Nathan Sargent from John M. Clayton, Mar. 14, 1844

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(Confidential)

New Castle - Del.  March 14 1844

My dear Sir,

I received your letter & have written to friends to ask their advice about the best course for me to adopt.  I want harmony among friends above all things & I want office last of all things.  But things are at a delicate pass & if I return a new candidate will be started I think.  What do you really wish me to do?  Be candid & explicit.  I shall like you the better for it & it is your duty as a true Whig to counsel me fully.  I will obey friends, but am distracted by this contrariety of opinions. You tell me, I shall ruin my party if I decline.  You evidently think (do you not?) that I ought to decline.  The most pressing letters I have rec’d are from Penna. & they all urge me to serve if nominated and not to decline.  What ought I to do?

I rejoice to hear that our old friend Webster is about to take his old position.  You are right in urging that we should be friends.  If we are not, it shall not be my fault.  I know that Clay still rejoices in his friendship to our party - & were he listed.  I have no doubt Mr. W[ebster] would again be useful to his country in a station worthy of his talents. - 

Truly yours
John M. Clayton

N. Sargent Esq.