Lincoln buys share of stock in Beardstown and Sangamon Canal, paying $1 down and owing $4. Seventy-eight shares are bought by 65 others, mostly New Salem and Petersburg residents.Photocopy.

Bill to appropriate residue of Vermilion Saline lands to Vermilion County for bridge across Big Vermilion River is referred to select committee of five, which includes Lincoln. Evening session is devoted to discussion on per diem of members.House Journal.

Whigs open 1840 presidential campaign at evening meeting. Lincoln states object, and suggests committee to draft address to people "setting forth the causes of our opposition to the present administration and recommending all the opponents of misrule of the Government to unite upon the common platform of Union and compromise."Sangamo Journal, 16 March 1839.

Bill for completion of Illinois and Michigan Canal passes 37-33, Lincoln voting aye. Speaker appoints standing committee on unfinished business composed of Lincoln, Leary of Cook, and Woodson of Greene. Lincoln votes to memorialize Congress to continue Cumberland Road to Mississippi.House Journal.

At Robert Irwin & Co., bank and general store, Lincoln opens a personal account with a balance of $32.50 in credit.Account (copy), 27 February 1841, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Dorman et ux. v. Lane (SC) is argued by Lincoln for plaintiff and Trumbull for defendant. Case was started by defendant in error, as administrator, in Gallatin Circuit Court for sale of real estate to satisfy debts against decedent's estate.Record.

After decision is read in Graves v. Bruen & Bruen, Lincoln moves case be remanded for new trial. He writes and files petition for rehearing of Rogers v. Dickey. Appellant in Dockum v. Throckmorton and Everett having failed to file record, Lincoln moves appeal be dismissed. Motion allowed with costs against appellant. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln, with associates in Lane v. Dorman et ux. , Edward Jones and Samuel D. Marshall, accepts from William Dorman and wife bond for deed worth $1,200. If they win, land covered by deed will be theirs. If they lose, they will charge reasonable fee. File.

Lincoln votes to establish temporary territorial government for Upper California. Bill passes 126-87. Globe.

In evening speaker Winthrop entertains Gen. Taylor "in company with a large number of the Members of both Houses of Congress and other distinguished persons." National Intelligencer, 2 March 1849.

Lincoln is not mentioned but may have attended. Lincoln writes two short notes to Taylor recommending Edward D. Baker for cabinet, enclosing testimonial papers. Abraham Lincoln to Zachary Taylor, 27 February 1849, CW, 2:30; Abraham Lincoln to Zachary Taylor, [c. 27 February 1849], CW, 2:30.

Lincoln writes to William Martin of Alton, Illinois, regarding the case of Alton & Sangamon RR v. Barret, scheduled to come before the Sangamon County Circuit Court in the March term. Lincoln & Herndon represent the railroad, which is suing James A. Barret, who refused to pay his subscription payments for railroad stock. Barret stopped the payments after the railroad altered the construction of a route line. Barret owned property along the railroad's original proposed route. The route alteration bypassed Barret's property. Lincoln explains to Martin, a commissioner for the sale of stock in the railroad, that Barret "has sent in a proposal" in an attempt to resolve the issue. Lincoln asks Martin to respond to the question of whether or not "the board...[has] the legal authority to release a stockholder in whole or in part" from his subscription obligation. Abraham Lincoln to William Martin, 27 February 1851, Alton & Sangamon RR v. Barret, Private Collection; CW 11:6.

John O. Johnson visits office of Lincoln & Herndon and they read letter Johnson has received from Senator Trumbull. Late in 1857 Lincoln hired Johnson as political organizer. Herndon to Trumbull, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 18 December 1857, CW, 2:428-29.

Visitors call at Astor House to see Lincoln, and he refuses invitations to speak at Patterson and Orange. Illinois State Journal, 3 March 1860.

In evening, Lincoln speaks before a large audience gathered at the Cooper Institute. He interprets the intent of the U.S. Constitution's framers and the power of the "Federal Government to control...slavery in our Federal Territories." In regard to the Dred Scott decision, Lincoln declares that the Supreme Court was "mistaken" when it determined that "the right of property in a slave is distinctly and expressly affirmed in the Constitution." A newspaper reports that his remarks drew "frequent and irrepressible applause." New York Daily Tribune, 28 February 1860, 6:1-5; Address at Cooper Institute, New York City, 27 February 1860, CW, 3:522-50.

