About this time, assembling his thoughts for campaign season, Lincoln composes several pages of "fragments" on government and slavery. Fragment on Government, [1 July 1854?], CW, 2:220-21; Fragment on Government, [1 July 1854?], CW, 2:221-22; Fragment on Slavery, [1 July 1854?], CW, 2:222; Fragment on Slavery, [1 July 1854?], CW, 2:222-23.

[Summer session of U.S. courts opens in Springfield.]

In ejectment suit in U.S. Circuit Court—Morrison v. Briggs—plaintiff's attorneys file declaration and notice. Defendant, whom Logan and Lincoln represent, is ruled to plead in 20 days. Record.

In Oliver Martin & Co. v. Saunders, U.S. Circuit Court, Stuart, and Edwards for plaintiffs file declaration alleging nonpayment of two promissory notes for $725.20 and $413. Lincoln and Logan for defendant confess judgment in amount of $707.78. Court orders that plaintiffs recover that sum with costs. Record.

Lincoln, representing defendants, files plea in Clark v. Stigleman et al. in U.S. Circuit Court. Record.

(This case, filed on first day of term, concerned improvement on portable circular sawmill. Plaintiffs, represented by Logan, Stuart, and Edwards, claimed exclusive patent rights in certain Illinois counties, and charge infringement.)

Cassius M. Clay, Kentucky Abolitionist, makes antislavery speech. When officials refuse to permit meeting in state house, Clay speaks outdoors. For two hours Lincoln lies on ground whittling as Clay denounces slavery. William H. Townsend, Lincoln and His Wife's Home Town (Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill, 1929), 251-54.

Lincoln writes and files Calvin Stigleman's affidavit for continuance in Clark v. Stigleman et al.Files.

Lincoln files defendant's plea in Morrison v. Briggs. Record.

Lincoln gives power of attorney to John P. Davies of Dubuque County, Iowa, to locate Iowa land granted Lincoln by Land Warrant No. 52076, 40 acres. Power of Attorney to John P. Davies, 15 July 1854, CW, 2:223-24; Affidavit on Land Warrant, 15 July 1849, CW, 2:223.

Lincoln writes Edward Seymour of Kaskaskia acknowledging receipt of copy of declaration and notice in Morrison v. Briggs. Lincoln is for defendant. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Seymour, 17 July 1854, CW, 2:224.

Lincoln writes to George Shaw in response to Shaw's letter of July 23. Shaw apparently had asked Lincoln to speak at an event to be held in Pekin on August 20. Lincoln responds, "I have promised to be at Mount Morris, in Ogle Co., on the 11th of August and on the 18th and 19th at other places in that vicinity, so that I could not be at Pekin on the 20th." Lincoln suggests that Shaw contact Judge William Kellogg, a former circuit court jurist, who "will do it up quite as well as I could." Abraham Lincoln to George W. Shaw, 27 July 1854, CW 11:8-9.