of 1831, he went to New Orleans on a job and saw many advertisements for slaves. That same year, he cast his first ballot for Henry Clay of the Whig Party for his seat in Congress. (Sandburg 23) Abe joined the New Salem Debating Society, and started studying legal books and documents. On March 9, 1832, he wrote a paper telling the public he was stepping into politics as a candidate for the legislature of the State of Illinois. (Sandburg 26-27) Unfortunately, he ran unsuccessfully, but this pointed him in the direction of his career. (Neely 348)
             Abe ran again in 1834, and was elected. (Sandburg 40) Between 1832 and 1834, he had served in the Black Hawk War briefly as a captain. (Sandburg 29) He gained leadership and strategy skills that later helped him in his presidency when commanding the army. In 1836, he received his lawyer's license, but did not enter on the roll of attorneys until March of 1837. (Barritt 314) In April of 1837, he left the town of New Salem, and headed to Springfield, Illinois. (Angle 62) He wanted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State and in federal courts. (Angle 89) He became the junior partner of the law firm Stuart and Lincoln, but the partnership ended in 1841. (Baritt 314) During this time, he became the leader of the Whigs in the state legislature, and began his opposition of slavery. (Donald 78; Neely 348) In 1838, he was nominated to the Speaker of the House.
             Lincoln thought of his legal career as an adjunct to his political aspirations. (Donald 74) He argued in the famous Supreme Court case Bailey vs. Cromwell. (Sand
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