Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Yeaman and Hawkins vote yes; LeClerk changes to abstention, and Coffroth casts his promised vote.

Scene 81 of 102 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

The Clerk Of The House
Walter H. Washburn
George Yeaman
Fernando Wood
Schuyler Colfax
Clay Hawkins
Edwin Leclerk
Alexander Coffroth

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:47 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 81

In the final winter of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln risks a fragile coalition and the chance of an early peace to force an amendment abolishing slavery through a divided House of Representatives.

Scenes 1–7
The reelected president balances military command, popular affection and a household wounded by grief.
Scenes 8–13
Lincoln needs a durable constitutional abolition measure and commits to passing it before the term ends.
Scenes 14–16
Radical allies and discreet patronage operatives join the campaign as the amendment enters House debate.
Scene 17
Robert returns, bringing the family's private struggle over his enlistment into Lincoln's public campaign.
Scene 56
Lincoln changes his telegram to hold the Confederate commissioners outside Washington, choosing time for the amendment over immediate talks.
Scene 63
Mary predicts losing Robert and confronts Lincoln over the grief and bloodshed carried by his decisions.
Scene 66
Lincoln joins the operatives himself and begins personally securing the remaining Democrats.
Scene 71
Still short of votes and beset by demands for peace, Lincoln orders his allies to procure the final votes.
Just before
Scene 78
Lincoln watches Tad build a fort from books while the House votes.
Scene 79
Soldiers outside the Capitol relay the House votes by telegraph to the army.
Scene 80
Grant and Robert follow the close count by telegraph as Pennsylvania votes begin to move toward the amendment.
Scene 81
This scene

81INT. THE HOUSE CHAMBER AND BALCONY - AFTERNOON

The Clerk continues.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

Mr. Walter H. Washburn.

WALTER H. WASHBURN

Votes no.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

And Mr. George Yeaman, how say you?

Yeaman doesn't respond. The silence this causes lengthens, till representatives begin to look to see what's happened.

Yeaman sits, staring ahead, not responding. Thaddeus Stevens, sensing something's happening, looks in Yeaman's direction.

Yeaman, still staring ahead, mumbles something, but it's inaudible.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE (CONT'D)

Sorry Mr. Yeaman, I didn't hear you

vote -

GEORGE YEAMAN

(rising to his feet)

I said aye, Mr. McPherson. AYE!!!

Great surprise, loud cheers and angry shouts.

FERNANDO WOOD

TRAITOR! TRAITOR!

Yeaman looks ready to faint. To the consternation of the Democrats, a mob of gleeful Republicans rushes across the aisle that separates the two parties; they surround Yeaman, shaking his hand, slapping him on the back. Colfax bangs the gavel.

SCHUYLER COLFAX

Order!

Pendleton is speechless. Litton turns to Ashley, both astonished; Ashley turns to Stevens, who watches, sharp, observant, giving nothing away.

Mary updates her tally: "8 TO WIN"

SCHUYLER COLFAX (CONT'D)

Order in the chamber!

Yeaman collapses back into his seat. The room quiets.

SCHUYLER COLFAX (CONT'D)

Mr. MacPherson, you may proceed.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

Mr. Clay R. Hawkins of Ohio.

Hawkins seems to have been startled out of a reverie. Sick