This threefold contest had been well developed before the convention assembled, and one feature of special bitterness had been added to it by a letter from Mr.
Clay, who was on his death-bed in Washington.

He urged his friends to support Mr.Fillmore.

This was regarded by many as a lack of generosity on Mr.Clay's part, after the warm support which Mr.
Webster had given him in his contest with Mr.Polk in 1844.

But there had been for years an absence of cordiality between these Whig leaders, and many who were familiar with both declared that Mr.Clay had never forgiven Mr.Webster for remaining in Tyler's cabinet after the resignation of the other Whig members.

Mr.
Webster's association with Tyler had undoubtedly given to the President a measure of protection against the hot wrath of Mr.Clay in the memorable contest of 1841-2, and by natural reaction had impaired the force of Mr.Clay's attack.