At request of Robert Smith of Alton, Stuart, Lincoln, and Edwards submit lengthy opinion attacking validity of charter of Mississippi and Atlantic Railroad. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Smith, 1 March 1854, CW, 2:212-16.

Lincoln writes plea for Patrick Sullivan, plaintiff, in Sullivan v. People, in Supreme Court from Macon County. Oglesby acts with Lincoln. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes and signs declaration in Harris v. Great Western RR, Sangamon Circuit Court case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln argues two cases in Supreme Court: Sullivan v. People, and Stewardson v. Stewardson. In both cases he represents plaintiffs in error. In first he defends right of tavern keeper to sell liquor without license, and in second he contests decree of divorce. He is unsuccessful in both cases. Record; 15 Ill. 145, 223.

[U.S. Senate passes Kansas-Nebraska bill.]

For complainant, Lincoln writes and signs divorce bill in Morgan v. Morgan. He writes and signs chancery bill to divide assets in Taylor & Arnold v. Robinson et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln & Herndon file in Sangamon Circuit Court bill of complaint in Rhodes et al. v. Ash et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln writes and sends to Bloomington declaration and praecipe in Bishop v. Illinois Central RR, signing for "Stuart & Lincoln." Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln pays his carriage maker $11 for varnishing and placing new back panel. Obed Lewis Account Books.

Spring term of Sangamon Circuit Court commences. Lincoln & Herndon have eight cases called. One case is set for hearing one week later, one is continued, one is dismissed on motion of attorneys for both parties, while five are dismissed at cost of Lincoln & Herndon's clients. Record.

In the Morgan County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents defendant James Dunlap in the case of Selby v. Dunlap. In a series of editorials, Paul Selby, the publisher of the Jacksonville Journal, accused Dunlap of political and financial misdeeds. Dunlap allegedly beat Selby with a cane. Selby is suing Dunlap in an action of trespass vi et armis and he seeks $10,000 in damages. On this day, the jury "hear[s] the testimony . . . and part of the arguments of Counsel" before recessing until the next morning. Lincoln spends the night at the Mansion House hotel, located at the "corner of North Main street and the square." Declaration, filed 30 September 1853, Selby v. Dunlap, case file 1328; Order, 21 March 1854, Selby v. Dunlap, Law Record I, 5, both in Morgan County Circuit Court, Morgan County Courthouse, Jacksonville, IL; Daily Jacksonville Constitutionist (IL), 21 March 1854, 2:5; 23 March 1854, 2:1; 25 March 1854, 2:1; Frank J. Heinl, An Epitome of Jacksonville History to 1875 (Jacksonville, IL: n.p., 1925), 19; Charles M. Eames, Historic Morgan and Classic Jacksonville (Jacksonville, IL: Daily Journal Steam Job Printing Office, 1885), 158.

Lincoln "wins" case when jury awards Selby only $300. Illinois Journal, 24 March 1854.