Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-12-28
Mr.. LincOIn'S Petitioners.

4 RECORD FR0X THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
| 1t was the custom of Mr. Lincoln, during
the latter years of the rebellion, to hear pc
titions at certain hours of the day, from all
who chose to present them 10 him the for
mality Of an introduction from some member
of Congress being the condition on which
they entered the Executive Chamber.
The writer Of this record pleaded for the
discharge from military service Of brother
who had entered the army at fifteen years Of
age The petition was granted, and the
President kindly asked if he could do any
thing more for her. She asked if she might
I be present at some Of these public interviews,
and write notes Of them for pu blication. He
answered that she could do 50.
OF many hundred petitions she has selected
a few only and has endeavored to present
faithful record of what she actually saw and
heard on the occasion described
.The authority Of these notes is vouched for
by the writer. whose good faith Is well indorsed.
/ All day long President Lincoln had received
/ petitions, and still they came. He could hear
the murmur Of voices in the outer room, as
they were anxious to be admitted, yet he
must rest for few moments.
/ - Tad, my dear son, 90 to your mother,
you must be tired here.
q" No, no, papa; | don't want TO 20 now
/ | want to stay and see the people. And be
/ forced his hands down deep into his pockets,
threw himself on the floor under a writing
desk which stood near his father, and resting
/ his head on cushion continued g Ain {
+ you tired Of folks, pa?
/ ! he little bell which the President sounded
"a signal for the doors TO be Opened-re-
mained unrung, and he sat with his hands
clasped together and his head dropping for
ward.
His little son moved softly from the room,
returning in a few moments with sad faced
woman, who bad an infant in her arms. The
President 1.--8ned her t. a chair, and she
modestly stated that she had come from a
ssoyyP in sfe far " est % plead for tho life Of
weeks for desertion.
/ - lie ran away from his regiment then -
" No, sir, but they think he did"
The President frowned and shook his head
ra 9idly from side to side.
" Of course, madam, you think that he
did not
"Oh, sir -, and she began to cry aloud
the baby joining the chorus.
The President seemed much annoyed, but
turning to her kindly said
If you can prove to me that your husband
did not run away from nor desert his regi-
ment, | will have him pardoned. VIII you
90 on with your story, and stop your crying p
g How kind you are, sir .
faint smile played upon. the President s
face, he answered, 9 Please go on with
your story
She told him she was dangerously sick,
and her husband, hearing it from comrade,
went home, about three miles from the
camp. The next day he was seized as a
deserter and dragged away. As soon as she
could walk little she had gone to the officers
( to plead for him, but they would not listen
to her. She was sick after that long walk,
and as soon as she could get up again she
/ had started for Washington.
''lt was a long and tiresome journey" he
said sympathetically.
= Yes, cir but somehow, felt if could
only see you and tell you, that you would
believe my story. | have no letters to speak
for me, only this one,' moving her hand to-
wards her pocket.
The President shook his head. He was
twisting a piece of paper over and over
through his fingers. Lifting his eyes sud
denly TO her face, he asked
Who is that letter from -
g It is from kind minister | asked him
to write it. lie said you did not know him,
and would in all probability not read the