lincoln's cabinet was unique in american history. it included all of his major rivals for the 1860 republican nomination. as part of the political negotiations leading up to the nomination, some had been promised a position in the cabinet. it was not a harmonious group as most of them did not like each other. they had different ideas about governing the country, different ethics and different personalities. in particular, simon cameron, was forced on lincoln by a deal struck with the pennsylvania delegates at the republican convention. he already had a reputation for being incompetent and corrupt. per the agreement he was lincoln's secretary of war.