "I believe we have got the gentleman, unless they overcome us by fraudulent voting. . . . How can we prevent it?" Abraham Lincoln to Norman B. Judd, 23 September 1858, CW, 3:202.

He reaches Urbana about 3, while Douglas is speaking, and is escorted to "the private mansion of old Mr. Bradley," where many visit him. "As I write," correspondent says, "the Danville band and the Urbana band are giving him a fine serenade, and hundreds of Republicans, many of them old Henry Clay and Webster Whigs, are in procession." Illinois State Journal, 27 September 1858, 2:3.

President receives telegram from Gen. Anderson, Louisville, Ky.: "Company of regular infantry absolutely necessary for ordnance stores and a provost guard." Anderson to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Seward at White House at 8 P.M. to discuss Gen. Fremont. Seward to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[John G. Nicolay adds to furnishings of Executive Offices with purchase of mahogany sofa ($24.00) and 6 chairs ($18.00) from G. M. Wight. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 142-060.]

Lincoln writes to an unknown recipient regarding reimbursement for Mr. Garton, who "is represented to me by good authority to have done valuable service for the Government, and to have made many sacrifices. I think his account is a very reasonable one and ought to be paid. Let no merely technical objection stand in the way of the payment." Abraham Lincoln to Unknown, 23 September 1862, IHi; CW, 8:417.

Lincoln on regular evening visit to telegraph office decides to withhold telegram to R. A. Maxwell. David H. Bates, Lincoln Stories Told by him in the Military Office in the War Department during the Civil War (New York: Rudge, 1926), 37; Abraham Lincoln to Robert A. Maxwell, 23 September 1863, CW, 6:475-76.

Sends to Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga copy of dispatch from Gen. Braxton Bragg (CSA). "You see he does not claim so many prisoners or captured guns, as you were inclined to concede. He also confesses to heavy loss." Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 23 September 1863, CW, 6:476.

Returns to city from Soldiers' Home late at night for cabinet meeting called by Sec. Stanton at War Dept. Reinforcements of all kinds to go to Army of Cumberland by rail in seven days. Orderly escorts President to Soldiers' Home after meeting. Flower, Stanton, 203-4; Hay, Letters and Diary.

President accepts offer of Postmaster Gen. Blair: "You have generously said to me more than once, that whenever your resignation could be a relief to me, it was at my disposal. The time has come." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery Blair, 23 September 1864, CW, 8:18-19.

Cabinet meets. Atty. Gen. Bates learns from Blair that President has accepted Blair's resignation. Bates, Diary; Welles, Diary.