In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln writes and files an affidavit in the case of Macready v. Alton, Illinois. Manuel Eyre attests to the statement that "in the case of Mary Macready vs The City of Alton the plaintiff has paid to Margaret Brown, on witness fee, the sum ten dollars and seventyfive cents." Macready is suing the city of Alton for $20,000 in damages. She fell into a hole and injured herself while walking on a sidewalk in Alton. Macready claims that the City allowed "a deep and dangerous excavation to be and remain in one of the public sidewalks." Further, the City did not "warn and notify persons upon said sidewalk, of the excavation." Lincoln & Herndon, Orville Hickman Browning, and Nehemiah H. Bushnell represent Macready.Affidavit of Manuel Eyre, 1 July 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, case file 335; Declaration, Praecipe, filed 17 April 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, case file 335; Clerk's Docket, 17 April 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol. 1, fol. 67, all in U. S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln sends Robert Moseley of Paris "a little article" he wants published in "Prairie Beacon" next week. "Besides my own recollection, I have carefully examined the Journals since I saw you; and I know the editor will be entirely safe in publishing the article. Get it into the first paper." Abraham Lincoln to Robert Moseley, 2 July 1858, CW, 2:483.

Mrs. Lincoln buys two fans at John Williams' store, then sends Robert for pair of white gloves. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Lincoln and several hundred other people depart Springfield by train at approximately 6:30 a.m. to attend the Fourth of July festivities in Jacksonville. Also among the passengers are members of the Pioneer Fire Company, the German Turners gymnastic organization, and some of Springfield's musical bands. The train arrives in Jacksonville at about nine o'clock and the passengers, along with those awaiting the train's arrival, parade to a "pleasant grove" about "a mile and a half west" of the Jacksonville depot. Lincoln is one of the guests of honor on stage as former Congressman Richard Yates delivers a speech commemorating the July 4 holiday. Following Yates's speech, the crowd partakes in an "old fashioned barbecue." In the afternoon, the Turners perform a gymnastic routine for the audience, and "Mr. Brooks, the balloonist," ascends in his hot-air balloon. The day's activities conclude with a fireworks display. At nine o'clock in the evening, the Springfield group makes its way to the depot for the return trip. Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 6 July 1858, 2:2-3; Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1949, (Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1950), 2051.

For many days Lincoln has been listing 1856 election results as guides to campaigning to win legislature. His calculations are completed before July 16, 1858. He concludes that, in House, 17 districts can be ignored as hopeless. "Struggle for the following." He lists 19 districts, with figures, analysis, and recapitulation. In Senate, "we must struggle for" six districts. 1858 Campaign Strategy, [July 1858], CW, 2:476-81.

Lincoln is among the attendees at a dinner held at 2:30 in the afternoon at the St. Nicholas Hotel to honor members of Springfield's Pioneer Fire Company. Members of Jacksonville's Union Fire Company, guests of Springfield's firefighters, are also in attendance. Lincoln makes the following toast: "The Pioneer Fire Company. May they extinguish all the bad flames, but keep the flame of patriotism ever burning brightly in the hearts of the ladies." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 7 July 1858, 3:1; Toast to the Pioneer Fire Company of Springfield, Illinois, 5 July 1858, CW, 2:483.

Lincoln has several cases in U.S. Circuit Court. In Emmitt v. Barret, continued from February 10, 1858, Lincoln files demurrer for plaintiff. In Keith & Thornton v. Burt, defendant defaults and jury assesses damages of plaintiff, whom he represents, at $1,311.43. Defendant in S. C. Davis & Co. v. Gibson also defaults, and Lincoln gets order for foreclosure unless $927.87 is paid in 20 days. Record; Files.

Emmitt v. Barret is submitted to court on Lincoln's demurrer, and court considers. Record.

Lincoln writes to influential U.S. Senator John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, regarding Crittenden's supposed support of Lincoln's opponent in the U.S. Senate race, Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln writes, "I do not believe the story, but still it gives me some uneasiness. . . . You have no warmer friends than here in Illinois . . . When I tell you this, make such allowance as you think just for my position, which, I doubt not, you understand. Nor am I fishing for a letter on the other side. Even if such could be had, my judgment is that you would better be hands off! Please drop me a line; and if your purposes are as I hope they are not, please let me know. The confirmation would pain me much, but I should still continue your friend and admirer." Abraham Lincoln to John J. Crittenden, 7 July 1858, CW, 2:483-84.

