Wright had campaigned for Martin Van Buren in 1840 , when Van Buren lost his bid for reelection as president . In 1844 , Wright again supported Van Buren for president . Van Buren was initially the front runner at the party 's May national convention , but his opposition to Texas annexation cost him support among southern delegates who favored the expansion of slavery , and he could not obtain the two-thirds majority required under the convention 's rules . Upon learning that some delegates were considering him as a compromise choice for the presidential nomination , Wright sent a letter to a New York delegate asking to be withdrawn from consideration and pledging his continued support for Van Buren
national convention
1844 Democratic National Convention
Silas Wright