[Illinois Antislavery convention opens three-day meeting in Upper Alton. Call is signed by 20 residents of Springfield, 12 of whom are members of Second Presbyterian Church. Clinton L. Conkling, "History of Westminster Presbyterian Church" (MS.).]

Stuart & Lincoln obtain judgment for Lilburn Harwood by default for $508.27 in Harwood v. Forsythe & Buckner, in Morgan Circuit Court.Record.

[Christian County Circuit Court convenes for three-day term.]

Lincoln binds himself to convey tract of land he purchased to John D. Johnston or his heirs, on death of Thomas and Sarah Lincoln. Indenture: Thomas and Sarah Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln, 25 October 1841, CW, 1:262-63; Bond, 25 October 1841, CW, 1:263.

[No fall term of Coles Circuit Court is held. Shelby Circuit Court opened yesterday for three-day term.]

[Logan County Circuit Court convenes at Postville.]

[Moultrie Circuit Court convenes at Sullivan.]

[In Petersburg, Menard County Circuit Court grants divorce in Bowen v. Bowen. Lincoln wrote court decree. Photocopy.]

Meeting of Menard bar concludes.Record.

[Going up Ohio River, race develops between Lincoln's steamer and another boat. Lincoln's boat, short of fuel hitches to flatboat of wood. Lincoln, shouting "Come on boys," jumps down and pitches wood like deck hand until wood is loaded. But his efforts are unavailing, for with cheers and laughter rival boat passes them. Unpublished MS. by G. W. Forden, owned by J. R. Payton, Springfield, Ill.]

Lincoln collects $15 fee for services in Davis et ux. v. Redmond et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Taylor v. Moffett, ejectment, Lincoln for defense, is continued by agreement. Record.

Since there is no rail connection, Lincoln must have spent day traveling from Urbana to Danville.

[Vermilion Circuit Court convenes at Danville. In Springfield, Sangamon Circuit Court commences second week of its fall term. In Danville, Spencer v. White, Beckwith and Lincoln for plaintiff, is ordered tried morning of 29th. Record.

Beckwith must have managed this, for Lincoln could hardly have arrived in time. Lincoln's drug store account is charged 15¢ for ounce of "Syrup Ipecac." Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.]

During part of day Lincoln rests at Randolph House. Hotel charges the $2.50 bill for his room to the Lincoln Club. Later Col. Thomas Hamer drives him to Vermont. ISLA—Randolph House room book; Statement of Jacob Thompson, 12 November 1926.

Lincoln makes speech in rain in Vermont, standing under umbrella, to crowd of "more than one thousand." Illinois State Journal, 2 September 1858, 3:1; ISLA—John W. Procter to James R. B. Van Cleave, 1 July 1908, Van Cleave Mss. (places Lincoln in Vermont on 31 October).

In Pepper v. Shouse et al. court gives plaintiff leave to withdraw bill of exchange and then to have case redocketed. Somers represents plaintiff; Lincoln, Coler, Sims, and Sheldon are for defendant. Record.

Lincoln writes agreement in Correll et al. v. McDaniel et al., signing "Conkling & Lincoln & Herndon for adult defendants." Photocopy.

Reports have reached Lincoln that on his election army officers at Fort Kearney intend to go south with their arms and resist. Though not greatly alarmed, he writes Maj. David Hunter to find out whether there is any foundation for rumor. He thanks H. E. Hoelke, St. Louis photographer, for photographs sent. Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter, 26 October 1860, CW, 4:132; Abraham Lincoln to H. E. Hoelke, 26 October 1860, CW, 4:132.

Lincoln is visited by famous boxer, John C. Heenan, "the Benicia Boy." Illinois State Journal, 27 October 1860.

President receives numerous messages over Pacific and Atlantic telegraph opened yesterday, including one from Governor-elect Leland Stanford: "Today California is but a second's distance from the national Capital." New York Tribune, 28 October 1861; Leland Stanford to Abraham Lincoln, 25 October 1861, Record Group 107: Records of the Secretary of War; Entry 34: Telegrams Sent and Received by the War Department Central Telegraph Office, 1861-1882, National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

Visits Navy Yard in evening. New York Times, 28 October 1861.

