Rochester Sept. 18th. 1861.

To his Excellency Abraham Lincoln.

Hon. & dear Sir,

May I take the liberty - as the wife of Alfred Ely to call your attention to the fact of his imprisonment in Richmond and to beg of you to know what I may reasonably expect with regard to the time of his release!

Do not consider me presuming a importunate -- as indeed I only appeal to you as a Supplicant and as an anxious wife desirous of her husbands' release from what has already been a long confinement. That you will not forget him when in your wisdom you see fit