"Mr. Lincoln was here a moment ago," Herndon writes Trumbull, "and told me that he had just seen Col. Dougherty. . . . He told Lincoln that the National Democracy intended to run in every county and district, a National Democrat for each and every office. Lincoln replied, 'If you do this the thing is settled.' . . . Lincoln is very certain as to Miller's and Bateman's election . . . but is gloomy and rather uncertain about his own success." Horace White, The Life of Lyman Trumbull (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1913), 89.

Lincoln, in Chicago for U.S. District Court, listens to Douglas deliver opening speech of his senatorial campaign from balcony of Tremont House. Speech at Chicago, Illinois, 10 July 1858, CW, 2:484-502.

In the evening, Lincoln delivers a speech from the Tremont House to an audience that is, "in point of numbers, about three-fourths as large as that of the previous evening, when Douglas held forth; and in point of enthusiasm, about four times as great." Lincoln responds to charges made by Stephen A. Douglas, his opponent in the U. S. Senate race, regarding Lincoln's stance on several issues, including slavery. Lincoln declares, "I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist...I have always hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of the introduction of the Nebraska Bill began. I always believed that everybody was against it, and that it was in course of ultimate extinction...and that such was the belief of the framers of the constitution itself." Lincoln refers to the recent Fourth of July celebration, and he asks the audience, "I should like to know if taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle and making exceptions to it where will it stop. If one man says it does not mean a negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?" Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 12 July 1858, 1:2-6; Speech at Chicago, Illinois, 10 July 1858, CW, 2:484-502.

"Delightful day—Cool & pleasant," Browning records in his diary. "Lincoln & I took tea with Guerdon S. Hubbard." Browning, Diary.

In the evening, Lincoln arrives in Springfield from Chicago. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Hanna, 15 July 1858, CW, 2:502.

Lincoln writes to attorney Gustave P. Koerner of Belleville, Illinois. Lincoln asks Koerner, a native of Germany and a former Illinois Supreme Court justice and Lieutenant Governor, if he might arrange for fellow native-German Friedrich K.F. Hecker to "address the germans, at this place, and a few others at least." Lincoln writes that "one of our german republicans here" has recently approached him about the possibility of getting Hecker to speak to the Germans living in "this region." Hecker, a former German revolutionary, is a lawyer by training and farms in Summerville, Illinois, located near Belleville. Lincoln also writes that he has "just returned from Chicago" and gives his impressions of a reception held there for his political opponent, Stephen A. Douglas: "I was present at his reception in Chicago, and it certainly was very large and imposing; but judging from the opinions of others better acquainted with faces there, and by the strong call for me to speak, when he closed, I really believe we could have voted him down in that very crowd. Our meeting, twentyfour hours after, called only twelve hours before it came together and got up without trumpery, was nearly as large, and five times as enthusiastic." Lincoln also writes to attorney William H. Hanna of Bloomington in answer to Hanna's letter of July 13. Hanna wrote to inform Lincoln that Douglas is scheduled to be in Bloomington on Friday, July 16, should Lincoln decide to come to Bloomington as well. Lincoln writes, "No accident preventing, I will be with you Friday afternoon and evening." Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 15 July 1858, CW, 2:502-3; John M. Palmer, The Bench and Bar of Illinois (Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1899), 1:47-50; John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), 10:486-87; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Hanna, 15 July 1858, CW, 2:502; Bloomington Daily Pantagraph (IL), 8 August 1870, 2:1; William H. Hanna to Abraham Lincoln, 13 July 1858, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

From Springfield Lincoln writes Joseph Gillespie, stressing importance of capturing Fillmore vote of 1856. In evening he is in Bloomington listening to Douglas. As soon as Douglas finishes, loud calls go up for Lincoln. After some hesitation he declines to speak. "This meeting," he says, "was called by the friends of Judge Douglas, and it would be improper for me to address it." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 16 July 1858, CW, 2:503-4; Remarks at Bloomington, Illinois, 16 July 1858, CW, 2:504; Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 50.

Lincoln is in Douglas's audience at morning speech in nearby Atlanta. Calls for him ring out when Douglas finishes, but he again declines to take advantage of Democratic meeting. Douglas speaks again in afternoon at B. S. Edwards' grove, Springfield. In evening Lincoln speaks at state house, devoting his speech mainly to refutation of Douglas's charges of disunion sentiments, resistance to the Dred Scott decision, and Negro equality. Remarks at Atlanta, Illinois, 17 July 1858, CW, 2:504; Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 17 July 1858, CW, 2:504-21; Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 52-54.

