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“I CANNOT . . . UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE BE A CANDIDATE”

217

VAN BUREN, MARTIN. Autograph Letter Signed, “MVan Buren,” to law part-

ner Benjamin F. Butler, weighing the possibility of a Presidential nomination from the Free

Soil Party. 1

1

/

2

pages, 4to, with integral address leaf; some scattered bleed-through, remnants

of prior mounting on terminal page, folds. (TFC)

Lindenwald, NY, 18 June 1848

[1,000/1,500]

. . . I cannot by any means or under any circumstance be a candidate & will give such reasons as will be

satisfactory to the Convention.The last question as it stood in your draft I ought not for obvious reasons

to say anything about. I have however altered my opinion & think a nomination inevitable & expedient.

I did not answer your letter in regard to the expediency of your writing to the Genl. but I did not like to

dissuade you. I could not under the circumstances encourage you. I . . . will at all events send my answer

by Dr Beekman. I have neglected to say to you how much I was delighted with your speech. . . .”

To the Free Soil Party,Van Buren’s anti-slavery orientation and his presidential experience made him an

attractive candidate in the 1848 election.When he ran as the Free Soil candidate for president, he received

no electoral votes, the Democrats having voted for Lewis Cass, who also lost toWhig ZacharyTaylor.