USA > New York > History of the state of New York, political and governmental, Vol. II 1822-1864 > Part 31
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The draft riots in New York City came a week later,
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with looting, arson, and murder. Seymour hastened thither from his vacation at Long Branch and addressed from the steps of the City Hall a mob of thugs, incendi- aries, and murderers, calling them his "friends," plead- ing with them to desist from further violence, and promising to use his influence toward having the draft stopped. He did enter into a protracted controversy with the President on the subject, asking for the sus- pension of the draft until the State officials could cor- rect the enrollment and the courts could pass upon the constitutionality of the Conscription law. The fatal weakness of his position was in the fact that there had been ample time for correction of the rolls but he had deliberately neglected to have the work done.
When the Republican State convention met at Syra- cuse on September 2 there seemed to be victory in the air. The successes of the National armies had con- vinced everybody that the crisis of the war was past and that the triumph of the Union was only a matter of a short time. Weed did not attend the convention, but his friends Raymond and Morgan were there, and Ward Hunt was the temporary and Abraham Wakeman the permanent chairman. Some difficulty was found in getting a War Democrat to take a place on the ticket. Dickinson declined renomination as Attorney-General, and James T. Brady would not accept the nomination. Finally John Cochrane was made the candidate. Lucius Robinson was renominated for Comptroller after a futile effort to replace him with Thomas W. Ol- cott, who declined. Chauncey M. Depew was nomi- nated for Secretary of State after Colonel Peter A.
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[1863
Porter had received and declined the honor. The plat- form heartily supported the national administration, but said nothing concerning the draft. As first pre- sented it was silent also about the Emancipation procla- mation, but after a spirited controversy Charles J. Fol- ger secured the adoption of a plank declaring that as a war measure the proclamation was thoroughly legal and justifiable. The convention received a long letter from President Lincoln, which was instinct with an op- timistic spirit.
The Democratic convention met at Albany on Sep- tember 9, with Amasa J. Parker as chairman. Gov- ernor Seymour made a speech in explanation of his course toward the draft riots, and the platform was an appeal for conciliation and against "subjugation." The convention refused to cooperate with the Consti- tutional Union party, and nominated a straight Demo- cratic ticket with David B. St. John for Secretary of State, Sanford E. Church for Comptroller, and Mar- shall B. Champlain for Attorney-General.
The campaign was fought very largely on the ques- tion of approving or condemning Seymour's attitude toward the draft and the draft riots. The Governor made several speeches, and he was unsparingly excori- ated by Republican orators, notably by Martin I. Town- send, of Troy. The result of the election was a decided Republican victory. For Secretary of State Depew had 314,347 votes to 284,942 for St. John. In the Senate there were 21 Republicans and 11 Democrats, and in the Assembly 82 Republicans and 46 Demo- crats.
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When the Eighty-seventh Legislature met on Janu- ary 5, 1864, Thomas G. Alvord was chosen Speaker and Joseph B. Cushman Clerk of the Assembly. The Governor's message was largely devoted to a report and explanation of his course in connection with the draft and the riots, and to condemnation of the Con- scription act. He also denounced vigorously the establishment of the National bank system, the issu- ance of paper money as legal tender, and the suspen- sion of the habeas corpus act as measures that went far toward destroying the rights of States and toward centralizing all power at the national capital; and he declared that the acts of the Executive, the military officers, and Congress had wrought a revolution which if permanently accepted would be the overthrow of established and cherished principles of government. The Emancipation proclamation was condemned as a measure designed to convert a war against armed rebellion into a war against private property and per- sonal rights; and there were expressed forebodings of national bankruptcy and the establishment of oligarchical despotism. The legislative session ended on April 23.
