Lincoln
All right! Out with it!
Congressman
He is one of the solid citizens of Massachusetts; a slave trader whose ship has been confiscated. He has spent five years in prison, and cannot pay the heavy fine in money imposed—— He is not a bad man at heart.
Lincoln
And he wants me to pardon him—this slave-trader——!
Congressman
I ask it as a matter of justice—he has paid the penalty—five long years in prison——
Lincoln
[Laughs.]