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[2 pp.] bifolium, 1 sheet. 8 x 10 inches. The first letter, written prior to the convention, is dated Monticello, August 30, 1853, from John C. Holly, who had been elected Sheriff the prior year, is addressed to "Friend [James K.] Gardner" (1805-1860) one of the most prominent citizens of Barryville, which he help found; in 1852 he was elected to the New York State Legislature, and held numerous other offices. Holly complains about the jockeying before the convention: "The time has arrived when the friends of the several candidates throughout the county were up and doing and the love of contention appears to be this fall who shall go to the Senate and it appears to be determination of the General and his aids to have the doctor on the course, and if he cannot do it in one way, why in some other. The game appears to be this that the doctor is to get as many delegates throughout the county as he can and the General as many as he can and when they come to the convention all go in for the doctor. Now Lord [George W. Lord, prominent Monticello lawyer ] is a candidate for nomination and have understood that you was and I think the best way is to write your forces. Lord is not in any way anxious for the nomination and would rather throw his votes in [with] you . than in the hands of the General." The second letter, was written after the convention, by Archibald C. Niven (1803-1882), a Surrogate of Sullivan County, New York from 1828 to 1840, Adjutant General of the New York State Militia in 1844, Democrat to the 29th United States Congress (1845-1847), and District Attorney of Sullivan County (1847-1850), most likely also to Gardner (though there is no salutation, and it is marked dpl.) on September 10th, 1853; "it would seem that Lord had determined to be Senator & among other things asserted that he had a letter from you & that you were in his favor. This, of course, was unpalatable to those who are unfavorable to Lord?, for he was defeated at our town Caucus by a decided majority. Well, the county convention . and (as I am told only 10 towns were represented, making 30 delegates, and as Col. Tremain & others were determined to go for me, they counted and found I had 17. Woodbridge has said or at least a letter was received here from Albany stating that he had there said, that he could or would control your vote & had done so during the session. All this, excited prejudices and free-soilers with Curtis (Major James C. Curtis) at the head, set to work & by trickery." Very good, lightly browned edges and folds.
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