Later, with John Hay, visits Gen. McClellan's headquarters to converse about "Jacobin Club." Hay, Letters and Diary.

Informs McClellan: "A battery of repeating guns, on wheels, can be seen at the arsenal any hour to-day. Could you, without inconvenience, see them at 3. or 4. o clock—please answer." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 26 October 1861, CW, 5:4-5.

Mrs. Eliza P. Gurney, wife of Joseph J. Gurney, English Quaker, holds prayer meeting in President's office. Lincoln says: "If I had had my way, this war would never have been commenced; . . . but we find it still continues; and we must believe that He permits it for some wise purpose of his own, mysterious and unknown to us." Nicolay to Bates, 26 October 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Reply to Eliza P. Gurney, 26 October 1862, CW, 5:478.

Records his thoughts on the Divine Will: "The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong. God can not be for, and against the same thing at the same time. . . . By his mere quiet power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds." [Lincoln did not date the original manuscript. Nicolay & Hay gives it a tentative date of September 30, 1862. CW gives it a tentative date of September 2, 1862. The date of October 26, 1862 is selected here in order to associate the document with Lincoln's interview with Mrs. Gurney of this day.] Meditation on the Divine Will, [2 September 1862], CW, 5:403-4.

"The President keeps poking sharp sticks under little Mac's ribs." Nicolay to Hay, 26 October 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes Gen. McClellan: "[Gen. James E. B.] Stuart's [CSA] cavalry outmarched ours, . . . will not a movement of our army be a relief to the cavalry, . . . But I am so rejoiced to learn . . . that you begin crossing the river this morning." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 26 October 1862, CW, 5:477.

Lincoln gives original draft of Emancipation Proclamation to ladies having charge of Northwestern Fair for Sanitary Commission in Chicago. Abraham Lincoln to Ladies in Charge of Northwestern Fair, 26 October 1863, CW, 6:539-40.

Lincoln writes to Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, of Galena, Illinois. Washburne urged Lincoln "to let some of your confidential friends know your wishes and feelings" about running for re-election. Washburne informed Lincoln that their mutual friend Thompson Campbell, a California state legislator, supports Lincoln's candidacy. Lincoln responds, "Thanks to both you and . . . Campbell, for your kind words and intentions. A second term would be a great honor and a great labor, which together, perhaps I would not decline, if tendered." Elihu B. Washburne to Abraham Lincoln, 12 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 October 1863, CW, 6:540-41.

Postmaster Gen. Blair delivers to Lincoln letter containing charges against Alexander Montgomery. Montgomery to Blair, 24 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Sec. Chase: "The writer of the accompanying letter is one of Mrs. L[incoln]'s numerous cousins. . . . I know not a thing about his loyalty beyond what he says. Supposing he is loyal, can any of his requests be granted?" Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 26 October 1863, CW, 6:537-38.

Approves courtmartial proceedings in case of Capt. James M. Cutts, Jr., brother of late Sen. Douglas' (Ill.) second wife, and remits sentence. Writes reprimand [that may have been delivered in personal interview]: "You have too much of life yet before you, and have shown too much of promise as an officer, for your future to be lightly surrendered. . . . No man resolved to make the most of himself, can spare time for personal contention." Abraham Lincoln to James M. Cutts, Jr., 26 October 1863, CW, 6:538-39. [See July 18, 1863.]

In evening, President and Tad go to see the comedies Handy Andy and A Lesson for Husbands, starring Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence at Grover's Theatre. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 October 1863, 2d ed., 3:5, 27 October 1863, 2d ed., 2:1.

President receives petition from citizens of Allen and Barren Counties in Ky. asking refund of money assessed by military authorities. Abraham Lincoln to John R. Underwood and Henry Grider, 26 October 1864, CW, 8:77-78.

Orders discharge of "Big Eagle," Indian confined at Davenport, Iowa. Order for Discharge of Big Eagle, 26 October 1864, CW, 8:76.