r hinted to any human being that I would
have liked to be put forward for any place._ But James W. White (you
hardly know how good and true a man he is) started my name for
Congress, and Brooks' packed delegation thought I could help him
through; so I was put on behind him. But this last spring, after the
Nebraska question had created a new state of things at the North, one
or two personal friends, of no political consideration, suggested my
name as a candidate for governor, and I did not discourage them. Soon,
the persons who were afterward mainly instrumental in nominating Clark
came about me, and asked if I could secure the Know-Nothing vote. I
told them I neither could nor would touch it; on the contrary, I
loathed and repelled it. Thereupon they turned upon Clark.

"I said nothing, did nothing. A hundred people asked me who should be
run for governor. I sometimes indicated Patterson; I never hinted at
my own name. But by and by Weed came down, and called me to him, to
tell me why he could not support me for governor. I had never asked
nor counted on his support.

"I am sure Weed did not mean to humiliate me; but he did it. The
upshot of his discourse (very cautiously stated) was this: If I were a
candidate for governor, I should beat not myself only, but you.
Perhaps that was true. But as I had in no manner solicited his or your
support, I thought this might have been said to my friends rather than
to me. I suspect it is true that I could not have been elected
governor as a Whig. But had he and you been favourable, there would
have been a party in the State ere this which could and would have
elected me to _any_ post, without injuring itself or endangering your
re-election.

"It was in vain that I urged that I had in no manner asked a
nomination. At length I was nettled by his language--well intended,
but _very_ cutting as addressed by him to me--to say, in substance,
'Well, then, make Patterson governor, and try my name for lieutenant.
To lose this place is a matter of no importance; and we can see
whether I am really so odious.'

"I should have hated to serve as lieutenant-governor, but I should
have gloried in running for the post. I want to have my enemies all
upon me at once; am tired of fighting them piecemeal. And, though I
should have been beaten in the canvass, I know that my running would
have helped the ticket, and helped my paper.

"It was thought best to let the matter take another course. No oth