Wheeling Compiler

NEXT PRESIDENT

It is confidently believed that Mr. Van Buren is feeling his way to the Presidency, with all the caution and skill of which he is master. There is no person more adroit in the art of political maneuvering than he. A letter from Washington City dated the 21st December, and published in the New York Daily Advertiser, gives a sketch of some things which are presumed to have occurred at Richmond, during a recent visit of Mr. Van Buren. The details may not be literally true in all particular for Mr. Van Buren is good at covering his tracks and secrecy: but it is no doubt a good attempt at conjecture. Mr. Van Buren will certainly seek the aid of Virginia? and he will take care to accommodate himself to the views of the Eastern Virginians, for the purpose of obtaining the vote of the state. The Washington letter states the affair as follows: Although Mr. Van Buren's reception at Richmond was not as cordial as had been anticipated there were many weighty and grave state matters discussed by those of the Richmond junto, and others, who attended the caucus. Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Van Buren. Two candidates (for President) were presented- Mr. Calhoun, while Secretary of War, had admitted the power in the general government to construct internal improvements, and had recommended the commencement of several important and expensive works. In his present opinion, he was fully committed Mr. Jackson. On this subject, whatever might be his Van Buren had, several years since, introduced a resolution into the Senate, equivocal in its terms, to give this power to the general government, providing an amendment to the constitution, so as to grant it if it was not already granted. High station: but she considers his age and residence as insuperable objections against offering him at present. By uniting with New-York at this juncture, Virginia has her eye fixed on Mr. Rives for the next election. And placing him at the head of the Department of State, she will be enabled to bring him forward at the succeeding election under favorable auspices. Mr. Van Buren professed his willingness with magnanimity in submitting a question of this kind to one's friends packed for the occasion, as there submitted the question to the great republican party to abide the result. There is not as much certainty in the decision. After duly weighing and considering (as Mr. Branch would say) the whole subject, it was agreed to nominate the honorable Martin Van Buren, of the state of New York for President regardless of whatever might be said about his being taken from the line of Secretary of State.