Globe embarks for Chicago, give or take one day. Distance to Chicago is 1047 miles, and can be covered in 60 hours. That is "record" time, by shortest distance, and Globe goes out of its way to Milwaukee.St. Louis Gazette, 9 July 1839.

On two days of voyage Lincoln and Levi North of Kewanee, Ill. hold running political debate, North defending Van Buren's Free Soil candidacy, Lincoln boosting "Old Zack."Levi North to Lyman Trumbull, 16 April 1864, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Voyage inspires Lincoln to thoughts about how lake boats could be lifted over shoals. In subsequent weeks, in leisure time after election, he designs buoy. [See also March 10, 1848, and May 22, 1849.]Application for Patent on an Improved Method of Lifting Vessels over Shoals, 10 March 1849, CW, 2:32-36.]

Globe stops en route to Chicago.ISLA—Files.

Lincoln registers at Sherman House. Chicago Journal, 6 October 1848; Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, 1:477.

Whig rally is held at courthouse in evening with Lincoln principal speaker. Although called on six hours' notice, crowd is so large meeting adjourns to public square. Lincoln speaks for two hours. Chicago Journal (October 6, 1848, October 7, 1848) describes his speech as "one of the very best we have heard or read, since the opening of the campaign." S. A. Hurlbut follows Lincoln.Speech at Chicago, Illinois, 6 October 1848, CW, 2:11.

"Hon. A. Lincoln and Family passed down to Springfield this morning on his way home from Congress," notes Chicago Democrat.

Lincoln and J. Y. Scammon speak at courthouse in evening. After chairman "designated the spot where he should stand," reported Democratic Free Press (October 11, 1848), "Mr. L. blew his nose, bobbed his head, threw up his coat tail, and in the course of two hours was delivered of an immense amount of `sound and fury'." He defends Taylor's seeming lack of principles and urges Free Soil men to support Taylor rather than Van Buren.

"Hon. Abraham Lincoln . . . arrived at home on Tuesday last," records Register October 13, 1848. "We are pleased to observe that his arduous duties since the adjournment of Congress in franking and loading down the mails with whig electioneering documents, have not impaired his health. He looks remarkably well."

Mrs. Lincoln buys $2 in groceries and pair of kid slippers, $1.25.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln pays 75¢ for umbrella.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln delivers a speech in the evening concerning the upcoming presidential election. A local newspaper notes that his remarks are "very sensible and illustrative."Beardstown Gazette (IL), 25 October 1848, 2:1-2.

[Lincoln has appointment to speak at Jacksonville but postpones his address until tomorrow.Register, 27 October 1848.]

Lincoln and Murray McConnel speak. Lincoln tries to unite Whigs and Free Soil men. McConnel accuses him of misrepresenting his constituents by his attitude on war. Lincoln refuses to believe that majority favored war, whereupon McConnel cites Whig defeat in last congressional election. "Lincoln has made nothing by coming to this part of the country to make speeches," writes Register correspondent.Debate at Jacksonville, Illinois, 21 October 1848, CW, 2:11-13.

"Lincoln attempted . . . to make a defence of his course in Congress," reports Register November 3, 1848, "when he was most signally `used up' by Ferguson. Lincoln beat a retreat to Springfield, swearing that Billy's home-thrusts were`unconstitutional and unnecessary'."

Lincoln presides over meeting of Menard County bar. Herndon is member of committee on resolutions.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Meeting of Menard bar concludes.Record.

Lincoln buys 75¢ pair suspenders.Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln and Gersham Jayne sell for $100 their land near Huron bought in 1836, to Pleasant Armstrong and John Yardly of Petersburg.Warranty Deed of Lincoln and Jayne to Armstrong and Yardly, 27 October 1848, CW, 2:13-14.

Lincoln and Dr. A. G. Henry address Whig meeting at one o'clock.Illinois Journal, 27 October 1848.

Lincoln and Henry deliver addresses at Magnolia in afternoon. Lincoln then goes on alone to Hennepin where he speaks at seven o'clock.Illinois Journal, 27 October 1848.