Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Lincoln tells the Confederate commissioners that slavery is finished and asks them to stop the bleeding.

Scene 92 of 102 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

Alexander Stephens
Lincoln
Seward
R.m.t. Hunter
John A. Campbell

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:54 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 92

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.
Scenes 17–84
Lincoln bargains, delays peace commissioners, confronts family costs and defends the vote against postponement.
Scenes 85–90
The House passes the amendment and the victory enters the private lives of Lincoln and Stevens.
Just before
Scene 89
Stevens gives Lydia Smith the amendment, calling it a great measure passed by corruption and aided by Lincoln.
Scene 90
Stevens and Lydia share a bed, and she reads the adopted amendment aloud to him.
Scene 91
Sailors cheer as Lincoln boards the River Queen at Hampton Roads and meets Seward.
Scene 92
This scene

92INT. THE SALOON ON BOARD THE RIVER QUEEN, HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA - DAY

Lincoln, Seward and the commissioners are seated. Seward looks concerned at Lincoln's fatigue.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

Let me be blunt. Will the southern

states resume their former position

in the Union speedily enough to

enable us to block ratification of

the Thirteenth Amendment?

LINCOLN

I'd like peace immediately.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

Yes, and...?

LINCOLN

I'd like your states restored to

their practical relations to the

Union immediately.

Silence.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

If this could be given me in

writing, as Vice President of the

Confederacy, I'd bring that

document with celerity to Jefferson

Davis.

SEWARD

Surrender and we can discuss

reconstruction.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

Surrender won't be thought of

unless you've assured us, in

writing, that we'll be readmitted

in time to block this amendment.

R.M.T. HUNTER

This is the arrogant demand of a

conqueror for a humiliating,

abject -

SEWARD

You'll not be conquered people, Mr.

Hunter. You will be citizens,

returned to the laws and the

guarantees of rights of the

Constitution.

ALEXANDER STEPHENS

Which now extinguishes slavery. And

with it our economy.

All our laws will be determined by

a Congress of vengeful Yankees, all

our rights'll be subject to a

Supreme Court benched by Black