Lincoln writes Trumbull that all expect Douglas to be nominated by Charleston Democratic convention. To C. M. Allen of Indiana he confesses that nomination of Douglas will put case "in the hardest shape for us." Dubois and David Davis will meet Allen in Chicago. "If you let Usher & Griswold of Terre-Haute know, I think they will co-operate with you." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 1 May 1860, CW, 4:47; Abraham Lincoln to Cyrus M. Allen, 1 May 1860, CW, 4:46-47.

Lincoln writes to Thomas C. Moore, of Batavia, Illinois, and declines Moore's invitation to speak at the Kane County Republican Convention scheduled to take place on May 5 at the "Court House in Geneva." Lincoln explains, "I now find it will be impossible for me to be with you on the 5th . . . I regret this; but I am not personally very prepossessing; and our good friends in Kane, as elsewhere, have seen all my thoughts on paper; and hence they will not be much the losers." Thomas C. Moore to Abraham Lincoln, 9 April 1860, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of the Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Thomas C. Moore, 1 May 1860, CW, 10:52-53.

To R. M. Corwine of Ohio Lincoln outlines his prospects. "I think the Illinois delegation will be unanamous for me at the start; and no other delegation will. . . . You know how it is in Ohio. I am certainly not the first choice there; and yet I have not heard that any one makes any positive objection to me. It is just so everywhere so far as I can perceive." Dubois and Davis will be in Chicago to confer with "friends from other States." Lincoln thanks James G. Wilson of Chicago for sending book of Fitz-Greene Halleck's poems, praising several. Abraham Lincoln to Richard M. Corwine, 2 May 1860, CW, 4:47-48; Abraham Lincoln to James G. Wilson, 2 May 1860, CW, 4:48.

Lincoln attends state Republican convention. Joseph G. Cannon meets him for first time. Joseph G. Cannon, "I knew Abraham Lincoln" (address delivered at the Dedication of the Lincoln Marker on the Lincoln Circuit in Danville, IL, 22 October 1922).

Lincoln attends the Illinois Republican State Convention. John Hanks displays a Lincoln-for-President "banner" made from "two old time fence rails." The audience encourages Lincoln to comment. Lincoln recalls that in 1830, when he first came to Illinois, he "built a cabin, split rails, and cultivated a small farm . . . six or eight miles from Decatur." He could not attest that the banner rails were ones he had created, but over the years, "he had mauled many and many better ones." New York Daily Tribune, 22 May 1860, 7:1; Press and Tribune (Chicago, IL), 10 May 1860, 1:2; Remarks to Republican State Convention, Decatur, Illinois, 9 May 1860, CW, 4:48-49.

Convention instructs Illinois delegation for Lincoln for President. Chicago Tribune, 11 May 1860.

Lincoln writes to Dr. Edward Wallace, who is in Chicago attending the Republican convention. Wallace, of Reading, Pennsylvania, seeks Lincoln's views regarding the tariff issue. Lincoln writes, "a presidential candidate" needs to assure the convention delegates "that he would neither seek to force a tariff-law by Executive influence; nor yet to arrest a reasonable one, by a veto, or otherwise." Lincoln adds, "I really have no objection to these views being publicly known; but I do wish to thrust no letter before the public now, upon any subject." Abraham Lincoln to Edward Wallace, 12 May 1860, CW, 4:49.

Lincoln writes his friend Carl Schurz, chairman of Wisconsin delegation at Chicago, note of introduction to Jesse K. Dubois. Abraham Lincoln to Carl Schurz, 14 May 1860, CW, 4:50.

Lincoln gives E. L. Baker, editor of "Illinois State Journal," copy of "Missouri Democrat" in which he had marked passages referring to Seward's position on slavery issue, and on margin of which he writes in pencil: "I agree with Seward in his 'Irrepressible Conflict,' but I do not endorse his 'Higher Law' doctrine. Make no contracts that will bind me." Baker takes this to Chicago. Herndon & Weik, 373-74; Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, [17 May 1860], CW, 4:50.

In Chicago, on the third ballot, the Republican National Convention delegates nominate Lincoln to be the party's presidential candidate. At noon, the "[n]ews of Mr. Lincoln's nomination" reaches Springfield. In the evening, "the vast crowd . . . immediately" proceeds to Lincoln's home, where he delivers some remarks. Lincoln states "that he did not suppose the honor of such a visit was intended particularly for himself . . . but rather to the representative of a great party." Upon Lincoln's invitation, well-wishers fill his home to offer their congratulations. Illinois Daily State Journal (Springfield), 19 May 1860, 3:2; Press and Tribune (Chicago, IL), 19 May 1860, 1:3; Response to a Serenade, 18 May 1860, CW, 4:50-51.

Lincoln receives a delegation that traveled from Chicago to Springfield to personally inform Lincoln that the Republican Convention selected him to be the party's candidate for President of the United States. Lincoln remarks, "[I am] deeply, and even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is inseparable from this high honor—a responsibility which I could almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before the Convention." Reply to Committee of the Republican National Convention, 19 May 1860, CW, 4:51; Illinois Daily State Journal (Springfield), 21 May 1860, 2:1; New York Daily Tribune, 25 May 1860, 6:4-5.

