The red-haired, freckled young man was engaged in conversation with a frock-coated gentleman Jephtha recognized as a low-ranking official who worked for Secretary of State Seward.

When Secretary of State Seward had secured for Adams the position of minister toGreat Britain it was Abraham Lincoln himself who offered him congratulations.

Secretary of State Seward wrote a formal letter of apology as a result.

Secretary of State Seward was privately promising commissioners from the Confederate states that troops would be withdrawn while he was giving Lincoln advice about reinforcing Sumter.

He also sought revenge against the more moderate Secretary of State Seward, who he believed to be responsible for his recall.

One co-conspirator did attack Secretary of State Seward with a knife the night of the 14th, but Seward survived the attack.

During the previous administration under President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of State Seward attempted to resolve the Alabama Claims with the Johnson-Clarendon convention and treaty.

Secretary of State Seward was there, along with Johnston Hancock, the American consul in Vera Cruz.

Secretary of State Seward said, "Having set forth the areas where we disagree, I think we would be hard-pressed to do much more today.

Booth's accomplice Lewis Powell attacked Secretary of State Seward, and Vice President Johnson was also targeted.