Franklin County: Alexander K. McClure to Eli Slifer,
October 28, 185x
Summary:
McClure writes of a tough political battle with his opponent, and his strategy
for defeating him.
Private
Oct 28th
Chambersburg
Dr Col-
Old [illeg.] is after me hard - he has thrown several members from me in Phila [unclear: Sainesce] (Dauphin) Carey, [unclear: Bugner] are in his interest. I have his tracks, and to day wrote him very frankly, that if his personal interests were to be flung into the contest for Speaker I meant to understand the case fully. I will soon have him understand that in such a fight he may possibly throw me, but that I will certainly fling him.
I understand him; He
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will fight as long as there is a fair prospect of
defeating me, when hope fades, he will fawn around all of us. If it only once
becomes understood that he has a candidate for Speaker
to advance his Presidential aspirations. I can safely pledge you that that candidate can't be nominated.
Among them they have flattered Patterson until he scarcely knows whether he is for me or not. Can he control Wagonseller?
My letter to day written to him will wake him up: It is
respectful and conciliatory but its determined to [unclear: no] he will
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fully comprehend. When I hear from him I will write you.
I don't fear him. He may throw a few weak men into [unclear: ]: but before the session convenes he will be better understood, and even weak men will see him for they are to be used & cheated.
Excepting to yourself [unclear: B-ger] & a few others, I have been non-committal on the Treasurer question. If circumstances can [unclear: ] to done me from my well settled choice, and I shall [unclear: informing] before to give pledges to outsiders. When my hand are loose I shall then be free to sustain you efficiently.
I have a letter from [unclear: Nymuller]
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volunteering to for me, and asking me to go for you and to take care
of him. Doubting whether he is a safe man, I told him I would not pledge myself
for Treasurer, but offered him to you, stating that my position was perfectly
satisfactory to yourself.
Had a letter from Frick of Pottsville, Much indebted to you, I will write to the members.
Write me at any time any thing [unclear: ] turns up.
Yours Truly
AKMcClure
Col Eli Slifer
