Seward’s Edits of Lincoln’s First Inaugural

With Malice Toward None

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition

myLOC » Exhibitions » With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition » The Presidency » The Sixteenth President » Seward’s Edits of Lincoln’s First Inaugural

{
object_type: 'Exhibit Item',embed_type: 'image',embed_detail: 'http://www.myloc.gov/_assets/Exhibitions/lincoln/presidency/TheSixteenthPresident/Assets/al0100_01_thumb.jpg',embed_alt: 'Seward’s Edits of Lincoln’s First Inaugural',thumbnail: {url: 'http://www.myloc.gov/_assets/Exhibitions/lincoln/presidency/TheSixteenthPresident/Assets/al0100_01_thumb.jpg',alt: 'Seward’s Edits of Lincoln’s First Inaugural',height: '66',width: '125'}
}

William H. Seward’s notes on Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, 1861. Holograph manuscript. Abraham Lincoln Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (100.00.01)

Digital ID # al0100_1

Back to Previous Page Add to myCollection

Before traveling to Washington, President-elect Abraham Lincoln provided printed drafts of his 1861 inaugural address to at least two people, Orville Browning and William H. Seward. Browning offered few suggestions; however, Seward’s proposed revisions filled six pages. Undisturbed by Seward’s temerity, Lincoln carefully reworked his address, accepting or rejecting the future secretary of state’s advice at will. However, there was no denying the beauty and cadence of Seward’s substitute ending, which Lincoln altered slightly to create the memorable and resounding phrase, “better angels of our nature.”