58 / 194
EVERETT DISMISSESTHE FRACTURE INTHEWANINGWHIG PARTY
74
●
EVERETT, EDWARD. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, entitled “The Baltimore
Convention,” draft for a newspaper article or speech, proposing the place, date, and candi-
dates for the 1852 Whig National Convention. 3
1
/
4
pages, 4to, written on a single folded
sheet; pin holes at upper edge.
Boston, 1852
[400/600]
“
. . . [T]he views expressed by Mr.Webster in March 1850 [his “Seventh of March” speech
supporting the Compromise of 1850] . . . led to some division among the Whigs of
Massachusetts, as of other states. A portion . . . were led to turn their thoughts toward General
Scott as a candidate for the Presidency, under the impression that in this respect he occupied dif-
ferent ground form Mr.Webster. . . . General Scott avowed his Approval of Mr.Webster’s speech
of the 7th March . . . .
“
Such being the case, there has ceased to be
any ground for transferring the first choice of
Massachusetts from Mr.Webster to General
Scott; & it may be confidently anticipated
that all consistent Whigs who had been
inclined to do so will now return to their for-
mer preference . . . .”
At the Baltimore convention in June, presi-
dential candidate Daniel Webster received
comparatively few votes, despite Everett’s
professed expectations to the contrary; even-
tually Winfield Scott was selected to be the
Whig candidate. Webster died little more
than a week before Democrat Franklin
Pierce was elected president. By the next
presidential election, the Whig party would
cease to be an important force in American
politics.
75
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FLEURY, ANDRÉ HERCULE DE; CARDINAL. Letter Signed, “Le Card.
deFleury,” to Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, in French, denying responsibility for
an unspecified action and citing a statement of the King that supports his own view. 3
pages, 8vo, written on a single folded sheet; faint scattered foxing, repair to center vertical
fold with tissue on terminal page.
Versailles, 29 January 1742
[200/300]
“
. . . [Y]ou want to make me responsible for . . . the request that you made, and I dare to
assure you that you are mistaken.
“
Those who say that it is I who [said] that it is not at all necessary to do . . . are not less mis-
taken. It’s one of the first things that that King did me the honor of telling me at the last
promotion, and he has even repeated it since in public . . . .The list of those who could claim to
be honored with the Collar of the Holy Spirit—and Monsieur le Duc de Ruffec was of that
number—the King read it and answered me affirmatively . . . .”