leaving them, they at once also perceive that in loyal Maryland, loyal Virginia, loyal Kentucky and loyal Missouri,—­in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Louisville,—­the slaves under local laws are protected to their owners.  Thus the most stupid will reason, It is our own act which has placed in jeopardy this our property.  With a restored Union, Georgia and Louisiana must be as Maryland and Kentucky continued even in the midst of camps.  Who, during the acme of the French revolution, could have believed that the people of Paris would so soon and so readily accept even despotism as the panacea of turmoil?  Show a real grievance, and I grant you that rebellion achieves the dignity of revolution.  Provide an imaginary or a colored evil as the basis of insurrection, and even pride and obstinacy will eventually comprehend the sophistry of the leaders.

Mr. Lincoln. Seward’s secret correspondence with Southern loyalists proves these things.  Mr. Stanton must read that last letter from....

Mr. Stanton. Indeed!  You surprise me.  Pray how could you receive intelligence from him?

Mr. Lincoln (opening a drawer). Do you see this button?  I unscrew this eye.  The two discs now separate.  Between them you can put a sheet of French letter paper.  When the troops advanced to Bull Run, certain of the soldiers were provided with such buttons.  Various deserters have had them.

Mr. Seward (laughing.) Who knows but General Scott’s coachman had one or two?[M]

Mr. Stanton. This practically corroborates my theories.  If we in Washington find it so difficult to repress communication and spies, is it not fair to presume that in Richmond, Savannah, New Orleans and Memphis (where there is real incentive from suffering and persecution), it is equally impossible to stop information?  It was impossible to procure it when the three rifled cannon at the Richmond foundry were found spiked.  It would prove serviceable to the patience of the nation, could it only step behind the scenes and learn much—­known to us—­which it must ere long understand.

* * * * *

Mr. Lincoln. I have just received by our secret mail a very affecting letter from Col.  Corcoran.  I will read an extract. [Reads.]

’Of my physical suffering I will not speak.  If restored to friends and home I shall, however, be a memorable example of the victory of mind over body.  I determined to lay down my life for my country when I left that home; and if it will serve the cause, as I have repeatedly told the people here, to hang, or draw, or quarter me, I am ready for the sacrifice.  But there are hundreds among the prisoners whose minds are not so buoyant as mine, who do suffer terribly.  Can not some means be devised to clothe and feed them, or to exchange for them?’

Mr. Blair. A patriot soul.  The clerkship left in the New York post-office when the Colonel departed for the war has been retained for him.