268 C. Becker in the spring of 1768.' James Butler, a friend of Sir William's, kept the latter informed of the various candidates. But most peo- ple, he writes,'^ " believe that those you [desjire will carry the point : there are some that are very faint-hearted, knowing your Interest to be too great for their [strength] ." Early in January the report got abroad that Sir William intended to set up a candidate of his own from the Mohawk district — a report which created some consterna- tion at Albany, and occasioned many conjectures and many meet- ings. The common opinion was that Sir John Johnson must be the intenJed candidate. For the friends of Sir William, who were constanily urging him to active conflict with the Albany faction, this was good news. " If there is any such intention," writes Cartwright, from Albany,^ "should be very glad to know it. You may depend on the Interest of Cuyler's family, of Hanson's, and many more, who would be glad to know it. Whatever Interest or connection I have you may command in that or an)'thing else." But the rumor was merely a rumor, for we are told that neither " myself nor Sir John had the least thought of his setting up ; " but Sir William, nevertheless, had " some reason to think that I could have carried the county without much difficulty." ^ The last election in New York province came the next year, 1769, and was for the most part only a continuation of the struggle begun the year before. No previous elections were more bitterly contested.^ In Albany, as in most places, the personal element was 'Meanwhile between the elections of 1761 and 176S Johnson received a letter from Schenectady, which throws interesting light on the method, or lack of method, in nomi- nations, which prevailed at that time. " I have been thinking on what has for some time passed been advised, which is that I should become a candidate to represent the town- ship in Assembly whenever a vacancy happened, and as my becoming a member . . . might be a means to settle all party affairs here, I shall . . . have no objection in so doing, provided you approve and will favor me with your Interest . . . otherwise I will think no more of it ... on the other hand, if you think it right I will endeavor with my other friends to make what Interest I can . . . although I am sensible that your Interest alone can do it." John Duncan to William Johnson, Nov. 19, 1763. Johnson MSS., VII. 252. 1 James Butler to William Johnson, Dec. 12, 1767. Johnson MSS., XV. 173. 3 Benjamin Cartwright to William Johnson, Jan. 8, 1768. Johnson MSS., XV. 228. 1 William Johnson to Hugh Wallace, April 8, 1768. Johnson MSS., XVI. 66. 5 The new issues which were coming to the front were cutting into the old factions and separating families long connected by political and social ties. The rupture between the Colden and Clinton families is an example. There is an interesting letter among the George Clinton papers, from the young Cadwallader Colden to George Clinton, relative to this rupture, which throws so much light on the political methods of the time that it is worth reproducing at length. "Coldingham, Jan. II, 1769. " Sir. The heats and animosities created by the last election in this part of the county ( and that too among the most intimate acquaintances . . . ) gave me such con- cern that I can' t but say that I am truly sorry there is now an opportunity for the renew-