Lincoln walks two miles and holds long interview with former Sen. John Bell (Tenn.) before breakfast. N.Y. Times, 28 February 1861.

Washington, D. C. Mayor James G. Berret extends an official welcome to President-elect Lincoln, who resides at the Willard's Hotel. Mayor Berret expresses hope that Lincoln will "restore peace and harmony to our now distracted country." Lincoln acknowledges the "ill feeling that has existed and still exists between the people of the section from whence I came and the people here." He declares, "I have not now any purpose to withhold from you any of the benefits of the constitution . . . that I would not feel myself constrained to withhold from my own neighbors." New York Herald, 28 February 1861, 1:3; Reply to Mayor James G. Berret at Washington, DC, 27 February 1861, CW, 4:246-47.

Receives clerks of executive departments. Talks with Sen. Douglas (Ill.) who stays late to make impassioned plea for conciliation of South. National Intelligencer, 1 March 1861; Fletcher Pratt, History of the Civil War (New York: Pocket Books, 1956), 4.

Goes to Capitol and receives justices of Supreme Court in afternoon. N.Y. Times, 28 February 1861.

At 9 P.M. group of border statesmen, including former Sec. of Treasury James Guthrie of Kentucky and Alexander W. Doniphan of Missouri, calls to talk compromise. William E. Baringer, A House Dividing: Lincoln as President Elect (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1945), 315.

President appoints two-member commission to examine cases of state prisoners remaining in military custody. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 February 1862, 2d ed., 3:5.

Converses with Congressman William D. Kelley (Pa.) at White House about General George B. McClellan and Harper's Ferry, Va., secretary of war arrives at 7 P.M. with dispatches from McClellan. Long conference interrupted by entrance of General Randolph B. Marcy, McClellan's father-in-law and chief of staff. President, obviously dissatisfied with McClellan, says: "The general impression is daily gaining ground that the General does not intend to do anything." William D. Kelley, Lincoln and Stanton: A Study of the War Administration of 1861 and 1862: with Special Consideration of Some Recent Statements of Gen. George B. McClellan (New York: Putnam, 1885), 24-29; Notebook, 1862, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 142.

Because of ill health General Winfield Scott declines appointment to Mexico as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. Senate Executive Journal, XII, 136; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 27 February 1862, CW, 5:138.

Mrs. Lincoln is ill today. Boston Advertiser, 28 February 1862.

President and Sec. Chase discuss appointment of collectors for Hartford district in Connecticut. Chase to Lincoln, 2 March 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. Elijah Babbitt (Pa.) urges President to appoint son of Judge Garrick Mallery to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of John C. Mallery, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:119.

Several senators and representatives call on President concerning report on California trade. Memorandum Concerning Report on California Trade, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:119.

Lincoln writes B. Williams, who seeks appointment for nephew: "I really wish to oblige you; but the best I can do is to keep the papers, and try to find a place before long." Abraham Lincoln to Barney Williams, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:120.

Lincoln visits Capitol to see "Antrobus," a picture of Gen. Grant. Chicago Tribune, 28 February 1864.

White House reception "pretty well" attended by visitors and foreign dignitaries. National Intelligencer, 29 February 1864.

Lincoln replies to Sec. Stanton 's request for instructions in relation to report of special commission to revise the enrollment and quotas of the city and state of New York: "I think this report may, on full consideration, be shown to have much that is valuable in it, . . . and that it be especially considered whether it's suggestions can be conformed to without an alteration of the law." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 27 February 1864, CW, 7:210-11.

President lays before Senate treaty with Indian tribes in Oregon. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 27 February 1865, CW, 8:322.

Interviews Cong. Arnold (Ill.), who is seeking an appointment. Arnold to Lincoln, 28 February 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes note: "Will Mr. Dickson, Chief Engineer of Hibernia please pump the water out of a certain well, which Tad will show?" ["Hibernia" was fire engine sent from Philadelphia during War and remained in capital for some time.] Abraham Lincoln to ? Dickson, 27 February 1865, CW, 8:319.

Inquires of Gov. Fletcher (Mo.): "Have you received my letter of the 20th? I think some such thing as therein suggested, is needed. If you put it before the people, I will direct the Military to co-operate. Please answer." [Lincoln proposed policy of each leaving all others alone as possible solution of Missouri's problem of unorganized fighting.] Abraham Lincoln to Thomas C. Fletcher, 27 February 1865, CW, 8:319-20.