Called on the President to commute the punishment of a person condemned to be hung. He at once assented. Is always disposed to mitigate punishment, and to grant favors. Sometimes this is a weakness. As a matter of duty and friendship I mentioned to him the case of Laura Jones, a young lady who was residing in Richmond and there engaged to be married but came up three years ago to attend her sick mother and had been unable to pass through the lines and return. I briefly stated her case and handed a letter from her to Mrs. Welles that he might read. It was a touching appeal from the poor girl, who says truly the years of her youth are passing away. I knew if the President read the letter, Laura would get the pass. I therefore only mentioned some of the general facts. He at once said he would give her a pass. I told him her sympathies were with the Secessionists, and it would be better he should read her own statement. But he declined and said he would let her go; the war had depopulated the country and prevented marriages enough, and if he could do a kindness of this sort he was disposed to, unless I advised otherwise. He wrote a pass and handed me.
The numerous frauds at the Philadelphia Navy Yard are surprising. But it is well to have an exposure, hit where and whom it may.
In the trial of Thurlow Weed at New York for libel on Opdyke, Stover, contractor, convicted of fraud, was a witness and gave strange testimony. Plaintiff's counsel sued for exemplified copy of his conviction. If it comes properly from the court, must grant it, but am not disposed to be mixed up with the parties.
Osborn writes, or telegraphs, denying explicitly and unequivocally any knowledge of the publication of the contraband news respecting the attack on Fort Fisher, and wishes me to communicate to Secretary Stanton. Sent Stanton a copy of the dispatch.
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