Lincoln closes campaign with speech near his first home in Illinois. "It will please Mr. Lincoln's friends," writes Petersburg reporter who heard him Friday, "to know that he has passed through the tremendous labors of this canvass with his health and strength unimpaired." Menard Index, 4 November 1858; Jesse W. Weik, The Real Lincoln (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1923), 276; Otto R. Kyle, Abraham Lincoln in Decatur (New York: Vantage, 1957), 98-99.

A local newspaper reports on Election Day weather and other conditions in the city: "We are gratified to state that the election . . . passed off as usual; without any disturbance. The rain fell almost incessantly throughout the entire day, and the streets were in a horrid condition." The paper reports that more people voted in this election than voted in the election of 1856. The paper conjectured that the higher numbers were due to the "votes of foreigners who procured their papers within a few days past." The report adds that street fights were "not as numerous... as might have been expected. The city prison was pretty near full, however, at sundown." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 3 November 1858, 3:1.

Lincoln writes to Gov. Bissell endorsing pardon petition of Judge Davis and Ward H. Lamon for Orin B. Jones, in prison for larceny. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Bissell, 3 November 1858, CW, 3:335.

Feeling defeat keenly, Lincoln writes to John J. Crittenden of Kentucky, who advocated re-election of Douglas. "The emotions of defeat, at the close of a struggle in which I felt more than a merely selfish interest, and to which defeat the use of your name contributed largely, are fresh upon me; but, even in this mood, I can not for a moment suspect you of anything dishonorable. Abraham Lincoln to John J. Crittenden, 4 November 1858, CW, 3:335-36.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent defendant George M. Caldwell in the case of Gathard v. Caldwell. John Gathard is suing Caldwell to recover some money that he claims Caldwell owes him. The parties reach an agreement, and the Court orders Caldwell to pay Gathard $23 and the court costs. Order, 6 November 1858, Gathard v. Caldwell, Record R, 351; Judgment Docket, 6 November 1858, Gathard v. Caldwell, Judgment Docket E, fol. 104, both in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln & Herndon win two cases in Sangamon Circuit Court. In Chamblin v. Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance jury finds for plaintiff, their client, and assesses his damages at $1,000. In Clinton v. Snow & Robbins, in which they also represent plaintiff, defendants withdraw plea and court assesses Clinton's damages at $205.88. Record.

Lincoln writes letter of introduction to Horace Greeley for John G. Nicolay of Springfield, who "wishes an arrangement to correspond" for Greeley's paper. Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, 8 November 1858, CW, 3:336.

Lincoln prepares for next term of U.S. Circuit Court. In response to request of Gallup and Hitchcock, Chicago attorneys, he files praecipe, declaration, and bond for costs in Palmer & Wallace v. Magill, Denton & Co. Suit is brought to enforce payment of two bills of exchange, each $1,000, drawn on Dubuque & Pacific Railroad Co. Files.

"I am glad I made the late race," Lincoln writes to his old friend A. G. Henry. "It gave me a hearing on the great and durable question of the age, which I could have had in no other way; and though I now sink out of view, and shall be forgotten, I believe I have made some marks which will tell for the cause of civil liberty long after I am gone." To Henry Asbury, E. A. Paine, and Anson Miller, political supporters, he writes encouragement. Abraham Lincoln to Anson G. Henry, 19 November 1858, CW, 3:339-40; Abraham Lincoln to Henry Asbury, 19 November 1858, CW, 3:339; Abraham Lincoln to Eleazar A. Paine, 19 November 1858, CW, 3:340; Abraham Lincoln to Anson S. Miller, 19 November 1858, CW, 3:340.

Lincoln asks C. H. Ray of Chicago Tribune to send him two copies of papers containing reports of debates—he wants to preserve them in scrap book. "I believe, according to a letter of yours to Hatch you are 'feeling like h-ll yet.' Quit that. You will soon feel better. Another 'blow-up' is coming; and we shall have fun again." "The fight must go on," he tells M. M. Inman. With O. M. Hatch and Jesse K. Dubois, he signs letter to Newton Bateman, elected superintendent of education November 2, 1858, requesting help in paying off party debt. Abraham Lincoln to Charles H. Ray, 20 November 1858, CW, 3:341-42; Abraham Lincoln to M. M. Inman, 20 November 1858, CW, 3:341; O. M. Hatch, Abraham Lincoln, and Jesse K. Dubois to Newton Bateman, 20 November 1858, CW, 2:341.

Lincoln writes Joel A. Matteson, former governor of Illinois and now interested in Chicago & Alton Railroad, regarding suit involving road in which Lincoln & Herndon had been retained. "It has so happened," Lincoln writes, "that, so far, we have performed no service in the case; but we lost a cash fee offered us on the other side." He suggests compromise by which fees may be settled. Abraham Lincoln to Joel A. Matteson, 25 November 1858, CW, 3:342.

Lincoln writes Henry C. Whitney requesting that he procure for him two sets of Chicago "Tribune" containing debates with Douglas. To William McNeely of Petersburg, who asked him to take case in Supreme Court, Lincoln writes, "I will attend to it." He writes Samuel C. Davis & Co. again, suggesting how to sell lands company had been awarded. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 30 November 1858, CW, 3:343; Abraham Lincoln to William McNeely, 30 November 1858, CW, 3:343; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel C. Davis and Company, 30 November 1858, CW, 3:342-43.