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[1] Illinois State Register, January 12, 1837. On December 20, 1836, Stephen A. Douglas from the committee on petitions reported for the majority with a bill for the establishment of a new county out of part of Sangamon County (vide infra, December 24, as rewritten by Lincoln). John T. Stuart from the same committee reported for the minority against the bill. As customary,
the majority report delivered by Douglas was spread on the Journal, but the minority report was not printed. Hence on the morning of the following day Lincoln moved the printing of the minority report for the reasons indicated in this speech.
[2] Usher F. Linder of Coles County.
[3] After further discussion by other members, Lincoln's motion was lost, 44 to 24.