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Our case2Jump to section is decided against us. The decision was announced this morning. Very sorry; but there is no help. The history of the case,
since it came here, is this. On friday morning last, Mr. Joy3Jump to section filed his papers, and entered his motion for a mandamus, and urged me to take up the motion as soon as possible. I already had the points and authorities sent me by you, and by Mr. Goodrich,4Jump to section but had not studied them. I began preparing as fast possible. The evening of the same day I was again urged to take up the case. I refused, one [sic] the ground that I was not ready; and on which plea I also got off over saturday. But on monday (the 14th.) I had to go into it. We occupied the whole day, I using the larger part. I made every point, and used every authority sent me by yourself & by Mr. Goodrich; and, in addition, all the points I could think of, and all the authorities I could find myself. I had 6 Barr---70. and made all out of it that I could. When I closed the argument on my part, a large package was handed me, which proved to [be] the Plat you sent me. The court received it of me; but it was not different from the Plat already in the record. I do not think I could ever have argued the case better than I did. I did nothing else, but prepare to argue, and argue, this case, from friday morning till monday evening.
Very sorry for the result; but I do not think it could have been prevented. Your friend as ever A. LINCOLN---
[1] ALS, IHi.
[2] In the Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy v. Isaac G. Wilson, judge of the Thirteenth Circuit, a mandamus case to require the judge to appoint commissioners to appraise certain property in Aurora, Illinois, which the railroad wanted for shops, station, etc.
[3] James F. Joy.
[4] Grant Goodrich, a Chicago attorney.