allow me to call your attention back to the 4th. of last March & also ^to^ the conversation that took place between your Honor & myself, then a prisoner on the cars from chicago, for being concerned in the American Exchange Bank of Georgetown D.C. I write this to you with refferance to engageing you to obtain a pardon for me I was sentenced for 4 years, But I did not have a fair trial nor was I allowed time to get my Witnesses, I was indited for haveing ficticious money, But it was not such thare was such a Bank, & no one ever lost a dollar by it.2 The Mayor of the city of Georgetown D.C. will Satisfy you as to that (the then Mayor) /56[1856]

further I had nothing to do with the concern, & more I am nor a villian nor a rascall, have always been in mercantile buisiness & will refer you to D^Hon^ D. S. Dickinson, of Binghamton3 Judson Smith Esq[Esquire] same place W^m Ross Wallace N. York city Ex Governer W^m Wood of Cleveland Ohio4, & W^m H Seward— for as to My Pased life for 10 years– In chicago to Hanson Abbott G. W. Gage Jencks & Beers & Capt.[Captain] A. Pellittere,5 I am here innocent, now what will you ask to obtain a pardon for me, cash upon my freedom, & it put in Bank before subject to my Pardon, M^r Rutherford & S. A. Buckmaster I am told will give me a fair Bill of conduct since here 13 months,6 James O Brayman has advised me to write you, he works beside me–7 My Brother Alvin of Brookfield Mass will pay the fee that we may agree upon.–

I write this & send it (Sub Rosa) & you I hope will be so kind as answer it at once & let me know your views & then I will get permission to write you in full– You will need only to go to chicago once & send here to M^r Rutherford Agent– I am anxcious to be out as I am loosing money & time, you can write me without Saying you received this letter by evading it & Say you have heard from me, Pleas write me at once & I will answer fully & be much obliged to you–8 while I remain here yours most