FROM JACKSON TO FILLMORE- 1832-1851 57 



sible. For Mr. Van Buren's acceptance of the "free soil" 

 nomination was sure to divide the Democratic vote of the 

 State of New York, thus giving the State to the Whigs; 

 and in those days the proverb held good, "As New York 

 goes, so goes the Union. " 



For years afterward there dwelt vividly in my mind 

 the picture of this old, sad man marching through the 

 streets, listening gloomily to the speeches, forced to ap- 

 pear confident of victory, yet evidently disheartened and 

 disgusted. 



Very vivid are my recollections of State conventions 

 at this period. Syracuse, as the "Central City," was a 

 favorite place for them, and, as they came during the 

 summer vacations, boys of my age and tastes were able 

 to admire the great men of the hour, now, alas, utterly 

 forgotten. We saw and heard the leaders of all parties. 

 Many impressed me; but one dwells in my memory, on 

 account of a story which was told of him. This was a 

 very solemn, elderly gentleman who always looked very 

 wise but said nothing, William Bouck of Schoharie 

 County. He had white hair and whiskers, and having 

 been appointed canal commissioner of the State, had dis- 

 charged his duties by driving his old white family nag 

 and buggy along the towing-path the whole length of the 

 canals, keeping careful watch of the contractors, and so, 

 in his simple, honest way, had saved the State much money. 

 The result was the nickname of the "Old White Hoss of 

 Schoharie," and a reputation for simplicity and honesty 

 which made him for a short time governor of the State. 



A story then told of him reveals something of his char- 

 acter. Being informed that Bishop Hughes of New York 

 was coming to Albany, and that it would be well to treat 

 him with especial courtesy, the governor prepared him- 

 self to be more than gracious, and, on the arrival of the 

 bishop, greeted him most cordially with the words, "How 

 do you do, Bishop; I hope you are well. How did you 

 leave Mrs. Hughes and your family?" To this the bishop 

 answered, "Governor, I am very well, but there is no 



