$200 a
piece--Jeff Davis can have my Brigadier General----!

NICOLAY

[_Laughs._]

Yes, sir--and this came in code from Sherman--

[_Hands_ LINCOLN _another telegram._]

LINCOLN

[_Eagerly._]

Word from Sherman! Good!

[_Reads._]

--"Scouts report Hood's trenches before Atlanta are impregnable--carefully
considering a flank movement--but as yet, I cannot find the position or
strength of Hood's second line----" W. T. Sherman----

[_Pauses._]

Grant's deadlocked with Lee at
Petersburg--If-Sherman-could-only-give-us-Atlanta!----

[_Pauses._]

I've a notion to telegraph Sherman an order direct----!

NICOLAY

I wouldn't go over General Grant's head, sir, with a military
order--he's sensitive----

LINCOLN

It might make trouble--Grant might resent my interference with his plan
of campaign----

NICOLAY

It would have to be filed in the War Department----

LINCOLN

Yes--I know. Anything else----?

NICOLAY

[_Handing him a large document._]

Baker's full report of the secret service on the Copperhead
Societies---- He asks for the immediate arrest of their leaders--and I
think he's right----

LINCOLN

[_Shakes his head._]

It won't do--it won't do just now--it's an ugly business--too ugly for
haste--I'll look it over carefully----

[_Lays the report on his desk._]

I'm ready now to see the people----

NICOLAY

The Republican National Committee are in town, sir----

LINCOLN

What on earth are they doing here----?

NICOLAY

That's what everybody's asking----

LINCOLN

They should be in their States, leading the Party to victory---- What
do they want?

NICOLAY

To see you----

LINCOLN

Umph----!

NICOLAY

Henry Raymond, their Chairman, is with them, and has just sent word
demanding a hearing before your public reception this morning.

LINCOLN

Make the appointment later. They're all distinguished men. They can
wait while the humbler people have their turn. I came up here from t