483

380. Judge Samuel Treat (statement for William H. Herndon).

[1865 — 66]

Mr. Lincoln' first appearance in the Supreme Court of Illinois.

A case being called for hearing in that court, Mr. Lincoln stated that he appeared for the Appellant, and was ready to proceed with the argument. He then said: "This is the first case I have ever had in this Court, and I have, therefore, examined it with great care. As the Court will percieve by looking at the abstract of the record, the only question in the case is one of authority. I have not been able to find any authority sustaining my side of the case, but I have found several cases directly in point on the other side. I will now give these cases to the Court, and then submit the case."

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3978 — 79; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:183

nts

Notes.

1. Presumably in Treat's hand. Docketed: Judge Treat.

2. According to the Illinois Reports, Scammon v. Cline (3 Ill. 456) was the first case for which Lincoln is recorded as counsel. He is, however, named as counsel for the appellee, not for the appellant.