Lincoln and William G. Green sign David Rutledge's bond for $150. Rutledge contracts to convey to Alexander and Martin S. Trent before July 1, 1833 east half of Lot 5 in first survey, New Salem.Photocopy; Bond of David Rutledge, 31 January 1833, CW, 1:16-17.

Select committee recommends rejection of bill relative to attorney general's duties. On motion of Stuart, bill is referred to new select committee composed of Lincoln, Stuart, and Harris of Macoupin. Lincoln votes with majority for third reading of "act for the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal."House Journal.

Amendment to act incorporating Alton Marine and Fire Insurance Co., reserving to legislature right to alter, amend, or repeal act, is lost, 46 nays, 36 yeas. Lincoln votes nay. Internal improvement bill passes House, 61 to 25. Seven Sangamon representatives vote for bill. House Journal.

Lincoln reports from Committee on Finance, without amendment, "act to regulate the interest on Auditor's warrants," and recommends its passage. He votes with majority to turn down amendment intended to exempt warrants for building state house. He is appointed to represent Sangamon on committee to arrange time of holding circuit courts.House Journal.

He writes to William Butler asking details of Butler's claim for bank fees, and relating how Whigs defeated Democrats in fight over "Anti-Sub-Treasury resolutions."Abraham Lincoln to William Butler, 31 January 1839, CW, 1:140-41.

Lincoln votes yea on bill to incorporate Springfield.House Journal.

Large Whig meeting is held in evening in House. Addresses are made by Gen. Thornton, O. H. Browning, E. D. Baker, Alexander P. Field, and others. Lincoln does not speak but probably attends.Sangamo Journal, 7 February 1840.

Argument is continued in Fitch et al. v. Pinckard et al. by Hall and N. D. Strong for plaintiffs and Hardin for defendants.Record.

Lincoln's petition for re-hearing in Patterson et ux. v. Edwards et al. is denied. Argument in Bryan et al. v. Wash et ux. is continued by Logan and Lincoln for defendants and concluded by Robbins.Record.

[Whigs of Athens choose delegates to county convention, and resolve for "our friend of long standing and tried faith A. Lincoln, Esq. as most deserving the nomination."Sangamo Journal, 5 February 1846.]

Lincoln receives letter from Herndon questioning wisdom of his stand on Mexican War.Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 1 February 1848, CW, 1:446-48.

In House he votes against tabling resolution, offered by Giddings, whereby committee would be appointed to inquire under what authority slave trade is carried on in District of Columbia. He votes for resolution requesting President to explain why Gen. Scott has been suspended.Globe.

District of Columbia Committee reports bill which merely prohibits slave trade in District of Columbia. Motion to table is defeated, 72-117, Lincoln voting nay. Debate on slavery rages, but Lincoln does not participate. Globe.

In evening, board of managers of Inaugural Ball meets at Copp's Pavilion. National Intelligencer.

Senate is still considering Illinois Central bill. Senate Journal.

About this date Lincoln receives letter from John A. Rockwell who solicits his aid in obtaining coal mining charter from legislature. "Being very busy in the Courts when your letter reached me," Lincoln later explains, "I let a few days slip before attending to it." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Rockwell, 15 February 1853, CW, 2:190-91.

During afternoon Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., case involving trust for benefit of Illinois College, is before Supreme Court. D. A. Smith of Jacksonville, retained with Lincoln by appellants, commences his argument, but court adjourns before he finishes. Record.

In People v. Illinois Central RR, parties agree that on August 13, 1857 defendant filed with auditor list of stock, property, and assets. Case, in which Lincoln is one of counsel for railroad, involves method of assessing road's property for taxation. 27 Ill. 64.

Lincoln & Herndon appear for defendant in Sangamon Circuit Court when jury is summoned to fix damages in People v. Moore et al. Jury sets figure at $14,284.11. Record.

Lincoln writes an opinion for several individuals representing the drainage commissioners of Bureau County, Illinois, regarding the validity of the sale of some swampland. Lincoln determines that the purchasers of the swampland are the lawful owners of the property. These issues are central in the case of Templeton v. Kelsey, which the Illinois Supreme Court will eventually hear on appeal from Bureau County. Opinion Concerning Swamp Lands in Bureau County, Illinois, 31 January 1859, CW, 3:352-55; Circuit Court Transcript, 2 March 1861, Illinois Supreme Court, case file 14264, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

In the afternoon, attorneys Lincoln, Milton Hay, and Benjamin S. Edwards examine Henry J. Atkins prior to finding him "qualified to practice law." The three attorneys "recommend that he be licensed." Afterward, in a letter to his brother, Howard M. Atkins, of Jacksonville, Illinois, Henry writes, "I passed a thorough examination this afternoon before three of the best lawyers in Illinois." Atkins boasts that he "only missed one question & that was a trivial mistake. The committee complimented me very highly, and said it had been a long time since a student had passed so good an examination before them." Certificate of Examination for Henry J. Atkins, 31 January 1859, CW, 3:352; Howard F. Dyson, "Lincoln in Rushville," Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society 8 (1903): 224-25; Henry J. Atkins to Howard M. Atkins, 31 January 1859, SC 2661, Manuscripts, IHi, Springfield, IL.

