Lincoln leaves home to attend River and Harbor Convention at Chicago. See History of Congress, Biographical and Political, comprising a History of Internal Improvements, II, 294-344; Chicago History, V, 161-63.

River and Harbor Convention meets. Lincoln, Dr. Merryman, and Fred Doyle represent Sangamon County. At 10 o'clock, preceded by bands, fire companies and militia, delegates march to pavilion. Addresses are delivered and temporary organization effected. Permanent organization and more speeches occupy afternoon. Robert Fergus, comp., Fergus' Historical Series, No. 18: Chicago River and Harbor Convention (Chicago: Fergus Printing Company, 1882).

Lincoln's new clothes do not produce intended effect. Elihu B. Washburne of Galena recalled: "One afternoon, several of us sat on the sidewalk under the balcony of the Sherman House, and among the number was the accomplished scholar and unrivaled orator, Lisle Smith. He suddenly interrupted the conversation by exclaiming, `There is Lincoln on the other side of the street. Just look at "Old Abe".' And from that time we all called him `Old Abe'. No one who saw him can forget his personal appearance at that time. Tall, angular and awkward, he had on a short-waisted, thin swallow-tail coat, a short vest of the same material, thin pantaloons, scarcely coming to his ankles, a straw hat and a pair of brogans with woolen socks." Allen Thorndike Rice, ed., Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, by Distinguished Men of his Time, 16.

"[I]n response to numerous calls," Congressman-elect Lincoln makes a speech at the Northwestern River and Harbor Convention concerning the constitutionality of federal government funding of "internal improvement" projects. Lincoln remarks, "All agree that something in the way of internal improvement must be done. The difficulty is to discriminate, when to begin and where to stop. There is a great danger in going too far. Members of Congress will be influenced by sectional interests and sectional feelings. . . . Is there any way to make improvements, except some persons are benefitted more than others?" A newspaper reports, "We expect much from [Lincoln] as a representative in Congress, and we have no doubt our expectations will be more than realized, for never was reliance placed in a nobler heart, and a sounder judgment."Chicago Daily Journal (IL), 6 July 1847, 2:3; 7 July 1847, 2:3-6; Daily Missouri Republican (St. Louis), 12 July 1847, 2:2; N.Y. Tribune, 17 July 1847; Proceedings of the Harbor and River Convention (Chicago: R. L. Wilson, 1847), 17, 39; Mentor L. Williams, "The Chicago River and Harbor Convention, 1847," Mississippi Valley Historical Review 35, no. 4 (March 1949), 607-626; Robert Fergus, comp., Fergus' Historical Series, No. 18: Chicago River and Harbor Convention (Chicago: Fergus Printing Company, 1882), 138, 141.

Resolutions to print and circulate proceedings are adopted and Executive Committee appointed to present its views to Congress. After speech by Edward Bates, presiding officer, convention adjourns. In afternoon "committee of the whole," with Horace Greeley in chair, adopts resolution advocating construction of railroad to Pacific. Robert Fergus, comp., Fergus' Historical Series, No. 18: Chicago River and Harbor Convention (Chicago: Fergus Printing Company, 1882).

Lincoln boards stage at 9 A.M., arriving Peru next morning. ISLA—Files.

Lincoln begins boat trip, Peru to Peoria, at 10 A.M. ISLA—Files.

Reaching Peoria at 2 A.M., Lincoln boards stage at 4 A.M., arriving Springfield that evening. ISLA—Files.

Gen. Hardin is buried. At 10 A.M. procession forms in public square and moves to his residence. Richard Yates pronounces eulogy. After burial "collation" is served in grove, where Richardson, Forman, and Baker speak. Lincoln's attendance is likely, but not certain. Sangamo Journal, July 15, 1847 and July 20, 1847.

Lincoln takes oath before deputy clerk of Sangamon County Circuit Court that John Grigg, defendant in Crowl v. Grigg et al., is not resident of Illinois. He and Herndon file bill in chancery alleging that defendants are attempting to dispossess complainant of improvements erected on land which he supposed belonged to him but which has since been found to be outside his purchase. Lincoln also writes complainant's bond. Photocopy.