Lincoln sits for two photographs. Frederick H. Meserve, The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln (New York: privately printed, 1911), 53.

Lincoln writes to former Ohio congressman Joshua R. Giddings, who wrote to congratulate Lincoln on becoming the Republican Party's presidential candidate. Giddings predicted that Lincoln would succeed as long as he avoided "corrupting influences." Lincoln replies, "I am not wanting in the purpose, though I may fail in the strength, to maintain my freedom from bad influences. Your letter comes to my aid in this point, most opportunely. May the Almighty grant that the cause of truth, justice, and humanity, shall in no wise suffer at my hands." Joshua R. Giddings to Abraham Lincoln, 19 May 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joshua R. Giddings, 21 May 1860, CW, 4:51-52.

Lincoln writes to his longtime friend Joshua Speed, of Louisville, Kentucky, in response to Speed's letter congratulating Lincoln on winning the Republican Party's nomination for president. Speed referred to himself as Lincoln's "warm personal friend, though as you are perhaps aware a political opponent." Speed invited Lincoln to Kentucky and intimated, "My wife is warmly for you." Lincoln replies, "I would like to see Kentucky generally, and you in particular; and yet I suppose it will scarcely be prudent for me to leave home much, if any." Lincoln is not surprised that "Mrs. Speed is for me—with her nature and views, she could not well be otherwise." Lincoln invites the Speeds to "visit us here." Joshua F. Speed to Abraham Lincoln, 19 May 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.; Abraham Lincoln to Joshua Speed, 22 May 1860, CW, 10:53-54.

Lincoln writes to George Ashmun, who presided over the Republican National Convention, and accepts the party's nomination for President of the United States. Lincoln writes, "Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence, and with due regard to the views and feelings of all who were represented in the convention; to the rights of all the states, and territories, and people of the nation; to the inviolability of the constitution, and the perpetual union, harmony, and prosperity of all, I am most happy to co-operate for the practical success of the principles declared by the convention." Abraham Lincoln to George Ashmun, 23 May 1860, CW, 4:52.

Thurlow Weed, political boss of New York and William H. Seward's "manager," visits Lincoln. Register, 25 May 1860.

Lincoln deposits $500 in his bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln writes letters in reply to congratulations. He is optimistic: "So far as I can learn, the nominations start well everywhere; and, if they get no back-set, it would seem as if they are going through." He writes briefly to Salmon P. Chase, Cassius M. Clay, Schuyler Colfax, Caleb B. Smith, Trumbull, and Washburne. He tells S. Wells Cone of Kansas that he expects "to be at home constantly for some weeks." More to the point, he writes Leonard Swett approving his activities in smoothing factional differences. He tells David Davis about Weed's visit, and drafts letter for Davis to write, sign, and send to Pennsylvania Republicans Davis dealt with at Chicago, as Lincoln's platform for campaign. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:53; Abraham Lincoln to Cassius M. Clay, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:53-54; Abraham Lincoln to Schuyler Colfax, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:54; Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55-56; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:56; Abraham Lincoln to S. Wells Cone, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:54; Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55; Photocopy.

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to Elizabethtown, Kentucky resident Samuel Haycraft, who seeks to verify Lincoln's biographical information. Lincoln writes, "In the main you are right about my history. My father was Thomas Lincoln, and Mrs. Sally Johnston, was his second wife. You are mistaken about my mother—her maiden name was Nancy Hanks. I was not born at Elizabethtown; but my mother's first child, a daughter, two years older than myself, and now long since deceased, was. . . . My father has been dead near ten years; but my step-mother . . . is still living. I am really very glad of your letter, and shall be pleased to receive another at any time." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Haycraft, 28 May 1860, CW, 4:56-57.

Problems of patronage are already before Lincoln. He writes Leonard Swett of Bloomington his intentions toward New York Republican factions headed by Weed and James Putnam. "It can not have failed to strike you that these men ask for just, the same thing—fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have." Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 30 May 1860, CW, 4:57.

Lincoln buys Tonic and "Hair Balsam" at his drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 153.

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to Charles C. Nott, who is a member of the "Young Mens Central Republican Union," in New York City. Nott had sent "a copy of" Lincoln's Cooper Union speech, to which Lincoln makes some corrections. Lincoln instructs, "So far as it is intended merely to improve in grammar, and elegance of composition, I am quite agreed; but I do not wish the sense changed, or modified, to a hair's breadth." Lincoln notes that one of Nott's "proposed substitution[s] would" result in "a very considerable blunder." Lincoln closes, "If you conclude to publish a new edition, allow me to see the proof-sheets." Abraham Lincoln to Charles C. Nott, 31 May 1860, CW, 4:58-59; Charles C. Nott to Abraham Lincoln, 9 February 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

He writes again to Schuyler Colfax, and to Trumbull, who is arranging with Hannibal Hamlin, nominee for Vice President, letters of formal acceptance. Abraham Lincoln to Schuyler Colfax, 31 May 1860, CW, 4:57-58.