Lincoln writes to secretary of state hoping that Richard W. Thompson of Indiana may secure diplomatic appointment. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 4 July 1849, CW, 2:56.

Lincoln writes Secretary Ewing, asking that if anyone in his district is to have "little favor" of appointment as Land Office examiner, William Porter be selected. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Ewing, 5 July 1849, CW, 2:56-57.

He buys six "tumblers" at Bunn's store. Bunn Journal.

[U.S. District Court, Judge Pope presiding, opens session in Chicago.]

Lincoln writes David Davis, relating his trip to Washington and failure in patronage struggle. Photocopy.

He buys 75¢ worth of "sundries" at Bunn's store. Bunn Journal.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court, Lincoln files a bill for divorce in the case of Plunkett v. Plunkett. Robert S. Plunkett seeks to end his marriage to Ann Alexander Plunkett, whom Lincoln's former law partner Stephen T. Logan represents. In the bill, Lincoln describes Robert as "an affectionate husband," and explains, "on or about the 14th day of February . . . 1846 . . . Ann wilfully deserted and absented herself from [Robert] . . . without any reasonable cause, and has continually since remained absent from him, being now for more than the space of two years." Bill for Divorce, filed 14 July 1849, Plunkett v. Plunkett, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln receives letter from John Addison, Land Office clerk, Washington, stating that Butterfield has James Berdan in mind for job. Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 22 July 1849, CW, 2:59-60.

[First train runs on Sangamon & Morgan Railroad, rebuilt Northern Cross Railroad, in which Lincoln is interested. ISLA—File.]

Lincoln is rebuilding his law practice. He writes and files a declaration for his client, Edward D. Baker, in Baker v. Browne. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln buys scythe and handle at Irwin's store. Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln writes and files a bill for specific performance in Webster & Huntington v. French et al., signing for complainants' attorneys, Logan, Lincoln & Herndon, and Brayman. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of State John M. Clayton and offers advice regarding President Zachary Taylor's policy of granting the various cabinet heads the power to fill department positions. Lincoln writes, "I am disappointed with the effect of it on the public mind. It is fixing for the President the unjust and ruinous character of being a mere man of straw. This must be arrested, or it will damn us all inevitably. . . . [T]he public must be brought to understand, that they are the President's appointments. He must occasionally say, or seem to say, 'by the Eternal,' 'I take the responsibility.' " Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 28 July 1849, CW, 2:60.

Lincoln writes, signs, and files with the Sangamon County Circuit Court a declaration and affidavit in Bailer v. Davis. Lincoln's client, Henry Bailer, signs the affidavit with his mark. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.