There were even rumors that Seward intended to interfere in his behalf.

This report was bruited about so industriously that he felt it necessary to permit a personal friend to write an emphatic denial, so that it might come to Lincoln's knowledge.

On the other hand, newspapers ventured the suggestion that Lincoln might retaliate by a combination against Seward's Presidential aspirations.
[Sidenote] Wentworth to Lincoln, April 19, 1858.

MS.
Rival politicians in Illinois were suspicious of each other, and did not hesitate to communicate their suspicions to Lincoln.

Personal friends, of course, kept him well informed about these various political under-currents, and an interesting letter of his shows that he received and treated the matter with liberal charity.