Herndon, administrator of James Bell, pays Lincoln $5 for obtaining decree to sell real estate.Sangamon Probate File.

Lincoln attends opening day of Tazewell Circuit Court. On his motion,William and Deborah Phillips v. Jonathan Merriam, chancery, is continued.Record.

On Lincoln's motion, appeal case of Herndon v. Enos and Verdin is dismissed at cost of appellant. Plaintiff files demurrer to defendant's third plea in Wellman v. Holland. Court hears argument of counsel, sustains demurrer, and orders that plaintiff recover $909.51. Jones appears for plaintiff and Lincoln, Merriman, and Powell for defendant.Record.

Lincoln's associate for defendants in Stevenson and Wardwell v. Garrett and wife, H. O. Merriman, writes and files motion to arrest judgment. Photocopy.

Stanford and Davis v. Hicks et al. is continued on motion of complainant. Jones represents complainants and Lincoln defendants.Record.

[Lincoln's article describing trial of Trailor brothers for "murder" of Fisher, held in Springfield in June 1841, is published in Quincy Whig.]

Woodford Circuit Court opens for two-day term. Lincoln and Fenn, attorneys for defendant in Smith v. Strawn, file demurrer to plaintiff's declaration. Court sustains demurrer with leave to amend declaration and plaintiff is ruled to plead in 30 days. Leave is given appellants in Hall and Edgett v. Morley to file new appeal bond and take depositions. Two other cases are continued.Record.

Lincoln writes to fellow attorney Andrew Johnston, of Quincy, Illinois, and discusses their mutual appreciation for poetry. Lincoln encloses part of a poem he wrote after he visited Perry (now Spencer) County, Indiana, in the "fall of 1844." Lincoln explains that it is the place where he "was raised, [and] where my mother and only sister were buried." He adds, "That part of the country is . . . as unpoetical as any spot of the earth; but . . . seeing it and its objects and inhabitants aroused feelings in me which were certainly poetry; though whether my expression of those feelings is poetry is quite another question." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnston, 18 April 1846, CW, 1:377-79.

McLean Circuit Court opens four-day term. Lincoln's attendance is proved by statement in his letter to James Berdan on April 26, 1846: "I thank you for the promptness with which you answered my letter written from Bloomington."Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 26 April 1846, CW, 1:380.

"In 1846 at the April term of the McLean Circuit Court, Lincoln represented Roswell Munsell, who kept bar in the Bloomington Hotel at Bloomington, Ill., in a suit against William H. Temple over the validity of his liquor license."William H. Townsend, Lincoln and Liquor (New York: Press of the Pioneers, 1935), 104.

["Sangamo Journal" reprints Lincoln's story of Fisher murder trial from Quincy "Whig." "Whig" said, "The following narrative has been handed us for publication by a member of the bar," probably Abraham Jonas.The Trailor Murder Case, 15 April 1846, CW, 1:371-76.]

Lincoln writes to Isaac Williams of Tazewell County suggesting B. F. James as substitute delegate to Petersburg convention if Williams cannot attend.Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Williams, 24 April 1846, CW, 1:379-80.

Lincoln writes to James Berdan, Jacksonville lawyer, with object of smoothing hard feelings that may exist between his followers and those of Hardin.Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 26 April 1846, CW, 1:380.

[Livingston Circuit Court meets for one day at Pontiac.]

Lincoln writes, and evidently mails to Pekin, bill of exceptions in Stevenson and Wardwell v. Garrett and wife, petition to enforce mechanics lien.Photocopy.

DeWitt Circuit Court convenes for two-day term. Parties agree to dispense with jury in A. Lincoln v. Spencer and William Turner. Court hears case and awards plaintiff $213.50 and costs. Lincoln confesses that defendant in Cobb v. Clifton is indebted in sum of $319 and $1.06 damages. Lincoln appears for plaintiff, and on his motion, McDowall v. Duncan et al., is stricken.Record.

Lincoln, for defendant, writes and files plea in Newcomb v. Mitchell, signing "Conkling & Lincoln."Photocopy.