He buys "Red Gelatine," "Cooper Isinglass," and cream of tartar at his drug store, while Robert fetches six pounds of sugar from Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152, 154.

Lincoln rides to stepmother's home, where he spends day. "While there he paid a visit to the grave of his father. In the evening he rode back to town, in company with his aged relative, and at the urgent request of the citizens of the place held an impromptu reception at one of the public halls." Though called upon, Lincoln declines to speak. Illinois State Journal, 2 February 1861.

"He stated that the time for a public definition of the policy of his administration had not come, and that he could but express his gratification at seeing so many of his friends and give them a hearty greeting." N.Y. Herald, 4 February 1861.

"[William H.] Herndon [Lincoln's law partner in Springfield] records that on this visit, besides seeing his stepmother, Lincoln met members of the Johnston and Hanks families, visited his father's grave, gave directions for a suitable stone marker, and made a brief public address at Charleston." James G. Randall, Mr. Lincoln, edited by Richard N. Current (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1957), 130.

President issues Special War Order No. 1. Army of Potomac formed into expedition to occupy "a point upon the Rail Road South Westward of what is known of Manassas Junction . . . to move before, or on, the 22nd. day of February next." President's Special War Order No. 1, 31 January 1862, CW, 5:115.

Sends additional documentation on "Trent" affair to Congress. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 31 January 1862, CW, 5:115.

Directs that "Lane Expedition" against region west of Missouri and Kansas [Arkansas] be under supervision of Gen. McClellan and under command of Gen. Hunter. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 31 January 1862, CW, 5:115-16.

Approves act authorizing President of U.S. in certain cases to take possession of railroad and telegraph lines, and for other purposes. Stat. L., XII, 334.

President receives Sen. Powell (Ky.) who brings list of persons and fines collected from them by army officers in Kentucky. Memorandum Concerning Fines Collected from Kentuckians, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:85-86.

Writes Gen. Meigs on behalf of James C. Conkling of Illinois: "He has ample business qualifications, is entirely trustworthy; and with all is my personal friend of long standing." Abraham Lincoln to Montgomery C. Meigs, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:85.

Writes Col. Joseph P. Taylor, Commissary General: "Please see the bearer, Edward D. Baker, who is a son of my old friend Col. Baker, . . . He now wishes to be a Commissary . . . if you can inform me that he can be made such consistently with the rules of the service, I will oblige him." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph P. Taylor, 31 January 1863, CW, 6:86.

White House reception in evening attended by Gen. Heintzelman and wife. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President answers Gen. Banks' query regarding loyal people in Louisiana who wish to avoid taking oath of December 8, 1864: "You are at liberty to adopt any rule which shall admit to vote any unquestionably loyal free-state men and none others." Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:161-62.

Notifies Gov. Bramlette (Ky.): "Gen Boyle[']s resignation is accepted, so that your Excellency can give him the appointment proposed." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette, 31 January 1864, CW, 7:163.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of State William H. Seward and instructs him to "proceed to Fortress-Monroe, Virginia," to "informally confer" with a Confederate peace commission, which includes Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Campbell, and Robert M. T. Hunter. Lincoln directs Seward to inform the participants of the President's stance on "national authority...Slavery...[and a] cessation of hostilities." Lincoln pledges that he will ponder any of the commission's proposals as long as they are "not inconsistent with" the positions that he has outlined. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 31 January 1865, CW, 8:250-51.

O. H. Browning and J. W. Singleton arrive at White House as President leaves for theater. They arrange meeting for following day. Browning, Diary.

At 11 P.M. Lincoln locates document relative to Confederate commissioners at Fortress Monroe and sends it to Sec. Seward. Seward to Lincoln, 31 January 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Deposits November salary warrant for $1,981.67 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Thanks Cong. Cox (Ohio) for speech: "I sought it for the humor said to be in it; but while it meets expectations in that respect, it has a far higher merit." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel S. Cox, 31 January 1865, CW, 8:249.