Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) to C. W. Hanson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07732.01 Author/Creator: Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) Place Written: North Bend, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 February 1839 Pagination: 4 p. ; 24.5 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Writes briefly of their correspondence and paying a bill for "spring wheat" he purchased. Discusses his candidacy for president in the 1840 election. Mentions Henry Clay, who was a candidate for the Whig nomination, and says he was informed there are many states where the votes would be given to him instead of Clay, including Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. The Whigs ended up nominated Harrison over Clay. On the issue of slavery he writes, "...the Louisville Journal declares that if I were the only candidate opposed to VB [Martin Van Buren], I would receive the vote of no slave state in the Union but Kentucky... [an abolitionist] ...proposed a question to draw me out of the subject of slavery...my opinions on the unconstitutionality of the interference of citizens of the slaveholding states." Comments that Hanson's handwriting has improved. A piece of the letter is missing on from the lower right corner of the first page causing some text loss on the first and second pages.
North Bend 21st Feby 1839.
My Dear Sir
On my return home from Cincinnati the day before yesterday I found your very acceptable letter of the 12th Inst. I cannot account for the suspension of our Correspondence The last letter I wrote you was in answer to the one you wrote enclosing the bill for the spring wheat you were good enough to purchase for me & in my letter I enclosed a check for the amt. of the bill [illegible] by Mr. Hewson of Cincinnati on one of the Baltimore Banks. As you had been remarkable punctual in answering my letters I was fearful that something had occurred to lessen me in your esteem. But no matter [inserted: now] your last letter has banished all unpleasant feelings on the subject.
The information you give me of the effects of a certain speech has been confirmed by letters received from several of my friends [text loss] Washington & a gentleman whom I met in [text loss] on Monday & who was immediately from [text loss] city brought me a message from a New Yor[k] [text loss] had been a warm friend of Mr. Clays (until the [text loss] of that speech) to the effect "that altho he was no abolitionist he would not now vote for Mr. C. but [2] would give his support to me. I think it not at all improbable that your suggestion as correct that C. has been "lured" into the mire by "[paler] lights" Altho not from as Authentic a source as yours I had received information before that there were many Maryland votes that would be given to me that could not be got for Mr. Clay. Five out of the seven Whigs who represent New Jersey in Congress (Senator & House of R) have declared the same thing [inserted: in relation to that state] And you may rest assured that it is the same also as [inserted: in] Pennsylvania Ohio Illinois & Indiana. If it depended on me I would risk the Election on my getting all those States. Mr. C-s friends are remarkably active at this time they boast loudly of his strength & proclaim my weakness by numerous letters from Washington [directed] to every point of the Compass. One of these lately published in the Louisville Journal declares that "If I were the only Candidate opposed to V. B. I would receive the Votes of no Slave State in the Union but Kentucky.
The abolitionists are very forthcoming towards [text loss] three weeks ago two of them (both Presbyterian [text loss]) called on me. One of them who informed [text loss] he was corresponding Secretary to the State [text loss]ety proposed a question to draw me out upon the subject of Slavery I did not decline to meet his wishes & expressed my opinions upon the unconstitu[3]onality [sic] of the interference of the Citizens of the non slaveholding States at some length He [attempted] no reply to my Arguments But said "that the leading Abolitionists respected My Constitutional Scruples & were very anxious to prevent my being called out in newspapers upon the subject lest it should injure my prospects"
If you write to Mr Williams of Tennessee tell him that I am highly gratified by the kindness of his feelings towards me & particularly so as I was for many years on the most intimate terms with his father. It would give me pleasure to receive a letter from him.
I congratulate you upon the improvement of your handwriting. to what do you think I attribute it? Why- to your having opened a correspondence with some one (perhaps a cousin tho') who not being a business person was not in the habit of deciphering hieroglyphic's & which made it necessary [struck: that as was the case with Darby in the f[illegible]ce] to give more precision to your up & down strokes that (as was the case with Darby in the f[illegible]ce, when reading his friend Pat's letter) your A-s might not be taken for Z-s
Be pleased to present my best [4] regards to Mr McMahon.
I am Dear sir
yours most truly
W. H. Harrison
C. W. Hanson Esqr
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