<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-02'>Thursday, December 2, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
In response to proposal that he take young man into his office as 
student, Lincoln writes James T. Thornton: "I am absent altogether 
too much to be a suitable instructor for a law-student. When a man 
has reached the age that Mr. Widner has, and has already been doing 
for himself, my judgment is, that he reads the books for himself 
without an instructer. That is precisely the way I came to the law."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A67' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to James T. Thornton</xref>, 2 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:344.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-07'>Tuesday, December 7,
  1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> John T. Stuart,
  one of the plaintiffs' attorneys in the U. S. Circuit Court case of 
  <name type='case' key='L02120'>Cochran &amp; Hall v. Camp et al.</name>, writes
  and signs a notice informing the defendants that he will obtain the depositions
  of some witnesses in the case. Lincoln &amp; Herndon are two of the attorneys
  representing the various defendants in a dispute over the title to some U. S.
  Government land warrants. Lincoln endorses the notice and writes, "It is hereby
  agreed that the testimony of the above witnesses may be taken upon oral
  interrogatories by the parties or their agents without filing any written
  interrogatories." He signs the document "Lincoln &amp; Herndon for Defts." 
  <bibl default='NO'>Notice, Agreement, 7 December 1858, <title>Cochran &amp; Hall v. Camp et
  al.</title>, Record Group 21, case file 5; Bill for Conveyance, filed 25 August
  1855, <title>Cochran &amp; Hall v. Camp et al.</title>, Record Group 21, case
  file 5, both in U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National
  Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-08'>Wednesday, December 8, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln replies to letter of consolation from H. D. Sharpe: "I think 
we have fairly entered upon a durable struggle as to whether this 
nation is to ultimately become all slave or all free, and though I 
fall early in the contest, it is nothing if I shall have contributed, 
in the least degree, to the final rightful result."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A68' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to H. D. Sharpe</xref>, 8 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:344.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-09'>Thursday, December 9,
  1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> Lincoln &amp;
  Herndon file documents for plaintiff Peter Ambos in two related cases that are
  scheduled to be heard during the U.S. Circuit Court's January term. In the case
  of <name type='case' key='L02101'>Ambos v. James A. Barret &amp; Co.</name>,
  Lincoln &amp; Herndon file promissory notes, a declaration, and a praecipe.
  Ambos, the Treasurer of the Columbus Machine Manufacturing Company, located in
  Ohio, alleges that the defendants failed to repay several promissory notes that
  they issued to the plaintiff. Ambos seeks $15,000 in damages. In the case of 
  <name type='case' key='L02100'>Ambos v. Barret et ux.</name>, Lincoln &amp;
  Herndon file a bill to foreclose on the mortgage of defendants James A. Barret
  and his wife, Eliza B. Barret. Ambos claims that he received four promissory,
  totaling $8,700, from the Barrets. The defendants secured the notes with a
  mortgage on some land located in Sangamon County (Illinois). Ambos alleges that
  the Barrets failed to repay the notes and he further alleges that the
  defendants used sections of the same land to secure a promissory note that the
  couple gave to another lender, Henry VonPhul. <bibl default='NO'>Promissory Notes, filed 9
  December 1858, <title>Ambos v. James A. Barret &amp; Co.</title>, Record Group
  21, case file 518; Declaration, Praecipe, filed 9 December 1858, <title>Ambos
  v. James A. Barret &amp; Co.</title>, Record Group 21, case file 518; Clerk's
  Docket, 9 December 1858, <title>Ambos v. James A. Barret &amp; Co.</title>,
  Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol. 1, fol. 104; Clerk's Docket, 9
  December 1858, <title>Ambos v. Barret et ux.</title>, Record Group 21,
  [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol., fol. 104; Bill to Foreclose Mortgage, filed 9
  December 1858, <title>Ambos v. Barret et ux.</title>, Record Group 21, case
  file 516; Mortgage Deed, filed 9 March 1858, <title>Ambos v. Barret et
  ux.</title>, Record Group 21, case file 516, all in U.S. Circuit Court,
  Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration,
  Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL; Mortgage Certificate (copy), filed 12 March
  1858, <title>Ambos v. Barret et ux.</title>, microfilm, IHi, Springfield,
  IL.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-10'>Friday, December 10, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
In another case in U.S. Circuit Court, <name type='case' key='L02207'>Stoddard v. Ball</name>, Lincoln files bond for costs, praecipe, and declaration. Case concerns distribution of proceeds of sale of Stoddard's Addition to St. Louis.
<bibl default='NO'>Files.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
            <person key='LI30825' teiForm='name'>Mrs. Lincoln</person> buys and charges ribbon.
<bibl default='NO'>Pratt, <title corresp='books_Pratt3'>Personal Finances</title>, 149.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-11'>Saturday, December 11, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
To Lyman Trumbull Lincoln writes his estimate of political situation. 
Douglas is still uppermost in his thoughts. He believes majority of 
Democratic politicians will try to kill him politically, but he is 
afraid they will not try the most effective way, which would be to 
outvote him in national convention. If they try to push slave code on 
him, he will appeal for Republican support, and must not receive it.
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A69' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull</xref>, 11 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:344-45.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-12'>Sunday, December 12, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
"I write merely to let you know that I am neither dead nor dying," 
Lincoln tells Alexander Sympson in letter explaining that he has 
completely recovered from his defeat. As to Democrats, "I have an 
abiding faith that we shall beat them in the long run. Step by step 
the objects of the leaders will become too plain for the people to 
stand them."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A70' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Alexander Sympson</xref>, 12 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:346.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-14'>Tuesday, December 14,
  1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> Lincoln &amp;
  Herndon file a declaration and a praecipe for plaintiff Mark Hamilton in the
  case of <name type='case' key='L02295'>Hamilton v. Moloney</name>, a suit
  scheduled to begin in January in the U.S. Circuit Court. Hamilton, a resident
  of Missouri, is suing Thomas Moloney, of Bloomington, Illinois. Moloney gave
  Hamilton a bill of exchange in the amount of $447, redeemable at the McLean
  County Bank, at Bloomington. Hamilton presented the bill for payment, but the
  bank refused to pay. <bibl default='NO'>Declaration, Praecipe, filed 14 December 1858,
  <title>Hamilton v. Moloney</title>, Record Group 21, case file 525, U.S.
  Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records
  Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-19'>Sunday, December 19, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln urges William Fishback, young lawyer who handled foreclosure 
proceedings in S. C. Davis &amp; Co. cases for Lincoln &amp; Herndon, 
to return from Arkansas to Illinois. "Unless your prospects are 
flattering where you are," he says, "or your health will not permit, 
I wish you would return and take charge of this business."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A71' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to William M. Fishback</xref>, 19 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:346.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-21'>Tuesday, December 21, 1858.</date>
            <place key='40.4833, -88.9833' teiForm='name'>Bloomington, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
At Bloomington, where McLean Circuit Court is in session, Lincoln 
writes in autograph book of George Perrin Davis, son of Judge David 
Davis: "My young friend, George Perrin Davis, has allowed me the 
honor of being the first to write his name in this book."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A72' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Inscription in Autograph Album of George P. Davis</xref>, 21 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:347.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-22'>Wednesday, December
  22, 1858.</date> 
            <place key='40.4833, -88.9833' teiForm='name'>Bloomington, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p>In the McLean
  County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents plaintiff Matthew T. Scott, Jr. in the
  case of <name type='case' key='L01686'>Scott v. St. Louis, Alton, &amp; Chicago
  RR</name>. Scott is suing the railroad for damages. John M. Scott and John B.
  Hanna represent the railroad. The attorneys for both sides present their
  evidence and arguments to a jury. The jury awards Scott $2,170 in damages, and
  the defendant attorneys ask the Court "to set aside the verdict of said Jury,
  and to grant a new trial." <bibl default='NO'>Order, 22 December 1858, <title>Scott v. St.
