Lincoln & Herndon file documents for plaintiff Peter Ambos in two related cases that are scheduled to be heard during the U.S. Circuit Court's January term. In the case of Ambos v. James A. Barret & Co., Lincoln & Herndon file promissory notes, a declaration, and a praecipe. Ambos, the Treasurer of the Columbus Machine Manufacturing Company, located in Ohio, alleges that the defendants failed to repay several promissory notes that they issued to the plaintiff. Ambos seeks $15,000 in damages. In the case of Ambos v. Barret et ux., Lincoln & Herndon file a bill to foreclose on the mortgage of defendants James A. Barret and his wife, Eliza B. Barret. Ambos claims that he received four promissory, totaling $8,700, from the Barrets. The defendants secured the notes with a mortgage on some land located in Sangamon County (Illinois). Ambos alleges that the Barrets failed to repay the notes and he further alleges that the defendants used sections of the same land to secure a promissory note that the couple gave to another lender, Henry VonPhul. Promissory Notes, filed 9 December 1858, Ambos v. James A. Barret & Co., Record Group 21, case file 518; Declaration, Praecipe, filed 9 December 1858, Ambos v. James A. Barret & Co., Record Group 21, case file 518; Clerk's Docket, 9 December 1858, Ambos v. James A. Barret & Co., Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol. 1, fol. 104; Clerk's Docket, 9 December 1858, Ambos v. Barret et ux., Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol., fol. 104; Bill to Foreclose Mortgage, filed 9 December 1858, Ambos v. Barret et ux., Record Group 21, case file 516; Mortgage Deed, filed 9 March 1858, Ambos v. Barret et ux., Record Group 21, case file 516, all in U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL; Mortgage Certificate (copy), filed 12 March 1858, Ambos v. Barret et ux., microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

In another case in U.S. Circuit Court, Stoddard v. Ball, Lincoln files bond for costs, praecipe, and declaration. Case concerns distribution of proceeds of sale of Stoddard's Addition to St. Louis. Files.

Mrs. Lincoln buys and charges ribbon. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

To Lyman Trumbull Lincoln writes his estimate of political situation. Douglas is still uppermost in his thoughts. He believes majority of Democratic politicians will try to kill him politically, but he is afraid they will not try the most effective way, which would be to outvote him in national convention. If they try to push slave code on him, he will appeal for Republican support, and must not receive it. Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 11 December 1858, CW, 3:344-45.

Lincoln writes to Henry C. Whitney acknowledging receipt of "Tribunes" he asked for November 30, 1858. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 25 December 1858, CW, 3:347.

$2,219.43 is deposited to joint account of Lincoln & Herndon at Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln writes a legal opinion regarding the will of John Franklin, Sr. Lincoln deems the will unbreakable. Opinion (copy), 30 December 1858, copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL; Opinion Concerning the Will of John Franklin, 30 December 1858, CW, 3:347-48.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys, "per Robert," pair of kid gloves at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.]