The great political issue of that year was, of course, the Presidency. In other States the renomination of Lincoln was taken for granted, and Legislatures and conventions committed themselves to it. New York, however, hesitated. Weed, though nominally in re- tirement, was still potent and would do nothing for the President until Hiram Barney was removed from the Collectorship of the Port, where he had not
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POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
made a creditable record. Various Union League clubs and Republican committees spoke in favor of Lincoln, but resolutions introduced into the Legisla- ture lay long on the table, neglected and ignored. Greeley in the Tribune declared that Chase, Fremont, Butler, or Grant would make as good a President as Lincoln. A memorial was addressed to the Republi- can national committee, signed by many of the fore- most Republicans of the State, requesting postpone- ment of the national convention, which had been called to meet at Baltimore on June 7. The request was not granted, and on May 26 a State convention met to appoint delegates. The two factions, led respect- ively by Weed and Greeley, both professed to be in favor of Lincoln's renomination, but they wrangled and fought for a long time before at last the radicals won. But the delegates were fairly chosen from both sides.
At the Baltimore convention Henry J. Raymond re- ported the platform, and the New York delegation voted solidly with all the others for the renomination of Lincoln. Then the New York radicals wanted Daniel S. Dickinson nominated for Vice-President, but the conservatives, led by Raymond, supported Andrew Johnson and contributed to his nomination on the first ballot.
A convention of anti-Lincoln Republicans and others was held in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 31, John Coch- rane being chairman. Lucius Robinson sent a letter advocating the nomination of General Grant. The candidates named were General Fremont for Presi-
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dent and John Cochrane for Vice-President; they ulti- mately declined to run.
Governor Seymour doubtless had intended his mes- sage to the Legislature to be a message to the Demo- cratic party of the State and nation, and it was con- strued by many as designed to promote his Presidential ambition. The Democratic convention to select dele- gates to the national convention in Chicago was held on February 24, and Seymour was made the head of the delegation, with Dean Richmond, August Belmont, and Isaac Butts, of Rochester, as his colleagues. The Chicago convention had been called for the Fourth of July, but was postponed until August 29. Seymour in his journey thither was the object of enthusiastic demonstrations by party supporters, and was greeted at every station. In the convention the New York dele- gation played a waiting game. If Seymour could be nominated it would support him; but he was unwill- ing to run the risk of defeat in a struggle for the nomi- nation. When at last a careful canvass showed that Mc- Clellan was sure to be named, every thought of Sey- mour's candidacy ceased. On the ballot all but half a dozen of the New Yorkers supported Mcclellan, Seymour himself voting for Samuel Nelson, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. One of the foremost members of the New York delegation was Samuel J. Tilden, who served on the committee on resolutions.
Later came the State conventions. The Republicans met at Syracuse on September 7, jubilant over the vic- tories that had been won in the war. The radicals
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POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1864
under Greeley were in full control, and would not even confer with the conservatives concerning candi- dates. So arbitrary were they that Weed was almost at the point of bolting the convention. It had been determined in advance that the candidate for Gover- or should be Reuben E. Fenton, of Chautauqua, who had had a distinguished career of many years in Con- gress and was one of the most popular and also adroit politicians in the State. General Dix was proposed, but Fenton was nominated on the first informal ballot and then, at the instance of Elbridge G. Lapham, was unanimously declared the choice of the convention. Thomas G. Alvord was nominated for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor. Finally, as if to emphasize their triumph, the radicals put Horace Greeley at the head of the ticket of Presidential Electors.
The Democrats met at Albany on September 14. What seemed an authoritative announcement had been made that Governor Seymour would not accept re- nomination, wherefore the convention began consider- ing other candidates, especially General Dix, Amasa J. Parker, William F. Allen, and William Kelly. Then it was whispered that Seymour would accept if the renomination should be offered unanimously. A reso- lution nominating him by acclamation was adopted in a whirlwind of enthusiasm, and on being informed of the fact he accepted. David R. Floyd Jones was named for Lieutenant-Governor.
