Hon. Eli Slifer

Harrisburg Pa.}

Dear Sir:

Mr. Jones H. Black of New Berlin, & myself, were the Represented[?] Conferees. As soon as we arrived at Selinsgrove Col. Patterson called me aside, and told me confidentially that Davis could not be elected, on acc't of the opposition in Juniata & the plan was to withdraw Davis & nominate Patterson & Ritter. I replied I had opposed Beaver[?] for the Legislature, but he had been chosen by the people, & he had selected me as one of his conferees - and as I had come I would have Beaver[?] nominated, if I could accomplish it. I said nothing about what he told me to Beaver[?] or any of the rest, & the Col. said nothing whatever to me on the subject during the day as he understood my delicate position - I had no conversation of any moment with Col. Waggonseller after his arrival on the 4 P.M. train; but he immediately made vigorous efforts to have Ritter and Patterson nominated; his co-conferees Dr. Thrundel[?] & Keny[?] Schoch[?] would not go into it. Citing the example of H. Taggart who was taken up by the conferees from the District from Union County, over the expressed wish of the people in favor of Hayes[?]. I think Davis could have been nominated without much difficulty; although his appearance is anything but prepossessing, but there was a large delegation from Juniata opposing him, & his friends who were also well represented there, thought it would be running a great risk - The Majority therefore determined to nominate Beaver[?] & Ritter, then the Juniata men would not go into Convention & baffled us, thinking we[?] would yield, until time for them to leave for the Cars - Snyder & [?] then went up into the room to hold the Convention; they then made a proposition to adjourn[?] til[?] Saturday, this was not agreed to as we had wasted the whole day with them; they then started & real[?] [?] sheet[?] a piece; & when they found we were determined, they came back & sent up one of their number to say that they would have to go, but they wished to be considered in Convention & that their votes be considered cast for W. W. Davis -

Your name & Esq. Cameron's were used as being opposed to Beaver[?]; I presume to scare Ritter, & it did most effectively; but at that time his Conferees had got mad & stubborn (I mean Thrundel[?] & Schoch[?]) & Ritter could not do anything with them - Ritter and Beaver[?] both asked me about it; I said it was not true - as I had spoken to you & Esq. Cameron over at the depot on Monday & neither of you [?] have said anything to me about it; I said it was one of Waggonsellers stories to effect the nomination - Late in the evening, they changed their tactics ("Said that Ritter had been fooling them all day") & offered to nominate Beaver[?] & Patterson) but as we had early in the day in a manner conceded the nomination to the nominee of Juniata, as a matter of right[?], & put our opposition to Patterson as principle, we would not entertain the proposition at all - I think Beaver[?] if elected will make a first rate member, & further from what I hear he will make a strong election in this County. These Juniata fellows who were there opposing Davis said they would be satisfied with Beaver. You will find proceedings of conferee meeting in full in[?] our papers I sent Davis a copy, but for fear he may not publish it, would not it be as well to get Bergner[?] to Copy the whole proceeding in the "Telegraph." There is a kind of "Union Movement" here, got up by the Democrats, though the call is signed by republicans without reflection I suppose -

I don’t think it will amount to much. But I have advised our friends to get together that night of the Convention, & vote down any new ticket, oppose resolutions in favor of the ticket as at present nominated, because the call of our [?] election was broad enough to embrace all the Union men;- & many Democrats took advantage of it to vote. The Democrats have now the best offices in the County & all this fuss about harmony in war times, is their hue & cry to carry a few more into office - I don’t like their meekness as the election draws near; [?] with their blatant opposition to the administration Some months ago - I tell you if we elect them to Judgeships, congress & Legislature, they will soon crawl to the throat of the administration. We may be safe with some of them, but we are far safer with our own friends in positions of importance.

Yours as ever

J. B. Linn

[Upper outside fold in different handwriting]: Mr B Linn

1861