ne as Chairman of a
Committee of the Democratic Convention to inform Mr. Dallas of his
nomination as Vice-President, gave an amusing account of the scene.
The Committee reached Philadelphia about three o'clock in the
morning, and were piloted to Mr. Dallas' house by his friend,
Senator Robert J. Walker. Loud knocks at the door brought Mr.
Dallas to his chamber window. Recognizing Mr. Walker, and fearing
that his daughter, who was in Washington, was ill, he hastened down-
stairs, half dressed and in slippers, when, to his utter amazement,
in walked sixty or more gentlemen, two by two, with the tread of
soldiers, passing him by and entering his front parlor, all
maintaining the most absolute silence. Mr. Dallas, not having the
slightest conception of their object, stood thunderstruck at the
scene. Mr. Walker then led him into the back parlor. "My dear
Walker," said he, in amazement, "what is the matter?" "Wait, one
moment, if you please, Dallas, wait one moment, if you please."
In a few moments the folding-doors connecting the parlors were
thrown back, and in the front parlor (which had meanwhile been
lighted up) Mr. Dallas saw a semi-circle of gentlemen, who greeted
him with applause. Governor Fairfield then stepped forward, and
briefly informed Mr. Dallas what the action of the convention had
been. The candidate for Vice-President, who had recovered from
his momentary surprise, eloquently acknowledged the compliment paid
him, and promised to more formally reply by letter. He then opened
his sideboard, and all joined in pledging "success to the ticket."

Mr. Clay unfortunately wrote a Texas letter, which fell like a wet
blanket upon the Whigs, and enabled the Democratic managers to
deprive him of the vote of New York by organizing the Liberty party,
which nominated James G. Birney, of Michigan, as President, and
Thomas Morris, of Ohio, as Vice-President. This nomination received
the support of the anti-slavery men, of many disappointed adherents
of Mr. Van Buren, and of the anti-Masonic and anti-rent factions
of the Whig party of New York. The consequence was that over sixty
thousand votes were thrown away on Birney, nine-tenths of them
being drawn from the Whig ranks, thus securing a complete triumph
for the Democrats.

At the "birthnight ball," on the 22d of February, 1845, President
Tyler was accompanied by President-elect Polk. Mrs. Madison also
was present with Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, and the members