[Peoria "Republican" proposes Lincoln for governor. Fulton Democrat (Lewiston, Ill.), 1 March 1856.]

Lincoln represents Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad Co. in three cases in U.S. Circuit Court on first day of term. Three different plaintiffs, Henry Hotchkiss, New Haven County Bank, and Brown et al. file declarations alleging debts of $50,000, $101,870 and $252,143.66 respectively. Lincoln files pleas on behalf of railroad. Record.

Lincoln appears in U.S. Circuit Court again in connection with railroad finances. This time Herndon files declaration of Bacon, plaintiff. Lincoln enters appearance of Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Co., defendant, and files their note and power of attorney to confess judgment. He then confesses indebtedness of $312,133.35 with interest of $256.54. Record.

Lincoln writes legal opinion on pre-emption question for Illinois Central. Opinion on Pre-emption of Public Land, 6 March 1856, CW, 2:333-35.

Lincoln, representing William Wilson, defendant, files demurrer in United States v. Wilson in U.S. Circuit Court. Beatty v. Linville, Lincoln for defendant, is decided by court against defendant and damages of $414.21 are assessed and $16.95 costs. Record.

Lincoln and William J. Allen, district attorney, argue demurrer in Wilson case. Court takes question under advisement. Record.

Lincoln has injunction case in U.S. Court, Doyle et al. v. Lewis et al. Lincoln and Logan for plaintiffs and Stuart and Edwards for defendants argue defendants' demurrer. Again court withholds its opinion. Record.

Court overrules Lincoln's demurrer in Wilson case and gives him permission to file pleas, which he does. Record.

In U.S. Circuit Court, juries award damages in three cases against Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad in which Lincoln appeared March 3, 1856. Hotchkiss is awarded $50,000 and damages of $1,496.55; the New Haven County Bank $101,873.40 and damages of $5,557.93; Brown et al. $252,145.73 and damages of $5,379.03. In United States v. Wilson, Lincoln and Allen argue plaintiff's demurrer. Record.

In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln loses United States v. Wilson. Jury finds defendant indebted to plaintiff for $5,000 and damages of $5,000, but court orders debt discharged on payment of damages only. In Sangamon Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon have 19 cases. Three defendants default, and other cases are continued. Record.

Taylor v. Humphries, continued from July 10, 1855, is tried by jury in U.S. Circuit Court. Lincoln and Taylor represent plaintiff, Logan defendant. Verdict of jury, which Lincoln writes, finds plaintiff owner of premises in question and assesses his damages at one cent. Record; Files.

In Sangamon Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon obtain judgments in five cases. Record.

Lincoln & Herndon have seven cases in Sangamon Circuit Court. In two cases defendants default, and clerk assesses damages at $155.08 and $160.87. Other cases are continued. Record.

One assumpsit case—Talbot & Anderson v. Campbell—is Lincoln & Herndon's work in Sangamon Circuit Court. Defendant, represented by Stuart and Edwards, agrees that judgment for $176.70 be entered against him in favor of Lincoln & Herndon's client. Record.

Lincoln writes to Judge John D. Caton of Illinois Supreme Court, vouching for C. H. Moore of Clinton as surety under supersedeas. Abraham Lincoln to John D. Caton, 21 March 1856, CW, 2:336.

Two trials mark day for Lincoln & Herndon in Sangamon Circuit Court. Ingwerson v. Tinney, in which they appear for plaintiff, is tried before court; in Case v. Virden, Conkling and Conkling for plaintiff and Lincoln & Herndon for defendant, argue demurrer. Court takes both under advisement. In two other suits defendants default and Lincoln & Herndon obtain judgments. Record.

Lincoln & Herndon have two divorce cases. In Enos v. Enos they file answer and cross bill for Phoebe Enos, defendant. In Ray v. Ray they obtain decree for petitioner, Elzena Ray, on ground of desertion. Record.

Lincoln also writes opinion concerning validity of land titles in Beloit, Wis. Opinion on Land Titles in Beloit, Wisconsin, 24 March 1856, CW, 2:336-39.

In Circuit Court Lincoln & Herndon appear for plaintiff in Bliss v. Stevens, appeal from judgment of justice of peace. Stuart & Edwards and White & Shutt represent defendant. Jury is called, but after evidence is presented and arguments made, Lincoln & Herndon move case be dismissed. Of their other cases, two are dismissed by agreement and two are continued. Record.

In Case v. Virden, court sustains demurrer argued March 22, 1856. Lincoln & Herndon for defendant file affidavit and enter motion for continuance. By agreement with plaintiff's attorneys, they are given leave to file additional pleas. Record.

Ingwerson v. Tinney, tried before court March 22, 1856, is argued second time. Court finds for plaintiff, whom Lincoln & Herndon represent. Defendants default in two assumpsit cases, and juries of inquiry award damages of $147.41 and $188.05 to clients of Lincoln & Herndon. Record.

On last day of spring term, Logan and Stuart & Edwards, representing defendant in Ingwerson v. Tinney, enter motion for appeal to Supreme Court. Record.

Lincoln pays $8.50 cash on his carriage account. Obed Lewis Account Books.

[Logan Circuit Court convenes at Lincoln.]