Lincoln writes and files a praecipe for his client, James Webb, in Webb v. Watson, a debt case in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. He signs Stuart's name on the praecipe. Webb is suing to collect a $200 debt and $100 in damages. Lincoln also writes a copy of the bond on which the suit is based, which reads: "Know all men by these presents that we Andrew Orr and Benjamin Watson are held and firmly bound unto James Webb."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Macon Circuit Court begins two-day session. Judge William Brown appoints Jesse B. Thomas, Jr. prosecuting attorney pro tem.]

[Livingston County Circuit Court holds one-day session.]

Lincoln writes Rowland, Smith & Co. concerning collections from Francis, Allen & Stone. Refusing to handle their real estate business, he recommends "Isaac S. Britton, a trust-worthy man, & one whom the Lord made on purpose for such bussiness."Abraham Lincoln to Rowland, Smith & Company, 24 April 1844, CW, 1:335.

Lincoln writes to Isaac Williams of Tazewell County suggesting B. F. James as substitute delegate to Petersburg convention if Williams cannot attend.Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Williams, 24 April 1846, CW, 1:379-80.

Lincoln is present at House session. Numerous motions are introduced to suspend rules to make one bill or another order of day. All are voted down, and House adjourns early.Globe.

Jacob Bunn's store has new customer, Mrs. Lincoln, who sends E. G. Johns, painter, for keg of lead paint, who charges it ($2) to Lincoln. Bunn Journal.

[DeWitt Circuit Court convenes.]

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln and fellow attorney Kersey H. Fell ask the court for time to amend a declaration they previously filed in the case of Stern & Friedman v. Sawyer. Lincoln and Fell represent plaintiffs Samuel Stern and Isaac S. Friedman in the attachment suit. The court grants the plaintiffs' request and continues the case until the next term. Lincoln represents the plaintiffs in the chancery case of Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles. The court orders Gibbs and Rogers, the executors of William Gibbs's estate, to convey a land deed to defendant Jacob P. Eckles. The court also orders the plaintiffs to pay the court costs. Order, 24 April 1852, Stern & Friedman v. Sawyer, Common Law Record 4, 289; Decree, 24 April 1852, Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles, Chancery Record 5, 124-25; Judgment and Execution Docket, 2 October 1852, Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles, Judgment & Execution Docket 3, 120-21, all in McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

[In Springfield, delegates attending the Sangamon County Whig convention nominate James C. Conkling to run for a seat in the state legislature made available by the resignation of Ninian W. Edwards. Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 27 April 1852, 2:1.

Someone, perhaps Mary Lincoln, buys wallpaper and "6 pieces [of] border" for a total of $18.30 from John Williams and Company in Springfield and charges the purchases to Lincoln's account. Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 145.

]

[Woodford Circuit Court convenes at Metamora, and remains in session all week.]

Lincoln has seven cases, six of which come to trial. He loses two tried by juries, while three of four tried by court are decided against his clients. Seventh case is settled by agreement, with judgment for $34.18 in favor of Lincoln's client. Record.

Lincoln participates in two cases in Circuit Court. In Stigleman, Johnson & Co. v. Paddleford & Norton, jury of inquiry assesses damages of plaintiffs, whom Lincoln & Herndon represent, at $1,504.55. In chancery case, McGraw v. Adams et al., exceptions are ordered filed by April 30, 1857. Lincoln & Herndon appear for complainant. Illinois State Journal, 25 April 1857.

In the Champaign County Circuit Court, Lincoln serves as the judge in the case of Chaddon v. Beasley et al., a dispute over an unpaid promissory note. Lincoln orders "stricken from the file" a plea of abatement filed by Barnett Z. Greene, "a defendant not served with process issued herein." The Court also denies the defendants' request "to plead to the merits" because they make their request "now at 8 oclk P. M. of the last day of term," which Lincoln deems, "comes too late." Lincoln orders the Court clerk to assess the damages. The clerk assesses the damages at $409.60, and the Court orders the defendants to pay plaintiff Lyman D. Chaddon the damages and the court costs. Plea in Abatement, 24 April 1858, Chaddon v. Beasley et al., case file 72, Champaign County Circuit Court, Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana, IL; Order, 24 April 1858, Chaddon v. Beasley, et al., Circuit Court Record B, 570, Champaign County Circuit Court, Urbana Free Library, Champaign County Historical Archives, Urbana, IL; Judge's Docket, April 1858 Term, Chaddon v. Beasley et al., Judge's Docket, 246-47, Champaign County Circuit Court, Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana, IL.

Awaiting further troops for defense of Washington, Lincoln talks to wounded men of 6th Massachusetts Regiment at White House and remarks: "I begin to believe that there is no North." Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 96.

Lincoln responds to a recent letter from former U.S. Senator Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland. Johnson seeks to calm the fears of the citizens of Maryland and Virginia by assuring them that Lincoln does not plan to order an "invasion" of either state. Lincoln replies, "I have no purpose to invade Virginia . . . I have no objection to declare a thousand times that I have no purpose to invade Virginia or any other State, but I do not mean to let them invade us without striking back." Reverdy Johnson to Abraham Lincoln, 22 April 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Reverdy Johnson, 24 April 1861, CW, 4:342-43.

President exchanges formal verbal greetings with Lorenzo Montufar, new minister from Republic of Salvador. National Intelligencer, 25 April 1862; Reply to Lorenzo Montufar, 24 April 1862, CW, 5:198.

Transmits to Senate testimony before naval court of inquiry in case of Lt. Charles E. Fleming (USN). Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 24 April 1862, CW, 5:198-99.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln "loafs" in John Hay's room. Laughs at attack on President Davis in Richmond "Examiner." In evening confers with Gen. Burnside about opening campaign. Hay, Letters and Diary.