The Democrats succeeded in
obtaining a majority of the Senators elected. The House was about
equally divided between the Whigs and the Democrats, and the balance of
power was in the hands of four Abolitionists, who were led by one Lewis
Williams of Easton. Williams was a sort of personage for ten or
twelve days, when he disappeared from public view.
In the contest for Speaker the Democrats supported Seth J. Thomas, of
Charlestown, and the Whigs nominated Thomas Kinnicutt, of Worcester,
who had held the office of Speaker in 1842. The Abolitionists voted
for Williams. The struggle continued for two days without a result.
On the third day Mr. Kinnicutt withdrew his name, and his friends
presented the name of Daniel P. King, of Danvers.
Mr. Thomas made a short speech in which he said that he was in the
hands of his friends. The Democrats attempted to change front, and
to secure the election of Williams. The attempt failed, and Mr. King
was elected. Mr. King was a man of moderate abilities, but he had made
himself acceptable to the voting element of the Anti-Slavery Party.
His election as Speaker, was followed by his election to the Twenty-
eighth Congress. The southern part of Essex County had been
represented by Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem. He was the candidate of
the Whig Party in 1842, but the votes of the Anti-Slavery men prevented
his election.
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