Guiteau's poem also states he had (incorrectly) presumed that Arthur would pardon him for the assassination. Arthur made appointments to fill two vacancies on the United States Supreme Court. Arthur first nominated his old political boss, Roscoe Conkling; he doubted that Conkling would accept, but felt obligated to offer a high office to his former patron. The Senate confirmed the nomination but, as expected, Conkling declined it, the last time a confirmed nominee declined an appointment. Senator George Edmunds was Arthur's next choice, but he declined to be considered.