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 gives Isaac Larrance, designer of new postal map, endorsement: "Having hastily examined 'Larrance's Post-office Chart' and considered the principle upon which it is arranged, I think it will prove a great convenience to Post-Masters and others whose business lead them to search for particular localities upon maps." Testimonial Written for Isaac Larrance, 10 November 1858, CW, 3:336.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the plaintiff Benjamin F. Irwin in the case of Irwin v. Willis. Irwin is suing William Willis for some money that Willis owes to Irwin. The Court swears in a jury which hears the "evidence and arguments of counsel." The jury finds in favor of Irwin and assesses $349 in damages. Judgment, 12 November 1858, Irwin v. Willis, Record R, 370; Judgment Docket, 12 November 1858, Irwin v. Willis, Judgment Docket E, fol. 316, both in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL .

Sangamon Circuit Court in People ex rel. Koerner et al. v. Ridgely et al. enters decree in favor of defendants. Appeal to Supreme Court is taken (see January 24, 1859). Lincoln has three other cases. He writes Judd, asking him to draw new apportionment bill and commence work for its passage. Otherwise Trumbull will be defeated. Record; Abraham Lincoln to Norman B. Judd, 15 November 1858, CW, 3:336-37.