In James F. Reed & Peter Rickard v. Catherine Early et al. Lincoln writes and signs petition to sell real estate, writes answer of James C. Conkling, guardian, and writes court order to sell real estate. He receipts on back of execution order in Jacob Forsyth & Co. v. May & Truett that Springfield lots have been "levied."Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

At meeting of town board, Lincoln, J. Whitney, and P. C. Canedy are appointed to investigate names on petitions for and against liquor licenses.Clerk's Minutes.

[U.S. Circuit Court meets in Christian Church. Nathaniel Pope, presiding judge, is described as an "able jurist and distinguished lawyer."Quincy Whig, 14 December 1839.]

Lincoln is admitted to practice in U.S. Circuit Court by Judge Pope.Record.

Lawyers in attendance are Logan, Breese, Butterfield, Baker, Gatewood, Field, Williams, Cole, Douglas, Levi Davis, G. T. M. Davis, Foreman, and some 20 others.Quincy Whig, 14 December 1839.

Lincoln notes in fee book of Stuart & Lincoln his employment by Isaac Cogdal, friend of his New Salem years, in suit brought against Cogdal by Webster & Hickox, Springfield merchants.Stuart & Lincoln fee book.

Defendant defaults in Hooper, Martin, & Smith v. Haines & Son, and plaintiffs, Lincoln's clients, are awarded $626.82 damages in U.S. Circuit Court.Record.

Lincoln writes supplementary bill in chancery in Spear et al. v. Newton & Newton, which David Spear, his client, signs and swears.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Committee reports to Springfield Mechanics Union that they have consulted Lincoln about obtaining charter from legislature.Minutes of Union.]

Lincoln's motion for new trial in Powell v. E. C. Blankenship & Co. is granted in Sangamon Circuit Court. [Plaintiffs failed in justice of peace court and on December 2, 1839 were given costs in circuit court. On March 13, 1840 they are awarded $95.77.]Stuart & Lincoln fee book.

Lincoln gets judgment by default in chancery case of Wood et al. v. Ross. Judgment is for amount of note, $827.56, with interest at 6 per cent from December 15, 1838.Record.

He writes answer of Thomas Morgan in State Bank of Illinois v. Quinton et al. As guardian, he files answer to petition of Lucy C. Haines v. heirs of Isaac Haines & Haines.Photocopy.

Legislature meets in Springfield for first time. House sits in Second Presbyterian Church. Oscar Love and Richard Kerr of Pike contest seat. Debate is held on resolution of Williams of Adams referring case to election committee. Lincoln, Webb of White, and Marshall of Gallatin support resolution.House Journal; Alton Telegraph, 21 December 1839.

Lincoln writes and signs petition to review in David Bailey v. Cromwell & McNaghton.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On Lincoln's motion, rule of House is dispensed with and he introduces bill authorizing "Collector of ________ county to collect certain taxes." Bill is read twice and on his motion referred to committee of Lincoln, Naper of Cook, and Bowman of Wabash. J. Calhoun is elected House clerk. Lincoln votes for Andrew Johnston.House Journal; Photocopy; Bill Introduced in Illinois Legislature to Authorize the Collector of ________ County to Collect Taxes, [10 December 1839], CW, 1:155.

Lincoln and Edwards of Sangamon call for yeas and nays on resolution requesting commissioners of board of public works to report expenditures on each railroad, and number of engineers employed. He votes nay on tabling, and nay on resolution repealing internal improvement system.House Journal.

Lincoln's motion, agreed to yesterday, is reconsidered but tabled 44 to 41. "Lord Coke" appoints standing committees of "The Lobby." Committee on Etiquette, Politeness & Ceremony consists of Wickliffe Kitchell, chairman, and Lincoln, Wheeler of Pike, French of Edgar, and Hinshaw of McLean.House Journal; Register, 25 December 1839.

House continues to discuss Kerr-Love contest. Resolution to seat Kerr loses 45 to 43. On resolution to seat Love, Lincoln moves to strike out words "until further testimony is heard on the subject." His amendment is adopted, but resolution to seat Love loses by tie vote, which pleases Whigs.House Journal.

House rejects, 55 to 24, resolution to investigate Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown. Lincoln votes nay. State bank investigation committee meets and resolves to present joint resolution listing all items to be investigated "to the Bank as it is, and that full and complete answers be required to all interrogatories."House Report, 340-41.