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What if Thomas Lincoln, father of Abraham, had decided to move from Kentucky to Mississippi rather than Indiana (and later, to Illinois)? Let's assume that he makes a moderately successful living for himself, enabling him to buy a couple of slaves.

However, his young son, Abraham, looks down on him as being too unambitious. He studies law, as in OTL, and gets admitted to the Mississippi State Bar. He makes a name for himself in the legal field, accumulates wealth, buys a small plantation and about 40 slaves. He goes on to serve several terms in the Mississippi State House, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Senate, where he serves as junior Senator from Mississippi (Jefferson Davis is senior Senator). Like Davis, he gains a reputation as an eloquent defender of States' Rights, second only to Davis in prestige among Southerners.

In the 1860 Election, William Seward runs on the Republican ticket. The Democrats nominate Stephen Douglas, and as per OTL, the Southern Democrats split from the main Democratic Party and nominate their own candidate. Seward wins the general election in November. The South secedes as per OTL.

The Montgomery Convention, after adopting a Provisional Constitution, offers the Presidency to Jefferson Davis. Davis, with dreams of glory as a Confederate General, declines, but suggests Lincoln as an alternative. The Montgomery Convention agrees, and offers the position to Lincoln. On March 4, Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as President of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery. William Lowndes Yancey introduces him, saying "The Man and the Hour have met."

On the same day, William Seward is sworn in as President of the United States, taking over from the outgoing President James Buchanan.

So what happens? How does the Civil War play out, with Lincoln at the helm in the South? How does Seward fare as Union President?
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