Auburn April 18, 1832
Dear S,
Rumour is busy here that a league has been formed between the Clay men &
Anti masons at Albany to support Granger for Governor & Wirt ^Stephens

x

Samuel Stevens

Birth: 1794-09-01 Death: 1854-09-11

^ for Lieut Governor
& an electoral ticket friendly to Clay and as yet I have seen nothing either affirming or
contradicting the truth of this assertion – from some of your letters I am inclined to think
there is some truth in the rumor, and if it be so, some persons should be preparing the
public mind to sanction it. My conjectures as to the rupture between the Regency &
and enquirer appears to be about being realised, the Argus will under and Enos will
be provided for by stipulation. These quarrels in the party are easily made up and trust me,
you cannot rely upon any show of fight they may make. It is important as I think to
speak out at Albany upon the subject of this Coalition –the party succede in creating suspi-
cions among our friends and we know not in what way to allay those suspicions if
MrWirt is to be abandoned in this state he had better be abandoned through the whole
union and if our vote is to be given for Clay Electors, and the Clay Elect votes as a
quid pro quo his goes given to Granger and Stephens. I fear the result will be against us
in this state, and the ordinance of a Coalition, will attach to us and defeat will
be the consequence –if any such understanding, exists it had better be made open-
ly and above board. The People take alarm at Coalitions. And in politics as in
all other things fair and open dealings are to be preferred. I am Confident that
the attempt to transfer the Anti Masonic vote to Clay in this State would be a most
fatal move – it would stamp the character of insincerity upon those that
have the lead in Anti Masonry "and would bring upon the party discredit—
If as I have always feared, the Evils growing out of Jacksonism are now
considered by the Anti Masons greater than those growing out of Free Masonry
then make Masonry only an item of the Earls that Jackson is bringing upon us
and make the great leading point of rallying an oposition to the measures
and policy of Gen Jackson– the principles of Anti Masonry need not be aban-
doned. the influence of Anti Masonry need not be lost – those very motives which
influenced the citizens of the State to join in a political oposition to Masonry call
upon all good men with tenfold force to unite in oposition to the present adminis-
tration. Free masonry defeated the Operation of the laws. Jackson Nulifies our laws
and extends the evils which grew out of the existence of Masonry. I am
firmly convinced that there should be no division of the oposition to Jackson
throughout the United States. that the whole face and effect of that oposition
should be undivided – and that the sooner the necessary sacrifices of prejudice
are made to accomplish this union the better – and if you at Albany are
about forming a coalition let it be effectual final and extensive and if
in order to effect that union Wirt should withdraw or Clay should withdraw
then the let the sacrifice be made.
Recent events at Washington have turned the tide
of popular favor towards John Q Adams and I now believe he is the
man that will unite more of the oposition that any other individual

I sincerely believe that if the oposition to Jackson should be united in
principle and united on one man to run against him for President
that that now would succede I believe there is an effort required
on the part of all to bring about this result.
I really hope you will not seperate
at Albany with a half formed compact like the one the Regency alleges
has been made it will be in my opinion unwise. I can not here say
the obstacles which prevent an union of the oposition be removed but I
do not approve of a temporary understanding which will lead on
my belief to future misunderstandings & recriminations-
The Clay convention has been had
Daniel Avery was chairman & Smith &C Morgan Jr
secritaries. Painewas there and avows himself a Clay man
I think they will stand their hand in this County. I wish
you would come home as soon as you can our county affairs
are in a bad train
Weed enters too much into particulars and
makes too free use of names. The contract he speaks of in relation
to the removal of the Tax upon the New York banks is not susceptible
of proof by those men he has named a bargain was never made
in express terms by the New York Banks & Throop– but an understand-
ing existed doubtless between Fish and others in relation to
the matters – the assertions in the Salina address were
never decreed by the Regency. I understood the whole matter then
and the facts of the case were only stated in that address
Mr Duer of Albany better understands that matter than any
one else I have ever talked with- The allegations of Und are
doubtless correct - in substance but technically they cannot be proven
I think Weed should be advised not to use names so frequently
and particularly not the names of the Regency factions –there
is neither trust or honesty in the individuals who compose
the Regency – or in those that from interest - or policy support the
party and to rely upon them to substantiate assertions is to lean
upon a broken Rod. The general charge of corruption in the
members of the legislature of 1830 and of the party in relation
to the removal of the local tax upon the New York Banks
is fully born and without reference to individuals and those
individuals who are implicated will in no case fail to
screen themselves from the stigma. I orally Weed
injudicious in the appeal to the names of those known to be
connected with this business and in general he is too ^ready to^

^ready^ in these appeals. There is one safe rule to govern in all these
matters – the party is corrupt and all who are in any way
connected with its party are dishonest, false, treacherous,
and cannot be safely relied upon. This may advent of ex
ceptions – but as a general rule of conduct it is correct-
I hope you will caution Weed not to appeal to the members
and individuals of this party to sanction & confine state-
ments that are susceptible of abundant proof otherwise
I send you the Cay Rep with this
Yours &c
AW
P.S. I wish you to call on your return home at the
Branch Bank of the U.S. in Utica and get a package there for
me – dont forget it.

Hon W.H. Seward
Albany
AUBURN
APR 18
N.Y.
hAlvah Worden
18 April 1832