Studies in American History 
159 
and Daniel Webster. The minor details of the meeting then 
being disposed of the convention adjourned sine died^ 
This so-called national Anti-Masonic convention was com- 
posed of members from only five states, with the following 
numbers of delegates from each: New York, 42; Pennsylvania, 
30; Ohio, 21; Massachusetts, 14; and Rhode Island, 4 — a total 
of 111 delegates.^" 
On December 2, 1838, Harrison wrote from his home at 
North Bend, Ohio, a letter to Mr. Denny, president of the 
convention, thanking him and the entire convention for the 
honor which for the second time they had conferred upon 
him. In this letter Harrison availed himself of the oppor- 
tunity to give his views as to the proper exercise of his powers 
by a president, and to show his bitter opposition to the policies 
of the Van Buren administration.^^ 
There seemed to be some alarm even in the states which 
were considered Democratic strongholds early in 1839, for 
in the month of February there appeared in the Richmond 
Enquirer “An Appeal to the People”, prepared by the Demo- 
cratic leaders of Virginia, encouraging all true Democrats 
to support Van Buren and the policies of his administra- 
tion.^® 
The Philadelphia Democratic- Whig Association met on 
Monday evening, March 11, 1839, and started an agitation 
for Clay as their candidate for the presidency in 1840. The 
speakers lauded Mr. Clay, and the large and enthusiastic 
audience showed their attachment for him by their many 
cheers.^® 
The friends of Van Buren urged him to make a tour thru 
some of the northern states in the summer of 1839. He was 
a consummate tactician and skilled political manager, and 
after hesitating at first later suffered himself to be persuaded 
by his friends into making a “presidential tour”. Leaving 
Washington in the latter part of June, he traveled in his own 
carriage from Baltimore to York, Harrisburg, and other 
towns in Pennsylvania, receiving everywhere public demon- 
^Uhid., LV, 221. 
This is the list printed in Niles’ Registei- (LV, 221) ; hut there is an apparent 
discrepancy in the figures, since there were 119 votes cast in the convention for both 
Harrison and Webster, and Niles says there were 119 delegates present. 
Niles’ Register, LV, 360. 
^^Ihid., LV, 375. 
16 /bid., LVI, 55. 