Following upon this convention came the news of brilliant Union victories in the war; the Fremont and Cochrane ticket was withdrawn in favor of Lincoln
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and Johnson, and every disaffected Republican came back to the party ranks. The reëlection of Lincoln was seen to be a foregone conclusion as soon as the October elections in various States were held, and national attention was then centered upon New York. Probably nothing, after the reëlection of Lincoln, was more widely and earnestly desired by Republicans throughout the nation than the defeat of Seymour for the Governorship. On the other hand, the Democrats of the nation, knowing that McClellan's case was hope- less, fixed their chief desire upon Seymour's success. The result proved close. For President, Lincoln re- ceived in New York 368,735 votes and McClellan 361,- 986; for Governor, Fenton had 369,557, and Seymour 361,264. Thus the winning candidate for Governor polled more votes than his party's candidate for the Presidency. In the Assembly the Republicans secured 76 and the Democrats 52. The Republicans elected twenty of the thirty-one Representatives in Congress. Roscoe Conkling was returned to his seat, as was John A. Griswold. Henry J. Raymond was elected from a district formerly strongly Democratic, and William E. Dodge defeated James Brooks in a closely contested election.
The Republican victory was not overwhelming, but it was substantial and it was sufficient to mark an emphatic reversal after the reaction of two years before. This was the last State campaign during the Civil War, and it marked the close of the long and doubtful struggle on the question of slavery. The ex- tension of slavery, emancipation, and all the old issues
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POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1864
which for a generation had been dominant in the poli- tics of New York, as well as of the nation, were now to become things of the past. New issues were arising, and an opportunity was opening for the State to think more of its own interests and be less concerned with the affairs of the nation. New men were coming to the fore, new tasks were to be accomplished, and a new volume of the history of the Empire State was to be written.
INDEX
ABOLITION of Slavery: See "Slav- ery."
Abolition or Liberty Party, The: Or- ganization and National and State nominations in 1840, II, 239; Vote, 243; State nomination and vote in 1842, 267; National and State nomi- nations in 1844, 308, 309; Whig de- feat due to Abolitionist defection, 310; The party in 1845, 324; State nominations and vote in 1846, 331, 332; Action of ultra Abolitionists in 1848, 365; Abolitionist support of Democrats in 1849, 374-375; 1850, 378; Election of Gerrit Smith to Congress in 1852, 392.
Acting-Governors: John Tayler, 1, 393 .- Nathaniel Pitcher, II, 97; Enos T. Throop, 115.
Adams, Charles Francis: at Free Soil National convention, nomination for Vice-President, II, 363.
Adams, Henry: on spoils system, I, 220; on Clinton-Burr controversy, 223.
Adams, John: Presidential candidate, I, 161; President, prevents war with France, 172; Alienates Hamilton but retains Jay's support, 173; Sup- ported by N. Y. Legislature, 181; Attacked by Hamilton, 193.
Adams, John Quincy: Presidential candidate, II, 33; Favored by N. Y. Democrats, 33; Policy in Florida treaty thwarted by Crawford, 36; Denounced by DeWitt Clinton, 58; Elected President, 62; Success due to vote of "Great Patroon," 63-65; Campaign for reelection, 108; Ori- gin of Jackson's enmity, 131-132.
Adams, Levi: Member of Council of Appointment, I, 431.
Adams, Peter C .: Member of Coun- cil of Appointment, I, 285.
Agriculture : Creation of State de-
partment recommended, I, 409; State Agricultural Society, Fund, and Fairs, founded, 409; DeWitt Clinton's recommendations for im- proving markets, 459 .- Encourage- ment of flax, hemp, and tobacco growing, II, 96; Marcy's recommen- dations for State Board and Col- lege, 155, 164; State convention of farmers and State Agricultural So- ciety, 164; Provision for fairs and demand for schools, 165; Tillage, husbandry, horticulture, and house- hold arts, 165; Silk culture and wines, 165; Establishment of the Cul- tivator, 165; First aid from Legis- lature, 166; First State Fair at Syra- cuse with oration by Eliphalet Nott, 167-168; Second Fair at Albany with oration by Seward, 168-169; Third Fair at Rochester with ora- tion by Daniel Webster, 169-170; Other noted orators and guests at Fairs, 171; Fairs at Utica, Elmira, Buffalo, Saratoga, Watertown, Poughkeepsie, Auburn, and New York, 172; Contract with Elmira for Fairs, 173; Syracuse made perma- nent site, 174; Control transferred from State Agricultural Society to State government, 174; Action of Theodore Roosevelt and Timothy L. Woodruff, 174-175; Later develop- ments of State Fair, 176; Seward's recommendation of State Board of Agriculture, 228; Fish recommends endowment of State Agricultural College and Institute of Mechanical Arts, 369.
