[Non-Sequitur]

Seward entered his proposal in late Dec. 1860 before the committee as an alternative to Crittenden. Several other senators did the same thing.

True, but given the wording it is possible, maybe even likely, that he got the idea from Crittenden who was the first to propose such an amendment. Are you suggesting that President-elect Lincoln influenced Crittenden, too?

[GOPcapitalist]

True, but given the wording it is possible, maybe even likely, that he got the idea from Crittenden who was the first to propose such an amendment.

Not according to his letter dated December 16, 1860. In that letter Seward accredits his proposal to a suggestion from The Lincoln conveyed to him by Thurlow Weed, who had met with The Lincoln a few days earlier.