Lincoln is increasingly concerned over possibility of Douglas being adopted by Republican party outside Illinois. This is subject of letters to Charles L. Wilson of Chicago "Journal" and S. A. Hurlbut of Belvidere. To Wilson he adds: "No combination has been made with me, or proposed to me, in relation to the next Presidential candidate. The same thing is true in regard to next Governor of our State." Abraham Lincoln to Charles L. Wilson, 1 June 1858, CW, 2:456-57; Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut, 1 June 1858, CW, 2:456.

He writes mortgage assigning possible proceeds of Christian County case of Barret v. McDonnald et al.Photocopy.

Lincoln writes to Joseph S. Copes, who seeks to ascertain the titleholder of some Sangamon county property "once owned by Mr. Abram A. Halsey and Mr. E. Lane." Copes, of New Orleans, Louisiana, obtained Lincoln's name from "a mutual friend...Rev. James Smith," who had served as pastor of Springfield's First Presbyterian Church, to which Lincoln's wife Mary belongs. Copes makes the inquiry on behalf of Halsey's "orphans...one of whom is with" Copes. Copes explained, "From what Dr. Smith tells me of you Sir, I feel that you are just the person to whom they can apply with the best assurances of having their title fairly examined & truly stated to them." Lincoln replies, "[T]he legal title...was wholly in Lane, though Halsey was the equitable owner of part of it...Lane sold...Halsey's part...by Mr. Halsey's direction" and donated the money to a missionary organization. Lincoln waives a legal fee. Joseph S. Copes to Abraham Lincoln, 8 April 1858, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph S. Copes, 2 June 1858, Private Collection.

Lincoln informs W. H. Gray that it will be impossible for him, on account of business in U.S. Court, to attend Republican meeting in Clinton County. "The delegates you appoint will meet a large and good convention here. . . . Our prospects appear cheering everywhere." Abraham Lincoln to W. H. Gray, 4 June 1858, CW, 2:457-58.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon file a plea, a notice, an affidavit for continuance, and a praecipe for defendant John E. Madux in the case of VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux. The firm of VanBrunt & Watrons contracted with Madux to purchase 1,000 hogs. The plaintiffs, who are suing Madux for $5,000 in damages, claim that Madux failed to deliver the hogs. Plea, Notice, filed 8 June 1858, VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux, Record Group 21, case file 404; Affidavit for Continuance, filed 8 June 1858, VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux, Record Group 21, case file 404; Praecipe, 8 June 1858, VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux, Record Group 21, case file 404; Clerk's Docket, 21 May 1858, VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux, Record Group 21, [Clerk's] General Docket, Vol. 1, fol. 81, all in U. S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Lincoln receives letter from Samuel Wilkinson of Farmington, Fulton County, asking whether Republicans and Buchanan Democrats have combined to defeat Douglas. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Wilkinson, 10 June 1858, CW, 2:458.

Mrs. Lincoln buys $1.49 worth of yard goods. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Lincoln answers Wilkinson: "I know of no effort to unite the Reps. & Buc. men, and believe there is none. Of course the Republicans do not try to keep the common enemy from dividing; but, so far as I know, or believe, they will not unite with either branch of the division." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Wilkinson, 10 June 1858, CW, 2:458.

United States v. Louis Reinbach, indictment for stealing from mails, McClernand, Lincoln & Herndon for defense, is tried by jury, but arguments are not concluded. Record.

Lincoln writes Ward Hill Lamon advising against running independent candidate against Lovejoy in his district. "As to the inclination of some Republicans to favor Douglas, that is one of the chances I have to run, and which I intend to run with patience. I write in the court room. Court has opened, and I must close." Abraham Lincoln to Ward H. Lamon, 11 June 1858, CW, 2:458-59.

Argument is concluded in United States v. Reinbach, and jury finds Lincoln's client not guilty. Record.

State Republican convention meets in House of Representatives, and unanimously resolves "that Abraham Lincoln is the first and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois for the U.S. Senate." Convention adjourns to meet at 8 P.M. when Lincoln, reading from manuscript, delivers "House Divided" speech. Edwin E. Sparks, ed., The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Springfield, IL: 1908), 22; "A House Divided": Speech at Springfield, Illinois, 16 June 1858, CW, 2:461-69.

Lincoln writes to Sydney Spring and Andrew McCallen about candidates for legislature in their districts. He writes to James W. Somers, Urbana attorney, on law case. Abraham Lincoln to Sydney Spring, 19 June 1858, CW, 2:470; Abraham Lincoln to Andrew McCallen, 19 June 1858, CW, 2:469; Abraham Lincoln to James W. Somers, 19 June 1858, CW, 2:469-70.

