May 17

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1832-05-17'>Thursday, May 17, 1832.</date>
            <place key='41.8333, -89.4667' teiForm='name'>Dixon's Ferry, IL</place>.</dateline>
         <p> Atkinson arrives at noon with 320 regulars, volunteer infantry, and one
            six-pounder. Two Potawatomi chiefs come into camp and assure him that their people will
            remain peaceful. Volunteers camp south of river and regulars on north side. Order is
            issued against unauthorized firing of arms.<bibl default='NO'>
               <title>Atkinson Letter Book</title>, Black Hawk War Collection,
               Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Stevens, <title corresp='books_Stevens1'>Black Hawk War</title>, 128.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p> Lincoln's company draws 10 quarts of meal and 10 pounds of pork, although
            by this time most quartermaster stores are issued to regiments rather than to
               companies.<bibl default='NO'>Quartermaster's Record, Black Hawk War
               Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1841-05-17'>Monday, May 17, 1841.</date>
            <place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>.</dateline>
         <p> Lincoln, for plaintiff in <name type='case' key='L01892'>Fithian v. Cunningham</name>, moves defendant plead case following afternoon. So
               ordered.<bibl default='NO'>Record.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1842-05-17'>Tuesday, May 17, 1842.</date>
            <place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>.</dateline>
         <p> In the debt case of <name type='case' key='L01870'>Cast v.
     Vanmeter</name>, Lincoln files a plea for his client Ambrose D. Vanmeter.<bibl default='NO'>Plea, 17 May 1842, <ital>Cast v. Vanmeter</ital>, Alfred Whital Stern
     Collection, Library of Congress, Washington DC.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1847-05-17'>Monday, May 17, 1847.</date>
            <place key='39.2333, -88.1500' teiForm='name'>Greenup, IL</place>.</dateline>
         <p> In Cumberland County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears for defense in <name type='case' key='L00744'>People v. Lester</name>, manslaughter, change of
            venue from Coles County.  <bibl default='NO'>ISLA&#8212;File.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1848-05-17'>Wednesday, May 17, 1848.</date>
            <place key='38.8833, -77.0333' teiForm='name'>Washington, DC</place>.</dateline>
         <p> Lincoln attends House. Consideration of Post Office appropriations bill
            develops into debate on Congress' power over slavery in territories.<bibl default='NO'>
               <title>Journal</title>; Globe.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1849-05-17'>Thursday, May 17, 1849.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln records mortgage made by John Hay on 7th.
<bibl default='NO'>Book CC of Mortgages, 43.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1851-05-17'>Saturday, May 17, 1851.</date>
            <place key='39.5500, -88.2333' teiForm='name'>Coles County, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln probably visits his stepmother at her home near Charleston. 
He makes entries in Lincoln family Bible, and discusses his 
stepmother's support.
<bibl default='NO'>Charles H. Coleman, <title>Abraham Lincoln and Coles County, Illinois</title> (New Brunswick, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1955), 133; <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln2;node=lincoln2%3A146' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Family Record Written by Abraham Lincoln to</xref>, [1851?], <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 2:94-95; <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln2;node=lincoln2%3A147' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Memorandum of Births in the Hall Family</xref>, [1851?], <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 2:96.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1852-05-17'>Monday, May 17, 1852.</date>
            <place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p>In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears in court on behalf of his client William C.
    McReynolds in the case of <name type='case' key='L00791'>Munsell v. McReynolds</name>, a suit to
    settle a partnership. Along with Leander Munsell's attorney, Kirby Benedict, Lincoln files an
    agreement which dismisses the case and obliges McReynolds to pay the court costs. In the case of
     <name type='case' key='L00750'>Noblitt v. Duck</name>, a suit involving a broken contract,
    Lincoln and Kirby Benedict represent defendant John Duck. Judge David Davis orders Lincoln and
    Benedict to file their plea by Wednesday, May 19. <bibl default='NO'>Judgment, 17 May 1852, <ital>Munsell v.
      McReynolds</ital>, Order Book 3, 291; Declaration, 7 May 1852, <ital>Noblitt v. Duck</ital>,
     case file, box 25; Order, 17 May 1852, <ital>Noblitt v. Duck</ital>, Order Book 3, 289, all in
     Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1853-05-17'>Tuesday, May 17, 1853.</date>
            <place key='40.1500, -88.9500' teiForm='name'>Clinton, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Stuart and Moore, for defendant, move to dismiss <name type='case' key='L00515'>Barger v. Illinois Central RR</name>, appeal from assessment for damages for right of way. Lincoln and Swett, for plaintiff, resist motion, and it is overruled.
