In Vermilion Circuit Court, which convened May 2, 1859, Lincoln writes and files plea and notice in French v. Courtney. He is for defendant, Michael Courtney. Files.

Lincoln buys soap, bay rum, camphor, magnesia, and handkerchief perfume at his drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 156-57.

Lincoln meets English manufacturer and Liberal leader Richard Cobden during Cobden's visit to Springfield, either on Thursday, May 12, or this morning at the State Capitol. Cobden does not mention Lincoln in his diary of the trip but two years later describes him as "a backwoodsman of good sturdy common sense, but evidently unequal to the occasion." Elizabeth Hoon Cawley, ed., The American Diaries of Richard Cobden (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1952), 75, 189-90.

Lincoln urges Mark W. Delahay not to permit Kansas Republicans to lower party standard. "In my judgement such a step would be a serious mistake—would open a gap through which more would pass out than pass in. And this would be the same, whether the letting down should be in deference to Douglasism, or to the southern opposition element." He cannot attend Kansas convention. Lincoln sends same letter to two other Kansas Republicans, and writes briefly to Peter H. Watson of Cincinnati about patent case. Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay, 14 May 1859, CW, 3:378-79; Enclosure to Mark W. Delahay, [14 May 1859], CW, 3:379-80; Abraham Lincoln to Peter H. Watson, [14 May 1859], CW, 2:380.

Lincoln writes $38.80 check to H. C. Myers, commission merchant. DLC—Original.

Lincoln writes to G. W. Greenwood and declines an invitation "to attend the commencement of Lombard University [located in Galesburg, Illinois], beginning on the 6th of June." Lincoln explains, "Our Federal court here will be in session then; and I can not leave it. I lost nearly the whole of last year, which makes it necessary for me to stick the closer to business thus. Please make my apology to the committee, and accept . . . my thanks for the invitation." Abraham Lincoln to G. W. Greenwood (copy), 16 May 1859, Lincoln Collection, Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.

Lincoln writes to German-language newspaper editor Theodore Canisius, of Springfield, Illinois. Canisius seeks Lincoln's opinion on a Massachusetts "constitutional provision." The amendment would impose a two-year waiting period before "naturalized citizens" could vote or hold public office. Lincoln writes, "as I understand the Massachusetts provision, I am against it's adoption in Illinois, or in any other place, where I have a right to oppose it. Understanding the spirit of our institutions to aim at the elevation of men, I am opposed to whatever tends to degrade them. I have some little notoriety for commiserating the oppressed condition of the negro; and I should be strangely inconsistent if I could favor any project for curtailing the existing rights of foreign-born "white men", even though born in different lands, and speaking different languages from myself." Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Canisius, 17 May 1859, CW, 3:380-81.

Robert buys water bucket at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 157.

Mrs. Lincoln buys $2 silk "mitts" at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 157.

Robert buys candles at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 157.

Lincoln files praecipe in McCallum, Bristol & Co. v. Illinois River RR in U.S. Circuit Court. Files.

He deposits $24.75 at bank. Marine Bank Ledger.

He spends $2 on buggy repairs (setting axle and repairing doors), and charges $1.50 for bottle of tonic ("Allen's Restorative") at his drug store, and buys ink, hair dressing, and perfume. Obed Lewis Account Books; Pratt, Personal Finances, 152.

Mrs. Lincoln buys two silk collars at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 157.

Lincoln draws up praecipe in Gaylord, Son & Co. v. Lansing & Ostrom for U.S. Circuit Court. At bottom of sheet he writes: "Mr. Herndon, please file this in the morning." Herndon does so. Files.

Lincoln & Herndon present Nicholas H. Ridgely with fee bill for $450—"to services in the Gas Light Works and in defending the same at Law vs. Gibson." "We may want to draw on you to get the money in a day or two." Photocopy.

Robert buys 10 pounds of sugar at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 157.