I don't know that he did. As far as I know, he was grossly misinformed about pro-Unionist sentiment in the south and he believed that it would rear its head... rather than wanting a full out war.
And while Lincoln said he would sign the Corwin amendment that didn't deal with the issue of the expansion of slavery.
Was it an issue? Why should the Republicans, who had just won an election running on stopping the expansion of slavery, 'deal with' that in any way other than by fulfilling their campaign promises?
I don't know that he did. As far as I know, he was grossly misinformed about pro-Unionist sentiment in the south and he believed that it would rear its head... rather than wanting a full out war.
Was it an issue? Why should the Republicans, who had just won an election running on stopping the expansion of slavery, 'deal with' that in any way other than by fulfilling their campaign promises?
Because it cost him a plurality of states.