In U.S. Circuit Court Hamilton v. Cooper, in which Lincoln filed declaration May 26, 1858, is called. Defendant defaults, and judgment for $2,289.15 is awarded plaintiff. Record.

In the U. S. District Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the Wiggins Ferry Company, the plaintiff in the case of Wiggins Ferry Co. v. Steamer Ocean Spray. The plaintiff seeks the salvage rights to the cargo of a steamer called the "Ocean Spray." John Trendley, an employee of the ferry company, rescued the steamer which had caught fire while on the Mississippi River. Lincoln & Herndon ask Judge Samuel H. Treat to assign one of the court's commissioners "to take the testimony of witnesses...and to report thereon with all convenient speed." Judge Treat grants the request.Libel, Affidavit of John Trendley, 29 April 1858, Wiggins Ferry Co. v. Steamer Ocean Spray, Record Group 21, case file 20; Order, 21 June 1858, Wiggins Ferry Co. v. Steamer Ocean Spray, Record Group 21, General Record, Vol. 1, 151, both in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

Mrs. Mary Macready of New York, whose damage suit against Alton Lincoln filed April 17, 1858, calls on Lincoln. Lincoln asks O. H. Browning, associated with him in case, if he can be on hand at next term if case should be continued. Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 22 June 1858, CW, 2:470.

William Cline gives Lincoln his promissory note for $750 at 10 per cent, payable in one year. As security Lincoln takes mortgage on 95 acres. U.S. Court hears testimony in Wiggins Ferry Co. v. Steamer Ocean Spray, and decides that plaintiffs did in fact salvage ship. Wreck is ordered sold by court marshal August 25, 1858. Record.

Lincoln writes to Chicago newspaper editor John L. Scripps regarding Lincoln's recent "House Divided" speech. Scripps commends the speech but he cautions, "Some of my Kentucky friends who want to be Republicans . . . are afraid we are not sufficiently conservative . . . specifically relative to the general question of federal interference with slavery." Lincoln writes, "I have declared a thousand times, and now repeat that, in my opinion, neither the General Government, nor any other power outside of the slave states, can constitutionally or rightfully interfere with slaves or slavery where it already exists." To Trumbull in Washington he reports local political situation. He thinks Republican state ticket will be elected without difficulty, but that it will be very hard to carry legislature. John L. Scripps to Abraham Lincoln, 22 June 1858, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John L. Scripps, 23 June 1858, CW, 2:471; Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 23 June 1858, CW, 2:471-72.

In U.S. Circuit Court Lincoln takes judgment for $2,665.39 in Anderson, Lamoureux & Co. v. Robinson, filed May 26, 1858. Record.

Lincoln, representing defendant, files affidavit for continuance in VanBrunt & Watrons v. Madux in U.S. Circuit Court. United States v. Hartzler is tried. Witnesses are few and evidence brief. Jury finds accused not guilty on two counts, guilty on one. Lincoln reads testimonial letter from Danville citizens, and judge pronounces light sentence, two years in penitentiary. Record; Chicago Times, 7 July 1858.

In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent Mary Macready in the case of Macready v. Alton, Illinois. Macready is suing the city of Alton for $20,000 in damages. Macready fell into a hole and injured herself while walking on a sidewalk in Alton. Macready claims that the City allowed "a deep and dangerous excavation to be and remain in one of the public sidewalks." Further, the City did not "warn and notify persons upon said sidewalk, of the excavation." The court swears in a jury, and the case proceeds "until the hour of adjournment." Judge Samuel H. Treat orders that the trial continue the next morning. Declaration, Praecipe, filed 17 April 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, case file 335; Order, 29 June 1858, Macready v. Alton, Illinois, Record Group 21, General Records, Vol. 1, 411, both in U. S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.

In Macready v. Alton, Illinois jury returns verdict for Mrs. Macready and awards damages of $300. Record.

Lincoln writes to members of the German 7th Ward Club, of Chicago, and declines an invitation to attend a July 5 Independence Day celebration. Lincoln explains, "[M]y engagements are such that I cannot be with you." He offers a "sentiment: Our German Fellow-Citizens:—Ever true to Liberty, the Union, and the Constitution—true to Liberty, not selfishly, but upon principle—not for special classes of men, but for all men; true to the Union and the Constitution, as the best means to advance that liberty." A. C. Hesing to Abraham Lincoln, 29 June 1858, Robert Todd Lincoln Collection of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Anton C. Hesing, Henry Wendt, Alexander Fisher, Committee, 30 June 1858, CW, 2:475; Herman Kriesmann to Ozias M. Hatch (copy), 6 July 1858, Photostat File, Manuscripts, IHi, Springfield, IL; Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 7 July 1858, 1:3-4.