But the truce in party dispute, so welcome, was but the precursor of a contest in the State, and in the County of Westchester, of uncommon bitterness. It might be right hereto state that the championship by Mr. Clinton of the measures for the construction of the Erie Canal, the importance of which was the more evident as the work progressed, gave him an increased hold upon the confidence of the people. This however was more immediately felt in the neighborhoods to be benefited than in others, as Westchester County, where the influence could only be indirect.

" It was a deceitful calm," says the historian of " New York Politics," speaking of Mr. Clinton's all but unanimous election. The elevation of one so regardless of party restraints was a bitter realization to the extreme Democracy. The Federalists, in their turn, in expectation of some advantage, were only too glad to revive the old controversies, and Mr. Clinton was inclined, in his party conduct, to draw the line as between his personal friends and opponents. In Westchester County the election for Senators, in the spring of 1819, was carried on with great animation. Mr. John Townsend, of East Chester, who had been, a year or two before, a member of the Lower House, was elected Senator in opposition to Pierre Van Cortlandt, the Clinton candidate. It was at this timetliHt the significant name, "Bucktail," designating the opponents of Mr. Clinton, sprang into use. To the Tammany Society, a secret political organization of New York City, this gentleman was particularly odious, and, as one of the insignia of this " order " was the tail of the deer worn in their hats, the other party soon ap]>lied the term to all who sympathized with them in their feelings and action. The bucktail, an emblem of success in the chase, was gladly appropriated by the Anti-Clintonians and became the favorite decoration in each political campaign.