[After all-day ride from Dixon's Ferry, Gen. Atkinson arrives in Ottawa.Atkinson's Letter Book, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.]

In Vest v. Williams et al., trespass, jury is called and plaintiff drops case. Lincoln appears for defendant.Record.

He writes and signs pleas in Moore v. White, and writes defendant's affidavit in Ewing v. Goodman.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On the final day of the Coles County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents plaintiff John Morris in Morris for use of R. & E. W. Taylor & Company v. Jones et al. The parties agree to proceed without a jury and to allow Judge William Wilson to make the final judgment. After the attorneys present the evidence and argue their case before the court, Judge Wilson rules for Morris and orders Jones and others to pay $290.40 and the court costs. In the slander case of Turney v. Craig, Lincoln represents plaintiff Benjamin D. Turney. Usher F. Linder, the attorney for defendant Archalaus Craig, asks the court to continue the case until the next term; the court grants Linder's request.Judgment, 28 May 1842, Morris for use of R. & E. W. Taylor & Company v. Jones et al., Court Record 1, 468; Order, 28 May 1842, Turney v. Craig, Court Record 1, 466, both in Coles County Circuit Court, Coles County Courthouse, Charleston, IL.

It appears from affidavits field in Wren v. Wren that Lincoln is in Peoria until May 31, 1844.Record.

[Macon Circuit Court convenes for two-day term.]

[Moultrie Circuit Court convenes at Sullivan.]

In Hill v. Whitley, trespass, Emerson and Lincoln for plaintiff win judge's leave to take depositions. Rhodes v. Helm, assumpsit, Emerson and Lincoln for plaintiff, is dismissed by agreement, each party paying his costs. Record.

Lincoln and Lamon, representing defendants, lose three suits. In Phelps v. Benedict, appeal, plaintiff is awarded $38.75 damages; in Prather v. Strain, also appeal, damages are $7; in People v. McCardle et al., jury finds defendants guilty of petit larceny and court fines them $5 each. Two other cases are continued and one is settled by agreement. Record.

Lincoln takes part in four jury trials. In Persons v. Harris, and Persons v. Harris & Harris, he and Lamon represent defendants. In both cases plaintiffs are awarded damages: $74.50 and costs in first, and $45 and costs in second. Millikin v. Jefferson, in which Lincoln is one of several attorneys for plaintiff, results in verdict for defendant; in Martin v. Frothingham et al. his client is also defeated. Record.

Early in morning Lincoln leaves by train for Bloomington. There he goes to home of David Davis. In evening, crowds gather before Pike House, and Lincoln leads off with speech. Palmer, Wentworth, Washburne and others follow. Illinois State Journal, 29 May 1856; Register, 31 May 1856; Chicago Democratic Press, 30 May 1856; Henry C. Whitney, Life on the Circuit with Lincoln (Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1892), 73-74; Speech at Bloomington, Illinois, 28 May 1856, CW, 2:340-41.

Lincoln writes to Jonathan Cooper and Hugh Reynolds, Peoria lawyers, about law case on which he expects court action soon, Eshrick, Black & Co. v. Tobias, Hittle & Co.Abraham Lincoln to Jonathan K. Cooper and Hugh W. Reynolds, 28 May 1857, CW, 2:396.

In Joyner v. Bowen & Marvel in U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln files separate answer and affidavit of defendant Daniel Bowen. Validity of land title is involved. Lincoln pleads statute of limitations. Files.

He writes to I. S. Piper opinion on debt question. Abraham Lincoln to I[srael?] S. Piper, 28 May 1858, CW, 2:455-56.

In response to inquiry from governor, auditor, and treasurer of Illinois, Lincoln and Logan write legal opinion as to official duty under recent act "in relation to the payment of the principal and interest of the State debt." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Bissell, Jesse K. Dubois and James Miller, 28 May 1859, CW, 3:381-83.

He files declaration in Gaylord, Son & Co. v. Lansing & Ostrom in U.S. Circuit Court. Files.

