Smith continues his argument in Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al. Lincoln concludes argument for appellants. At later date court affirms lower court decree. Record; 16 Ill. 225.

[Traffic with points north of Springfield on railroad is finally resumed, but with difficulty. Illinois Journal, 2 February 1855.]

Lincoln has another Supreme Court case, People v. Blackford et al., appealed from Circuit Court of Sangamon County. He argues and submits case for appellees, while D. B. Campbell appears for appellants. Record; 16 Ill. 166.

Representing defendants in error in Edmunds v. Mayers & Mayers, Lincoln argues his last case of term in Supreme Court. Patent rights to "horological cradle"—device to relieve mothers of cradle-rocking—are involved. Williams and Lawrence represent plaintiff. Court's decision later reverses lower court decree. Record; 16 Ill. 207.

Lot 4 in Block One of Old Town Plat—security for which Lincoln held, and which was foreclosed November 21, 1854, is sold at door of court house by master in chancery. Lincoln bids it in for $628.54, that being total debt, interest, and costs. Record.

Legislature elects Lyman Trumbull U.S. senator. On first ballot Lincoln receives 44 votes, Shields 41 and Trumbull 5, but it is soon apparent that Matteson, not Shields, is real choice of Nebraska men and enough Anti-Nebraska men to elect him. Realizing his own defeat, Lincoln throws votes to Trumbull and elects him on tenth ballot. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 9 February 1855, CW, 2:304-6.

The day after he lost a bid for a U.S. Senate seat, Lincoln writes to Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, of Galena, Illinois. At the time, the state legislature elected U.S. senators, and ultimately, it chose Lyman Trumbull. Lincoln attributes his loss to Governor Joel A. Matteson. Lincoln writes, "He has been secretly a candidate . . . I regret my defeat moderately, but I am not nervous about it. I could have headed off every combination and been elected, had it not been for Matteson's double game—and his defeat now gives me more pleasure than my own gives me pain." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 9 February 1855, CW, 2:304-6.

Trumbull gives victory party. Lincoln's attendance, though unrecorded, can be assumed. Trumbull's election was his handiwork, and to stay away would give Lincoln the appearance of poor loser and lukewarm opponent of slavery extension. John M. Palmer Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln hosts a "large number of anti-Nebraska members of the Legislature." A newspaper reports, "[M]embers of the Legislature met . . . and partook of a dinner provided by the liberality of Mr. Lincoln, at which there was besides good eating, good speeches made, and excellent sentiments offered. The affair passed off very pleasantly." Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 16 February 1855, 3:1.

Lincoln buys castor oil and calomel. Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.

Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Jesse Olds Norton eight days after Lincoln lost a bid for a U.S. Senate seat. At a time when U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures, Lincoln explains to Norton how various Illinois legislators voted. Lincoln, a Whig, ultimately lost the race to Anti-Nebraska Democrat Lyman Trumbull, an Illinois Supreme Court justice. Lincoln attributes his loss to the "manoevering" of Governor Joel A. Matteson, who also sought the Senate seat, and "forced upon me and my friends the necessity of surrendering to Trumbull." Lincoln lost, he explains, in spite of the fact that he "finally surmounted the difficulty with the extreme Anti-Slavery men, and got all their votes, [Owen] Lovejoy's included." Trumbull was elected on the tenth ballot after Lincoln advised his backers to vote for Trumbull in order to avoid the "imminent danger of Matteson's election." Lincoln writes that his supporters "were taken by surprise" by his directive, "Trumbull quite as much as any one else." Lincoln explains that in spite of his loss, he is "very happy to find myself quite convalescent." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse Olds Norton, 16 February 1855, IHi, Springfield, IL.