withdrawal, the committee was next to call on Revels to find out if he
would consent to the use of his name. If Revels consented, the committee
was next to call on Rev. Buchanan to find out whether or not he would
vote for Revels. This committee was to report to the caucus at 8 o'clock
next morning.

At the appointed time the committee reported that Williams had stated
that he was in the hands of his friends and that he would abide by any
decision they might make. Revels, the report stated, who had been taken
very much by surprise,--having had no idea that his name would ever be
mentioned in connection with any office,--had asked to be allowed until
7 o'clock in the morning to consider the matter and to talk it over with
his wife. At 7 o'clock he notified the chairman of the committee that
he would accept the nomination if tendered.

Buchanan had informed the committee that he had heard of Revels but did
not know him personally. He too had asked to be allowed until 7 o'clock
in the morning before giving a positive answer, so as to enable him to
make the necessary inquiries to find out whether or not Revels was a
suitable man for the position. At 7 o'clock he informed the chairman of
the committee that if the name of Williams should be withdrawn in favor
of Revels he would cast his vote for Revels. The caucus then decided by
a unanimous vote that upon the assembling of the convention at 9 o'clock
that morning Mr. Griffin should withdraw the name of Williams from
before the convention as a candidate for State Senator, but that no
other name should be placed in nomination. Every member of the caucus,
however, was committed to vote for Revels. This decision was to be
communicated to no one outside of the caucus except to Mr. Buchanan, who
was to be privately informed of it by the chairman of the committee to
whom he had communicated his own decision.