Note 413 — Chapter XXVIII · LINCOLN, SEWARD, AND THE UNION 1860-1861

"I will try to save freedom and my country," Seward wrote his wife.—F.W. Seward, Life of W.H. Seward, Vol. 2, p. 487. "I have assumed a sort of dictatorship for defence, and am labouring night and day with the cities and States."—Ibid., 491. "I am the only hopeful, calm, conciliatory person."—Ibid., 497. "It seems to me that if I am absent only three days, this Administration, the Congress, and the district would fall into consternation and despair."—Ibid., 497. "The present Administration and the incoming one unite in devolving upon me the responsibility of averting civil war."—Ibid., 497.