Smith, John Cotton II (1810-1879) to William S. Holabird
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05636.41 Author/Creator: Smith, John Cotton II (1810-1879) Place Written: Sharon, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 April 1853 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21.5 x 17.2 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses Connecticut politics in detail, including Holabird's defeat in a recent election. Declares that the only thing that defeated Holabird was "Litchfield Hill... Dont permit any person to be nominated hereafter in your Dist untill you have been triumphantly chosen..." Mentions Milton Smith, Ralph I. Ingersoll (a Circuit Court judge), and others active in Connecticut politics. Writes "The Late election shows one thing- that the primary meetings and conventions should be our battle ground hereafter... the New York politicians understand these things better." Possibly referring to Francis Gillette, states "The Whigs will make no nomination, but will unite on Gillette with Freesoil and Maine Lawites all together- Why should they not? Gillette is a real sound blue light Federalist- the same thing will be done by Seward at the Presidential contest of 56- Mark my prophecy..." Criticizes President Franklin Pierce's cabinet, especially William Learned Marcy (Secretary of State under Pierce) and Caleb Cushing (Attorney General under Pierce). States that in 1840, Cushing "was chasing after a cider [handle?] and going for 'Tip and Ty' (referring to 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too,' the campaign slogan for William Henry Harrison and John Tyler in the 1840 Presidential election).
Smith was United States Minister to Bolivia 1859-1861. Holabird was District Attorney for the State of Connecticut during the Amistad trial. Francis Gillette was a United States Senator from Connecticut 1854-1855.
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