Jockeying for the American Presidency: The Political Opportunism ...

to other convention delegates about what might result in the general election if they were to nominate Van Buren. If Polk's friends—declared Van Buren supporters—could not persuade southwestern Democrats to vote for Van Buren, then how would he beat Whig nominee Henry Clay of Kentucky?¹⁷

Because no one reached the two-thirds threshold, the voting continued—through six more ballots that day. As it proceeded, the state delegations fractured, with some of the votes moving to Cass and others distributing mostly between (Richard) Johnson and Buchanan. Although Polk did not receive a vote until the eighth ballot, the fifth ended Van Buren's hopes because Cass had earned four more votes than Van Buren. After seven ballots, Van Buren's supporters sought to “stop the Cass bandwagon—they frantically called for adjournment.” When their plea was ignored, a fight broke out over the two-thirds rule, but “John Hickman of Pennsylvania prevented total anarchy when he bullied his way to the rostrum and wildly announced the nomination of Andrew Jackson, which produced a much-needed round of laughter and applause.” On that note, the convention adjourned for the evening.¹⁸

That night, May 28, Polk's friends went to work. Pillow and Donelson conferred with George Bancroft of Massachusetts, a Van Buren delegate who had long supported Polk for the vice presidency, about Van Buren's likely withdrawal and a possible Wright-Polk or Polk-Wright ticket. Polk's friends suggested that the northerners take the lead the following morning. According to McCormac, Hubbard of New Hampshire and Governor Marcus Morton of Massachusetts agreed, along with Bancroft, to assist in bringing forward Polk's name. In a letter to Polk, written after the convention, Bancroft explained that “[He] repaired with Gen. Donelson and Pillow to the house where were the delegates of Ohio and New York, and I spent the time till midnight arguing with them.” Although there is no confirmation of Butler's presence, he was likely involved because he was not only the chairman of the delegation, but he also “held Van Buren's letter of withdrawal in favor of Wright.” The New Yorkers’ plans were complicated by Wright, who was not at the convention but who had planned ahead. Wright had given a confidential