Lincoln & Herndon win $1,294.80 judgment in Ayer v. Willard, Macon County attachment case, when defendant fails to appear. Record.

Marshalling his resources for campaign, Lincoln writes Henry E. Dummer of Beardstown about his fee in Sprague v. Illinois River RR et al.. "I am now in need of money. Suppose we say the amount shall be $50—? . . . Please get the money and send it to me. And while you have pen in hand, tell me what you may know about politics, down your way." He writes to John Mathers, Jacksonville Republican, agreeing that offensive tactics against Douglas are superior to defensive. Abraham Lincoln to Henry E. Dummer, 20 July 1858, CW, 2:521; Abraham Lincoln to John Mathers, 20 July 1858, CW, 2:522.

Lincoln's absence is shown by fact that he does not read Gillespie's letter of July 18, 1858 until his return night of 24th. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 25 July 1858, CW, 2:523-24.

Lincoln confers with Republicans on challenging Douglas to debate. Chicago "Times" says his business is to form alliance with anti-Douglas Democrats (Danites). CW, 2:523.**** Chicago Times, 24 July 1858.

While in Chicago, U.S. Senate Republican nominee Lincoln writes to his opponent Senator Stephen A. Douglas, and proposes that the two candidates square off in a series of debates. Republican State Central Committee Chairman Norman B. Judd "hand" delivers Lincoln's note to Douglas. Lincoln indicates that Judd "is authorized to receive your answer; and, if agreeable to you, to enter into the terms of such arrangement." Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Douglas, 24 July 1858, CW, 2:522.

Lincoln catches up on his correspondence. To Gillespie he writes encouragement: "I do hope you are worse scared than hurt, though you ought to know best. We must not lose that district." "I write this mostly because I learn we are in great danger in Madison," he writes Koerner. "It is said half the Americans are going for Douglas; and that slam will ruin us if not counteracted." He writes George W. Woods of Macoupin County that he cannot make appointment for speech until debates are scheduled. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 25 July 1858, CW, 2:523-24; Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 25 July 1858, CW, 2:524; Abraham Lincoln to George W. Woods, 25 July 1858, CW, 2:524.

Douglas speaks in afternoon. Lincoln is present, and announces, after Douglas had concluded, that he will speak in evening at courthouse. He does so before moderate crowd. Frank E. Stevens, "The Life of Stephen Arnold Douglas," Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 16 (October 1923-January 1924):556; Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 108; Speech at Clinton, Illinois, 27 July 1858, CW, 2:525-27.

Lincoln and Douglas dine together, either at Clinton or Decatur. Later Lincoln returns to Springfield, where he finds Douglas's letter accepting his challenge and naming seven places of debates, subject not mentioned at dinner. Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 68.

Lincoln and Douglas meet on road about two miles from Monticello. Douglas, having spoken there, is on his way to Bement; Lincoln is going to Monticello. Lincoln has his reply to Douglas's letter accepting his challenge, and asks latter to wait until he compares it with copy, but Douglas refuses. Lincoln proceeds to Monticello, makes speech, and that night sends his reply to Douglas. Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 66-68; Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Douglas, 29 July 1858, CW, 2:528-30; Speech at Monticello, Illinois, 29 July 1858, CW, 2:527.

Correspondent of Illinois State Register, writing from Monticello July 29, 1858, reports: "It was expected that he [Lincoln] would remain here for a day or two, or follow Senator Douglas to Paris, but he left suddenly on the midnight train for Springfield." (By "midnight train" Great Western, which Lincoln would have taken at Bement, is indicated.)

Lincoln writes Douglas accepting latter's terms for debates. He also writes to Henry Asbury, anticipating Douglas's stand during the campaign: Douglas cares nothing for South, but will attempt to hold Illinois by every means. If pressed on power of territorial legislature to exclude slavery, he will answer that slavery cannot exist without "protective territorial legislation." He writes John C. Bagby of Rushville, declining to speak there August 21, 1858, as he debates Douglas at Ottawa on that date. He will try to send Trumbull. Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Douglas, 31 July 1858, CW, 2:531-32; Abraham Lincoln to Henry Asbury, 31 July 1858, CW, 2:530-31; Abraham Lincoln to John C. Bagby, 31 July 1858, CW, 2:531

Lincoln buys "trimming" for his wife at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.