It will also appear amongst other things, by the following letter written by John R. Mott,[2] who I believe is the second certifier in "the book," that Judge Stillwell entertained sentiments opposed to Mr. Young's nomination, as late as the sixth of April.
"Saratoga, April 6, 1815.
Dear sir,
It was late when I returned from Ballston, which prevented my calling on you I had conversations with several gentlemen on the subject of the nomination, particularly with Judge Stillwell, capt. Odell and Mr. Bunce, by whom I learned the sentiments of Mr. Palmer, and find the whole to be opposed to Mr. Young. I also saw Mr. Lee and Kasson. They were in favor of Mr. Young on the principle of what they called sacrificing Mr. Young, if he was not nominated. The Milton committee are Thomas Palmer, Joel Keeler and Daniel Couch, junior Esquires.
From yours, with esteem,
Esek Cowen, Esq."
JOHN R. MOTT.
Mr. Mott, one of the delegation from Saratoga, informs Mr. Cowen another of the delegation from that town, that Stillwell and others are opposed to Young. This presumption in Judge Stillwell, it seems could not be endured, and he in common with others was marked out as a victim. His name was originally connected with that of Palmer and Bunce, in the letter of Kasson, dated the 12th April, p. 33, as being concerned with them in "this black business" as he calls it, until by making his peace, this crow is suddenly changed into a swan, and his name erased from the letter.
If farther proof is wanting that the loss of Mr. Young's nomination did not depend on any thing which fell from his colleagues, or any individual exertion made against it, you may have it by calling on the following gentlemen, who acted on the county convention, to wit:
Avery Starkweather, John Pettit, Eli Smith, Joel Keeler,
Isaac Rice, Nathan Raymond, Jessup Raymond, Richard Dunning,
James Clark, Isaac Andrus, Solomon Parks, Nicholas W. Angle,
Billy J. Clark, Potter Johnson, Benjamin Burton, Joseph
Mitchell, William Taylor, Samuel Cook, Nathan Pardee, Joshua
Finch, John Brown, Samuel S. Barker, Isaac Brewster, &c.