It was accompanied by the petition of 28,000 names which had been collected by a few women at immense labor and expense during the past year.
This was the first time in the history of New York that a body of women had appeared before the Legislature, and in their innocence they had full confidence that their request would be granted in a very short time.[17] While they were still in Albany their petition was discussed and a young member made a long speech against it, declared that women were "out of their sphere" circulating petitions and coming before the Legislature, and closed by saying, "Who are these asking for a Maine Law?
Nobody but women and children!" Miss Anthony then and there made a solemn resolve that it should be her life work to make a woman's name on a petition worth as much as a man's.
S.P.Townsend, who had made a fortune in the manufacture of sarsaparilla, happening to be at the Capitol, called upon the ladies and invited them to come to New York and hold a meeting, offering to advertise and entertain them.

Miss Anthony, Mrs.Bloomer and Miss Brown accepted his invitation and were entertained at his elegant home, and also by Professor and Mrs.L.N.

Fowler.

He engaged Metropolitan Hall (where Jenny Lind sang) for February 7, and the ladies spoke to an audience of 3,000 at twenty-five cents admission.

Mrs.Fowler presided, and on the platform were Horace Greeley, who made a strong address, Mrs.Greeley, Abby Hopper Gibbons and others.