<bibl default='NO'>Record.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1855-05-17'>Thursday, May 17, 1855.</date>
            <place key='40.1500, -88.9500' teiForm='name'>Clinton, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
Lincoln and C. H. Moore represent Illinois Central Railroad Company 
in assumpsit case in which jury finds for plaintiff and assesses his 
damages at $100. Stuart and Edwards represent plaintiff.
<bibl default='NO'>Record.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
This is one of cases covered by Lincoln's draft of September 14, 1855 for fees.
</p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1856-05-17'>Saturday, May 17, 1856.</date>
            <place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
[Lincoln's account at John Williams' store is charged $2.50 for "2 
White Chambers."
<bibl default='NO'>Pratt, <title corresp='books_Pratt3'>Personal Finances</title>, 148.</bibl>]
</p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1858-05-17'>Monday, May 17, 1858.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
  </dateline>
         <p> In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln &amp; Herndon represent the
  plaintiff Mark Hamilton, who is suing Jesse Cooper for $3,000 in damages, in
  the case of <name type='case' key='L02294'>Hamilton v. Cooper</name>. Lincoln
  files a praecipe with the Clerk of the court. The praecipe instructs the court
  to notify Cooper, who lives in Carrollton, Illinois, of the case against him.
  Lincoln also names himself as a surety in the suit by signing a bond for costs.
  <bibl default='NO'>Praecipe, filed 17 May 1858, <ital>Hamilton v. Cooper</ital>, Record
  Group 21, case file 379, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois,
  National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL;
  Bond for Costs, 17 May 1858, <ital>Hamilton v. Cooper</ital>, Private
  Collection.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
         <dateline> 
            <date value='1859-05-17'>Tuesday, May 17, 1859.</date> 
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield,
  IL</place>. </dateline>
         <p> 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
  <uLine>elevation</uLine> of men, I am opposed to whatever tends to
  <uLine>degrade</uLine> 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
  <uLine>"white men"</uLine>, even though born in different lands, and speaking
  different languages from myself." <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%3A107' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham
  Lincoln to Theodore Canisius</xref>, 17 May 1859,
  <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 3:380-81.</bibl> 
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1860-05-17'>Thursday, May 17, 1860.</date>
            <place key='39.8000, -89.6333' teiForm='name'>Springfield, IL</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
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. <uLine>Make no contracts 
that will bind me</uLine>." Baker takes this to Chicago.
<bibl default='NO'>Herndon &amp; Weik, 373-74; <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln4;node=lincoln4%3A42' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Endorsement on the Margin of the <title>Missouri Democrat</title>
               </xref>, [17 May 1860], <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 4:50.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform' type='Revised'> <dateline> 
  <date value='1861-05-17'>Friday, May 17, 1861.</date> 
  <place key='38.8833, -77.0333' teiForm='name'>Washington, DC</place>.
  </dateline> <p> Representative of Washington County, Md., asks President to
  interfere in local matters to prevent civil war. <bibl default='NO'>N.Y.
  Tribune, 18 May 1861.</bibl> </p> <p> In the afternoon, the 1st Michigan
  Regiment and their band march to the White House, where they extend "their
  respects to Mr. Lincoln, who expressed himself highly gratified with their
  martial air." A newspaper reports, "[Former U.S. Senator Lewis] Cass [of
  Michigan] felt great interest in equipping and preparing its men, and felt . .
  . great pride in their appearance. . . . Michigan may well feel honored in such
  representations." <bibl default='NO'><title>New York Daily Tribune</title>, 18
  May 1861, 5:2.</bibl> </p> <p> John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President,
  makes official trip to Fortress Monroe, Va., in connection with newly formed
  army. <bibl default='NO'>Nicolay to Bates, 21 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers,
  Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl> </p> <p> [<person key='LI30825' teiForm='name'>Mrs. Lincoln</person> and party visit encampment in City Hall
  Park. <bibl default='NO'> <title>N.Y. Times</title>, 18 May 1861.</bibl> </p> 
  <p> <person key='LI30825' teiForm='name'>Mrs. Lincoln</person> leaves New York
  at 5 P.M. for Boston. <bibl default='NO'>Baltimore Sun, 20 May 1861.</bibl>]
  </p> <p> Lincoln pays $5.50 on harness account. <bibl default='NO'> <title>Lutz
  Account Book</title>.</bibl> </p> <p> Writes check for $8.00 to "William." 