Alabama : Demands surrender of Anti-slavery agitators, II, 191.
Albany: First made seat of State government, I, 73; Permanent capi-
477
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POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
tal, 188; First Capitol built, 409 .- Site of State Fairs, II, 168, 172; Abolitionist National convention of 1840, 239; Democratic State conven- tion of 1864, 474.
Albany Argus, The: Founded as Democratic organ, I, 350 .- Death of Cantine, editor, II, 32; Edited by Edwin Croswell, 32; Supports Jack- son for Presidency, 95; Great poli- tical power, 118; Controversy with Albany Evening Journal, 119; At- tacks Anti-Masonic and National Republican coalition, 141; Becomes Hunker organ, 327; Prints official notices free, 328.
Albany Atlas, The: Barnburner or- gan edited by William Cassidy, II, 327.
Albany Evening Journal, The : Founded by Weed, II, 119; Contro- versy with Argus, 119; Weed retires from editorship, 467.
Albany Regency, The: Formed, II, 15; Circumstances of origin, 16; Contrast to later "rings," 17; Thur- low Weed's characterization, 17; The original triumvirs-Talcott, Marcy, and Butler, 17; Their pur- poses and aims, 20; Other members, 21; First political achievements, 22; Hostility to DeWitt Clinton, 22; Favors Crawford for President, 34; Strives to maintain Congressional nomination of President and legisla- tive choice of Electors, 36; Censured for failure of Presidential Electors bill, 42; Arbitrarily removes De Witt Clinton from Canal board, 44-47; Censures Yates for calling special session of Legislature, 52; Badly beaten in election of 1824, 57, 67; Regains control of Legislature, 76; Cultivates friendly relations with De Witt Clinton, 77; Fills offices with adherents, 78; Opposes Clinton for Governor, 81; Loses Governor- ship but wins Legislature, 82; Sup- ports Jackson for Presidency, 95; Close relations with Jackson's ad- ministration, 151; Campaign against Abolitionism, 185; Defeated in 1837, 210; Overthrown by "Seward, Weed & Greeley," 221.
Albany Register, The: Leading Demo- cratic paper, I, 235; Attacks Lewis, 261; Defends DeWitt Clinton, 293; Against Tompkins, 350, 386.
Alexander, DeAlva Stanwood, histo- rian: Epigram on DeWitt Clinton, II, 97.
Alien and Sedition Laws: Virginia and Kentucky resolutions discussed by N. Y. Legislature, I, 177; Perse- cution of Judge Peck and others, 183; Hamilton's attitude, 187.
Allen, Peter: in contested election for Assembly, I, 379; Defeated, 380; Unseated, 381.
Allen, Samuel P .: Clerk of State Senate, II, 414, 424.
Allen, Stephen: Mayor of New York, I, 449.
Allen, William F .: Suggested for Governor, II, 474.
Alsop, John: in Continental Congress, I, 33.
Alvord, Thomas G .: Assemblyman, II, 298; Speaker, 424, 471; Presides over People's convention, 457; As- semblyman, 459; Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, 474.
Amendments : See "Constitution."
American Citizen and Watchtower, The: DeWitt Clinton's paper, I, 223; Attacks Governor Lewis, 261- 263; Denounces embargo, 284; Re- pudiated by Democrats, 297.
American Institute, of New York, The : Officially recognized and aided, II, 166.
American Party, The: See "Know- Nothings."
American System of Henry Clay: N. Y.'s interest in, II, 93; Its destruc- tion sought, 204.
Anderson, Major Robert: Reception in New York City, II, 455.
Andrews, Samuel G .: Clerk of State Senate, II, 243.
