Two days later she had confidential tidings that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had unanimously approved the treaty, and that it would doubtless be discussed in executive session of the Senate on the following Tuesday.
But it hung on for another month, a month through which it was hard for her to go, but through which she went bravely.
On Thursday, March 16, she felt as though hope was almost hopeless. She “had no heart to speak” that day; “had more tears than words.” “It has been a sad day.”
She wrote these words that evening, “weary and heart-sick”; but at this point was interrupted by a note from Senator Lapham. The note will bear printing:
U.S. Senate Chamber
Washington, March 16, 1882
Miss Barton:
I have the gratifying privilege of informing you of the ratification by the Senate of the Geneva Convention; of the full assent of the United States to the same, by the action of the Senate this afternoon. I had the injunction of secrecy removed so that it could be published at once. The whole is in print, and if I get time I will send you some copies in the morning. I go home to-morrow to be gone a week.
Laus Deo!
Very truly
E. S. Lapham