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to Elizabethtown, Kentucky resident Samuel Haycraft, who seeks to verify Lincoln's biographical information. Lincoln writes, "In the main you are right about my history. My father was Thomas Lincoln, and Mrs. Sally Johnston, was his second wife. You are mistaken about my mother—her maiden name was Nancy Hanks. I was not born at Elizabethtown; but my mother's first child, a daughter, two years older than myself, and now long since deceased, was. . . . My father has been dead near ten years; but my step-mother . . . is still living. I am really very glad of your letter, and shall be pleased to receive another at any time." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Haycraft, 28 May 1860, CW, 4:56-57.

President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, host a reception for various "civil and military dignitaries." A newspaper reports, "President Lincoln looked in good health and spirits, and welcomed his friends with that genuine expression of pleasure which makes all feel perfectly at ease in his presence. Mrs. Lincoln also looked exceedingly well, and did the honors of the White House with easy grace. . . . Before breaking up, President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln passed among their visitors in the East Room, and entertained a pleasant little company some time after the hours of the levee had closed." The Marine Band provided music for the event, "as usual." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 29 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 29 May 1861, 3:2; New York Herald, 29 May 1861, 1:2; New York Daily Tribune, 29 May 1861, 5:1.

President appears before Committee on Conduct of War and describes 400-foot railroad bridge across Potomac built by Col. Haupt as having nothing in it but cornstalks and beanpoles. Flower, Stanton, 225.

Spends part of evening at War Department. Browning, Diary.

Stops by Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St. NW., where Mrs. Lincoln and party are attending concert by opera star Clara Louise Kellogg. David R. Barbee, "The Musical Mr. Lincoln," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 5 (December 1949):450-51.

Recommends Marshal Ward H. Lamon as "my particular friend, born and raised at Bunker-Hill, an excellent horseman, and, I think, will be most valuable for scouting purposes." Recommendation for Ward H. Lamon, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:247.

Telegraphs Gen. McClellan: "I am very glad of Gen: F. J. [Fitz John] Porter's victory [Hanover Court House]. Still, if it was a total rout of the enemy, I am puzzled to know why the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad was not seized. . . . That the whole force of the enemy is concentrating in Richmond, I think can not be certainly known to you or me. . . . I am painfully impressed with the importance of the struggle before you; and I shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to all points." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:244-45.

Telegraphs Gen. McDowell at Manassas Junction: "You say Gen. [John W.] Geary's scouts report they find no enemy this side of the Blue Ridge. Neither do I. Have they been to the Blue Ridge looking for them? . . . I think the evidence now preponderates that [Gen. Richard S.] Ewell [(CSA)] and Jackson are still about Winchester. Assuming this, it is, for you a question of legs. Put in all the speed you can. I have told Fremont as much, and directed him to drive at them as fast as possible. By the way, I suppose you know, Fremont has got up to Moorefield, instead of going to Harrisonburg." Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:246; Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:246.

Sen. McDougall (Calif.) calls and asks that Maj. Kip may be made brigadier general. Memorandum: Appointment of Lawrence Kip, 28 May 1863, CW, 6:236.

President confers again with J. R. Gilmore and declines to give official countenance to Col. Jaquess' project to try to arrange a peace. James R. Gilmore, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War (Boston: Page, 1898), 155-56.

Authorizes Gen. Rosecrans to give Jacquess furlough to go into Confederate territory to seek out members of Methodist Church and others opposed to war and to arrange terms for their return to allegiance which would be acceptable to government. Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 28 May 1863, CW, 6:236.

At 11:00 A.M. Lincoln replies briefly to resolutions presented by delegation from American Baptist Home Missionary Society. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 May 1864, 2d ed., 2:5; Reply to Delegation of Baptists, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365.

Transmits to Senate partial report of secretary of state and documentation relative to Mexican affairs. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365.

Answers inquiry of Cornelius A. Walborn, postmaster at Philadelphia, regarding visit to Great Central Fair: "Whether I can during it's continuance must depend on circumstances." Abraham Lincoln to Cornelius A. Walborn, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365-66.

[Sometime during this week Mrs. Lincoln visits Armory Square Hospital in capital and gives flower seeds. Gazette comments: "We have been under obligations to this excellent woman, for contributions of flowers to place in the Coffins of our deceased Soldiers, sent home for burial." Armory Square Hospital Gazette (Washington, DC), 28 May 1864, 2:4.]