Lincoln mails to clerk of Circuit Court of Menard County declaration, praecipe, note, and bond for costs in Plummer & Wilson v. Hoey & Hoey. Plaintiff is seeking to collect note for $138.87 given by defendants in Baltimore March 10, 1837.Photocopy.

He files petition for divorce of Solomon Goodman against Nancy Goodman and asks that summons be issued to defendant.Sangamo Journal, 4 February 1842.

Lincoln files petition for divorce of Ann McDaniel against Patrick McDaniel and asks summons returnable to March term of Sangamon Circuit Court.Sangamo Journal, 4 February 1842.

Lincoln writes Speed that Speed's anxiety about his fiancee's health "will forever banish those horid doubts" of his affection for her. He hopes that her improving health will make Speed forget "the sorrows of the past, in the enjoyments of the present. . . . I have been quite clear of hypo since you left,—even better than I was along in the fall."Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 3 February 1842, CW, 1:267-68.

In the evening, Lincoln delivers a eulogy for Benjamin Ferguson before a meeting of the Washington Temperance Society. Lincoln remarks, "In his intercourse with his fellow men, he possessed that rare uprightness of character, which was evidenced by his having no disputes or bickerings of his own, while he was ever the chosen arbiter to settle those of his neighbors. In very truth he was, the noblest work of God—an honest man."Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 11 February 1842, 2:7; Eulogy on Benjamin Ferguson, 8 February 1842, CW, 1:268-69.

Logan & Lincoln give notice to defendant that writ to attachment has been sued out in Sangamon Circuit Court in Beebe v. Dunn. Several lots in Athens, Illinois are described in attachment.Sangamo Journal, 10 February 1842.

Lincoln writes part of declaration in Dormody v. Bradford, and declaration in Thurman v. Taylor.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Speed: "When this shall reach you, you will have been Fanny's husband several days. . . . I am now fully convinced, that you love her as ardently as you are capable of loving. . . . If you went through the ceremony calmly . . . you are safe, beyond question, and in two or three months, to say the most, will be the happiest of men."Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 13 February 1842, CW, 1:269-70.

[Bowling Green, Lincoln's close friend of New Salem years, dies.]

Bowling Green's funeral is probably held today. Lincoln attends, and at Mrs. Green's request, tries to say something at grave. Accounts of what he says are conflicting, some stating that his remarks are beautiful, others saying he is choked with emotion. Sangamo Journal, 18 February 1842.

Lincoln deposits $27.50 cash into his account with a Springfield merchant. Account (copy), 15 February 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Joshua F. Speed and Fanny Henning are married near Louisville. Joshua F. Speed, Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to California: Two Lectures (Louisville, KY: J. P. Morton, 1884), 5.]

Lincoln instructs G. B. Shelledy, lawyer of Paris, Illinois, how to prepare papers in cases Shelledy wants Logan & Lincoln to handle in U.S. Circuit Court. Lincoln agrees to attend to them for $10 each when there is no opposition.Abraham Lincoln to Garland B. Shelledy, 16 February 1842, CW, 1:270-71.

Someone, perhaps Lincoln, purchases $37.81 worth of merchandise from a Springfield store and charges it to Abraham Lincoln's account.Account of Abraham Lincoln (copy), 17 February 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Sangamo Journal announces that Judge Pope's "Bankrupt Court" opens in Springfield to hear cases under new bankrupt law.]

At noon, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Lincoln addresses the Washington Temperance Society and declares that the recent progress of the temperance movement is due to the efforts of the "reformed drunkard" and not to the "warfare" of "denunciation" waged by "preachers, lawyers, and hired agents." Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 25 February 1842, 2:7, 26 March 1842, 1:4-7; Temperance Address, 22 February 1842, CW, 1:271-79.

A Springfield merchant, who owns a store/bank where Lincoln trades, debits Abraham Lincoln's account $1.50 for "Profit & Loss." Account of Abraham Lincoln (copy), 22 February 1842, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 252, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln writes promissory note for retainer in the bankruptcy case In re Gambrel. James Gambrel signs the note, promising to pay "twenty dollars in good fire wood."Promissory Note of James Gambrel, 24 February 1842, CW, 1:279.

Lincoln writes two letters to his friend Joshua F. Speed, who recently moved to Kentucky, where he married Fanny Henning. Perhaps Speed had second thoughts about marriage, but Lincoln assures him that he has chosen the right mate. To think otherwise would be, in Lincoln's estimation, "ridiculous." In the second letter he intended for both Joshua and Fanny to read, Lincoln admits to being a little "jealous" and he "regret[s] to learn that you have resolved to not return to Illinois. I shall be verry lonesome without you."Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 25 February 1842, CW, 1:280-81; Abraham Lincoln to Joshua F. Speed, 25 February 1842, CW, 1:281.

Lincoln writes praecipe and bond in Langley v. Goode. He agrees to pay costs in case, gets John W. Wheat to sign bond, and mails to Jesse Langley at Taylorville February 28, 1842. Record.

Lincoln draws indenture between Francis Webster and William Butler transferring land in Springfield.Photocopy.

Lincoln withdraws $50 of the $60.41 deposited January 24, 1842 and lends it to Noah Rickard with Noah Matheny as surety.Privately Owned.

[Federal Court opens in Springfield. Newspaper terms it "Bankruptcy Court."Sangamo Journal, 25 February 1842.]