BTW, in Butler's Book, Butler documents his being asked to accept the vice-Presidency with Salmon P. Chase (pp. 632-633), and then by President Lincoln (pp, 633-634), p. 633 containing a picture of Simon Cameron who represented Lincoln in the offer, citing "reasons of personal friendship which would make it pleasant to have you with him."
Butler declined, stating that the VP was a nothing position and would be punishment instead.
Well, that's all bogus, because Cameron is the man of whom Lincoln said, "he was so corrupt, the only thing he --wouldn't-- steal was a red hot stove."
Cameron was Lincoln's first Secretary of War, sent home after about a year and replaced by Stanton. Lincoln didn't want Cameron at all, and in 1860, offered, withdrew and then offered the War portfolio to him. I as seriously doubt he had any play in this as I doubt that Butler ever met with Lincoln on the subject of forced deportation of blacks -- a position that neither Lincoln NOR Butler is on the record during the war as supporting.
Walt