(Confidential.)
Appomattox, Va. November 8th, 1859.
My Dear Garnett: I
received your letter last evening and return many thanks for your kindness. I
shall leave here for Martinsburg, about the 20th and soon afterwards expect to
be in Washington.
I shall be very
much gratified if you would, as you propose, go on some days before the meeting
of Congress. Though I have not allowed myself to become much interested about
the speakership I will affect no indifference on the subject. I consider my
chances for election it is true very poor. The elections of this year have
resulted very adversely to Democratic prospects. Parties are so balanced as to
invite combinations and they are always controlled by management. In this sense
I am not and do not desire to be a manager, because I am unwilling to create
false expectations and will not make improper committals. Under all the
circumstances however, I would be glad to receive the endorsement of my
political friends, whatever might be the result of the election. The Richmond
papers circulate mainly in my District as well as in the State, and they seem
always to fall into the hands of men who ignore my existence.
The Examiner, (I
suppose through the influence of Aylett) ignores me as completely as “The
Enquirer.” On this account I would like this endorsement as well as on
others which I need not give but which you will appreciate.
As to the chances
for the nomination I know but little positively, but I think they are good. A
large number of the members of the last House voluntarily tendered me their
support, a tolerable proportion of whom are reelected.
The views of the
South Carolina gentlemen are known to you. I regret however that only one or
two of them attend our nominating Caucuses. I hear through reliable sources
that all the Democratic members from Ohio are for me. I have reason to think
that the Illinois Democratic delegation, will be found to be so likewise with
the exception of Mr. Morris. Craige, Branch, and Ruffin of North Carolina,
Crawford of Georgia, Curry, Stallworth, Cobb, and Moore of Alabama, Lamar and
McRae of Mississippi, Stevenson and Burnett of Kentucky, Kunkel of Maryland all
I think more or less decidedly declared the same preference. Rust of Arkansas
is an old friend and a very true man. I have no doubt of him. John Cochrane of
New York intimated friendship but was non-committal. I know nothing of the
views of that delegation, nor of the Pennsylvania, nor of the Indiana. In
relation to my colleagues I feel sure of Edmundson, Millson, Clemens and
Jenkins, besides yourself. I think I may safely count on Pryor also. Our good
friend W. O. Goode was warmly enlisted in the matter. He wrote me a note not
long before his death saying that he hoped to be in Washington at the opening
of the session with the view to aid in this object. Smith, Leake, De Jarnette,
Harris and Martin I have no reason to count on. Gen[era]l Clark of Missouri
expressed favorable intentions, but I suppose that all Missouri will be for
Phelps.
Gen[era]l Reuben
Davis said he was for Barksdale first and for myself second and I duly appreciate
the compliment. I have gone thus into detail, to put you in possession of the
field. You might consult freely with South Carolina, Craige of N[orth]
C[arolina], Vallandigham and Pendleton of Ohio. Carey, Stallworth, Lamar, Rust,
Kuntel, Stevenson and Burnett and of course with my Virginia friends. Give my
best regards to Hunter. Two friends of his will be sent to Charleston from the
Lynchburg District.
SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter, 1826-1876, p. 273-4
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