Court decides for plaintiffs in railroad case, involving seizure of 43 railroad cars. Defendant, says court, owes $3,480.72 and charges of $454.60. Court allows appeal. Record.

Republicans celebrate Fourth with large rally for Fremont and Bissell, candidates for President and governor. Party newspapers estimate crowd at ten thousand. Lincoln, Ebenezer Peck, Joseph Knox, Owen Lovejoy and others speak. Illinois State Journal, 7 July 1856; Speech at Princeton, Illinois, 4 July 1856, CW, 2:346-47.

Lincoln has Obed Lewis make minor repairs (25¢) on his buggy. Obed Lewis Account Books.

He writes David Davis deploring defeat of Leonard Swett of Bloomington for Congress, and nomination of Owen Lovejoy. Photocopy.

To Henry C. Whitney Lincoln writes his opinion of Republican nomination in Bloomington congressional district. "It turned me blind when I first heard Swett was beaten, and Lovejoy nominated; but after much anxious reflection, I really believe it is best to let it stand. This, of course, I wish to be confidential." Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 9 July 1856, CW, 2:347.

Lincoln replies to letter from James Berdan in which plan to unite Fremont and Fillmore vote against Buchanan is outlined. "A union of our strength, to be effected in some way, is indispensable to our carrying the State against Buchanan." After suggesting alternative plan, Lincoln promises to confer with party friends in Chicago when he goes there on 15th. Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 10 July 1856, CW, 2:347-48.

Lincoln writes to Iowa Governor James W. Grimes, who asked Lincoln to campaign there on behalf of Republican candidates. Lincoln resists, and explains, "First I can hardly spare the time. Secondly, I am superstitious. I have scarcely known a party, preceding an election, to call in help from the neighboring states, but they lost the state. . . . It seems to stir up more enemies than friends. Have the enemy called in any foreign help. If they have a foreign champion there, I should have no objection to drive a nail in his track." Abraham Lincoln to James W. Grimes, 12 July 1856, CW, 2:348.

Lincoln writes and files $500 bond signed by officials, for appeal, of Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Photocopy.

Lincoln goes to Chicago "to attend to a little business in court." He expects to be there two weeks. Abraham Lincoln to James W. Grimes, 12 July 1856, CW, 2:348.

Anticipating his arrival, Chicago Democratic Press hopes "he will consent to address the people upon the great political issues of the day. Should his arrangements permit him to meet the universal wish of the people of Chicago, the time and place of the meeting will be announced."

Lincoln is in Dixon, Illinois, where he speaks to Republicans attending a "Ratification meeting." A newspaper reports, "He is about six feet high, crooked-legged, stoop shouldered, spare built, and anything but handsome in the face. It is plain that nature took but little trouble in fashioning his outer man . . . As a close observer and cogent reasoner, he has few equals and perhaps no superior in the world. His language is pure and respectful, he attacks no man's character or motives, but fights with arguments. . . . He spoke full two hours and still the audience cried, 'go on.'" Amboy Times (IL), 24 July 1856, 2:1.

Lincoln speaks at another Fremont and Bissell meeting. "A grand rally," Chicago Democratic Press (July 17, 1856, July 19, 1856) characterizes it. Lincoln speaks here for old time's sake. Robert L. Wilson, one of the Long Nine, invited him. IHi—Trans, 1908, 323-26.

In the evening, Lincoln is in Chicago's Dearborn Park, where he delivers a speech. Partisan newspapers differ on Lincoln's effectiveness. A Democratic paper reports, "Lincoln's speech was the same old sterotyped one he got up some time since, about tearing down the fence and letting in the cows, &c., &c. To those who have heard it before, it was very dry and prosy, and with those who have not heard it, it made no impression whatever." A Republican paper notes, "The speaker was calm, clear and forcible . . . He demonstrated in the strongest manner, that the only issue now before us, is freedom or slavery, that the perpetuity of our institutions is dependent upon maintaining the former against the aggressions of the latter." Daily Illinois State Register (Springfield), 24 July 1856, 2:3; The Daily Democratic Press (Chicago, IL), 21 July 1856, 3:1.

Another Democratic reporter declares crowd so small that Lincoln begins by saying he is not accustomed to "addressing such small gatherings." Chicago Times, 22 July 1856; Speech at Chicago, Illinois, 19 July 1856, CW, 2:348-49.

On or about this day Lincoln drafts several pages of campaign argument. Fragment on Sectionalism, [c. 23 July 1856], CW, 2:349-53.

[In Metamora, Lincoln's bill in Saltonstall v. Saltonstall et al. is filed. He is for complainant, John T. Saltonstall. Photocopy.

Lincoln has written National Kansas Committee declining to accept appointment as member because of other engagements. Convening at Buffalo July 9, 1856 and July 10, 1856, Lincoln was chosen, and notified July 16, 1856 by letter from William F. Arny, Chicago. On July 22, 1856 Arny writes Jesse Fell of Normal that Lincoln declines and recommends Fell. W. F. Arny to Lincoln, 16 July 1856, Jesse Fell Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Arny to Fell, 22 July 1856, Jesse Fell Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.]

Lincoln addresses evening political meeting, speaking from balcony of DeSoto House. "His speech was almost wholly argumentative," said North-Western Gazette (July 25, 1856). "In a clear, connected and masterly manner he traced the history of slavery aggression . . . and pointed out, like a true statesman, the consequence of permitting the curse to spread itself over our immense territories." During day Lincoln writes editorial replying to one he read yesterday in Galena's Democratic paper which alleges that unnaturalized foreigners cannot legally vote in presidential elections. "This is a grave error," he answers. Lincoln hands his sheet to H. H. Houghton, editor of Galena Weekly North-Western Gazette, who prints it anonymously July 29, 1856. Speech at Galena, Illinois, 23 July 1856, CW, 2:353-55; Editorial on the Right of Foreigners to Vote, 23 July 1856, CW, 2:355-56.

Lincoln addresses "monster meeting." Chicago Democrat, 2 August 1856.

Lincoln returns home. Abraham Lincoln to B. Clarke Lundy and Others, 28 July 1856, CW, 2:356-57.

He writes H. P. Merriman, client, requesting legally correct description of lands at issue in Freeman & Bright v. Merriman, for which he filed papers in U.S. Circuit Court June 7, 1856. File.

Lincoln writes Artemas Hale, Massachusetts Whig, his opinion of Fremont's prospects in Illinois and Indiana. Opposition to Buchanan is undoubtedly in majority in both states, but division between Fremont and Fillmore "places both states in some danger." He thinks danger greater in Illinois than Indiana, and hopes some way may be found of inducing Fillmore men not to throw away their votes. He tells B. Clarke Lundy of Putnam County that prior engagement prevents acceptance of speaking invitation. Abraham Lincoln to Artemas Hale, 28 July 1856, CW, 2:356; Abraham Lincoln to B. Clarke Lundy and Others, 28 July 1856, CW, 2:356-57.