[The Illinois Supreme Court convenes in Springfield. Justice John D. Caton is not present on the first day of court due to weather delays. He arrives two days later. A local newspaper notes, however, that "A full quota of lawyers are already in attendance, from the different parts of the Division." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 9 January 1856, 3:1; John M. Palmer, ed., The Bench and Bar of Illinois, 2 vols. (Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Company, 1899), 1:39-41.]

Lincoln, representing defendants in error, enters motion for rehearing in Edmunds v. Mayers & Mayers in Supreme Court. In this case, heard February 3, 1855, court decided against Lincoln's clients. Involved were patent rights to cradle which, "being wound up, would rock itself until it run down, and to save the continual labor to mothers and nurses, of rocking the cradle." Lincoln's motion is denied. Record; 16 Ill. 207.

James F. Joy, representing Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., files in Supreme Court application for mandamus commanding Isaac G. Wilson, judge of 13th Circuit, to appoint commissioners to appraise property in Aurora which railroad wants for shops, stations, etc. He urges Lincoln, resisting application, to take up motion as soon as possible. Lincoln is not ready, and gets off until the 14th. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Lincoln spends day preparing his argument in mandamus case. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Again Lincoln spends entire day in case of Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy RR v. Wilson. Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Day is taken up with arguments in mandamus case. Lincoln writes Charles Hoyt, one of Aurora property owners: "We occupied the whole day, I using the larger part. I made every point, and used every authority sent me by yourself & by Mr. Goodrich; and, in addition, all the points I could think of, and all the authorities I could find myself. . . . I do not think I could ever have argued the case better than I did." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Supreme Court allows Joy's motion for mandamus. "Our case is decided against us, . . ." Lincoln writes. "Very sorry for the result; but I do not think it could have been prevented." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Hoyt, 16 January 1856, CW, 2:328-29.

Lincoln makes opening argument in rehearing of famous tax case, Illinois Central RR v. McLean County, Illinois & Parke, first heard February 28, 1854. Record.

Logan continues argument in Illinois Central case. James F. Joy, for railroad, concludes argument and submits case. Court takes it under advisement. Record.

(Later court reverses trial court, thus sustaining Lincoln and Joy. 17 Ill. 291.)

Lincoln cashes $53.64 check at Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Original owned by A. W. Hannah, Springfield, Ill.

Supreme Court, in Booth & Martin v. Rives, overrules motion Lincoln filed January 9, 1856. Record.

Lincoln and forty-eight others sign a petition requesting that Illinois Governor Joel Matteson pardon James H. Lee, of Springfield. At the November 1855, term of the Sangamon County Circuit court, Lee pleaded guilty to grand larceny for the theft of $26. The court sentenced Lee to one year in the state penitentiary. The petitioners note, "[A]lthough . . . Lee may have been guilty of taking the sum of money alledged . . . we believe that it was the first time he was ever guilty of a crime & we sincerly think he has determined & will be an honest & upright man in future."Petition for Pardon of James H. Lee, 21 January 1856, CW, 2:329-30.

[Lee is pardoned three days later. Photocopy.]

Preparing for next session of U.S. Circuit Court, Lincoln files notice to Browning and Bushnell of Quincy, attorneys for plaintiffs in Dudley et ux. v. Crosthwait, that commission to take deposition will be issued on March 3, 1856 (first day of term). Files.

"For value received" Lincoln assigns his interest in Springfield lot acquired through foreclosure in 1855 to Isaac Lindsay. Payton Abstract Co., Book 3, 217.

In Supreme Court argument is commenced in Moore & Munn v. Vail for use of Melick, appeal from Morgan County, ejectment. D. A. Smith of Jacksonville opens argument for appellants. Record.

McConnel and Grimshaw continue argument for appellee in Moore & Munn v. Vail for use of Melick. Lincoln concludes for appellants. Court takes case under advisement. Record.

(Judgment of lower court is later affirmed. 17 Ill. 185.)

Lincoln writes and files praecipe and enters himself as security for costs in Aspinall v. Lewis, Johnson & Co. in Sangamon Circuit Court. Photocopy; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu N. Powell, 15 February 1856, CW, 2:331-32.

He also writes bill of complaint. Photocopy.