Contest for probate justice of peace, which has kept Springfield in turmoil for two months, ends with election of James Adams over Dr. Anson G. Henry by 1,025 to 792.Sangamo Journal, 12 August 1837.

Lincoln votes for Henry, for Matheny for county clerk, and John Constant for treasurer. Matheny and Constant are elected.Election Returns.

Lincoln writes Thomas Bohannan acknowledging receipt of notes of Allen & Stone for $117.94 and J. Francis for $50.35. Though he has been promised payment, he has received nothing, and will sue unless payment is made soon. He attends meeting of town board and in Matheny's absence serves as chairman. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Bohannon, 7 August 1839, CW, 1:153; Clerk's Minutes.

Argument for new trial of Francis & Sanford v. January & Dunlap, decided August 4, 1841, is heard in Circuit Court. Court orders Philip S. Kreigh who owes Nicholas Bryan $40.47 to pay this to Nathaniel Hay and to credit Bryan with this amount on $222.50 judgment awarded in Hay v. Bryan August 3, 1841. Lincoln writes court decree.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Election Day. In letter to Speed May 18, 1843 Lincoln said he intended to support party nominee for Congress, but at polls he does not vote for Hardin for Congress, or for or against Whig candidates for county offices. His only votes are for constable and justice of peace.Election Returns.

At meeting of Clay Club, Lincoln introduces resolutions expressing grief over death of John Brodie. On motion of Dr. A. G. Henry, committee of five is appointed to inquire into cause of accident.Sangamo Journal, 8 August 1844; Resolutions Adopted by Springfield Clay Club on the Death of John Brodie, 7 August 1844, CW, 1:341.

Jacob Lewis presents voucher at Robert Irwin's store for $7 for services, and is paid from Lincoln's account.Irwin Ledger.

Jury fails to agree in Yocum v. Newsom. They are discharged and case continued. Lincoln loses Withrow v. Hill when court finds for complainant. He files notice of publication in Hay v. Bryan et al. On defendant's motion, new trial is granted in Beerup v. Lewis, involving ownership of stud horse named Cherokee, judgment to stand as to other property. Lincoln is for defendant. Lincoln wins Merriman v. Lake, assumpsit, despite defendant's plea and affidavit when jury finds for plaintiff and awards $369.34 damages.Record.

Lincoln attends House session which passes army bill.Journal.

["The House of Representatives, I learn, have been engaged during the whole day in making violent party speeches on the Presidential election," complains Polk in his Diary. ". . . This is a great outrage and they should be held to a strict account . . . for their wanton waste of the public time."]

Lincoln writes an agreement on facts in Penny v. McHenry et al. Lincoln represents Henry McHenry, Robert Irwin, and John Irwin in the case. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln signs, for Lincoln & Herndon, agreement on deposition in Martha K. Graves v. Hiram Penny, Sangamon Circuit Court case. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Regular train service begins on Alton & Chicago Railroad. Jacksonville Constitutionalist, 3 August 1854.]

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.

A New York Herald newspaper reporter visits with Lincoln and writes, "After a pretty thorough investigation, I find that there is not a man in this region who says a word against [his] honesty . . . They like his sociability and his familiarity." The correspondent notes that Mary Lincoln added "some brilliant flashes of wit and good nature" to the "lively . . . conversation." He adds, "[Lincoln's] features may appear rugged to the casual observer, but when engaged in earnest and entertaining conversation they assume an aspect at once pleasing and engaging. . . . Lincoln . . . looks the man, acts the gentleman, and mirrors at once the keenness of the astute statesman." New York Herald, 13 August 1860, 5:2-3.

President confers with Illinois delegation, including Sen. Browning (Ill.) regarding promotion for Gen. David Hunter. Browning returns in afternoon. Browning, Diary.

Instructs Gen. Scott to order Gen. Wool to Fortress Monroe, Va., if Scott thinks he should go there. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 7 August 1861, CW, 4:478.

Desires Scott to decide publication date for Gen. McDowell's report on Battle of Bull Run. Hamilton to Nicolay, 7 August 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Designates W. P. Dole, commissioner of Indian affairs, to present treaty to Delaware Indians for signatures. Designation of William P. Dole to Present Treaty to the Delaware Indians, 7 August 1861, CW, 4:476-77.

President, Secretaries Seward and Stanton, Captain John A. Dahlgren, and others spend two hours at Navy Yard in afternoon observing experiments with "Rafael" repeater cannon. Later Dahlgren takes party on board steamboat to cool off and rest. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 8 August 1862, 2d ed., 2:2; Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln orders 23 book titles and 1 box from T. J. Crowen, Publisher, Bookseller, and Stationer, 699 Broadway, New York: "1 set Waverly $16," "1 set Cooper $34," "1 set Shakespeare $12," "1 Spencers Poem $8," "1 Cor. Am. Revolution $15," "1 Sigourney Poems $5," "1 Land & Book $3.25," "1 Field Book $10," "1 Kanes Expeditions $10," "1 Box $0.75," "1 Hist. of New York $4.50," "1 Indian Tales $2.25," "1 Hist. of Revolution $6," "1 Hist. of Washington $9," "1 Hist. of England $5," "1 Hist. of Voyages $2.25," "2 Albums $9," "1 Portrait Gallery $16," "1 Travels $2.25," "1 Hist. of Creation $2.50," "1 Hist. of Birds $0.63," "1 Hist. of Beasts $0.75," "1 Hist. of Art $0.50," "1 Text Book $0.37." For the last 14 items Lincoln pays $61; the remainder, totalling $52, is paid from annual appropriation of $250 for books for White House, administered by Commissioner French. Pratt, Personal Finances, 180-81.

Lincoln declines invitation of Gov. Joseph A. Gilmore (N.H.) to visit Concord, N.H. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Gilmore, 7 August 1863, CW, 6:368.

Directs that $20,000 be placed under control of Sec. Seward and $80,000 under control of Sec. Stanton for expenses of carrying into effect habeas corpus act. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 7 August 1863, CW, 6:368-69; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 7 August 1863, CW, 6:370-71.

President Lincoln responds to New York Governor Horatio Seymour, who seeks to halt "the draft in this State." Seymour cited the recent New York City draft riots and he suggeted that the draft law was unconstitutional. Lincoln disagrees and writes, "time is too important. . . . We are contending with an enemy who . . . drives every able bodied man he can reach, into his ranks, very much as a butcher drives bullocks into a slaughter-pen. . . . It produces an army with a rapidity not to be matched on our side . . . My purpose is to be just and constitutional; and yet practical." Horatio Seymour to Abraham Lincoln, 3 August 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Horatio Seymour, 7 August 1863, CW, 6:369-70.

[Mrs. Lincoln and Robert are in White Mountains. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 75.]

President, Gens. Grant and Halleck, and Sec. Stanton meet in War Dept. Sec. Welles inquires about Col. Stedman and learns of his death. Welles, Diary, 8 August 1864.