When I wrote you immeadiately after the adjournment of the Legislature my purpose not to be a candidate for the Gubernatorial nomination. More mature reflection justifies to my mind the purpose I then expressed. The Districts I have had the honor to represent in the House and Senate have been strongly republican so that democratic nominations have therefore been accepted more from a sense of duty than as matters of pleasure[?]. Though I have had So[?] that with considerable experience in public life I have never been schooled in the work of canvassing for delegates. I know that my fitness for the high office of Governor an is not so preeminent[?] as to secure the nomination without resort to personal effort, this would involve a sacrifice of feeling to me that none[?] success could not not compensate. I do not say that personal effort to secure exalted political favor station is improper but to me it would be for me impossible I am Please do not regard me as indifferent to the kind partiality that you and many others have expressed for me

But whilst I sincerely thank you and others for the confidence and friendship manifested, I must still respectfully decline the honor you propose to confer

I trust our party in the selection of its candidates for the next election to be voted for at the next election will have reference to our cause more than to the personal ambition of individuals Triumph is assured to us only if our principles and Candidates are such as to deserve success