Conversation so far:
What happened in James Buchanana's final years?
James Buchanan spent most of his remaining years defending his actions leading up to the Civil War, which was even referred to by some as Buchanan's War.
How did James Buchanan go about defending himself during his final years?
James Buchanan defended himself in an exchange of letters with Winfield Scott, published in the National Intelligencer. He began writing his fullest public defense, in the form of his memoir.

Question: How was this received?
Self-contained rewrite: How was James Buchanan's defense in his final years received?