Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) to William S. Holabird
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03390.03 Author/Creator: Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 January 1834 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 26 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses Connecticut politics. Believes that a man named Asa Child will again try to get his name on the Central Committee by the Democratic convention. Warns Holabird to guard against this as Child " ... is an artful fellow, and will make use of means to fortify himself and weaken his opponents that some men would not suspect." Comments on the nullification issue, "Great efforts are making by the nullifiers to alienate the South from the administration. In Virginia I think it likely they have had some success ... " States that the administration must take a firm stance or else "they may find themselves losers." Mentions the positions of Henry Clay and John Calhoun. "Clay & Calhoun are rallying their forces, and, believing that they can carry, one New England, and the other the South, appear confident of success." Goes on to say that both are probably overly confident as Clay is losing ground in New England and Calhoun will not be able to unite the South. Ends by stating that it is of utmost importance to him that the Connecticut administration stays in Democratic hands. "I hope that you will have an eye to matters and things at home. It is of the first importance in any point of view that the state administration is preserved in democratic hands, and that a strict and systematic party organization is kept up. That, and that alone, will save us from the arts and encroachments of federalism …"
Welles served as a Democrat in the Connecticut state legislature 1827-1835. Holabird was Postmaster of Winchester, Connecticut when Welles was a member of the Connecticut state legislature. Holabird was later the U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut. As such, during the Amistad case, Holabird represented the government’s case in the district and circuit court.
[Excerpt:]
There is nothing new here. I never knew Washington so dull during the Session of Congress as at this time. The Bank is the only question before the two houses - and that has become stale.
Great efforts are making by the Nullifiers to alienate the South from the Administration. In Virginia I think it likely they have had some success, owing to the half way policy of Ritchie of the Enquirer, & a few others ... if our friends in the Old dominion do not take firmer ground, and assume a bolder front they will find themselves losers.
The democracy of the North, Middle & West and indeed most of the South stands unbroken and cannot be shaken. There is however great bitterness here among many of the opposition. Clay & Calhoun are rallying their forces, and, believing that they can carry, one New England, and the other the South, appear confident of success. But both of them are out in their calculations. Clay is not now so strong in New England as he was one year ago, and he is daily losing ground. Whatever may be the course of the south ... Mr Calhoun can never unite it on himself or any other person.
I hope that you will have an eye to matters and things at home. It is of the first importance in any point of view that the state administration is preserved in democratic hands, and that a strict and systematic party organization is kept up. That, and that alone, will save us from the arts and encroachments of federalism ...
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