Senate reports concurrence in passage of Lincoln's toll bridge bill. Lincoln votes against resolution requesting Judiciary committee to inquire into expediency of making prosecutor liable for costs in suit brought by state and not sustained.House Journal.

On motion of Lincoln it is "Resolved, that the committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures" inquire into expediency of authorizing publication of general state laws in newspapers.House Journal; Resolution Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Instruct Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures to Inquire into the Publishing of State Laws, [26 December 1835], CW, 1:44.

[House celebrates Christmas; no session.]

[Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. A. G. Henry and Archibald Job, commissioners appointed to erect new state house in Springfield, report pursuant to resolution of Hankins of Fayette, adopted December 21, 1838.House Journal.]

As member of joint select committee to investigate state bank, Lincoln attends first of almost daily hearings. He delivers subtreasury speech in evening. "A speech which no man can answer, but Calhoun will try Saturday evening," says Quincy Whig (January 4, 1840). Speech on the Sub-Treasury, [26] December 1839, CW, 1:159-79; Sangamo Journal, 6 March 1840.

[House of Representatives meets without quorum and adjourns.]

Wilson v. Alexander (SC), case from Tazewell County involving forged note, is argued by Lincoln for appellant and Thomas for appellee. On December 29, 1842 judgment is reversed with costs and case remanded for another hearing consistent with Justice Treat's opinion.Record.

He writes reply to petition in Payne & Alexander v. Frazier & FrazierHerndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On motion of plaintiff, defendant is ruled to join in error by tomorrow in Blue v. Allen et ux. (SC), appeal from Livingston County. Logan & Lincoln appear for plaintiff in error.Record.

Supreme Court accepts motion in Wren v. Moss et al., and orders defendants to appear at next term.Record.

Lincoln's account is debited $3.50 for money paid to Biddle, tailor.Irwin Ledger.

Eldridge v. Rowe (SC) is argued by Peters for appellant and Lincoln for appellee. Logan for appellee in Ellis v. Locke (SC) moves default (December 17, 1845) be set aside and order of reversal for nonjoinder in error be vacated and case dismissed. J. J. Brown concludes argument in Cunningham v. Fithian et al.Record.

Lincoln writes Pension commissioner asking status of land warrant claims of two constituents, John Huckleberry and Thomas Collins of Sangamon County, Mexican War veterans.Abraham Lincoln to the Commissioner of Pensions, 26 December 1847, CW, 1:422.

In Supreme Court, Bushnell commences plaintiffs' argument in Smith & Dunlap v. Dunlap. He is followed by Williams for defense. Case involves note of Dunlap for $131,480.52, payable in State of Illinois indebtedness, held by assignees of Bank of Illinois. Lincoln is one of plaintiffs' counsel. Record.

Lincoln writes to H. E. Dummer: "Butler has just shown me your letter to him concerning the Grubb debt; and, in relation to your intimation that you might be induced to sell it, he desires me to say to you that, in a few daysover three months he is sure to get the principal of the debt (without interest) and that . . . he will entertain any proposition you may make, to sell." Abraham Lincoln to Henry E. Dummer, 26 December 1853, CW, 2:209.

[One of the Lincoln boys brings home from John Williams' store a pair of "Linen Kid Gloves." Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.]

In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files declaration and bond in C. W. Green & Co. v. W. S. Berry & Co.. Files.

He writes $5 check to Martin Walters, printer. DLC—Original.

Lincoln deposits $400 in his bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

Cabinet meets and approves reasons for surrender of Mason and Slidell. Frederick W. Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 189.

President directs Chief of Ordnance to order 10,000 Spencer repeating rifles. Bruce, Tools of War, 116.

Cabinet meets. Principal topic for attention is new state of West Virginia. Welles, Diary.

President has audience with Baron de Stoeckl, to receive thanks of Imperial government for reception given Russian navy. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 December 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

Interviews David Clark, member-elect of Maryland Legislature, regarding imprisonment of former Gov. Thomas G. Pratt (Md.). Blair to Lincoln, 26 December 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Releases prisoner of war and writes to U. F. Linder: "Your son Dan. has just left me, with my order to the Sec. of War, to administer to him the oath of allegiance, discharge him & send him to you." Abraham Lincoln to Usher F. Linder, 26 December 1863, CW, 7:94; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 26 December 1863, CW, 7:95.

Orders Judge Adv. Gen. Holt: "Let the Surgeon General [William A. Hammond] be put upon trial by a court, as suggested by the Judge Advocate General." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 26 December 1863, CW, 7:93-94.

Writes Sec. Stanton : "Shall we go down the river to-morrow? And if so, at what hour shall we leave the wharf? and which wharf? Mrs. L. & Tad, perhaps would go. I am not at all urgent about it, & would not have you incur the least inconvenience for it." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 26 December 1863, CW, 7:95.

President gives Christmas reception at White House. N.Y. Herald, 29 December 1864.

Lincoln writes to thank General William T. Sherman and "your whole army" for "your Christmas gift—the capture of Savannah [Georgia]." Lincoln confesses, "I was anxious, if not fearful" when he learned of Sherman's plan to take Savannah, "but feeling that you were the better judge, and remembering that 'nothing risked, nothing gained' I did not interfere." Lincoln concludes, "But what next? I suppose it will be safer if I leave Gen. [Ulysses S.] Grant and yourself to decide." William T. Sherman to Abraham Lincoln, 22 December 1864, Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 26 December 1864, CW, 8:181-82.