On the first ballot Buchanan received 135 votes, Pierce 122, Douglas 33.

Through sixteen ballots the contest was stubbornly maintained, Buchanan gaining steadily but slowly.
Pierce was at last withdrawn, and the convention gave Buchanan 168, Douglas 121.

No further resistance was made, and, amid acclamation and rejoicing, Buchanan was declared to be the unanimous choice of the convention.

Major John C.Breckinridge of Kentucky, a young man of popularity and promise, was nominated for the Vice- Presidency.
Before the nomination of Buchanan and Breckinridge another Presidential ticket had been placed in the field.

The pro-slavery section of the American party and the ghastly remnant of the Whigs had presented Mr.Fillmore for the Presidency, and had associated with him Andrew Jackson Donelson of Tennessee as candidate for the Vice-Presidency.
On the engrossing question of the day Mr.Buchanan and Mr.Fillmore did not represent antagonistic ideas, and between them there could be no contest to arouse enthusiasm or even to enlist interest in the North.