Franklin County: Alexander K. McClure to Thaddeus
Stevens, January 21, 1861
Summary:
McClure gives a report about the political conflicts over Cameron's possible
appointment to Lincoln's cabinet. His letter discusses various political
alliances and positions, including that of Curtin.
January 21st
Harrisburg
Dear Sir
I reached here at noon today, and was sent for as soon as I entered the Senate to
have an interview with Judge [unclear: Snett]. He informed me that he
has heard the friends of Cameron here, & he now wished to hear his
opponents. I told him that I had but a single sentence to add to what I had
already given to Mr Lincoln himself: and that was, that Mr Lincoln has now
ceased to have the right to appoint Mr Cameron; that it could be excused on no
pretext whatever, inasmuch as the whole leading political combination of the
State had recommended you, while but a faction had recommended Cameron,
& even they had aban-
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doned him, & joined in pressing
you. He expressed great amazement at the information,
although he admitted that he had seen Cameron just
before leaving Washington. He said that Cameron was positively averse to the appointment of any one but himself from Pennsylvania, &
[unclear: Snett] added that if we did not accede to Cameron we would be
without a representative & that Chase, would have the Treasury. He is
thoroughly in the Cameron interest, and exhausted himself while here to frighten
us by the danger of an unsound Tariff man in the Treasury. The Chester and
[unclear: Delepeare] members were present at the time; and we all
told him that come what may, the appointment
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of Cameron would not be
assented to.
Curtin had an interview with him also, and demeaned himself nobly. He told him that there was but one way to escape the threatened danger to the National Administration, & that was to appoint you. It is very clear, however, that [unclear: Snett] goes home averse to you.
[unclear: Heistand] showed me your letter today. He is very much exercised about it: but won't lead, & I fear won't join, He must either join or refuse tomorrow.
Moorhead has gone to Springfield, & you may notice that Weed started at
the same time from Albany. There is mani-
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festly a death-struggle on
the part of the Seward men to save Cameron.
Curtin has gone home to bury his mother-in-law. Slifer will write tomorrow, but in Curtin's absence the Attorney General cannot be managed. He had an interview with Curtin today to convince him that he should now join in recommending Cameron! General Poner brought word from Washington that Curtin's assent only was wanted now to put Cameron in. May he live till gets it!
We will now throw all the force we can on to Lincoln: but the legislature is fearfully for Cameron. Write me daily the aspect of matters
Yours
AKMcClure
Honorable Thaddeus Stevens
