Who is William H. Seward from Flashman & the Angel of the Lord: From the Flashman Papers, 1858-59 and what is their importance? "Flashman_&_the_Angel_of_the_Lord:_From_the_Flashman_Papers

A historical character, Seward is a U.S. Senator from New York and presumed Republican candidate for the Presidency in 1860. Narrator Sir Harry Flashman meets Seward through detective Allan Pinkerton, who has, on behalf of the U.S. Government, asked Flashy to enlist with John Brown to slow him down and prevent the raid that could precipitate a civil war.