er 13, 1853, with thirty-six contested seats. The
faction that won these would legally control the convention. When the
doors opened, therefore, an eager crowd, amidst the wildest confusion
and uproar, took possession of the hall, and, with mingled cheers and
hisses, two chairmen were quickly nominated, declared elected, and
forced upon the platform. Each chairman presided. Two conventions
occupied one room; and that one faction might have peaceable
possession it tried to put the other out. Finally, when out of breath
and out of patience, both factions agreed to submit the contest for
seats to a vote of the convention; and while the roll was being
prepared the riotous proceedings were adjourned until four o'clock.
But the Hunkers had seen and heard enough. It was evident the
Barnburners proposed organising the convention after the tactics of
the Hunkers in 1847; and, instead of returning to the hall, the
Hunkers went elsewhere, organising a convention with eighty-one
delegates, including the contestants. Here everything was done in
order and with dispatch. Committees on permanent officers,
resolutions, and nominations made unanimous reports to a unanimous
convention, speeches were vociferously applauded, and the conduct of
the Barnburners fiercely condemned. Governor Willard of Indiana, who
happened to be present, declared, in a thrilling speech, that a
"bully" stood ready to shoot down the Hunker chairman as he tried to
call the convention to order. One of the delegates said he thought his
life was in danger as he saw a man with an axe under his arm. But in
their hall of refuge no one appeared to molest them; and by six
o'clock the convention had completed its work and adjourned. Among
those nominated for office appeared the names of George W. Clinton of
Buffalo, the distinguished son of DeWitt Clinton, for secretary of
state, and James T. Brady, the brilliant lawyer of New York City, for
attorney-general. The resolutions indorsed the Baltimore platform,
approved the President's inaugural on slavery, commended the amendment
to the Constitution appropriating ten and a half million dollars for
the enlargement and completion of the canals, and complimented Daniel
S. Dickinson.

Meanwhile the Barnburners, having reassembled at four o'clock with
eighty-seven delegates, sent word to the Hunkers that the convention
was in session and prepared to organise. To this the chairman replied:
"We do not consider ourselves in safety