Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-11-04
MIR. LINCOLN AND THE PETI-
TONERS.
A RECORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER.

RECORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER.
[From Punam's Monthly for November
1t was the custom of Mr.. Lincoln,
during the latter years of the Re
bellion, to hear petitions at certain
hours of the day from all who chose
to present them to him-the formal
itv of an introduction from some
member of Congress being the con
ditfon on which they entered the
Executive Chamber.
The writer of this article pleaded
for the discharge from military SER
vice of brother who had entered
the army at fifteen years of age. The
petition was granted, and the Pres
idcnt kindly asked if he could do
any more for her. She asked if she
light be present at some of these
public interviews, and write notes
of them for publication. He an
swered that she could do so.
OF many hundred petitions she
has selected few only, and has en-
dcavored to present faithful rec
ord of what she actually saw and
heard on the occasions deScribed.* 4
All day long President Lincoln
had received petitioners, and still
they came. He could hear the muir
mur OF voices in the outer rooms, as
they were anxious to be admitted;
vet he mast rest for few moments.
Tad, my dear son, 90 to your
mother; YOU must be tired here
NO, no, papa; | don't want to GO
now-I want to stay and see the
people
And he forced his hands down
deep into his pockets, threw him
self on the floor under writing
desk which stood near his father,
and, settling his head on cushion,
continued: 'Ain't you tired of folks,
pa:'
The little bell which the Presi-
dent sounded-a signal for the doors
to be opened-remained 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 few mo-
ments with sad-faccd woman, who
held an infant in her arms. The
President motioned her to chair,
and she modestly stated that she had
come from town in the far West
to plead for the life Of her husband,
who was sentenced to die in six
weeks for desertion.
'He ran away from his regiment,
thcn?'
No sir, but they think he did
The President frowncd and shook
his head rapidly from side to side.
'Of course, madam, you think that
he did not
ooh, sir! OH And she begun
to cry aloud, the baby joining the
chorus.
The President seemed much an
noycd, but, turning to her, kindly
said:
IF you can prove to me that your
husband did not run away from nor
desert his regiment, | will have him
pardoned. Will you 90 on with
your story, and stop your crying?'
I1ow kind you are, siro
A faint smile played on the Presi-
dents face, us he answered, please
90 on with your story
She told him she was dangerous
" sick, and her husband, hearing it
from comrade, went home, about
three miles from the camp. The
next day he was seized as desert
cr, 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.
1T was a long and tiresome jour
ncy,' he said, sympathctically.
Yes, sir; but, somcway, l felt if !
could only see you and tell you, that
you would believe my story. Ihave
no letters to speak for me, only this
one,' moving her hand towards her
pocket.
The President shook his head. lie
was twisting Il piece of paper over
and over through his fingers. Lift
ing his eyes suddenly to her face,
he asked:
'Who is that letter from?'
'It is from kind minister; ask
ed him to write it. lie said you did
not know him, and would in all
probability not read the letter; yet,
if it would be any comfort to inc, he
would write it,
Let me sec it,
AS he bent forward to take the
letter, the infant seized his hand.
The President pattcd the little hands
and face, and then leaned toward
the light to read. "
How anxiously the waman watch,
ed him. But his countcnance gave
no indication of his thoughts. He
folded the letter carefully; slowly he
handed it back again, saying:
+ Il am satisfied with it. l believe
your story. Ishall pardon your hus'
band
The baby looked steadily up al