Lincoln attends opening of Eleventh General Assembly. He is nominated by Whigs for speaker, but beaten on fourth ballot by W. L. D. Ewing of Fayette. Six members are absent—three Whigs, one Conservative, two Democrats. Lincoln gets 38 votes out of 85 on four ballots.House Journal.

Whigs elect Ebenezer Z. Ryan assistant clerk over Samuel S. Brooks. Lincoln is placed on select committee to prepare rules of House.House Journal.

House meets at 10 A.M. and adjourns until 2 P.M. Votes for governor and lieutenant-governor are canvassed and Thomas Carlin and Stinson H. Anderson declared elected. Hardin of Morgan introduces resolutions calling for complete accounts of boards of Fund Commissioners and Public Works.House Journal.

Little work is done in House. Cloud of Morgan reports from Committee on Rules, to which Lincoln was appointed December 4, 1838. House adopts report and adjourns until 2 o'clock December 7, 1838.House Journal.

Senate sits with House to hear address of Gov. Carlin. He advocates comprehensive system of common schools, expresses opposition to state banks, and favors Illinois & Michigan Canal. No roll calls are taken but it is safe assumption that Lincoln is present.House Journal.

Lincoln is appointed on two standing committees, important one on Finance and less important one on Counties. He is put on latter to direct Sangamon division. Inspectors of penitentiary report and recommend "leasing the whole concern to some trusty and responsible person for six, eight or ten years."House Journal.

Speaking in House on resolution to investigate internal improvements, Lincoln says he does not regard inquiry as unfriendly. "We had gone too far to recede, even if we were disposed to do so." Remarks in Illinois Legislature Concerning Resolutions Asking Information on Railroad and Fund Commissioners, 8 December 1838, CW, 1:122-23.

Lincoln is appointed, with Menard of Randolph and Morgan of Monroe, to select committee to consider petition of president and directors of Kaskaskia Bridge Co. praying repeal of part of company charter.House Journal. [Supreme Court begins winter term, which ends 28 February 1838.]

No roll calls are taken and little business transacted in morning session. At 2 o'clock memorial service is held for Peter Pruyne of Cook, House member who died recently.House Journal.

Committee on Finance reports resolution and asks concurrence of House: "Resolved, That it is inexpedient to collect the State revenue in gold and silver exclusively and to provide for its safe keeping and disbursement, by the officers collecting the same." Lincoln votes with majority to adopt resolution.House Journal.

Reports of treasurer and auditor are presented to House. Latter points out that expenses of state are twice as large as revenue, and recommends changes in revenue law. Remainder of day is devoted to hearing petitions and resolutions.House Journal.

In debate on bill concerning judgments, Lincoln tells House that present law has worked hardship on owners without aiding creditors.Discussion in Illinois Legislature Regarding an Act Concerning Judgments and Executions, 13 December 1838, CW, 1:123.

[No roll calls are taken, and Lincoln's name does not occur in proceedings.House Journal.

Bill in Lincoln's hand to limit justices of the peace and constables is introduced by Cunningham of Coles.Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Limit Justices of the Peace and Constables, [14 December 1838], CW, 1:124.]

Morning is devoted to amending bill enabling settler to collect for improvements he has placed on public lands. Lincoln votes with majority to defeat bill allowing squatter to sue in justice of peace court for improvements not exceeding $100.House Journal.

[No roll calls are taken and Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings.House Journal.]

Williams of Adams, chairman of committee on Finance, to which was referred part of governor's message, reports for Whig majority of committee. Lincoln is believed to be author of report. Majority and minority reports are printed in "Journal."House Journal; Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, 1:240-44.

Lincoln takes no part in proceedings. Ficklin of Coles, Whig leader, offers eight resolutions outlining constitutional powers of executive and history of violations since 1789. Resolutions are tabled and 150 copies printed. They are political, aimed at President Van Buren.House Journal.

Lincoln, Smith of Madison, and Thomas of St. Clair are appointed committee to consider petition for repeal of act incorporating Upper Alton. He votes with majority (44 to 42), expressing disapproval of General Assembly electing members to state offices "as corrupting in its tendencies."House Journal.

Resolution adopted at close of yesterday's session is reconsidered. Lincoln moves reference to Committee on Internal Improvements. Smith of Wabash takes this as direct attack. Lincoln replies he has no such intention.House Journal.

[No roll calls are taken and Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings.House Journal.]

[No roll calls are taken and Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. His absence for week indicates he probably returned to Springfield for Christmas holiday.House Journal.]

[Lincoln's name does not appear in proceedings. A. G. Henry and Archibald Job, commissioners appointed to erect new state house in Springfield, report pursuant to resolution of Hankins of Fayette, adopted December 21, 1838.House Journal.]

[So many members have been granted leave of absence that little effort is made to conduct business. After hearing titles of petition, remonstrance, and report, House adjourns.House Journal.]

[Gov. Carlin presents semiannual reports of Board of Commissioners of Public Works, and 5,000 copies are ordered printed. In his report concerning state's military stores, governor says, "owing to the improper organization of the militia . . . and the loose and imperfect" method of keeping stores, he can make no report.House Journal.]

[House meets, but adjourns without quorum.House Journal.]

[House resumes business and day is devoted to petitions for roads, counties, bridges, referring to select committees. Lincoln's name is not mentioned.House Journal.]