Cave Johnson, of Tennessee. He frequently met with
the delegation, and expressed himself in the strongest terms of
personal and political friendship towards Mr. Van Buren and Mr.
Wright. He said he regretted that the Democratic convention in
Tennessee had not named Mr. Van Buren as the candidate. So strong was
the confidence in Mr. Johnson as a friend of Mr. Van Buren, that he
was apprised of all our plans in regard to the organisation of the
convention, and was requested to nominate Gov. Hubbard of New
Hampshire, as temporary chairman. But when the convention assembled
Gen. Saunders of North Carolina called the convention to order and
nominated Hendrick B. Wright, of Pennsylvania, a friend of Mr.
Buchanan, as temporary president. Messrs. Walker, Saunders, and Cave
Johnson were the principal managers for the delegates from the
southern section of the Union."--Jabez D. Hammond, _Political History
of New York_, Vol. 3, p. 447.]

[Footnote 330: "The danger of Van Buren's difference with Jackson it
was sought to avert. Butler visited Jackson at the Hermitage, and
doubtless showed him for what sinister end he had been used. Jackson
did not withdraw his approval of annexation; but publicly declared his
regard for Van Buren to be so great, his confidence in Van Buren's
love of country to be so strengthened by long intimacy, that no
difference about Texas could change his opinion. But the work of
Calhoun and Robert J. Walker had been too well done."--Edward M.
Shepard, _Life of Martin Van Buren_, p. 407.]

Three days before the date of Van Buren's letter, Henry Clay, writing
upon the same subject, expressed the opinion that annexation at this
time, without the assent of Mexico, would be a measure "compromising
the national character, involving us certainly in war with Mexico,
probably with other foreign powers, dangerous to the integrity of the
Union, inexpedient to the present financial condition of the country,
and not called for by any general expression of public opinion." Van
Buren had visited Clay at Ashland in 1842, and, after the publication
of their letters, it was suggested that a bargain had then been made
to remove the question of annexation from politics. However this may
be, the friends of the ex-President, after the publication of his
letter, understood, quickly and fully, the gravity of the situation.
Subterranean activity was at its height all through the month of May.
Men wavered and changed, and changed ag