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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) to William S. Holabird

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03390.01 Author/Creator: Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 July 1833 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writes about Democratic party politics in Connecticut. Discusses an article that accuses the members of the Convention of "procuring their own nominations," and of "incapacity and knavery." Welles believes the article was written by Noah A. Phelps but Phelps denies it. "I know his writings as well as I do his countenance, and I will forfeit everything I am worth if he is not the author. Yet he writes me very gravely that he is not - this is only aggravating the insult." Goes on to say these attacks will not benefit the Democratic Party politically. Believes that their is only one man Phelps fears, J. N. Niles, who was postmaster of Hartford at this time. Despite the circumstances, Welles will not run for office, " ... I think, however, I shall persist in refusing to be a candidate ... " Urges Holabird to "Stand your hand."

William Holabird was Postmaster of Winchester, Connecticut when Welles was a member of the Connecticut state legislature. Holabird became a U.S. District Attorney and argued for the prosecution during the Amistad case. Phelps was a member of both houses of the state legislature and Secretary of the State of Connecticut for several terms.
Gideon Welles, co-founder and editor of the Hartford Times, was a major figure in Connecticut's Democratic Party. He had a reputation, in the words of one historian, of being "the most inflexible party man in the state … In both areas of responsibility he had compiled a distinguished, if not brilliant, record. Yet paradoxically, his success had made him a highly controversial candidate, and hence a weak one; for the nominee had to have the united support of his own party and substantial help from outside … (Niven, 96-103)."

[Draft Partial Transcript:]
… You must have seen in the Witness, published at Middletown, a publication accusing the four members of the Convention who won nomination to Congress of infamous proceedings in procuring their own nominations, and charging the whole Convention with incapacity and knavery. The Article was written by Noah A. Phelps. I know his writings as well as I do his countenance, and I will forfeit everything I am worth if he is not the author. Yet he writes me very gravely that he is not - this is only aggravating the insult … The truth is, Phelps was disappointed in the whole proceedings … He had an idea of putting up a weak ticket thinking it could be elected and he could control those who composed it … He is a heartless fellow; and there is but one man in the state that he fears - that man is J.M. Niles. … What good is to result from such attacks? What is to be accomplished? Can it strengthen the democratic cause or add to its numbers. No! but it gratifies N.A. Phelps. … I think, however, I shall persist in refusing to be a candidate. I want an opportunity to lash our man. But with you it is different. Stand your hand …

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878
Holabird, William S., 1794-1855
Phelps, Noah Amherst, 1788-1872

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