Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-12-19
MIR. CLAWS LETTER.
ASHLAND. Now On

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made Of my name, in connexion with the Office
Of President of the United States, furnishes
the motive, as trustit will form the apology,
tor this note. address it to you, because our
common residence in the same State appears
to me to render you the most appropriate re-
pository and organ of what wish now to
say.
The Convention at Harrisburg, to designate
candidates of the Opposition to the present
Federal Administration, for the Offices of Pres
ident and Vice Presiden, of the United States.
has been recommended, and the propriety of
1t has been concurred in by all who agree as
to the necessity of change in the General
Administration. 1t appeared to me to be the
best, ifnot the only practicable method of re-
conciling and uniting those who, coinciding
In the general principle, entertained different
views as to the most suitable candidates for
those high Offices, and have accordingly fire.
quenily expressed, and now repeat the express
sion of my conviction of the expediency of an
entire and cordial acquiescence in the recon-
mcndations of the Convention.
In the mean time, appeals directly and in
directly have been made to me by a highly
respectable Convention holden in Pennsylva-
MIA, and by private individuals, to decline Civ
ing my consent TO the use of my name, upon
the ground that distinguished citizen of the
State of Ohio is the first choice of the Oppo-
sition in Pennsylvania, and in the opinion of
that Convention would bemore likely to con-
ciliate general support than should Ihave
been addressed by various respectable and in
ttelligent citizens of New York, directly and
indirectly, recommending me to decline the
contest in behalf of another eminent citizen.
who has been distinguished in both military
and civil service of the United States.
Whilst have been thus urgently but re-
specially approached, numerous private cti-
zens and public meetings and conventions in
various parts ofthc United States Gone ofthese
conventions, indeed, in Pennsylvania itself.)
have done me the honor to express their con-
fdence in me, and to intimate their wish that
might bethe candidate of Opposition for the
office of Chief Magistrate.
is perfectly manifest that cannot comply
with all these conflicting opinions and wish
es, nor, apprehend, with any one of them.
without disobliging the other.
Under these embarrassing circumstances,
have thought it most advisable to leave to the
Convention at Harrisburg the free selection of
candidates, as being the assembly to which,
by common consent, that important duty has
been referred. Representing, as it probably
will, all parts of the United States, bringing
together the feelings and views of all, and
comparing and weighing the local information
which twill derive from every portion, it
will be most competent to make nomination
acceptable to the great majority of its con-
stituents. That it will be faithful to the hiuh
trust confded to its Judgment and patriotism.
cannot be doubted: and having full view of
the whole ground, it will be more likely to
make selection agreeable to the great BODY
of the Opposition than any separate Conven-
ton could do, however enlightened and pat
rlotic 1t may be. IF the Pennsylvania Con-
vention, to which have just alluded, be
right in supposing that the distinguished cit
izen whom it prefers would be more likely to
be successful than any other, he ought to be
nominated, and undoubtedly, for that reason,
will be nominated by the Harrisburg Conven-
ton, should 1t entertain the same opinion.
With Just and proper sense of the high
honor of being voluntarily called to the Office
of President of the United States by great,
free, and enlightened People, and profoundly
grateful to those of my fellow-citizens who
are DESTROYS to see me placed in that exalted
and responsible station, must, nevertheless.
say, IN entire truth and sincerity, that if the
deliberations of the Convention shall lead
them to the choice of another as the candidate
OF the Opposition, far from feeling any dis
content, the nomination will have nv best
wishes, and receive my cordial support.
And, gentlemen, | hope that you, my
friends and neighbors, will excuse the liberty
| take in expressing to you my anxious de-
sire that, dicarding all attachment or partiali-
ty to me, and guided solely by the motive of
rescuing our country from the dangers which
now encompass it, you will heartily unite in
the selection of that citizen, although it should
not be me, who may appear to be most likely,
by his election, to bring about salutary
change In the administration Of the General
Government-a change without which we
shall be Knocked by the forms, and stript of
tho eubct,Dti,I honoGte off roo