[Spring term of DeWitt Circuit Court convenes. Herndon writes Trumbull: "Mr. Lincoln has gone to Chicago—was a little unwell when he left but suppose him well ere this." Lyman Trumbull Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

Lincoln is recognized on train by Alfred Hyde, convict being taken to Alton penitentiary, who asks about obtaining pardon. Lincoln is impressed by Hyde's "gentlemanly appearance" and his claim of friendship with Senator Daniel S. Dickinson of New York. Hyde to Lincoln, 25 March 1857, 1858, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Daniel S. Dickinson, 3 August 1858, CW, 2:535.

Lincoln pays $5 docket fee in Henderson v. Week, and signs U.S. court fee book. Fee Book.

Lincoln deals with Springfield business preparatory to departure on circuit. George T. Brown to R. Yates, 5 March 1857, Richard Yates Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln is engaged in criminal case in DeWitt Circuit Court. With Moore and Tupper, he defends Larry Bowen, Patrick Kinney, and Thomas O'Connell, charged with larceny. Jury finds Bowen guilty, but exonerates others. Bowen is sentenced to year in penitentiary. Record.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys pair of slippers at John Williams & Co. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]

Lewis v. Phares, assumpsit suit, is tried. Moore and Swett represent plaintiff, Weldon and Lincoln defendant. After jury is summoned, plaintiff submits to nonsuit. Record.

Lincoln writes and files defendant's affidavit in T. F. Hamblin & Co. v. Lisenbey, and court adjourns. Photocopy.

Lincoln concurs in legal opinion which Logan has written at request of Zimri A. Enos. Opinion concerns compensation of county surveyor. Emanuel Hertz, Abraham Lincoln: A New Portrait, 2 vols. (New York: Liveright, 1931), 700-2.

Logan Circuit Court convenes for two-week term at Lincoln. Record.

Lincoln draws up petition for pardon of John Hibbs, Logan County citizen sentenced to two years for manslaughter in 1856, and collects signatures. Petition to William H. Bissell, [8 May 1857], CW, 2:394; Endorsement: David Davis to William H. Bissell, [c. 8 May 1857], CW, 2:394-95.

On behalf of Maria L. Bullock, Mrs. Lincoln's aunt, Lincoln releases two mortgages, given by Patrick Keily and Nathaniel Hay. In margin of Deed Record opposite both instruments he writes: "Satisfied in full, March 21, 1857, Maria L. Bullock. By A. Lincoln, Attorney in fact." Deed Record.

Lincoln enters himself as security for plaintiff's costs in Saltonstall v. Edes et ux. in U.S. Circuit Court. Original owned by James A. Jones, Springfield, Ill.

Johnson v. Beam & Turley, Lincoln & Herndon for plaintiff, is dismissed at defendant's costs. Webster v. Rhodes & Angell, Lincoln, Herndon, and Parks for plaintiff, is also dismissed, each party paying his costs. Record.

[Filed in Danville is bill in Davenport v. Sconce & DonCarlos, which Lincoln corrected and evidently mailed. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.]

Lincoln & Herndon represent plaintiff in Lanham v. Lorence, chancery. Record.

Lincoln spends night at Peoria House. Proceeding to Metamora, he represents defendant in Lucy Ann Davenport v. Lucy Davenport et al., bill for dower. Case, which had been dismissed on plaintiffs motion, is reinstated and continued. Peoria Democratic Union, 30 March 1857; Record.

Lincoln opens case of Isaac Wyant, charged with murder, for state, and defendant's attorneys outline their defense. That Wyant killed Anson Rusk is not contested, defense resting its case on alleged insanity of accused. Bloomington Pantagraph, 15 April 1857.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys drilling and muslin at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]