Among my visitors in the early part of May was the Hon. Mr. Alley, of
Massachusetts, who gave me a deeply interesting inside glimpse of the
Chicago Republican Convention in 1860. The popular current had, at
first, set very strongly in favor of Mr. Seward, who, many supposed,
would be nominated almost by acclamation. The evening before the
balloting the excitement was at the highest pitch. Mr. Lincoln was
telegraphed at Springfield, that his chances with the Convention
depended upon obtaining the votes of two delegations which were named
in the despatch; and that, to secure this support, he must pledge
himself, if elected, to give places in his Cabinet to the respective
heads of those delegations. A reply was immediately returned over the
wires, characteristic of the man. It was to this effect:--
“_I authorize no bargains, and will be bound by none._