ral others, were appointed delegates to the Harrisburgh convention. Col. Young and Mr. Van Rensselaer made able speeches in favor of the protective system and of the resolutions. I allude to the proceedings of this convention, and give the names of the delegates, for the purpose of proving that at that time both the Jackson and Adams parties were in favor of high protective duties.

Upon the near approach of the general election, in November, the Albany regency, it would seem, deemed that the period had arrived when it became necessary to make a development of the views of the democratic party in respect to the next candidate for the presidency. The first official annunciation (if I may be permited so to call it,) on this subject, was made by the "general republican committee" of the city of New-York, at Tammany Hall, on the 26th of September. Of this committee, Benjamin Baily was chairman, and William S. Coe secretary. The following are the resolutions which were published by the committee:

"Resolved, That we view with undisguised satisfaction, the marked preference which our republican fellow-citizens have manifested for the election of General Andrew Jackson, as president of these United States; and that we repose full confidence in his worth, integrity and patriotism.

"Resolved, That it be recommended to our republican fellow citizens, in addition to the notice of meeting in their respective wards, that they elect such citizens only, to represent them in their different committees, as are favorable to the man whom the American people delight to honor; and who, in the language of the immortal Jefferson, has filled the measure of his country's glory."

But against these resolutions, and indeed against the whole of the proceedings, James Fairlie, Peter Sharpe, Henry Meigs, and nine other respectable members of the

general committee, protested as "unauthorized, violent and unprecedented," and published their protest.

The cautious editor of the Albany Argus even yet spoke of the presidential candidate with great reserve; but not long after the publication of the resolutions of the NewYork general committee, and very shortly before the election, he came out explicitly and decidedly for Jackson, and recommended that the election should be conducted with express reference to that question. His lead was followed by nearly all the democratic editors in the state. The effect was prodigious. All the machinery, the construction of which had for two years put in requisition the skill and ingenuity of Mr. Van Buren and his friends at Albany, was suddenly put in motion, and it performed to admiration.

The Adams party in the city of New-York, shortly before the election, held a meeting at Tammany Hall, of which the venerable Marinus Willet was chairman, and nominated Peter Sharpe and John D. Ditmus for senators from the first district, and James Fairlie and ten others, for members of assembly from the city.

The result of the election afforded a complete triumph to the Jackson party. The Jackson ticket for senate and assembly in the city of New-York received a majority of more than FOUR THOUSAND Votes. Nearly all the senatorial districts were carried by the same party, and a large majority of Jackson men were returned to the assembly. The senators elected were:

From the First District, Jacob Tyson, and

The new congress convened on the 3rd of December. The result of balloting for speaker exhibited a majority of the house of representatives opposed to Mr. Adams. John W. Taylor was a candidate for re-election. Two hundred and five members were present. On balloting for speaker, Mr. Taylor received ninety-four votes; Mr. P. P. Barbour four; there were three scattering votes, and Mr. Andrew Stevenson of Virginia received the remainder of the votes, (one hundred and four) and was declared duly elected. Mr. Van Buren again exerted his influence against Mr. Taylor; again it was in the power of the members from this state to have elected him speaker and he was again defeated by the votes of the friends of Mr. Van Buren from his own state. But at this time Mr. Taylor belonged to one national political party and Mr. Van Buren to another. In my view, Mr. Van Buren, as a member of a political party, was therefore on this occasion quite justifiable in the course he took, although I can by no means excuse him for depriving his own state, on a former occasion, of the influence which a speaker would have had in the house of representatives of the Union, merely because the New-York candidate had declined to vote for the man whom Mr. Van Buren believed ought to be chosen governor, when at the same time he and that candidate cordially concurred in the support of the same measures and same men in the national government.

The legislature, in pursuance of their adjournment in April, met on the second Tuesday in September, and continued in session for the space of eighty-five days, laboriously engaged in the revision of the laws: during which time they enacted the first and second part of the Revised Statutes, except the first chapter of the second part. They adjourned without day, on the 27th November.

On the 16th November, that splendid orator and great and good man, Thomas Addis Emmet, while engaged as counsel in the trial of an important cause, died instantly, in a fit of apoplexy. Public meetings were held in NewYork and other places by the members of the bar, and by the adopted citizens of this country, and resolutions were passed expressive of their respect for his merits, and their grief for his death.

Never was applause more richly merited.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

FROM JANUARY 1, 1828, TO JANUARY 1, 1829.

THE events which occured during the year which now opens upon us, and the political results which were developed before its termination, render it one of the most important eras in the history of parties in this state and

nation.

The legislature convened on the 1st of January, and Erastus Root was again chosen speaker of the assembly. His election was not opposed. Francis Seger was elected clerk in lieu of Montgomery Livingston, who, in accordance with a previous understanding between him and Seger, had declined a re-election. Mr. Seger had for several years previous served as deputy clerk of the house, and in consequence of being crippled in one of his arms, and his obliging and assiduous attention in the discharge of his official duties, was rather a favorite with the members. It was with some difficulty that Mr. Livingston for two successive years had persuaded Mr. S. not to come in competition with him.

This assembly contained more men of talents than for several years before had appeared in that body.

Benjamin F. Butler, one of the revisers, was returned a member of the assembly from the city and county of Albany. There is no doubt a majority of the electors in November, 1827, were opposed to Gen. Jackson and his party. But I presume many of the electors voted for Mr. Butler who were against Jackson, because it was known that the Revised Statutes would be acted upon by the assembly then to be chosen, and that the services of Mr. B. would be highly beneficial to the public upon that