Illinois Central bill is still under consideration. Senate Journal.

Senate postpones vote on Illinois Central bill until February 5, 1851. Senate Journal.

Supreme Court rules in Harris v. Shaw et al., affirming lower court decision that county did not contract with Harris that county seat remain forever at Tremont. 13 Ill., 456.

Amendments to Illinois Central bill are offered and considered by Senate. Senate Journal.

Senate passes, 23 to 2, Illinois Central bill. Senate Journal.

House of Representatives passes Illinois Central incorporation bill by unanimous vote. House Journal.

Lincoln spends 7¢ for pound of nails. Irwin Journal.

[Legislature adjourns.]

Lincoln does paper work in three cases involving Alton & Sangamon Railroad Co. He writes and files declaration in suit against Joseph Klein. He revises declaration, which Herndon wrote, and writes praecipe in action against Thomas Kirkpatrick. In third suit, against John M. Burkhardt, he revises and files Herndon's declaration. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes long letter to William Martin of Alton, commissioner for sale of stock, as to liability of stockholders and procedure in collecting overdue installments. Abraham Lincoln to William Martin, 19 February 1851, CW, 2:98-100.

Lincoln writes to D. A. Smith of Jacksonville, attorney for defendant in Atwood v. Caldwell et al., pending in Supreme Court. "I learn that Caldwell has execu[ted his] bond and qualified under the decree. I am now anxio[us to] know whether the arrangement has been made to your sat[isfac]tion; and I do not like to ask Caldwell. Will you write [me] by return mail?" Abraham Lincoln to David A. Smith, 20 February 1851, CW, 2:100.

Lincoln writes and files in Sangamon Circuit Court notice that he will take depositions in Alton & Sangamon RR v. Klein. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln votes in special election for constable and justice of peace. Election Returns.

Lincoln writes legal papers in fourth Alton & Sangamon case, against James A. Barret, from whom railroad seeks $2,000 damages. He writes and signs praecipe, declaration, and list of stockholders, filing in Sangamon Circuit Court. Lincoln lists himself as owner of six shares worth $600. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

Lincoln replies to another letter from William Martin. He does not think cases referred to by Martin in support of their position are in point. "We have sued for payments which we say the Directors have required. We must prove that the Directors did require them. Our exact question is 'Can we prove this without producing the books containing the orders requiring the payments?' " Abraham Lincoln to William Martin, 24 February 1851, CW, 2:100-1.

Lincoln buys $4.04 in merchandise. Irwin Ledger.

Lincoln writes and files notices that depositions will be taken in remaining three Alton & Sangamon cases. He writes and signs "Parker & Lincoln" to declaration in Hicks v. Meeker, Tazewell County case in which plaintiff accuses defendant of raping his daughter and asks $1,000 damages, and mails it to Pekin. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Isaac Gibson, secretary of Alton & Sangamon, that company books must be introduced in trial if cases are to be won. Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Gibson, 26 February 1851, CW, 2:101.

Lincoln writes to William Martin of Alton, Illinois, regarding the case of Alton & Sangamon RR v. Barret, scheduled to come before the Sangamon County Circuit Court in the March term. Lincoln & Herndon represent the railroad, which is suing James A. Barret, who refused to pay his subscription payments for railroad stock. Barret stopped the payments after the railroad altered the construction of a route line. Barret owned property along the railroad's original proposed route. The route alteration bypassed Barret's property. Lincoln explains to Martin, a commissioner for the sale of stock in the railroad, that Barret "has sent in a proposal" in an attempt to resolve the issue. Lincoln asks Martin to respond to the question of whether or not "the board...[has] the legal authority to release a stockholder in whole or in part" from his subscription obligation. Abraham Lincoln to William Martin, 27 February 1851, Alton & Sangamon RR v. Barret, Private Collection; CW 11:6.