The Lincolns arrive late at night and take lodgings at Brown's Hotel. Allen C. Clark, Abraham Lincoln in the National Capital (Washington, D.C.: W. F. Roberts Co., 1925), 3.

(Later they take rooms at Mrs. Sprigg's boarding house on site of Library of Congress. Samuel C. Busey, Personal Reminiscences and Recollections of Forty-six Years Membership in the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, and Residence in This City, with Biographical Sketches of Many of the Deceased Members (Washington, D.C.: n. p.), 25.)

Lincoln writes to David A. Smith, who represents the St. Louis Perpetual Insurance Company. Smith seeks Lincoln's help in collecting money that U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas owes to the company. Lincoln explains, "This is my first day at this place, & on reaching here I found your letter in relation to your business with Douglass. I met him afterwards, but disliking to dunn him at the first meeting with him, I let it pass . . . I will attend to it shortly however & write you." Account Book, 10 November 1847, Private Collection; Abraham Lincoln to David A. Smith, 3 December 1847, CW, 1:416.

Lincoln attends evening Whig caucus which nominates Winthrop of Massachusetts for speaker, Sargent of Pennsylvania for sergeant-at-arms, Horner of New Jersey for doorkeeper, and McCormick of District of Columbia for postmaster.Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 5 December 1847, CW, 1:416-17.

Lincoln writes to Herndon regarding case in Illinois Supreme Court. Last year plaintiff paid firm $20 advance fee and left Lincoln $10 to pay for abstracts. Lincoln forgot to leave $10 with Herndon. He sends it, and describes caucus. "The Whig majority . . . is so small . . . [it] leaves it doubtful whether we will elect them all."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 5 December 1847, CW, 1:416-17.

House convenes at 12 o'clock. Lincoln votes for Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts for speaker. He is elected on third ballot. After administration of oath to members, House adjourns. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln votes for Thomas J. Campbell for clerk. He is elected. House and Senate listen to President Polk's message in which he accuses Mexico of "invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil." Congressional Globe.

Lincoln also signs petition for appointment of John Raub to minor post. Endorsement: Chester Butler et al. to Robert E. Horner, 7 December 1847, CW, 1:417.

Lincoln writes to President Polk recommending appointment of Franklin L. Rhoads of Pekin and Thomas Graham Jr. of Beardstown as lieutenants. Abraham Lincoln to James K. Polk, 8 December 1847, CW, 1:418; Abraham Lincoln to James K. Polk, 8 December 1847, CW, 1:417-18.

House members draw for seats. Lincoln draws number 191. He votes for Nathan Sargent for sergeant-at-arms and Robert E. Horner for doorkeeper. Both are elected. He votes for William J. McCormick for postmaster but he is defeated by John M. Johnson. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln is appointed to two standing committees—Committee on Post Office and Post Roads and Committee on Expenditures in War Department. House adjourns until December 13, 1847 at 12 o'clock. Congressional Globe.

"I presented your claim to Douglass this morning . . . ," writes Lincoln to Richard Yates of Jacksonville. "He will pay it in a few days. . . . I believe Mr. Calhoun and what force he can control are preparing to support Gen. Taylor for the Presidency. I get this impression from conversations with Duff Greene, who boards at the same house I do. There are, however, a great many Whigs here who do not wish to go for Taylor." Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 10 December 1847, CW, 1:419.

Lincoln again writes to President Polk regarding F. L. Rhoads' application for lieutenancy. Since his letter of 8th he has received letter on behalf of Rhoads from E. D. Baker, which he submits to Polk.Abraham Lincoln to James K. Polk, 11 December 1847, CW, 1:419.

"It is my intention," writes Lincoln to Thomas J. Henderson of Stark County, "to snatch a moment now and then, to send documents to some friends, out of my district, among whom I shall place Captain Butler and yourself." IHi—Journal, IV, 74.

He writes Herndon that Congressional Globe will begin arriving at Lincoln & Herndon office. He suggests his partner read and preserve them. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 12 December 1847, CW, 1:419-20.

Lincoln receives letter from Herndon informing him of receipt of fee. "I . . . wish you to buy Bank certificates and pay my debt there," he replies, ". . . pay Lavely and Stout $20—and Priest & somebody (oil makers) $10—for materials got for house-painting. . . . As you are all so anxious for me to distinguish myself, I have concluded to do so, before long."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 13 December 1847, CW, 1:420.

Rev. R. R. Gurley is elected chaplain of House. He wins by two votes over Rev. Mr. Cushman, for whom Lincoln votes. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln writes petition for Dr. A. G. Henry, which Henry signs, asking compensation for expenses incurred in supplying volunteer Mexican War company of Capt. Edward Jones.Petition of Anson G. Henry, 15 December 1847, CW, 8:414.

Lincoln presents petition from A. G. Henry, and gives notice of motion for leave to introduce bill to amend "an act to raise . . . an additional military force . . . approved Feb. 11, 1847." He votes against resolution declaring war just and necessary and that indemnity must depend on obstinacy of enemy in prolonging it. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln votes against motion to table memorial from citizens of District of Columbia requesting that all laws authorizing or sanctioning slave trade in District be repealed. He votes aye on resolution declaring that general government has right to construct harbors and improve rivers for commerce and national defense. It passes, 134-54. Congressional Globe.

He receives check for $167 from Stephen A. Douglas, for Robert Smith of Alton. Bank Draft of Stephen A. Douglas to Abraham Lincoln, 21 December 1847, Stephen A. Douglas Papers, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln presents resolutions requesting President to inform House whether "spot" on which American blood was first shed in Mexican War was within territory claimed by Mexico. Resolutions are read and laid on table. Congressional Globe; "Spot" Resolutions in the United States House of Representatives, 22 December 1847, CW, 1:420-22.

He presents memorial of citizens of Illinois in behalf of Great Western Railroad. Journal of the House of Representatives [cited as Journal].

[House hears obituary on late T. L. Hamer, representative-elect from Ohio. After adopting appropriate resolutions, it adjourns until December 28, 1847. Congressional Globe.]

Lincoln writes Pension commissioner asking status of land warrant claims of two constituents, John Huckleberry and Thomas Collins of Sangamon County, Mexican War veterans.Abraham Lincoln to the Commissioner of Pensions, 26 December 1847, CW, 1:422.

C. B. Smith presents petition of citizens of Jay County, Indiana, praying abolition of slavery and slave trade in District of Columbia. Petition is tabled, 76-70, Lincoln voting nay. Congressional Globe.

Lincoln, Douglas, McClernand, Richardson, Ficklin, Robert Smith, and Thomas Turner, Illinois senators and representatives, sign letter to President Polk requesting that Francis B. Thompson of Edwards County, Illinois, be appointed assistant surgeon in army. Photocopy.

Amos Tuck of New Hampshire presents petition of citizens of Philadelphia praying for passage of law to appropriate proceeds of public land sales for extinction of slavery in U.S. and moves its reference to Committee on Territories. It is tabled, 86-70, Lincoln voting nay. House adjourns until January 3, 1847. Congressional Globe.