_Mr. Lincoln (opening a drawer)._ Do you see this button? I unscrew this eye. The two discs now separate. Between them you can put a sheet of French letter paper. When the troops advanced to Bull Run, certain of the soldiers were provided with such buttons. Various deserters have had them. _Mr. Seward (laughing.)_ Who knows but General Scott's coachman had one or two?[M] _Mr. Stanton._ This practically corroborates my theories. If we in Washington find it so difficult to repress communication and spies, is it not fair to presume that in Richmond, Savannah, New Orleans and Memphis (where there is _real_ incentive from suffering and persecution), it is equally impossible to stop information? It was impossible to procure it when the three rifled cannon at the Richmond foundry were found spiked. It would prove serviceable to the patience of the nation, could it only step behind the scenes and learn much--known to us--which it must ere long understand. * * * * * _Mr. Lincoln._ I have just received by our secret mail a very affecting letter from Col. Corcoran. I will read an extract. [_Reads._] 'Of my physical suffering I will not speak. If restored to friends and home I shall, however, be a memorable example of the victory of mind over body. I determined to lay down my life for my country when I left that home; and if it will serve the cause, as I have repeatedly told the people here, to hang, or draw, or quarter me, I am ready for the sacrifice. But there are hundreds among the prisoners whose minds are not so buoyant as mine, who do suffer terribly. Can not some means be devised to clothe and feed _them_, or to exchange for them?' _Mr. Blair._ A patriot soul. The clerkship left in the New York post-office when the Colonel departed for the war has been retained for him. _Mr. Lincoln (quickly)._ Ah! _that_ heroic sufferer shall have something better than a clerkship if he ever returns. _Mr. Stanton._ I have thought much of this exchange of prisoners and captivity amelioration. When the insurrection was inchoate, we could afford to be punctilious. But its present gigantic proportions surely affect the question (so to term it) of ransom. When our countrymen were in the Algerine prisons we took means to treat for them. What say you, gentlemen, against sending commissioners to Richmond for the purpose of supervising the medicines, clothing, food and exchange of our prisoners? _Mr. Seward._ That may only be conceded by accepting commissioners for a similar purpose from the rebel government. _Mr. Chase._ Our plans are now so perfectly matured that even the danger of spies recedes. I am in favor of Mr. Stanton's proposition. _Mr. Lincoln._ I think you can try it. There are so many prisoners, from all parts of the country, that public sentiment must uphold the measure.