[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.

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.