Annin, Joseph: State Senator, I, 239. Anthony, Susan B .: Pioneer of Wo- man's Rights, II, 341; Her antece- dents, 342; Tribute to Mrs. Stan- ton, 343; Begins work for Woman Suffrage, 345; Rebukes fashionable dress, 345; Leader of State conven- tion, 346; Stumping the State, 346;
479
INDEX
Work in Civil War and after, 347; Organizes National Woman Suf- frage Association, 348; Arrested and fined for voting, 349; Recog- nized leader of movement, 350.
Anthony, Susan B., Amendment, The: II, 341, 350.
Anti-Federalists, The: Led by George Clinton, opposed by Alexander Hamilton, I, 111; Hamilton's tactical move in nominating Robert Yates for Governor against Clinton in 1789, 112-113 ; Clinton defeats Yates, 113; Burr's support con- trived by Clinton, 117; Begin to take name of Republicans, 119; Im- portant offices awarded to sup- porters, 121; Burr elected U. S. Senator, 125; Nomination of Clin- ton for Governor in 1792, 129; Anti- Federalists as "Gallicans," 137- 138; Genet, 142; Nomination and defeat of Robert Yates for Gov- ernor in 1795, 150, 152; Merged in Democratic-Republican or Republi- can party, 155.
Anti-Lincoln Convention, 1864: II, 472; Candidates withdraw, 475.
Anti-Masonic Party, The: Organized, II, 89; National convention of 1831, 90; Opposes Jackson, 90; Nomi- nates National candidates, 91; Com- pact with supporters of Clay, 92; Relations with National Republi- cans and Whigs, 92; Daniel Web- ster's interest in, 93; Declines to fuse with National Republicans, 102; Nominates Granger for Gov- ernor, 102; Nominates Southwick on Granger's declination, 103; Sup- port sought by Van Buren, 105; Re- sult of campaign, 109; Decline of party, 116; Practical merger with National Republicans, 121; Again nominates Granger for Governor, 141; Many rejoin Democrats, 149; Merged in Whig party, 159.
Anti-Nebraska Convention, II, 405. Anti-Rent Party, and Anti-Rent War: II, 15; After death of "Last of the Patroons," 230; Unsuccessful at- tempts at arbitration, 230; Seward's reports on, 245; Candidates for Legislature, 309; Violent eruption
suppressed by militia, 311.
Anti-Slavery Agitation, Anti-Slavery Society: See "Slavery."
Anti-Slavery Standard, The, II, 288- 289.
Anti-Slavery Whigs in Republican Party, II, 402.
Appointment, Council of: See "Coun- cil of Appointment."
Appointments to Office: under Con- stitution of 1821, I, 457 .- Policy of Albany Regency, II, 20 .- See "Coun- cil of Appointment."
Apportionment: of 1791, I, 125; of Senators in 1796, 159; Congress- men under Census of 1810, 317; As- semblymen under Constitution of 1821, 462 .- Changes in various counties, II, 110; State redistricted for 40 Congressional Representa- tives, 140; Legislative apportion- ment in 1836, 193; Assemblymen, by counties, 200; Representatives in Congress reduced from 40 to 34, 264.
Argus, The Albany: See "Albany Argus.'
"Aristides": See "Van Ness, William P."
Armstrong, John: Against Alien and Sedition laws, I, 183; U. S. Sena- tor, 200; Resigns, 222; Reëlected, 237; Resigns to become Minister to France, 255; His discreditable career, 351; "Newburgh Letters," 351; Presidential ambition, 351; Out of public life, 363; Hammond's high estimate, 363; Suggested for U. S. Senator, 371.
Arsenals: Raided by filibusters, II, 214.
Assembly, The: Provisions of Third Constitution concerning, II, 336.
Astor, John Jacob: Claims for lands confiscated by State, II, 89; Founds Astor Library, 369.
Asylums: See "Charities."
Atlas, The Albany:
See "Albany Atlas."
Auburn: Site of State Fair, II, 172; Anti-Nebraska convention, 405; Know-Nothing convention, 413;
Seward's home, 162, 335, 442, 444.
