Auburn Sept 20 1831
W H Seward Esq
D^r Sir-
The conventions are all past nominations made and
the campaign opened. Taylor of Canandaigua is nom-
inated for the Senate, Judge Chancey Smith for Clerk, all the
old members of assembly save Bennett and in his place John J
Willson. I fear Taylors nomination for the Senate is bad. Hop-
kins thinks you are for him, and therefore want him. I judge
from your letter, that you think him unsafe. I fear he is so[ . ]
Bill Thompson, J W Bacon, Hint were candidates, and as
the deal would have it these men had Strength in the convention[ . ]
John C Spencer was first nominated by the Convention but upon
the representation of the delegates from Ontario his name was
withdrawn. There was one good effect produced by this all
the Chaff was blown out – and it lay between Elisha Spencer
of Yates and Taylor of Canandaigua. Taylor had 19 & Spencer
8 Votes.
The result of our nomination may be surprising to you, but
the truth is Hopkins has made himself so officious in the party that
his measures are unpopular somehow or other. there is an im-
pression gaining ground that Hopkins is your organ, and the cry
of dictation already began to be made. I have every reason to
believe that Hopkins & Cuyler have made great exertions to effect
Georges election ^nomination^ – and had they succeeded it would have been in my
opinion injurious to yourself perhaps I am wrong but I have reason
to believe that the party would have considered it forced upon
them, had he been nominated.
I wish you would come home a few days. there is

much to be done in Cayuga_ and there is not a soul making
the least exertions save Underwood– in Auburn– not a scrip
for the paper has been written not an address nor a resolu-
tion, that I have not done. and the fact is I am worn out[ . ]
Exertions are to be made or Cayuga is lost– and before God
I believe you have no hopes – in Cayuga this fall unless somebody
helps– I have got all the Workers into anti masonry– Smolk
Cook, Rooks of Semipronius-Shelden are using their influence
to help Anti masonry– and the cursed narrow contracted
half minded office seeking Anti masons are jealous – for fear
these men will help carry the county and look for some office.
Abraham Smolk was nominated for Corona, and the pure
immaculate John Burnett– after Abraham had signed Two
Anti masonic circulars wanted a further renunciation[ . ] I told
the convention that such notions would ruin a party and
Abraham carried – You must come home, there is no
one in Onondaga ^to help^ and I fear they want courage. Your
presence is wanted– If we are all to sink and die a po-
litical death in this county or rise into something like po-
litical importance the event is to be determined this fall, if
you knew the true state of affairs you would consider your
presence at home necessary – all is harmony to be sure but
perfect inaction – and you may be assured that these men you
think most vigilant are no better than dormouse– they are
all for self, self, and without talent or energy. they desire
to be considered the objects for whe whose elevation Anti masonry
is strong – Brown as usual wanted to be a candidate

for the assembly. Hoskins also for both Clerk and assembly–
Hopkins and Catlen & Glen Cuyler were hot foot for Rathbone
departed, his nomination beyond question – had they been still
and said nothing he would have been nominated_
The small pox has broken out in Auburn– and
business looks dull– all the folks are well_
Yours in haste
Worden

Hon W. H. Seward
of the Senate
Albany
AUBURN NY
SEPT 21
hA Worden
Sept 20 1831