Lincoln is defeated in his first campaign for legislature, running eighth in field of 13 candidates. He receives 277 of 290 votes cast [viva voce] for representatives in New Salem precinct. John T. Stuart receives 182, second highest vote. Lincoln receives 657 votes in Sangamon County. Four candidates elected are Edmund D. Taylor, John T. Stuart, Achilles Morris, and Peter Cartwright. George Forquer defeats William F. Elkin, 1086 to 1077, for senator from Sangamon. Ida M. Tarbell, "Abraham Lincoln," McClure's Magazine 6 (January 1896): 136; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 11 August 1832, 3:2; Theodore C. Pease, ed., Illinois Election Returns, 1818-1848, vol. 18 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1923), 5; Thomas, Lincoln's New Salem, 59-60.

Lincoln is re-elected to legislature, leading field of 17 candidates. He votes for Cyrus Edwards for governor, and for William H. Davidson against Joseph Anderson for lieutenant-governor. Neither wins, but his vote helps Stuart defeat Douglas by 36 votes in total of 36,495.Election Returns.

Lincoln, in name of Stuart & Lincoln, gives David Prickett receipt for $250 to be applied on judgment in Sangamon Circuit Court against Prickett, awarded Kerr & Co. for $513.49 July 13, 1839.Receipt to David Prickett, 6 August 1839, CW, 1:152-53.

He writes and signs "Stuart & Lincoln" to praecipe filed in William Goodacre v. Abner Smith.Photocopy.

William F. Elkin gives $10,000 bond as sheriff of Sangamon County. Bond is signed by Elkin, John Williams, Benjamin Talbott, Robert Irwin, John Constant, and Lincoln.Record.

In Sangamon Circuit Court, continuance of Burns et al. v. Ford et al. is set aside, and report of commissioner appointed at previous term is approved. Lincoln is for complainant and Shields for defendants. On Lincoln's motion, defendants in Wagoner v. Porter et al. are ruled to file their answer on 30 days and case is continued.Record.

Lincoln writes court order in Burns et al. v. Ford et al., and drafts part of jury instructions in Mallory v. Elkin.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan & Lincoln file the petition for bankruptcy of William L. Wilmans of Grayville, Illinois, in the U.S. District Court. Judge Pope sets In re Wilmans for an October 1, 1842, preliminary hearing.Record.

Lincoln files declaration and enters himself security for costs in Justice & Justice v. Garth, trespass case in Tazewell County.Photocopy.

Lincoln deposits $50 cash.Irwin Ledger.

In the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of Beatty et ux. v. Miller et ux., a jury finds Lincoln's clients Jonathan Miller and Miller's wife, Susan, guilty of slander. William Beatty and Beatty's wife, Martha Ann, charged that Susan Miller slandered Martha Beatty by repeating details about an alleged extra-marital affair between Martha Beatty and a Dr. Sullivan. The Millers "disclaim[ed] all intention of affirming the truth of the supposed slanderous words." The jury awards the Beattys $45 in damages. Pleas, filed 30 July 1845, Beatty et ux. v. Miller et ux., Lincoln Collection, John Hay Library, Brown University, Providence, RI; Order, 6 August 1845, Beatty et ux. v. Miller et ux., Record I & J 1845-1848, 59, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois State Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL.

Yocum v. Newsom is argued before jury. Lincoln & Herndon appear for defendant in first case, and with Logan for plaintiff in second. On Lincoln's motion, decree of last term is vacated in Miller v. Freeman and Freeman.Record.

Representing William D. Enyart, Lincoln writes and files with the Sangamon County Circuit Court a bill of complaint in Enyart v. McAtee. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes demurrer in Doyle et al. v. Lewis et al. in U.S. Circuit Court, and signs Logan's name as well as his own. RPB—Original.

