I pardoned him this morning——

[Vaughan sighs his relief.]

Your father wrote and printed that poison, and has forfeited his life for that boy's act——

Vaughan

[Trembling.]

I know you could order his execution——

Lincoln

I said to-day that I'd hang such a man on a gallows forty cubits high—but now that I see you trembling——

[He pauses.]

I shall not order his execution. I shall only hold him until the war is over, and then let him and all the others go——