I looked upon this only as a
friendly visit, for which I was grateful; and attached no great
importance to it. But he came again in a few days, and after some
general conversation, he told me that there was a movement on foot
in my favor, which might bring the best of news to me; that he had
not only talked with his friends in the legislature, and enlisted
their sympathy and assistance, but he had laid the whole
circumstances, from beginning to end, before Governor Price; that
the Governor would visit the prison shortly, and then I must do my
best in pleading my own cause.
In a day or two the Governor came, and I had an opportunity to
relate my story. I told him all about my first unfortunate marriage,
and the separation. He said that he knew the facts, and also that he
had lately received a letter from my oldest son on the subject, and
had read it with great interest. I then appealed to the Governor for
his clemency; my sentence was an outrageously severe one, and seemed
almost prompted by private malice; I implored him to pardon me; I
went down on my knees before him, and asked his mercy. He told me to
be encouraged; that he would be in the prison again in a few days,
and he would see me. He then went away.
I at once drew up a petition which my friend in the Senate
circulated in the legislature for signatures, and afterwards sent it
to Newark, securing some of the best names in that city. It was then
returned to me, and two weeks afterwards when the Governor came
again to the prison I presented it to him, and he put it in his
pocket.
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