I am sending you herewith twelve thousand dollars, which is
to go to the use of the United States government. Years ago
I defrauded the government of money, but have returned it
all, and now am paying fourfold, in accordance with the
teachings of the Scriptures. The way of the transgressor is
hard, but no one but God knows how I have suffered the
consequences, and I would seek to do a bountiful
restoration. May God pardon while the United States
government is benefited.
That letter was simply signed "A Sinner," which is a common signature to
these interesting confessions.
Of an entirely different turn of mind was a penitent a few years ago, who
sent in eight thousand dollars to the Conscience Fund. He tore the bills
making up this sum exactly in half, and sent the first instalment to the
keeper of the Conscience Fund, saying that if the government would
acknowledge its receipt, he would forward the other half. True to his
word, upon receipt of the Federal acknowledgment, he mailed the necessary
fragments of the bills. Pieced together, these were, of course, as good as
gold, and the Conscience Fund was materially increased.
To His Majesty, the President.
While the contributions and the interesting letters connected with them
are the source of some merriment, the whole custom and institution is a
very serious one to a majority, if not to all, the penitents. Many of the
letters reveal a condition of poignant remorse. Some of them are pathetic
in the genuineness and simplicity of the suffering revealed.
One letter that deeply impressed the officials of the Treasury Department
was from a little girl fifteen years of age. It was during the
administration of President Cleveland. The child's letter disclosed
intelligence and keen regret for using two canceled postage stamps. The
missive read: