To his Excellency, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States.

No place [Richmond, Virginia ?]: no publisher, no date (ca. 1866). Broadside, oblong small 8vo (approximately 12 x 20 cm), with contemporary manuscript initials on the verso. OCLC (for what it's worth) finds a single copy as of 6/22/2022 (UVA, accession # 26224097).

Toned, soiled, small loss in the upper margin, couple of nicks & a short tear without loss, remnants of hinging tape on the verso, very good.

Although the text refers to "undersigned" no names are provided as is the case with the UVA copy.

In full:

"To his Excellency, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States,
SIR - we, whose names are undersigned, women of Richmond and vicinity, sympathizing deeply with the misfortunes of Jefferson Davis, our former chosen ruler, respectfully ask of your Excellency a favorable consideration of this our earnest petition for his restoration to liberty. We cannot conceal from ourselves, Mr. President, the fact that Mr. Davis is now imprisoned and held subject to trial for his life in consequence of being the head and exponent of the late movement in opposition to the authority of the United States; and that to this position of perilous prominence our fathers and our brothers called him without his seeking it. In view of this, we cannot refrain from raising our voices in his behalf, or fail to do all in our power to shield him from consequences caused, in great part by us and ours.
Woman has ever been the privileged pleader, even for those who have no special claim upon her regard.To the women of Virginia Mr. Davis can never be an object of indifference. Side by side with their loved ones, he has for four long years, endured the vicissitudes of a war such as never before was seen. For us he, without hesitation, sacrificed all his earthly possessions, and did not fear to subject his life to the grave perils which failure would bring.
Apart from the universal claim of humanity which prompts us to plead for all the suffering unfortunate, our prayer for mercy is offered in this instance with the additional fervor of devoted attachment to the person of our late Chief Magistrate, and of admiration for his rare individual worth. This affection and admiration are the result of his four years' residence in our midst. Mr. President, the brightest gem in the victor's crown is mercy; its blessings descend alike on the receiver and giver. The Prince of Peace has said, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." Pardon is the offspring of conscious power. Exercised here, it would be the proudest evidence of America's strength ever given to the world. It would teach the nations that she disdains the tyrant's plea - "Necessity."
Surely the "Genius of America" would not add one drop of blood to all that has been shed. She is typified in the gentle form of woman. Our hearts teach us at this deed of Mercy, performed by you, her chosen servant, would not fail to win her favor and secure her everlasting smiles . As we receive our prayer may the Ruler of the Universe receive yours."