I answered:
“Mr. President, these prisoners and their friends tell me that for them the Rebellion is over, and it will surely have a good influence now to let them go.”
He answered:
“Henderson, my conscience tells me that I must not do it.”
But I persisted:
“Mr. President, you should do it. It is necessary for good feeling in Missouri that these people should be released.”
“If I sign this list as a whole, will you be responsible for the future good behavior of the men?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“Then I will take the risk and sign it.” He wrote the word “pardoned,” signed the general order of release, and returned the paper to me.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” I said, “but that is not all; I have another list here.”