Spring term of Tazewell Circuit Court begins. Prettyman, attorney for plaintiff in Perkins v. Hall, action in debt, secures rule on Lincoln to plead by Friday. Norman Purple files answers for some of defendants in Doolittle et al. v. Bailey et al., case in which Lincoln is attorney for plaintiff. Record.

In People v. Hawley, court sustains motion of Lincoln and Haines to quash indictment for obstructing road. Parker and Lincoln secure rule on defendants in Hicks v. Meeker, trespass, to plead by Saturday. Record.

Lincoln and Parker win Hicks v. Meeker when jury finds for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $400. Defendant moves for new trial. Record.

Lincoln, signing "Jones and Lincoln," writes and files defendant's plea and notice in Perkins v. Hall. Photocopy.

James and Lincoln, for plaintiff, file replication in Hamilton v. Pekin, Illinois. Photocopy.

Lincoln and Edward Jones lose Perkins v. Hall when a jury finds for plaintiff for the sum of $544 debt and one cent damages. Lincoln and Jones then file a motion for a new trial which the court takes under consideration. Signing "James & Lincoln," Lincoln writes and files plaintiff's replication in Atchison for use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois and the defendant joins the issue. In Atchison for use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois and Hamilton v. Pekin, Illinois the court grants the defendant leave to answer both complaints jointly. Lincoln and Benjamin F. James represent the plaintiffs, while Benjamin S. Prettyman and Halsey O. Merriman represent Pekin. Replication, filed 8 April 1851, Atchison for use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois, Copy, IHi.

Court denies defendant's motion for new trial in Hicks v. Meeker. Lincoln and Jones enter defendant's appearance and file plea of not guilty in Prettyman v. Yacle, ejectment suit. In Doolittle et al. v. Bailey et al., heirs of J. B. Doolittle are made parties to suit. Reeves v. Wilkey is continued. Record.

On first day of Woodford Circuit Court Lincoln appears for defendants in two actions for "gaming"—People v. Clifton et al. and People v. Miller. In first case jury finds one defendant guilty. He is fined $10 and costs. Second defendant is found not guilty and case against third is continued. In second case Miller is found guilty of keeping gambling house and fined $15 and costs. Berkey v. Engle, chancery, Lincoln for defendant, is tried by court, which orders defendant to convey land when plaintiff pays $135.58. Lincoln writes defendant's answer, and court decree, which is victory as plaintiff asked conveyance of land without payment. Record; Photocopy.

L. C. Blakslee & Co. v. Gregory & Loving, trespass, is dismissed by agreement at defendants' costs. Lincoln and Holmes represent plaintiffs, Gridley defendants. Record.

[McLean Circuit Court begins its session.]

Lincoln files plaintiff's declaration, and prays injunction in Campbell v. Allin. Injunction is granted and defendant ruled to answer. Record.

In Fell v. McIntire, ejectment, plaintiff files declaration and defendant's plea, "thereto which issue is joined and case continued." Record.

[Logan Circuit Court begins its session, and city election is held in Springfield.]

Lincoln writes Lewis M. Hays of Gosport, Indiana that he has brought suit in Logan Circuit Court "against Turley." Suit will be tried in Oct., and he sends papers to be filled out. Abraham Lincoln to Lewis M. Hays, 23 April 1851, CW, 2:105.

[DeWitt Circuit Court convenes.]

[Piatt Circuit Court begins its session. Lincoln writes first part of court order in People v. Dodd, indictment for malicious mischief. Judge David Davis completes and signs order. Photocopy.]

[Spring term of the Champaign Circuit Court begins.]