INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

Seward stands, stunned. Lincoln sits at the cabinet table. Nicolay is gone.

           SEWARD

Why wasn't I consulted?! I'm Secretary of State! You, you, you informally send a reactionary dottard, to - What will happen, do you imagine, when these peace commissioners arrive?

           LINCOLN

We'll hear `em out.

           SEWARD

Oh, splendid! And next the Democrats will invite `em up to hearings on the Hill, and the newspapers - well, the newspapers - the newspapers will ask "why risk enraging the Confederacy over the issue of slavery when they're here to make peace?" We'll lose every Democrat we've got, more than likely conservative Republicans will join `em, and all our work, all our preparing the ground for the vote, laid waste, for naught.

           LINCOLN

The Blairs have promised support for the amendment if we listen to these people -

           SEWARD

Oh, the Blairs promise, do they? You think they'll keep their promise once we have heard these delegates and refused them? Which we will have to do, since their proposal most certainly will be predicated on keeping their slaves!

           LINCOLN

What hope for any Democratic votes, Willum, if word gets out that I've refused a chance to end the war? You think word won't get out? In Washington?

           SEWARD

It's either the amendment or this Confederate peace, you cannot have both.

           LINCOLN

"If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me..."

           SEWARD

Oh, disaster. This is a disaster!

           LINCOLN

Time is a great thickener of things, Willum.

           SEWARD

Yes, I suppose it is - Actually I have no idea what you mean by that.

Lincoln stands.

           LINCOLN

Get me thirteen votes.(in a thick Kentucky ACCENT:) Them fellers from Richmond ain't here yit.