ALS, two pages, 8 x 10, February 23, 1844. Fillmore writes to W. A. Wosely. In part: “Mr. Webster’s name…a great effort is making, originating with Mr. W’s friends in N. Y. and countinanced [sic] by Weed, Seward, and Co. to some extent to prevent my nomination for the V. Pr. under the pretense that they want to use my name for governor. Some of these gentlemen know well that I do not desire the latter office…I freely admit that I have no claims on the V. Pr. I desire it to be directly understood here and at Washington that I can not under existing circumstances consent to be a candidate for governor. Between you and me I do not for a moment believe that those who are most active in giving public opinion this direction, desire that I should be governor. It is only done to prevent my nomination for the V. Pr. and I wish all my true friends to understand that. I attended the Congressional Convention … and was gratified to see the court house filled to overflowing…. It was evident that the right spirit was abroad…. The prospect now is that we shall have a spirited election and if we do not succeed shall reduce our majority.” Fillmore had decided to launch a behind-the-scenes campaign for the Whig party’s 1844 vice-presidential nomination. He learned, however, that state party strategist Thurlow Weed coveted that spot for his close ally, former New York governor William Seward. To derail this scheme, Fillmore made a bargain with John Collier of Binghamton, a New York City–supported antagonist of the party’s Weed-Seward Albany faction. Fillmore would support Collier for governor and Collier would put his influence behind Fillmore’s vice-presidential quest. The plan fell apart when Seward declared he had no interest in the number two position. Weed then quietly went to work to sabotage any chances that his faction-ridden party would award Fillmore its vice-presidential nomination. Weed’s tactics succeeded in denying Fillmore the vice-presidential nomination, as Theodore Frelinghuysen won a third-ballot nomination. In fine condition, with moderate intersecting mailing folds and a light shade of toning to front page. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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