Description:
Very fine two-page, 8” x 10”, Augusta Maine, January 3, 1855, letter to Paul Randall, who served many years as selectman of Harpswell, Maine, from Clement Skolfield, who served in the Maine state legislature from 1846-1860 with excellent political content. Integral address leaf with circular 5 cent Augusta, ME postmark. Skolfield wants Randall nominated for state Senate and he’s trying to navigate among political headwinds.
In part, “The House has been this day organized by the Elections of Mr. Pecham from Woodstock…receiving 106 Votes the old Democrats had 40 Votes. I understand…that objection is made to you as counselor on the ground or supported ground that you authorized your name to be used in connection with Senator on those tichets that was sent to some from the state of Maine on the day of Election…I have stated you did not & that you [were] a candidate for Senator on the regular ticket. I have also stated that you was opposed to making a Whig nomination for governor & was willing to take Mr. Morrill for the Whig Candidate.
“…I do not recollect who was on the ticket with you for Senator excepting John Sawyer. I gave the tickets to Thomas Pennel & told him I thought he had better destroy them…
“Mr. Willis [and] Mr. Com say you are the best man that has been named for the situation & they think the strongest but can’t tell much. At present I think you had better come up here as soon as you receive this. If you cannot come, write me weather [sic] you authorized your name to be…on the ticket I have named or not & weather [sic] you declined being a candidate on the regular ticket or not & weather [sic] you was in favor of a Whig nomination or not.
“I think there is a nearly a dozen candidates for the office & the more split the better for you if you can get the most votes on the #1 ballot.
“They have also got a story here that you do not want the office. I have told them it was not true that you told me that you did not care about it…But that you told me you should like the honor provided your friends thought enough of you to bring you forward.
“I think myself you have more friends here now than any other candidate from the county but can’t tell what may turn up the time we want to nominate.
“Come up here on receipt of this. I remain yours truly Clement Skolfield.”
One small seal tear affecting nothing. Excellent condition and a great find for collectors of Maine, Whig or elections history.
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