James Buchanan

 was the President of the United States who immediately preceded Abraham Lincoln. Paul LeVal wrote to Will Johnson on 19 December 1860, and opined that Buchanan was "perceived as being friendlier to the South than Mr. Lincoln". LeVal hoped that Buchanan might find a way to stave off war before Lincoln's inauguration. (TN: Blood and Hope)
 *  Blood and Hope'' does not technically give Buchanan's first name.