Lincoln and Thomas Moffett sign an affidavit to Charles R. Pierce's statement that he served as a private in Captain Abraham Lincoln's company during the Black Hawk War and is thus eligible for additional bounty land for his service. Lincoln and Moffett's affidavit, sworn before Justice of the Peace William F. Elkin, declares that Charles R. Pierce "is the identical person he represents himself to be." Affidavit of Charles R. Pierce, 6 August 1855, RG 15, Entry 26: Records of the Bureau of Pensions and the Pension Service, Bureau of Pensions Correspondence and Pension Bounty Land Case Files Relating to Military Service Performed Between 1775 and 1861, Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Case Files of Bounty Land Warrant Applications Based On Service Between 1812 and 1855 and Disapproved Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, 1800-1900, National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

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 informs Koerner that in response to many requests he is having his late speeches printed. "Journal" is printing 7,000 copies of speech of July 17, 1858, and he has made arrangements in Chicago for publication in German. "Please write me, on receipt of this, and let me know if you have any news from Madison," he concludes. "Every place seems to be coming quite up to my expectation, except Madison." Abraham Lincoln to Gustave P. Koerner, 6 August 1858, CW, 2:536-37.

Lincoln pays $24 by check to George W. Chatterton, jeweller. DLC—Original.

He buys and charges ($1.50) toilet powder and soap on his drug store account. Mrs. Lincoln buys shoes, buttons, comb, and brush at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152, 158.

Lincoln writes Simon Cameron that Lincoln's tariff notes David Davis has shown in Pennsylvania must not "get into the news-papers." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 6 August 1860, CW, 4:90-91.

He writes $5 check to "Wife." DLC—Original.

President and cabinet members at Capitol to approve and sign bills. Lincoln hesitates before signing bill authorizing confiscation of property used for insurrectionary purposes. N.Y. Times, 7 August 1861; Stat. L., XII, 319.

Signs law giving freedom to slaves employed by Confederates in carrying on war. Barton, Life of Lincoln, 2:82.

Approves act authorizing penalty for recruiting soldiers or sailors, and for enlisting, against U.S. Stat. L., XII, 317.

Congress passes and Lincoln signs army bill establishing pay of private soldier with amendment legalizing proclamations and orders of President since inauguration. National Intelligencer, 6 August 1861; Stat. L., XII, 326.

Appoints Hezekiah G. Wells, state officeholder of Michigan, minister to Honduras. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 8 August 1861, 2:1.

Consults with Sen. Andrew Johnson (Tenn.) and Cong. Horace Maynard (Tenn.) about conditions in Tennessee and troops to support Gen. Robert Anderson. Anderson to wife, 6 August 1861, Robert Anderson Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Senate and House committees notify President of adjournment unless he has further communications. Senate Journal, 198; House Journal, 257.

In the afternoon, President Lincoln speaks to an "immense crowd" gathered "at the east front of the Capitol [building]." Lincoln attempts to dispel rumors that General George McClellan and the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton are feuding. Lincoln states, "McClellan's attitude is such that, in the very selfishness of his nature, he cannot but wish to be successful . . . and [Stanton] is in precisely the same situation." He adds, "If [McClellan] . . . cannot be successful, not only [Stanton], but myself for the time being the master of them both, cannot be but failures." Address to Union Meeting at Washington, 6 August 1862, CW, 5:358-59; The New York Times (NY), 7 August 1862, 1:4-6.

Consults with Stanton , Gen. Halleck, and governors on problem of drafting army replacements. N.Y. Tribune, 7 August 1862.

James C. Conkling of Illinois is dinner guest. CW, 8:497.

President attends church services, having proclaimed August 6, 1863 day of thanksgiving. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Speaks at Union meeting in city. John W. Forney, Anecdotes of Public Men, 2 vols. (New York: Harper, 1873-81), 1:168.

Informs John Hay that danger of war with England is past, temporarily at least. Monaghan, Diplomat, 321.

President interviews Sec. Welles regarding promotion of Col. Griffin A. Stedman, who is reported dying from wounds received in action before Petersburg, Va., and endorses recommendation of Gen. Edward O. C. Ord that Col. Stedman be promoted to brigadier general. "I shall be glad to have this done." Welles, Diary; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 6 August 1864, CW, 7:484.

Requests interview and receives notice that Col. Samuel M. Bowman, chief mustering officer for Negro troops in Maryland, will call on August 8, 1864. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel M. Bowman, 6 August 1864, CW, 7:482.

Approves publication of correspondence between himself and Horace Greeley relative to Niagara Falls peace effort. Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, 6 August 1864, CW, 7:482-83.