This was a quarrel brought on by the personal sensibilities of Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, and directed at Seward's conduct of foreign affairs.

It was quieted by the tact and authority of Lincoln, who, when Seward handed in his resignation, secured from Chase a similar offer of resignation, refused both and in the result read to Chase that lesson of Presidential control which Seward had learned in May, 1861.

Lyons wrote of this controversy "I shall be sorry if it ends in the removal of Mr.Seward.We are much more likely to have a man less disposed to keep the peace than a man more disposed to do so.

I should hardly have said this two years ago[842]." After the event of Seward's retention of office Russell wrote: "I see Seward stays in.

I am very glad of it[843]." This is a remarkable reversal of former opinion.