Part 1, Chapters 8-14 Summary

Inauguration Day sees many troops and unenthusiastic crowds. Lincoln is nervous at the inaugural rituals, and to Chase's mind, ruins the speech's ending. Chapter 9 shows Lincoln and his secretaries examining their offices and the Inaugural Ball, where Lincoln doggedly shakes hands and watches the dancing. Afterward, Hay visits Sal Austin's brothel. Chapter 10 depicts the next day as Hay delivers the President's decision. Chase is furious at not being asked to accept the appointment earlier. Mrs. Lincoln recalls the horrors of slavery. Chapter 11 shows Cabinet members and their wives at a special dinner in the White House. Old Gentleman Blair gives Lincoln some Jacksonian advise and analyzes how Lincoln undermines Southern Democrats in 1860. The Cabinet splits on what to do about Fort Sumter, but Lincoln issues orders to resupply it. Despite this forceful action, Chase and Seward agree between themselves...