Lincoln's Life as Depicted in the Museum Exhibits (continued)

"Riding the Circuit."
(Reproduced from sketch which appeared in Collier's, February 13, 1909. Courtesy of Collier's and the artist, Rollin Kirby.)

LINCOLN, THE LAWYER. Entering politics, Lincoln was first elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1834, and served four terms. The Museum has a photostat of a bill entitled "An Act to limit the Jurisdiction of the Justices of the Peace," introduced by Lincoln in December 1834. In the election of 1840, Lincoln actively participated in national politics for the first time, campaigning vigorously for the Whig nominee, William Henry Harrison. As Presidential elector of the Whig Party in 1844, Lincoln canvassed Illinois and Indiana for Henry Clay, whom he greatly admired. Again, in 1848, he campaigned for the Whig candidate, Zachary Taylor.

Photograph from an ambrotype by T P. Pearson, Macomb, Ill., taken the day before Lincoln's debate with Douglas at Freeport, Ill.

Lincoln, now prominent in Whig politics, was elected to Congress in 1846 and served for a single term. Lincoln's proposed bill of January 10, 1849, for the gradual emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia, may be seen in a copy of the Congressional Globe in a table case, The bill was tabled and never acted upon. When his term was completed, Lincoln returned to his law practice in Springfield. From 1849 to 1854, he traveled with the court in the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. He rode the circuit in the spring and fall, which allowed him only 6 months for practice in Springfield.