got the documents."

The general public was not only disposed to accept every wild
statement, but the average intelligence was much below the present
standard, and the means of communication were poor. If, however,
there had been no canvass, the overthrow of Van Buren would have
occurred. The defeat of the United States Bank, and the failure of
the pet bank system, had been attended by disorders in the finances,
the ruin of manufactures, a reduction in wages, with all the incident
evils. As these evils were coincident in time with the measures, the
measures were treated as the guilty cause. Beyond question, Mr. Clay's
tariff bill contributed to the troubles.

George Bancroft, the historian, was then collector of the port of
Boston. He took an active part in the canvass in Massachusetts.
On the evening of Saturday previous to the election in Massachusetts,
he spoke at Groton in a building afterwards known as Liberty Hall.*

Mr. Bancroft had a full House, but not an enthusiastic one. Many of
his hearers were Whigs, who came from the country, but not to cheer the
speaker. Moreover, the news of the New York election, then held the
first three days of the week, was not encouraging to Democrats. After
the meeting Mr. Bancroft was taken to the tavern, where a supper was
served to him and to a small number of Democrats. Mr. Bancroft was
excited, and walking the room he said:--"I do believe if General
Harrison is elected, Divine Providence will interfere and prevent his
ever becoming President of the United States." These words of
disappointment seemed prophecy, when the death of Harrison occurred
within thirty days after his inauguration.

In his address Mr. Bancroft spoke with great confidence of the vote of
New York. There were some conscientious Democrats in his audience, who
remembered the remarks, and it was with great reluctance that they gave
him their votes when he was a candidate for Governor in 1844.

The more considerate members of the Democratic Party apprehended defeat
from the opening of the canvass. As early as June 17, the Whigs had
enormous mass meetings at Boston and Bunker Hill. The Democrats were
not inert. The Governor of the State was a Democrat and there were
those who had hopes of his re-election. In set-off of the great
meeting of the 17th of June at Charlestown, the Democrats prepared for
a similar meeting on Lexington Green, July 4. The concourse of people
was large. Governor Mor