en forty-seven years old, the latter thirty-nine.

[Footnote 384: _Ibid._, p. 80.]

In New York, the campaign could have but one outcome. The Free-soil
faction divided the Democratic vote nearly by two, giving Van Buren
120,000, Cass 114,000, and Taylor 218,000. The returns for governor
varied but slightly from these figures.[385] In the country at large
Taylor secured one hundred and sixty-three electoral votes and Cass
one hundred and twenty-seven. But, a Whig majority of one hundred and
four on joint ballot in the Legislature, and the election of
thirty-one out of thirty-four congressmen, showed the wreckage of a
divided Democracy in New York. The Hunkers elected only six
assemblymen; the Free-soilers secured fourteen. The Whigs had one
hundred and eight. Returns from all the counties and cities in no wise
differed. The Hunkers had been wiped out. If the Free-soilers did not
get office, they had demonstrated their strength, and exulted in
having routed their adversaries. Although Martin Van Buren was not to
leave his retirement at Lindenwald, the brilliant son had avenged his
father's wrongs by dashing Lewis Cass rudely and ruthlessly to the
ground.

[Footnote 385: Hamilton Fish, 218,776; John A. Dix, 122,811; Reuben H.
Walworth, 116,811; William Goodell, 1593.--_Civil List, State of New
York_ (1887), p. 166.]

CHAPTER XII

SEWARD SPLITS THE WHIG PARTY

1849-1850

The Legislature of 1849 became the scene of a contest that ended in a
rout. John A. Dix's term as United States senator expired on March 4,
and the fight for the succession began the moment the Whig members
knew they had a majority.

William H. Seward's old enemies seemed ubiquitous. They had neither
forgotten his distribution of patronage, nor forgiven his interest in
slaves and immigrants. To make their opposition effective, John A.
Collier became a candidate. Collier wanted to be governor in 1838,
when Weed threw the nomination to Seward; and, although his election
as comptroller in 1841 had restored friendly relations with Weed, he
had never forgiven Seward. It added strength to the coalition,
moreover, that Fillmore and Collier were now bosom friends. The
latter's speech at Philadelphia had made the Buffalonian Vice
President, and his following naturally favoured Collier. It was a
noisy company, and, for a time, its opposition seemed formidable.

"Fillmore and Collier came down the river in the boat with me," wrote
Seward from New