Lincoln writes Palmer, promising to speak in Carlinville August 31, 1858. He also writes Dummer at Beardstown that he does not understand Republican party to be committed to "no more slave states." All "prefer" that there be no more, but many feel under obligation to admit slave states from Texas should any present themselves. Carlinville Free Democrat, 5 August 1858; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Palmer, 5 August 1858, CW, 2:536; Abraham Lincoln to Henry E. Dummer, 5 August 1858, CW, 2:536.

Mrs. Lincoln buy yard goods. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Lincoln informs Koerner that in response to many requests he is having his late speeches printed. "Journal" is printing 7,000 copies of speech of July 17, 1858, and he has made arrangements in Chicago for publication in German. "Please write me, on receipt of this, and let me know if you have any news from Madison," he concludes. "Every place seems to be coming quite up to my expectation, except Madison." Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 6 August 1858, CW, 2:536-37.

Lincoln writes briefly to Joseph O. Glover, mayor of Ottawa, on politics. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph O. Glover, 9 August 1858, CW, 2:537.

He writes regrets to his friend D. A. Cheever of Tremont, that previous engagement prevents acceptance of speaking invitation and suggests S. C. Parks of Lincoln as speaker. IU—Original.

He buys 10¢ plaster at his drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152.

Lincoln arrives in the morning in Beardstown "on board the steamer Sam Gaty" from Naples, Illinois. A "procession of three or four hundred citizens...meet and escort" him as he travels by carriage to the National Hotel. Sometime after two o'clock in the afternoon, Lincoln, in his bid for a Senate seat against Stephen Douglas, delivers a two-hour campaign speech in the "public square" before an audience of between 2,500 to 3,000 people. A newspaper reports that Lincoln is scheduled to travel to Havana the next day "and thence to Peoria." Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 17 August 1858, 2:4-5; Speech at Beardstown, Illinois, 12 August 1858, CW, 2:538-41.

Changing from Illinois Central to Peoria & Oquawka, Lincoln has hour's wait in El Paso. Crowd gathers, and he makes short speech. He is on his way to Peoria. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 3 September 1858, 2:3.

"Lincoln arrived here on Sunday evening, en route for Tremont." Register, 4 September 1858.

The Tazewell County Republicans hold their nominating convention in the morning. At about 1:30 in the afternoon, John A. Jones introduces Lincoln, who speaks from the steps of the courthouse before a crowd of between 1,500 and 2,000 people. In his two-hour speech, Lincoln compares the Whig and Republican parties, explains his opposition to slavery, and discusses other "great issues" of the day. William Kellogg, a candidate for Congress and a former circuit court judge, follows Lincoln on the program. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 2 September 1858, 2:3; Peoria Daily Transcript (IL), 31 August 1858, 1:1; Washington Investigator (IL), 2 September 1858, 2:3; Speech at Tremont, Illinois, 30 August 1858, CW, 3:76-77.

Lincoln arrives by train in the morning and proceeds to the American House. At three o'clock in the afternoon, at a place called Morton's Grove, he delivers a speech about the future of slavery in the United States. A local newspaper reports that Lincoln's speech is "honest, logical and telling." John M. Palmer, an attorney and a former member of the Illinois State Senate, follows Lincoln on the program and makes "one of his usual side-splitting speeches, dealing terrible blows to the bogus-Democracy in every sentence." Carlinville Free Democrat (IL), 2 September 1858, 2:4-5; Speech at Carlinville, Illinois, 31 August 1858, CW, 3:77-81.