Sangamon County Circuit Court opens fall term. Judge Stephen T. Logan presides. Among lawyers present are Lincoln, Stuart, Henry E. Dummer, Dan Stone, George Forquer, Samuel H. Treat, Cyrus Walker, Josephus Hewett, Edward D. Baker, and Thomas Moffett. Record.

First of "Old Settler" letters, perhaps written by Lincoln, appears in "Journal." Adams is accused of irregularities in acquisition of lots in Springfield. In article is letter of Elijah Iles giving details of another case, in which he claims Adams dealt unfairly. Sangamo Journal, 7 October 1837.

Duelling spirit aroused by Lincoln-Shields affair brings challenge from Shields to William Butler. Butler accepts and selects rifles at 100 yards in Robert Allen's pasture Tuesday morning. To this Whiteside, Shields' second, will not agree and it is called off.Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 5 October 1842, CW, 1:302-3.

Lincoln argues his motion for new trial in People v. Spurgeon et al. Lincoln is attorney for Joseph and Nathan Spurgeon. Court overrules motion as to Joseph, and sustains it as to Nathan. Joseph is fined $20 and costs. Lincoln appears for plaintiff in State Bank of Illinois v. Mitchell et al., and moves court set aside sale of real estate.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Whig rally and barbecue is addressed by Lincoln, D. M. Woodson, William I. Ferguson, and others. Much enthusiasm is expressed and all appear confident of success at polls.Sangamo Journal, 10 October 1844; Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye, 26 October 1844.

[Piatt Circuit Court convenes at Monticello.]

Lincoln writes to Williamson Durley, Hennepin Whig, about politics. He expresses belief that Henry Clay would have been elected President in 1844 if Liberty Party had voted for him. He professes little interest in Texas question, but outlines his views on slavery. Abraham Lincoln to Williamson Durley, 3 October 1845, CW, 1:347-48.

[Voyage inspires Lincoln to thoughts about how lake boats could be lifted over shoals. In subsequent weeks, in leisure time after election, he designs buoy. [See also March 10, 1848, and May 22, 1849.]Application for Patent on an Improved Method of Lifting Vessels over Shoals, 10 March 1849, CW, 2:32-36.]

Thompson v. Henline is tried by jury, which disagrees and case is continued. Lincoln writes replication, defendant's plea, and joinder in issue. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Peter Doty, clerk of Woodford Circuit Court: "Herein is the writ . . . which I brought off to get the Sheriff's return amended. Please place it with the papers again." He writes Mason Brayman that he is free to make engagement with Illinois Central in McLean County case: " 'Count me in'. . . . I shall be here at least ten days." Abraham Lincoln to Peter Doty, 3 October 1853, CW, 2:205; Abraham Lincoln to Mason Brayman, 3 October 1853, CW, 2:205.

State Fair is in progress, and politicians make it occasion for meetings. In afternoon Douglas speaks in hall of House. Singleton and Harris follow with short talks. When they have finished, Lincoln announces that he or Trumbull, or both, will answer Douglas next day. Chicago Journal, 5 October 1854.

In Tazewell Circuit Court, in session for fall term, Lincoln writes and files replication in Abbey for use of Barney v. Abbey. Instead of signing his own name, he writes "Saltonstall, p.q." at end of plea. Photocopy.

In Gray v. French, pending in Supreme Court, Lincoln makes and files affidavit concerning paternity of child. He also writes and files assignment of errors. Privately owned.

Lincoln arrives in morning and registers at Tremont House. Chicago Journal, 3 October 1859.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys dress trimming at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 159.]

Lincoln inscribes photograph for Mrs. Lucy G. Speed, mother of Joshua F. Speed, "from whose pious hand I accepted the present of an Oxford Bible twenty years ago." Inscription on Photograph Given to Mrs. Lucy G. Speed, 3 October 1861, CW, 4:546.

Sends letter of condolence to Isabel II, Queen of Spain, on death of Infanta Maria de Regla. Abraham Lincoln to Isabel II, 3 October 1861, CW, 4:547.

Orders Uintah Valley in Utah set apart as Indian reservation. Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, 3 October 1861, CW, 4:548.

With Mrs. Lincoln and public officials attends flag presentation ceremonies for 7th New Jersey Regiment. N.Y. Herald, 6 October 1861.

Mrs. Lincoln borrows "Oeuvres de Victor Hugo, Vol. 13" from Library of Congress. Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At sunrise President and O. M. Hatch walk to nearby hilltop. Surveying army camp, Lincoln comments: "This is General McClellan's bodyguard." During morning reviews Gen. Burnside's corps and cavalry near Antietam battleground. At midday President and McClellan ride in ambulances three miles to Bakersville, Maryland, for review of cavalry and troops of Gen. Fitz John Porter's and Gen. Franklin's corps. On three-mile ride Marshal Lamon sings several comic ballads [which later result in much public criticism of President]. Lincoln poses for half-dozen group pictures. Again sleeps in tent next to McClellan's headquarters. Lamon, Recollections, 147-48; LL, No. 1277; Memorandum Concerning Ward H. Lamon and the Antietam Episode, c. 12 September 1864, CW, 7:548-50; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 October 1862, 2d ed., 1:5.

Asks Gen. Halleck if cartel to prevent use of paroled prisoners prohibits using them for fighting Indians. Paroled prisoner may not discharge any duties of a soldier. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 3 October 1862, CW, 5:449.

[During the course of the week, Mrs. Lincoln distributes more than one thousand pounds of grapes to the wounded and sick in hospital in Washington. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 October 1862, 2d ed., 2:1.]

President by proclamation sets last Thursday of November as day of thanksgiving. Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 3 October 1863, CW, 6:496-97; Washington Chronicle, 4 October 1863.

Confers with Sec. Welles on proposed instructions for naval officers. Welles, Diary.

Interviews Gov. Bradford (Md.) regarding enlistment of slaves of loyal Marylanders along with other Negroes. Bradford to Lincoln, 1 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Requests Gen. William Birney at Baltimore: "Please give me, as near as you can, the number of slaves you have recruited in Maryland. Of course, the number is not to include the free colored." Abraham Lincoln to William Birney, 3 October 1863, CW, 6:495.

President is visited by his substitute, John S. Staples, accompanied by Provost Marshal General Fry, Noble D. Larner, in charge of Third Ward, and Staples' father. Shakes hands with recruit and expresses hope that he will be one of the fortunate ones. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 1 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4, 3 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:5.

President interviews Morris L. Hallowell, Philadelphia cotton dealer accompanied by J. W. Forney, and recommends that secretary of treasury assist Hallowell to get certain cotton out of Arkansas. Abraham Lincoln to William P. Fessenden, 3 October 1864, CW, 8:35.

Recognizes Jose S. Prieto as consul of Republic of Mexico. Washington Chronicle, 7 October 1864.

O. H. Browning visits Lincoln in evening at Soldiers' Home. Browning, Diary.