  Louis, Alton, &amp; Chicago RR</title>, Common Law Record 9, 682; Judgment
  Docket, 13 January 1866, <title>Scott v. St. Louis, Alton, &amp; Chicago
  RR</title>, Judgment &amp; Execution Docket 4, fol. 313, both in McLean County
  Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform' type='New'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-24'>Friday,
  December 24, 1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield,
  IL</place>.</dateline>
         <p>Lincoln writes to William H. Carlin of
  Quincy, Illinois, and informs Carlin that he is collecting copies of speeches
  from the recent campaign season. Lincoln explains, "I am making up a
  Scrap-book...and if any of your speeches were printed, I would be glad to have
  a copy of the one you consider the best." Carlin, a Democratic state senator
  representing Adams County, ran in November for re-election as a member of the
  National Democrat party. Carlin had spoken out against Stephen A. Douglas,
  Lincoln's opponent in the U.S. Senate race, and Lincoln backed Carlin in the
  three-way race for the Illinois Senate seat. Carlin came in third in the race.
  Democrat Austin Brooks won the seat, and Republican John Tillson came in
  second. <bibl default='NO'>Abraham Lincoln to William H. Carlin, 24 December 1858, Brown
  University Library, Providence, RI; <title>Journal of the Senate of the
  Nineteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois</title> (Springfield:
  Lanphier &amp; Walker, 1855), 3-4; <title>Quincy Daily Whig and
  Republican</title> (IL), 15 October 1858, 2:2; <title>Quincy Daily Whig and
  Republican</title> (IL), 12 October 1858, 2:3; <title>The Daily Quincy
  Herald</title> (IL), 19 October 1858, 2:3; <title>The Daily Quincy
  Herald</title> (IL), 4 November 1858, 3:1.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-25'>Saturday, December 25, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln writes to Henry C. Whitney acknowledging receipt of 
"Tribunes" he asked for November 30, 1858.
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A73' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney</xref>, 25 December 1858, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:347.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-27'>Monday, December 27,
  1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> Lincoln files a
  declaration and a praecipe in the case of <name type='case' key='L02296'>Harrison v. Greer</name>, a suit schedule to begin in January in
  the U.S. Circuit Court. Lincoln &amp; Herndon represent plaintiff Asa J.
  Harrison, who is suing William Greer for $1,000 in damages. Harrison alleges
  that he had paid Greer $650 for some hogs that Greer failed to deliver. 
  <bibl default='NO'>Declaration and Praecipe, filed 27 December 1858, <title>Harrison v.
  Greer</title>, Record Group 21, case file 578, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern
  District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes
  Region, Chicago, IL.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-28'>Tuesday, December 28, 1858.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
$2,219.43 is deposited to joint account of Lincoln &amp; Herndon at 
Springfield Marine &amp; Fire Insurance Co.
<bibl default='NO'>Marine Bank Ledger.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-12-30'>Thursday, December
  30, 1858.</date> 
            <place key='40.4833, -88.9833' teiForm='name'>Bloomington, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> Lincoln writes
  a legal opinion regarding the will of John Franklin, Sr. Lincoln deems the will
  unbreakable. <bibl default='NO'>Opinion (copy), 30 December 1858, copy files, IHi,
  Springfield, IL;
  <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln3;node=lincoln3%3A74' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Opinion
  Concerning the Will of John Franklin</xref>, 30 December 1858,
  <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:347-48.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1858-12-31'>Friday, December 31, 1858.</date>
            <place key='40.4833, -88.9833' teiForm='name'>Bloomington, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
[<person key='LI30825' teiForm='name'>Mrs. Lincoln</person> buys, "per Robert," pair of kid gloves at John Williams' store.
<bibl default='NO'>Pratt, <title corresp='books_Pratt3'>Personal Finances</title>, 149.</bibl>]
</p>
      </div2>