Lincoln writes draft to Robert Irwin for $4.22 to balance account. Irwin Ledger.

House considers bill to supply deficiencies in appropriations for year ending June 30, 1849. Amendment is proposed allowing sergeant-at-arms clerk at $4 day provided office is deprived of messenger. Lincoln votes to strike out proviso. Motion carries. He votes aye on amendment, which carries. Globe.

Lincoln votes to table resolution whereby House would purchase copies of The Constitution, by William Hickey, to be distributed to libraries and institutions. Motion carries. He votes to table resolution criticizing secretary of treasury for method of administering Tariff of 1848. Resolution is tabled. Globe.

Lincoln votes against reconsideration of vote whereby President's message was referred to select committee. He votes aye on resolution to raise mileage allowance of "Persons appointed to deliver the votes for President and Vice President . . . to the President of the Senate" from 12½ cents to 25 cents per mile. It is passed 114-62. Globe.

At War Department he swears to facts re Joseph Newman, Mexican War Casualty. Affidavit Concerning Joseph Newman, 4 January 1849, CW, 2:18.

Lincoln writes to Walter Davis of Springfield: "When I last saw you I said, that if the distribution of the offices should fall into my hands, you should have something; and I now say as much, but can say no more." In letter to Herndon he denies that he has promised Davis post office, but reiterates his intention to help him obtain "something" if he can. Congressman Lincoln writes to C. U. Schlater in response to Schlater's request for Lincoln's "signature with a sentiment." Lincoln writes, "I am not a very sentimental man; and the best sentiment I can think of is, if you collect the signatures of all persons who are no less distinguished than I, you will have a very undistinguished mass of names." Abraham Lincoln to Walter Davis, 5 January 1849, CW, 2:18; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 5 January 1849, CW, 2:18-19; Abraham Lincoln to C. U. Schlater, 5 January 1849, CW, 2:19.

After acrimonious sectional debate, House votes on committee report favoring bill granting $1,000 compensation to slaveowner whose slave, joining Florida Indians in 1835, was captured by U.S. troops and sent west. Vote is close, and speaker and clerk disagree on count. Lincoln votes nay and asks how his vote was recorded. Globe; Remarks in United States House of Representatives, 6 January 1849, CW, 2:19.

"Mr. Lincoln gave notice . . . for leave to introduce a bill in relation to school lands which may have been or may be relinquished." Journal.

He votes against suspension of rules to permit introduction of resolution instructing committee on judiciary to report bill for apprehension of fugitive slaves. Motion is defeated 79-100. Globe.

Lincoln votes to reconsider vote of yesterday whereby bill to establish board of private claims was referred to Committee on Judiciary. He votes in favor of reconsideration of vote by which Committee of Whole was discharged from consideration. Former motion passes, latter fails. Globe.

Congressman Lincoln proposes an amendment to a resolution regarding slavery within the District of Columbia. The bill, subject to voter approval, would effectively stop the growth of slavery within the District. If enacted, "all children born of slave mothers within...[the] District on, or after" January 1, 1850, "shall be free." The act would offer financial compensation to District slave owners in an effort to encourage them to free their slaves. Slave-owning congressmen doing government business in the District would no be required to free their slaves. Remarks and Resolution Introduced in United States House of Representatives Concerning Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia, 10 January 1849, CW, 2:20-22.

Lincoln's boarding house messmates linger at table all evening discussing Lincoln's amendment. They heartily approve. "Giddings' Diary," Cleveland Post, 31 March 1878; John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History, 10 vols. (New York: Century, 1890), 1:533.

Lincoln writes to James M. McLean, former Whig legislative colleague, who asked about jobs. Lincoln says he knows nothing about Taylor's intentions. Abraham Lincoln to James M. McLean, 11 January 1849, CW, 2:22.

Lincoln attends House, for his name does not appear on list of absentees. Journal.

"Mr. Lincoln gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, by consent of the free white people of said District, and with compensation to owners." Journal.

Lincoln receives letters from John Bennett and James Berdan. Former desires office in California, latter, Jacksonville lawyer, asks for documents. Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23; Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23.

Besides attending House, Lincoln answers letters of previous day. He will do what he can for Bennett. Referring to James Shields' nomination and probable election to Senate, he asks Berdan: "How do you suppose this, as a fruit of the glorious Mexican war, tastes to Breese, McClernand et al?. Do you suppose they are in a mood of blessing the war about now?" Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23; Abraham Lincoln to James Berdan, 15 January 1849, CW, 2:23.

Lincoln answers roll call in House. Journal.

Lincoln's name is not on list of absentees, so he must have attended House. Journal.

District of Columbia Committee reports bill which merely prohibits slave trade in District of Columbia. Motion to table is defeated, 72-117, Lincoln voting nay. Debate on slavery rages, but Lincoln does not participate. Globe.

In evening, board of managers of Inaugural Ball meets at Copp's Pavilion. National Intelligencer.