In U.S. Circuit Court two of Lincoln's cases are called—Wainwright et al. v. Curtis et al., and Eshrick, Black & Co. v. Tobias, Hittle & Co. Defendants are ruled to plead by Wednesday. Record.

Lincoln buys two pounds of cream of tartar at Corneau & Diller, drugs. Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.

[McLean Circuit Court convenes for special term at Bloomington. Judge Norton presides in place of Judge Davis.]

Lincoln's suit against Illinois Central for his fee in famous McLean County tax case is called in McLean Circuit Court. No one appears for defendant, so jury, after hearing Lincoln's evidence, assesses his damages at $5,000, amount sued upon. Parties in Pike v. Shaffer, in which Lincoln appears for plaintiff, agree that trial shall be set for June 23, 1857. Record.

Pike v. Shaffer is again continued by agreement. Record.

On motion of defendant's attorney, verdict in Lincoln's suit against Illinois Central is set aside. Jury is again called, and again finds for plaintiff, this time for $4,800. (Lincoln had forgotten $200 retainer.) Court overrules defendant's motion for new trial. Defendant is allowed appeal to Supreme Court, but this appeal is never taken. Record; Brief of Argument in Abraham Lincoln vs. Illinois Central Railroad, [23 June 1857], CW, 2:397-98.

Issue is joined before jury in Coffin v. Palmer et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, Lincoln and Smith for plaintiff. Court adjourns before arguments are finished. Record.

In the evening, Lincoln is in Springfield, where he delivers a speech "in reply to the speech recently made by Judge [Stephen] Douglas." Lincoln takes issue with Douglas's support of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision. Lincoln asserts, "That decision declares two propositions—first, that a negro cannot sue in the U.S. Courts; and secondly, that Congress cannot prohibit slavery in the Territories. . . . [W]e think the . . . decision is erroneous. We know the court that made it, has often over-ruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to have it to over-rule this." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 29 June 1857, 2:1; Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 26 June 1857, CW, 2:398-410.

Lincoln loses Coffin v. Palmer et al. when jury decides that defendants are not holding land belonging to plaintiff. Record.