[4CJ]

Seward was acting on his own and any misunderstandings between him and Justice Campbell are Sewards fault.

If Colin Powell is having conversations with the Iraqis, Saudi Arabia, the Israelis etc is he acting on his own, or is he a representative of the President?

[Non-Sequitur]

If Colin Powell is having conversations with the Iraqis, Saudi Arabia, the Israelis etc is he acting on his own, or is he a representative of the President?

That would depend on whether he is acting on the instructions of the President or if he's gone off on his own and making policy on his own.