Lincoln attends state Republican convention. Joseph G. Cannon meets him for first time. Joseph G. Cannon, "I knew Abraham Lincoln" (address delivered at the Dedication of the Lincoln Marker on the Lincoln Circuit in Danville, IL, 22 October 1922).

Lincoln attends the Illinois Republican State Convention. John Hanks displays a Lincoln-for-President "banner" made from "two old time fence rails." The audience encourages Lincoln to comment. Lincoln recalls that in 1830, when he first came to Illinois, he "built a cabin, split rails, and cultivated a small farm . . . six or eight miles from Decatur." He could not attest that the banner rails were ones he had created, but over the years, "he had mauled many and many better ones." New York Daily Tribune, 22 May 1860, 7:1; Press and Tribune (Chicago, IL), 10 May 1860, 1:2; Remarks to Republican State Convention, Decatur, Illinois, 9 May 1860, CW, 4:48-49.

Convention instructs Illinois delegation for Lincoln for President. Chicago Tribune, 11 May 1860.

Lincoln writes to Dr. Edward Wallace, who is in Chicago attending the Republican convention. Wallace, of Reading, Pennsylvania, seeks Lincoln's views regarding the tariff issue. Lincoln writes, "a presidential candidate" needs to assure the convention delegates "that he would neither seek to force a tariff-law by Executive influence; nor yet to arrest a reasonable one, by a veto, or otherwise." Lincoln adds, "I really have no objection to these views being publicly known; but I do wish to thrust no letter before the public now, upon any subject." Abraham Lincoln to Edward Wallace, 12 May 1860, CW, 4:49.

Lincoln gives E. L. Baker, editor of "Illinois State Journal," copy of "Missouri Democrat" in which he had marked passages referring to Seward's position on slavery issue, and on margin of which he writes in pencil: "I agree with Seward in his 'Irrepressible Conflict,' but I do not endorse his 'Higher Law' doctrine. Make no contracts that will bind me." Baker takes this to Chicago. Herndon & Weik, 373-74; Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, [17 May 1860], CW, 4:50.

Lincoln writes to his longtime friend Joshua Speed, of Louisville, Kentucky, in response to Speed's letter congratulating Lincoln on winning the Republican Party's nomination for president. Speed referred to himself as Lincoln's "warm personal friend, though as you are perhaps aware a political opponent." Speed invited Lincoln to Kentucky and intimated, "My wife is warmly for you." Lincoln replies, "I would like to see Kentucky generally, and you in particular; and yet I suppose it will scarcely be prudent for me to leave home much, if any." Lincoln is not surprised that "Mrs. Speed is for me—with her nature and views, she could not well be otherwise." Lincoln invites the Speeds to "visit us here." Joshua F. Speed to Abraham Lincoln, 19 May 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.; Abraham Lincoln to Joshua Speed, 22 May 1860, CW, 10:53-54.

Lincoln writes to George Ashmun, who presided over the Republican National Convention, and accepts the party's nomination for President of the United States. Lincoln writes, "Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence, and with due regard to the views and feelings of all who were represented in the convention; to the rights of all the states, and territories, and people of the nation; to the inviolability of the constitution, and the perpetual union, harmony, and prosperity of all, I am most happy to co-operate for the practical success of the principles declared by the convention." Abraham Lincoln to George Ashmun, 23 May 1860, CW, 4:52.

Thurlow Weed, political boss of New York and William H. Seward's "manager," visits Lincoln. Register, 25 May 1860.

Lincoln deposits $500 in his bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln writes letters in reply to congratulations. He is optimistic: "So far as I can learn, the nominations start well everywhere; and, if they get no back-set, it would seem as if they are going through." He writes briefly to Salmon P. Chase, Cassius M. Clay, Schuyler Colfax, Caleb B. Smith, Trumbull, and Washburne. He tells S. Wells Cone of Kansas that he expects "to be at home constantly for some weeks." More to the point, he writes Leonard Swett approving his activities in smoothing factional differences. He tells David Davis about Weed's visit, and drafts letter for Davis to write, sign, and send to Pennsylvania Republicans Davis dealt with at Chicago, as Lincoln's platform for campaign. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:53; Abraham Lincoln to Cassius M. Clay, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:53-54; Abraham Lincoln to Schuyler Colfax, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:54; Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55-56; Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:56; Abraham Lincoln to S. Wells Cone, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:54; Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 26 May 1860, CW, 4:55; Photocopy.

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to Elizabethtown, Kentucky resident Samuel Haycraft, who seeks to verify Lincoln's biographical information. Lincoln writes, "In the main you are right about my history. My father was Thomas Lincoln, and Mrs. Sally Johnston, was his second wife. You are mistaken about my mother—her maiden name was Nancy Hanks. I was not born at Elizabethtown; but my mother's first child, a daughter, two years older than myself, and now long since deceased, was. . . . My father has been dead near ten years; but my step-mother . . . is still living. I am really very glad of your letter, and shall be pleased to receive another at any time." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Haycraft, 28 May 1860, CW, 4:56-57.

Problems of patronage are already before Lincoln. He writes Leonard Swett of Bloomington his intentions toward New York Republican factions headed by Weed and James Putnam. "It can not have failed to strike you that these men ask for just, the same thing—fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have." Abraham Lincoln to Leonard Swett, 30 May 1860, CW, 4:57.

Lincoln buys Tonic and "Hair Balsam" at his drug store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 153.

Republican presidential nominee Lincoln writes to Charles C. Nott, who is a member of the "Young Mens Central Republican Union," in New York City. Nott had sent "a copy of" Lincoln's Cooper Union speech, to which Lincoln makes some corrections. Lincoln instructs, "So far as it is intended merely to improve in grammar, and elegance of composition, I am quite agreed; but I do not wish the sense changed, or modified, to a hair's breadth." Lincoln notes that one of Nott's "proposed substitution[s] would" result in "a very considerable blunder." Lincoln closes, "If you conclude to publish a new edition, allow me to see the proof-sheets." Abraham Lincoln to Charles C. Nott, 31 May 1860, CW, 4:58-59; Charles C. Nott to Abraham Lincoln, 9 February 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

He writes again to Schuyler Colfax, and to Trumbull, who is arranging with Hannibal Hamlin, nominee for Vice President, letters of formal acceptance. Abraham Lincoln to Schuyler Colfax, 31 May 1860, CW, 4:57-58.