Lincoln writes receipt: "Received, May 1, 1858, of William Spencer, by the hand of H. W. Beckwith, twenty-five dollars in full of all fees in said Spencer's cases in the Vermilion Circuit Court against Hamilton White, and generally, in full of all demands up to date. A. Lincoln." Photocopy.

Lincoln arrives and registers at Dunbaugh House. Barton, Life of Lincoln, 1:311; ISLA—Mrs. H. E. English to H. E. Pratt, 19 July 1941.

Lincoln receives another letter from Washburne. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

To Washburne Lincoln writes: "I think our prospects gradually, and steadily, grow better; though we are not yet clear out of the woods by a great deal. There is still some effort to make trouble out of 'Americanism.' " Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln writes to newspaper publisher Jediah F. Alexander, of Greenville, Illinois, with regrets that he will be unable to speak at an upcoming Republican convention. Alexander hoped Lincoln's presence might persuade former Whigs to side with the Republicans. He noted Lincoln's "well-known . . . reputation here." Lincoln explains, "It is too early, considering that when I once begin making political speeches I shall have no respite till November. The labor of that I might endure, but I really can not spare the time from my business." Abraham Lincoln to Jediah F. Alexander, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:446-447.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the plaintiff Mark Hamilton, who is suing Jesse Cooper for $3,000 in damages, in the case of Hamilton v. Cooper. Lincoln files a praecipe with the Clerk of the court. The praecipe instructs the court to notify Cooper, who lives in Carrollton, Illinois, of the case against him. Lincoln also names himself as a surety in the suit by signing a bond for costs. Praecipe, filed 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Record Group 21, case file 379, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL; Bond for Costs, 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Private Collection.

Lincoln and Mark W. Delahay go from Alton to Edwardsville, where Lincoln makes "fine Republican speech." Delahay to Trumbull, 22 May 1858, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois, 18 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln files declarations in three cases in U.S. Circuit Court: Anderson, Lamoureux & Co. v. Robinson (see June 23, 1858); Hamilton v. Cooper (see June 19, 1858); and S. C. Davis & Co. v. Monical & Son. Nonpayment of promissory notes and bill of exchange is alleged, and damages of $4,000, $3,000, and $1,200 respectively are sought. Files.

Lincoln writes to Washburne again. He is worried about political affairs, which "just now bear a very mixed and incongruous aspect." Local signs indicate reconciliation between Douglas and Buchanan, but rumor from Chicago has it that Douglas will assume Free-Soil ground and assail Buchanan when he returns to Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 27 May 1858, CW, 2:455.

Lincoln writes to Samuel Caldwell, who, on March 17, had written to Lincoln "asking an opportunity to study law in my office." Lincoln replies, "It would afford me pleasure to oblige you; but you perhaps are not aware that I do not keep office in a way that is most suitable for a young man to study law in. I am from home perhaps more than half my time, so that as a preceptor I should be of no value. You will find many better opportunities, here than in my office." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Caldwell, 27 May 1858, CW, 11:14-15.

Lincoln writes to John M. Clark of Vincennes, Iowa, about Lincoln's attempts to collect a debt owed to Clark by a gentleman with the surname of Whitten. Lincoln admits to Clark that he "mislaid the note" that Clark had sent him "long ago." Lincoln informs Clark that he did "not think it could be collected." Lincoln states that Whitten currently works in Chicago, and Lincoln will once again try to collect the debt when he is in Chicago—"in July perhaps." Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clark, 31 May 1858, William P. Palmer Collection, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH.