Canandaigua August 218 0 38
My dear S
I returned yesterday from NY and am as glad to say as you will
be to hear that Sibley is much better and now deemed to be out of
danger. He is however extremely weak and feeble and will not be
out of danger ^in my judgment^ until he makes a point or two in the stage of recov-
ery.
I saw Weed on my home he was to use a common phrase
considerably flurried, the Ward and Town meetings in the county
of Albany had been held, and as he has probably communica-
ted to you, deligates to the county conventions ^chosen^ in a majority of the
towns were Bradish men: Weed felt extremely mortified and much
depressed at such a result: It was contrary to his hopes and ex-
pectations. the truth is Bradishs friends have been making a great
effort. and I am alarmed but the issue may be contrary to our
hopes: Granger came on to the boat at Hudson and I traveled
home with him. Weed had a conversation with him the evening
after our arrival in Albany. and frankly told him as I under-
stood him to say that his nomination was out of the question
and advised him of the consequences which would result to him
in maintaining his present position. The next morning I
had a brief conversation with Weed he gave me no details but
was dissatisfied with the temper and spirit manifested by G.’s
I rode up to the depot with G. in the morning on the way
G asked me if I had learned the result of the town and
Ward caucuses. I told him I had. that I was not disap-
pointed and remarked that I was satisfied that the current
of things was adverse to our side of the house and had been
for some time aware that every thing was tending to secure
Bradishs nomination; G. evinced as I thought a bad spirit
and seemed gratified at ^the prospect of^ such a result. After all upon further refle-
ction I think we have no reason as yet to despair: G. is now
satisfied that he cannot receive the nomination. I feel confident of
this: it remains to be seen whether he can: if he chooses so to do
carry his friends in the west for Bradish: I fear he is inclined to

to do so at present yet I doubt his ability to accomplish this much:
and I think he has the sagacity to perceive that the effort would
operate most injuriously upon all his own prospects for the future
at all events it has now come to an issue between you & Bradish &
I shall hope that upon this question Ontario county will lead off
(G notwithstanding) in your favor: I have all along kept my
eyes on this result and am as confident as I can be of any-
thing that our delegates will as between G being out of the
question be to your favor: this must have a strong influence
upon those in other parts of the state - I do think I can have
some influence in effecting such a result. It is now a matter
in agitation here I can't make out a course I ought to pursue
but shall endeavor to act discretly and I hope not without sucess.
I have had a conversation with Mr S since my return: I it
is most evident that "the party" are striving to defeat your nom-
ination, and the reason is obvious they deem you the strongest
Candidate. Our friends do not appreciate this, but I think they
will: they will rapidly perceive that all the argus says about
"Holland land" is for present effect. and designed to intimidate
the convention: were it available matter they ^it^ would not be thus
wasted, I do not doubt but that the Argus & clique are most anx-
ious ^will do everything possible^ to defeat your nomination and we must anticipate as far
as we can the efforts likely to be made for that purpose: your
connection with the Holland land purchase and the negotiation
with the U.S. Bk. will be the principal means resorted to and the
effort will be to impress upon the Eastern and Southern sections of
the state ^a belief^ that for their reasons you are unpopular at the West
You must remove this impression, if made, and if it be possible have
such a demonstration to the contrary ^manifested^ in some way more that you
will ^as to^ satisfy the convention that the contrary fact exists - cannot
a very respectable number of citizens of your county attend their
convention: & would it not be well that letters should be written

to Weed stating the contrary to be the fact if Weed should have
such letters coming from various sources in his possession he might
resort to them with effect.
I saw Kent in N.Y. he is sanguine as to the character of
the delegation from that city: and I must say notwithstanding the
untoward indication in Albany I am not discouraged:
Mr Spencer said he intended to write to Hazeltine, you must
see to this that nothing evil comes of it. It was upon the subject
of the last attack in the Argus upon you.
I am completely laid up here hand and foot and
have little time to do any thing Sibleys illness has been a
most serious pull back to all my arrangements. and I am kept
at work like a galley slave to yet save things from entangle-
ment.
I wish you would come back as early as possible I dont
like the idea that you are posted out in the remote corner
of the state. you might be more useful at home
Sunday morning
Penfield has just returned from the springs: he says Granger
while there evinced considerable temper: he declared himself wholly opposed
to your nomination and said he should prefer that of Bradish
I cant think Granger so indiscreet and I feel ^hope^ Penfield has been
misinformed: I will write Weed and put him on enquiry - our
county court sits tomorrow and I shall see many of our friends
from the various parts of the county – and endeavor by man-
ifesting a proper feeling towards G. to inculcate a right spirit
in them.
Yours truly
AW

h A. Worden
Aug.16. 1838