Campbell v. McCoy & Blatchford is tried by jury, which finds for plaintiffs in sum of $1,155.55. Lincoln and Lacey represent defendants. Lincoln files praecipe and declaration in Foster v. Cosby. Record; Files.

He writes and files, for defendants, pleas in Goltra v. Ewing et al. and Davis & Co. v. Burt, acting with Parks. Photocopy.

[On unspecified day this month Lincoln pays $5 by check to "Dr. P. Moran." DLC—Original.]

Goltra v. Ewing et al. is continued. Thompson v. Crane, Lincoln and Lacey for plaintiff, is tried by jury, which awards their client $45.80 plus part of costs. Lincoln also sits as judge on 33 cases. Record; Photocopy.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys another boy's hat. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

Lincoln makes $50 bank deposit. Marine Bank Ledger.

With two Bloomington lawyers, he signs letter to Gov. Bissell recommending Charles J. Beattie of Livingston County as 20th Judicial Circuit prosecuting attorney. John M. Scott, W. H. Hanna, and Abraham Lincoln to William H. Bissell, 4 April 1859, CW, 3:374.

Lincoln's account is charged 38¢ for "Flannel for Gun Cover," which Robert buys at John Williams' store. He purchases four dozen eggs at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149, 155.

Lincoln declines, on ground of other engagements, invitation from H. L. Pierce and others to attend meeting in Boston April 28, 1859 in honor of birth of Thomas Jefferson. In his letter he argues that Republicans, rather than Democrats, are Jefferson's true disciples. Although in Bloomington, Lincoln datelines letter "Springfield," evidently so that Boston committee will not mislocate his residence. Abraham Lincoln to Henry L. Pierce and Others, 6 April 1859, CW, 3:374-76.

In court he represents plaintiffs in Browning & Bushnell v. Price & Fell, assumpsit. Court tries case and awards plaintiffs $370.82 damages. Record.

[Robert buys half-pound of tea at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

In court Lincoln is occupied with case involving Bloomington Gas Light and Coke Co., which had been sold under mechanic's lien. Lincoln is one of counsel for purchaser, who is resisting motion to set aside sale. Bloomington Pantagraph, 13 April 1859.

In evening Lincoln is scheduled to lecture on Inventions, but audience is so small engagement is cancelled. Bloomington Pantagraph, 6 April 1859, 9 April 1859, 13 April 1859; IHi—Journal, XXVIII, 96-7; Sherman D. Wakefield, How Lincoln Became President: The Part Played by Bloomington, Illinois, and Certain of Its Citizens in Preparing Him for the Presidency and Securing his Nomination and Election (New York: Wilson-Erickson, 1936), 101-2.

[Robert buys six bars of lead and charges to his father's account at John Williams & Co. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.]

[Robert buys sugar and candles at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

Lincoln reaches home in evening. Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 11 April 1859, CW, 3:376-77.

Lincoln writes Koerner: "The meeting of the Central committee was at Bloomington, and not here. I was there attending court; and, in common with several other outsiders, one of whom was Judge Trumbull, was in conference with the committee, to some extent." He drafted resolution protesting "against any distinction between native and naturalized citizens, as to the right of suffrage," but was called from meeting room while matter was being discussed, forgot it, and does not know what committee did. He writes and signs, with two other executive committeemen of the 4th Ward Republicans, call for ward meeting April 13, 1859 to nominate alderman candidate. Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 11 April 1859, CW, 3:376-77; Call for Republican Meeting, 11 April 1859, CW, 3:377.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges ribbon at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

Court adjourns in afternoon and Lincoln, with bar, attends funeral of Mrs. Ward Hill Lamon. Bloomington Pantagraph, 20 April 1859.

[Lincoln's account at Smith's store is charged 50¢ for tacks and peck of potatoes, Pratt, Personal Finances, 155.]

In response to letter from T. J. Pickett, Rock Island editor, asking permission to propose his name as presidential candidate, Lincoln writes: "I must, in candor, say I do not think myself fit for the Presidency. I certainly am flattered, and gratified, that some partial friends think of me in that connection; but I really think it best for our cause that no concerted effort, such as you suggest, should be made." He writes Williams and Packard, Bloomington lawyers, about law case. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas J. Pickett, 16 April 1859, CW, 3:377-78; Abraham Lincoln to Robert E. Williams and Major W. Packard, 16 April 1859, CW, 2:378.

Mrs. Lincoln charges 16 yards silk at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155-56.

[Champaign Circuit Court convenes for spring term.]

Lincoln writes plaintiff's plea in Champaign County, Illinois v. West Urbana, Illinois that defendant be ruled to plead by April 25, 1859. Record.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys yard goods, buttons, thread, and comb at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 155-56.]

Six cases in ejectment, in which Lincoln and firm of Coler, Sims, & Sheldon represent plaintiffs, are dismissed on motion of plaintiffs and at their costs. Record.

People v. Patterson, manslaughter, is tried by jury, which finds accused guilty. He is sentenced to three years. Lincoln and Swett act for defense. Record.

[Robert brings home sugar and cinnamon from Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.]

[Mrs. Lincoln buys tablecloth, two kinds of silk, and pins at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.]

Lincoln collects fee for services in Patterson case in form of note for $60 from William and Golden Patterson (paid February 1866 to Lincoln's estate). Lincoln Estate Inventory.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys more sewing materials and $5 silk hat at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.]

Lincoln calls on editor of "Central Illinois Gazette" in West Urbana (Champaign), who notes visit: "We had the pleasure of introducing to the hospitalities of our sanctum a few days since the Hon. Abraham Lincoln. Few men can make an hour pass away more agreeably." Central Illinois Gazette, in Illinois State Journal, 12 May 1859; J. W. Scroggs to Herndon, 3 October 1866, William H. Herndon Papers, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

In court Lincoln writes praecipe and answer of guardian ad litem in Mary Ann Hillman v. heirs of Oliver Hillman, petition for partition. Photocopy.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys more sewing materials at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.]

Lincoln argues attachment case, Pepper v. Shouse et al., in Circuit Court. With Coler, he represents defendants, while Somers and O. L. Davis appear for plaintiff. Court decides for plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln returns from circuit, and deposits $100 in Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.

In People v. Abraham Nash, alias Yankee Sullivan, change of venue from Logan County, Sangamon Circuit Court overrules motion of defendant's attorneys, made April 27, 1859, that case be stricken from docket. Defense then moves indictment be quashed. Record.

Lincoln wins People v. Nash alias Sullivan when motion to quash indictment is argued and allowed. Record.

Lincoln writes to Ohio Governor Salmon P. Chase and thanks him for "being one of the very few distinguished men" who supported Lincoln in the 1858 Senate race against incumbent Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln writes, "Of course I would have preferred success . . . I have no regrets for having rejected all advice to the contrary, and resolutely made the struggle." He concludes that had the Republicans not challenged Douglas, "the Republican cause would have been anihilated in Illinois, and, as I think, demoralized, and prostrated everywhere for years, if not forever." Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln, 14 April 1859, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of the Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 30 April 1859, CW, 3:378.

Mrs. Lincoln sends Robert to Smith's store to exchange hats and to buy sugar, shoes, and crockery. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156.