Lincoln, Yates, Herndon, and Jayne sign note to John M. Palmer: "It is our judgment that whether you do or do not finally stand as a candidate for Congress, it is better for you to not to publicly decline for a while. It is a long time till the election; and what may turn up no one can tell." Abraham Lincoln et al. to John M. Palmer, 1 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln writes to Joseph Gillespie about prospect of collecting nine-year-old judgment against "Bradford & Brother, or Bradford & Son or some firm name having Bradford in it." He hopes to meet Gillespie at Alton in three days, en route to stump speech at Paris via Alton. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 2 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln talks politics with Richard Yates, saying he is confident Fremont will carry Illinois. Yates to Trumbull, 3 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Meeting to organize Fremont and Dayton Club is held at courthouse. "Mr. Lincoln being called upon, explained the object of the meeting, and made a graphic and forcible statement of the true issue in the impending struggle. His remarks were very happy, frequently interrupted by applause and sounds of laughter." Illinois State Journal, 4 August 1856.

Herndon writes Trumbull: "Lincoln this moment has gone south east—down to Coles, Edgar &c will go further south." Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Before leaving, Lincoln writes John Bennett letter in which he argues that vote for Fillmore is really vote for Buchanan. Choice is between Fremont and Buchanan, and unless Fillmore men prefer latter, they must vote for Fremont. He writes to H. G. Wells of Michigan, offering to take stump at Kalamazoo August 27, 1856, if he can get there. "I can not promise positively." Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett, 4 August 1856, CW, 2:358; Abraham Lincoln to Hezekiah G. Wells, 4 August 1856, CW, 2:358-59.

Lincoln takes morning Springfield & Alton train, arriving in Alton about noon. He boards next train east toward Terre Haute, alighting at Paris after dark. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gillespie, 2 August 1856, CW, 2:357.

Lincoln, Matson of Indiana, and H. P. H. Bromwell address large Fremont meeting. (Bromwell is candidate for Congress.) "Much enthusiasm prevailed, and the meeting promised a rousing majority on behalf of Edgar County for Fremont." Illinois State Journal, 13 August 1856; Archer to Trumbull, 11 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Speech at Paris, Illinois, 6 August 1856, CW, 2:359.

Lincoln and Bromwell speak at Fremont meeting. Illinois State Journal, 13 August 1856; Archer to Trumbull, 11 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

One who attends both meetings writes Trumbull that "a good impression has been made particularly in the Fillmore wing." Marshall to Trumbull, 7 August 1856, Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Nearly 6,000 people attend Fremont and Bissell meeting. Archer, Bromwell, and Lincoln are listened to "with marked attention and approbation." Illinois State Journal, 13 August 1856.

Lincoln takes part in debate under Democratic auspices. S. W. Moulton opens with Democratic address and challenges Lincoln to answer his argument. Lincoln speaks for three hours—"all about 'freedom,' 'liberty' and niggers." Anthony Thornton follows, answering Lincoln "in an able manner." According to Democratic paper, it was "a great gathering." Register, 19 August 1856; Speech at Shelbyville, Illinois, 9 August 1856, CW, 2:359.

[On 11th Lincoln writes that he has just returned from Shelbyville. Under conditions prevailing it was almost impossible to make trip in one day; therefore he must have started on 10th.]

Lincoln writes Trumbull that he has just returned from speaking in Edgar, Coles, and Shelby counties. "Our whole trouble along there has been & is Fillmoreism. . . . I think we shall ultimately get all the Fillmore men, who are realy anti-slavery extension—the rest will probably go to Buchanan where they rightfully belong; if they do not, so much the better for us." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull, 11 August 1856, CW, 2:359-60.

[Lincoln writes August 19, 1856 that he had been absent from Springfield four days. Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 19 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

He must have been at home on 12th, 13th, and part of 14th.]

[To reach Polo by next evening, Lincoln must have left Springfield during day.]

Lincoln, arrives in Polo during evening and spends night. John G. Campbell, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln (n.p., [1905?]), 1-3.

In morning Lincoln and three friends drive to Oregon. Large crowd gathers at public square, and "then moved to a beautiful grove on the banks of Rock River. After partaking of a repast prepared by the ladies of Ogle County . . . the people listened to most excellent speeches from Hon. Ab. Lincoln, and Hon. John Wentworth." Lincoln returns to Polo after meeting. John G. Campbell, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln (n.p., [1905?]), 1-3; Chicago Democratic Press, 22 August 1856.

Lincoln stays here part of day, then starts back to Springfield. John G. Campbell, Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln (n.p., [1905?]), 1-3.

[Lincoln's remark in his letter of 19th to Dubois—"I have been absent four days"—indicates that he reaches home this evening.] Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 19 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

Lincoln replies to letter from Jesse K. Dubois urging him to speak in Lawrenceville and southeastern Illinois. He says that Trumbull will go there after middle of Sept., and that he "will strain every nerve to be with you and him. More than that I cannot promise now." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 19 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

Lincoln writes H. G. Wells at Kalamazoo, accepting speaking engagement. Abraham Lincoln to Hezekiah G. Wells, 21 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

Lincoln spends night at Matteson House, and leaves for Kalamazoo early next morning. Abraham Lincoln to Hezekiah G. Wells, 21 August 1856, CW, 2:360.

Crowd estimated at 10,000 gathers for Republican demonstration. One of speakers at five different stands is Lincoln. "He made a very fair and argumentative address", opposition paper comments, "but was far too conservative and Union loving in his sentiments to suit his audience; and upon one occasion at least, his hearers protested in emphatic tones against his views." Michigan History Magazine, V, 287-88; Speech at Kalamazoo, Michigan, 27 August 1856, CW, 2:361-66.

Lincoln returns by rail to Chicago. Thomas I. Starr, ed., Lincoln's Kalamazoo Address Against Extending Slavery; Also His Life by Joseph J. Lewis (Detroit, MI: Fine Book Circle, 1941), 18-24.

Lincoln addresses "a very large and attentive audience" with "most telling effect." Illinois State Journal, 4 September 1856.

He reviews history of Nebraska bill, and appeals to Fillmore men to vote for Fremont and defeat Buchanan. Register, 4 September 1856; Speech at Petersburg, Illinois, 1 September 1856, CW, 2:366-68.