Illinois State Representative Lincoln is in Athens, Illinois, where the town's citizens fete the County's legislators. A newspaper reports, "At one o'clock about one hundred and fifty gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner," after which individuals offer toasts, including two for Lincoln: "He has fulfilled the expectations of his friends and disappointed the hopes of his enemies." Another calls him "One of nature's nobility." Lincoln responds, "Sangamon county will ever be true to her best interests and never more so than in reciprocating the good feelings of the citizens of Athens and neighborhood." Sangamo Journal, 12 August 1837, 2:5; A Toast Volunteered at a Public Dinner at Athens, Illinois, 3 August 1837, CW, 1:88.

Lincoln writes John Bennett that special act incorporating Petersburg passed legislature. He does not know whether provision for relocating road from New Salem to Petersburg passed. His handbill detailing history of controversy between Anderson heirs and James Adams appears.Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 5 August 1837, CW, 1:93-94; Handbill: The Case of the Heirs of Joseph Anderson vs. James Adams, 5 August 1837, CW, 1:89-93.

Contest for probate justice of peace, which has kept Springfield in turmoil for two months, ends with election of James Adams over Dr. Anson G. Henry by 1,025 to 792.Sangamo Journal, 12 August 1837.

Lincoln votes for Henry, for Matheny for county clerk, and John Constant for treasurer. Matheny and Constant are elected.Election Returns.

Lincoln, Robert Allen, William Butler, and Archer G. Herndon sign Charles R. Matheny's bond for $1,000 as clerk of county commissioners' court.Record Book D, 354-55.

Upon returning to Springfield from New Salem, where he visited romantic interest Mary S. Owens, Lincoln writes to her seeking to clarify the status of their relationship. He writes, "I want in all cases to do right, and most particularly so, in all cases with women. . . . [O]ur further acquaintance shall depend upon yourself. . . . If it suits you best to not answer this—farewell—a long life and a merry one attend you. But if you conclude to write back, speak as plainly as I do. There can be neither harm nor danger, in saying, to me, any thing you think, just in the manner you think it."Abraham Lincoln to Mary S. Owens, 16 August 1837, CW, 1:94-95.

[Adams replies to Lincoln's handbill of August 5, 1837.Sangamo Journal, 19 August 1837.]

Lincoln writes, signs, and files an affidavit certifying that Nancy and Peyton Chrisman, two defendants in the chancery case Miller v. Chrisman et al., are not residents of Illinois. He writes and files a praecipe ordering the court clerk to publish a notice of the pendancy of the case in a newspaper for the benefit of the out-of-state defendants. In the same praecipe, Lincoln also orders the clerk to summon two other defendants, St. Clair and Jacob Chrisman, who live in Peoria County.Record.

Lincoln writes answer of Thomas Cassaday, defendant in chancery suit brought by Joseph C. Foster. Cassaday refuses to deed tract to Foster, contrary to verbal agreement, on ground that both Foster and his agent trifled with him when he was in mood to make exchange. Six-page answer is sworn before William Butler. Photocopy.