  <bibl default='NO'> <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 8:471.</bibl>
  </p> <p> Sec. Seward shows Lincoln letter from James W. Webb. "He asked me not
  to require him to read it. I shall not say what else he said." Seward comments,
  "It is the P&#x2014;Gen. S[cott]&#x2014;&amp; I against the two C's [Chase and
  Cameron]. . . . The P. is all right." <bibl default='NO'>Seward to Weed, 17 May
  1861, Thurlow Weed Papers, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester,
  Rochester, NY.</bibl> </p> </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1862-05-17'>Saturday, May 17, 1862.</date>
            <place key='38.8833, -77.0333' teiForm='name'>Washington, DC</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
President recognizes Christian Friedrich Mebius as consul at San 
Francisco of Free Hanse City of L&#252;beck.
<bibl default='NO'>National Intelligencer, 21 May 1862.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Reviews with 
<person key='ST16686' teiForm='name'>Sec. Stanton</person>
 military situation in regard to Gen. 
McClellan's request for reinforcements. Gen. McDowell is to move 
toward Richmond and at same time keep approaches to Washington 
covered.
<bibl default='NO'>Committee on Conduct of War, <title corresp='books_Congress2'>Report</title> (1863), 1:273.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Orders McDowell to retain separate command, obey orders of McClellan 
while co-operating with him, and use own judgment in placing troops 
for greatest protection of capital.
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln5;node=lincoln5%3A494' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell</xref>, [17 May 1862], <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 5:219-20.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Writes Mary Motley, daughter of John L. Motley: "A friend of yours (a 
young gentleman of course) tells me you do me the honor of requesting 
my autograph. I could scarcely refuse any young lady&#8212;certainly 
not the daughter of your distinguished father."
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln5;node=lincoln5%3A495' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Mary Motley</xref>, 17 May 1862, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 5:220-21.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1863-05-17'>Sunday, May 17, 1863.</date>
            <place key='38.8833, -77.0333' teiForm='name'>Washington, DC</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
President drives to office of Rear Adm. Dahlgren at Navy Yard; later 
Dahlgren returns to town with him.
<bibl default='NO'>Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Cong. George S. Boutwell (Mass.) meets President on White House steps 
and goes upstairs with him to locate on map Gen. Grant's position in 
rear of Vicksburg, Miss., after crossing Black River today.
<bibl default='NO'>George S. Boutwell, <title>Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs</title>, 2 vols.  (New York: McClure, Phillips, 1902), 2:307.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Lincoln declares Judge H. H. Leavitt's denial of motion for habeas 
corpus in Vallandigham case is equal to three victories in field. 
[Writ denied May 16, 1863.]
<bibl default='NO'>Harper, <title corresp='books_Harper'>Press</title>, 243.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>

<div2 part='N' sample='complete' org='uniform'>
         <dateline>
            <date value='1864-05-17'>Tuesday, May 17, 1864.</date>
            <place key='38.8833, -77.0333' teiForm='name'>Washington, DC</place>.
</dateline>
         <p>
President lays before Senate treaty with certain bands of Chippewa Indians.
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln7;node=lincoln7%3A767' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to the Senate</xref>, 17 May 1864, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 7:344-45.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Cabinet meets.
<bibl default='NO'>Welles, <title corresp='books_Welles1'>Diary</title>.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Lincoln prepares order for draft of 300,000 men, "to increase the 
active and reserved force of the Army, Navy, &amp; Marine Corps of 
the United States." [Order seems not to have been issued.]
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln7;node=lincoln7%3A765' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Order for Draft of 300,000 Men</xref>, 17 May 1864, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 7:344.</bibl>
         </p>
         <p>
Instructs 
<person key='ST16686' teiForm='name'>Sec. Stanton</person>
: "Please notify the insurgents, . . . that the 
government of the United States has satisfactory proof of the 
massacre, . . . at Fort-Pillow," and outlines action government 
proposes to take. [Presumably these instructions to 
<person key='ST16686' teiForm='name'>Sec. Stanton</person>
 were 
never signed and sent.]
<bibl default='NO'>
               <xref from='ROOT' url='http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;rgn=div1;view=text;idno=lincoln7;node=lincoln7%3A769' targOrder='U' to='DITTO'>Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton</xref>, 17 May 1864, <title corresp='books_Basler2'>CW</title>, 7:345-46.</bibl>
         </p>
      </div2>