[421] F.W. Seward, Life of W.H. Seward, Vol. 2, p. 497.
"In regard to February, 1861, I need only say that I desired to avoid giving the secession leaders the excuse and opportunity to open the civil war before the new Administration and new Congress could be in authority to subdue it. I conferred throughout with General Scott, and Mr. Stanton, then in Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet. I presume I conversed with others in a way that seemed to me best calculated to leave the inauguration of a war to the secessionists, and to delay it, in any case, until the new Administration should be in possession of the Government. On the 22d of February, in concert with Mr. Stanton, I caused the United States flag to be displayed throughout all the northern and western portions of the United States." Letters of W.H. Seward, June 13, 1867.—William Schouler, Massachusetts in the Civil War, Vol. 1, pp. 41, 42.
[422] New York Tribune, January 29 and February 6, 1861.
[423] A writer in the North American Review (August, 1879, p. 135) speaks of the singular confidence of Siddon of Virginia (afterwards secretary of war of the Southern Confederacy) in Mr. Seward, and the mysterious allusions to the skilful plans maturing for an adjustment of sectional difficulties.
[424] W.H. Seward, Works of, Vol. 4, p. 670. Congressional Globe, 1861, p. 657.
[425] "Oily Gammon Seward, aware that intimidation will not do, is going to resort to the gentle powers of seduction."—Washington correspondent of Charleston Mercury, February 19, 1861.
[426] New York Tribune, February 4, 1861.
[427] New York Tribune, February 5, 1861.
[428] "I have rejoiced, as you of New York must certainly have done, in the spirit of conciliation which has repeatedly been manifested, during the present session of Congress, by your distinguished senator, Governor Seward." Robert C. Winthrop to the Constitutional Union Committee of Troy, February 17.—Winthrop's Addresses and Speeches, Vol. 2, p. 701. "If Mr. Seward moves in favour of compromise, the whole Republican party sways like a field of grain before his breath." Letter of Oliver Wendell Holmes, February 16, 1861.—Motley's Correspondence, Vol. 1, p. 360.
[429] Detroit Post and Tribune; Life of Zachariah Chandler, p. 189.