bribery, slavery

in the lame duck congressional session running from december 1864 - march 1865, the thirteenth amendment, which would end slavery, was two votes short of passing congress. president lincoln summoned two republican members of the house and told them that they would have to procure those two votes for him. they asked him how, to which he replied:

"I am President of the United States, clothed with immense power. The abolition of slavery by constitutional provision settles the fate, for all coming time, not only of the millions now in bondage, but unborn millions to come--a measure of such importance that those two votes must be procured. I leave it to you to determine how it shall be done; but remember that I am President of the United States clothed with great power, and I expect you to procure those votes." (qtd. in Noonan, Bribes) ?

they got the votes...