Aurora, The: Duane's paper, I, 228.
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POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
BABCOCK, GEORGE R .: Candidate for U. S. Senator, II, 411.
Bacon, Ezekiel: in Constitutional con- vention, I, 454.
Bacon, John F .: Clerk of State Senate 25 years, II, 68, 138, 243.
Bailey, Benjamin: Candidate for Speaker of Assembly, II, 325.
Bailey, Theodorus : U. S. Senator, I, 234.
Baker, William: Speaker of Assem- bly, II, 154.
Balance, The: Federalist paper, I, 240, 297.
Ballard, Horatio: Secretary of State of N. Y., II, 458.
Baltimore: Whig national conven- tion of 1852, II, 388; Democratic national conventions of 1852 and 1860, 390, 440.
Bancker, Evert: Member of Coun- cil of Safety, I, 65.
Bancker, Girard: State Treasurer, criticised for land sales, I, 130.
Bancroft, George: Guest at State Fair, II, 171.
Bank Commissioners: Factional fight over, II, 296; Abolished, 297.
Bank of the United States, The: Jackson's opposition to, II, 126; De- bate on renewal of charter, 126; New York bankers generally op- posed to, 127; Legislature adopts resolutions against renewal of char- ter, 127, 140; Issue in N. Y. cam- paign, 144; Government deposits withdrawn, 152; Change of policy, 157; Marcy's reference in message, 177; Its aid sought by New Yorkers in panic of 1837, 205.
Bankruptcy : Seward's advocacy of National law, II, 245.
Banks, Banking, and Currency: Bank of North America chartered and all others prohibited, I, 78; Man- hattan Banking Company chartered, 181; Popular indignation, 182; Bank of Albany made State depository, 235; New York State Bank char- tered, 235; Bank of Columbia, 236; Farmers' Bank, 236; Controversy over, 256; Merchants' Bank, 256; Mercantile Company, 257; Partisan
legislation, 257; Bribery of legisla- tors charged, 258; Scandal over re- newal of Merchants' Bank charter, 260; Many new banks proposed, and opposed by Tompkins, 329; Bank of America proposed, 330; Attempt at wholesale bribery of State, 331; Attempted bribery of legislators, 332; Bill halted by prorogation of Legislature, 334; Tompkins' mes- sage, 334; Bank of America char- tered, 337; Modifications of char- ter sought, 345; Many "wild-cat" charters refused, 359 .- Chemical and other banks chartered, II, 62; DeWitt Clinton recommends strict limitation of issue of banknotes, 88; Van Buren's recommendation of Safety Fund enacted, 111; Board of Bank Commissioners created, 112; Marcy on bank chartering and con- trol, 154; on State aid to banks, 156; on Bank of U. S., 177; Bank- notes of less than $5 forbidden, 181; Conservative policy urged by Marcy, 190; Inflation of circula- tion to facilitate land speculation, 203; Embarrassment caused by re- distribution of U. S. Treasury sur- plus, 204; Wholesale failures and closing in panic of 1837, 205; Sus- pension of specie payments, 206; Lack of small bills, 209; Shinplas- ters, 209; Marcy's messages, 213; Seward's recommendations, 244;
Banking monopoly abolished by
Third Constitution, 337; Responsi- bility of stockholders enforced, 370; State Department of Banking cre- ated, 383; King's recommendation of reserve funds, 425 .- See "Bank Commissioners" and “Bank of United States."
Banks, A. Bleecker: Assemblyman, II, 459.
Banks, Nathaniel P .: First Republi- can Speaker of National House of Representatives, II, 416.
Barker, George P .: Attorney-General of N. Y., II, 263.
Barnburners, The: 265. See "Demo- cratic Party."
Barnes, Ira P .: Clerk of State Sen- ate, II, 387.
481
INDEX
Barney, Hiram: Collector of Port of
New York, II, 454; Removed, 471. Barry, William T .: Postmaster-Gen- eral, II, 130.
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