The Litchfield County Post

Extract of a letter from a republican in Windham County to a gentleman in this County.

"The caucus men in this county adopted very extraordinary measures. In some towns the meetings for choice of delegates were notified to be held in places not convenient for general attendance,—in others, the votes of the friends of districting were rejected: and to complete the farce, delegates regularly chosen were excluded from seats in the County Caucus. Two district men, (both old, consistent republicans) were chosen from this town, and received certificates from the moderator of the meeting and the manager appointed by the County Committee, and yet they were refused seats in the Caucus, for the avowed reason, that "they were not the right sort of republicans," and two men, (chosen by 12 votes in a private caucus) admitted to take their places, one of whom was, 10 years ago, the most bitter Federalist in the town, and both of whom are the known and avowed enemies of districting, and consequently are "the right sort of republicans." The more indiscreet, but honest members of the caucus, openly declared their opposition to the district principle; but the old foxes, who knew better the importance of fair professions and appearances, were well aware of the danger of making known their hostility to districting, and succeeded in persuading the meeting to pass two resolutions—one "approving of districting on correct principles," and the other "recommending the Resolution of last spring to the attention of the electors." These resolutions are carefully worded, and are intended to convey the impression that the meeting which passed them, was friendly to districting: but their whole object is to deceive the people. One of the delegates, who had a seat in the caucus, told me that a majority of the members were decidedly opposed to districting in any shape—and that it was only from a strong conviction of the necessity of fair appearances, that they were induced to pass these resolutions. It was however distinctly understood that the Resolution of last spring must be opposed as far as it could be done with safety. If the meeting was sincere in passing its resolutions, the conversion of its members has been very sudden, and its measures, in excluding delegates regularly chosen, and nominating a man who has always been the avowed and steady opposer of districting, and who exerted all his influence last spring to defeat the Resolution before the House, are not a little singular.

Their candidate, you have doubtless heard, is Ebenezer Stoddard, of Woodstock. He will oppose districting to the utmost of his power, and for that purpose he was nominated. It ought also to be known by you, that he has never received a majority of the votes of this county. He has publicly said he owes no thanks to the people of Windham county or their support—but that he can rely with safety on the exertions of his friends at the west. I think the freemen of your part of the state will be too just to compel us to be represented in the senate by a person who has uniformly been declared by our votes not to be the man of our choice. This fact may be relied on—and what can more strongly prove the necessity of districting?

I have been thus particular, that you may not be deceived by the resolutions accompanying Stoddard's nomination—nor believe him to be the candidate for this county, because he succeeded by violence and intrigue in obtaining a majority of the votes of the county caucus. Another fact should be known—Mr. Stoddard was a staunch opposer of John Q. Adams election to the Presidency, and, as may be seen by reference to the National Journal of Feb. 14th, 1824, was one of the famous, or rather infamous, "minority caucus," which nominated Messrs. Crawford and Gallatin. I have never yet heard of his having changed his opinions. As the next legislature is to determine the mode of choosing Electors of President, &c. the fact is important.

The friends of districting in this county held a meeting by their delegates, in Brooklyn, in February, and nominated John Nichols, Esq. of Thompson, the gentleman who was run on the district ticket last year. He is an honest, respectable, intelligent man, who has been a uniform, consistent republican, and now and always friendly to districting, and the present executive government of the union. He will receive a large majority of the votes in this county, and I hope will be supported in your part of the state."