me speak this morning clearly also.  And now you talk about discretion—­you, who call what was discretion at the right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the wrong time, and call it discretion.  Seward, you may think I’m simple, but I can see your mind working as plainly as you might see the innards of a clock.  You can bring great gifts to this government, with your zeal, and your administrative experience, and your love of men.  Don’t spoil it by thinking I’ve got a dull brain.

Seward (slowly): Yes, I see.  I’ve not been thinking quite clearly about it all.

Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket):  Here’s the paper you sent me.  “Some Thoughts for the President’s Consideration.  Great Britain ...  Russia ...  Mexico ... policy.  Either the President must control this himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet.  It is not in my especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume responsibility.”

There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without speaking.  LINCOLN hands the paper to SEWARD, who holds it for a moment, tears it up and throws it into his basket.

Seward: I beg your pardon.

Lincoln (taking his hand):  That’s brave of you.

JOHN HAY, a Secretary, comes in.

Hay: There’s a messenger from Major Anderson, sir.  He’s ridden straight from Fort Sumter.

Lincoln:  Take him to my room.  No, bring him here.

HAY goes.

Seward:  What does it mean?

Lincoln:  I don’t like the sound of it.

He rings a bell.  A CLERK comes in.

Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house?

Clerk:  Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir.

Lincoln:  My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see me here at once if necessary.  Send the same message to any other ministers you can find.

Clerk:  Yes, sir.

He goes.

Lincoln:  We may have to decide now—­now.

HAY shows in a perspiring and dust-covered

MESSENGER, and retires.  From Major Anderson?

The Messenger:  Yes, sir.  Word of mouth, sir.

Lincoln:  Your credentials?

The Messenger (giving LINCOLN a paper):  Here, sir.

Lincoln (glancing at it):  Well?

The Messenger:  Major Anderson presents his duty to the government.  He can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and reinforcements.

LINCOLN rings the bell, and waits until a third CLERK comes in.

Lincoln:  See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet.  Mr.—­what’s his name?

Seward:  Hawkins.

Lincoln:  Mr. Hawkins is attending to them.  And ask Mr. Hay to come here.