Chapter 21: The Republicans 

The Republican Party holds its first convention in Philadelphia in 1856 – bringing together remnants of Salmon Chase’s Free Soil Party along with others who stand opposed to extending slavery into the western lands either out of self-interest or morality.

The likely nominee is New York Senator William Henry Seward until he is convinced by his advisor, Thurlow Weed, that the Democrats will win the race. So Seward steps out and in steps John C. Fremont. His early fame traces to mapping expeditions of the west and hero of the 1850 Bear Flag capture of California in the Mexican War.