The fourth was Mr.
Clay, and it is not very clear why Mr.Webster refused an alliance in this quarter.

Mr.Clay had treated him with consideration, they were personal friends, their opinions were not dissimilar and were becoming constantly more alike.

Possibly there was an instinctive feeling of rivalry on this very account.

At all events, Mr.Webster would not support Clay.

Only one candidate remained: Mr.Crawford, the representative of all that was extreme among the Republicans, and, in a party sense, most odious to the Federalists.