That evening I spoke at Chelmsford, and upon my return to Groton, I found several Whigs at Hoar's tavern, who were congratulating themselves upon a Whig victory in New York. Their authority was the Boston _Atlas,_ an authority not universally accepted at that time. As I passed through the bar-room, after leaving my horse at the stable, I was rallied, and the assertion was made with great confidence that Mr. Clay was elected. I could only say in reply that they had better wait until they had some other authority for the claim. I went to my house, however, with many doubts as to the success of Polk. At that time there was no railway communication between Boston and Groton. The first intelligence from abroad came from Lowell. My friends there sent to me a copy of the _Vox Populi,_ printed during the night, and which contained the truthful returns from New York. At that time the _Vox Populi_ was not in very good repute, and I thought it unwise to quote it to anyone. I thrust it into my desk without mentioning its contents. Upon the arrival of the stage from Boston, I received a bundle of papers from my old friend General Staples, which confirmed the news furnished by the _Vox Populi_. These papers I also thrust into my desk, and went to the post-office. The outer room was filled with Whigs--not one Democrat present. The Whigs were still reposing upon the news printed in the Boston _Atlas,_ but my statement that I had information more recent and that Polk had carried New York disturbed their composure. At length the postmaster, Caleb Butler, opened the slide door, and passed out a copy of the Boston _Courier_. The receiver opened it. There were no capitals, no signs of exultation, and without waiting for the reading of the text, the assembly accepted the fact that Clay was defeated. The Whigs of Massachusetts and indeed of the whole country were deeply grieved by the defeat of Mr. Clay. In many instances his popularity had ripened into personal friendship. His defeat came to many families as a real loss. Among the disappointed Whigs who had met at the post- office that morning was a neighbor and friend of mine, Mr. Aaron Perkins. In his excitement he said with an oath, "Next Monday we will give you a whipping." His declaration was verified. Many Democrats whose names were never disclosed to me voted for the Whig candidate, Deacon William Livermore, and he was elected by a majority of more than seventy votes. The next year he was re-elected by a diminished majority.