During the Van Buren administration, the Anti-Masonic Party continued to disintegrate as its leaders moved one by one to the Whig Party. Anti-Masonic leaders called a conference in Washington DC in 9/1837, where they agreed to maintain the party.

When a third national nominating convention was called for 1838, newspapers advocating a Harrison candidacy rejoiced. At that time, Whig leaders were mostly divided between Clay and Webster as the Whig nominee of 1840. Many Whigs supported Harrison and saw the AMP convention as a way of introducing his name back into contention [Vermont Watchman, 7/23/1838].

3d Anti-Masonic National Convention
Chairman	Presidential Nominee	Vice Presidential Nominee
Former U.S. Rep. Harmar Denny PA	Former U.S. Sen. William Henry Harrison OH	U.S. Sen. Daniel Webster MA

The third Anti-Masonic Party National Convention was held in Temperance Hall, Philadelphia, on 11/13-14/1838. Delegates were in attendance from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. The Pennsylvania Inquirer estimated there were between 80 and 90 delegates present. The convention was organized on the first day, with Henry Cotheal NY serving as temporary chairman [Pennsylvania Inquirer, 11/14/1838].

On the second day of the convention, Harmar Denny PA was chosen as chairman. Additional delegates had arrived since the first day.

The next item of business was the presidential nomination. Thaddeus Stevens placed William Henry Harrison in nomination, and he was unanimously nominated. The name of each delegate was called, and each voted for Harrison: PA 30, OH 21, NY 42, NJ 8, RI 4, and MA 14. Note: some state delegations were not full; the Cleveland OH Daily Herald and Gazette reported on 2/23/1839 that Ohio was represented by only three delegates casting 21 delegate votes.

Daniel Webster was nominated for Vice President with all 119 votes.

In the afternoon session, a brief platform was approved. A committee asked to prepare an address to the nation did not complete its work before the convention adjourned sine die [Pennsylvania Inquirer, 11/15/1838].

Campaign

The attempt to garner support for the Anti-Masonic Party by nominating Harrison failed. When the Whig Party also nominated Harrison at its national convention, the AMP mainly dissolved and joined the Whigs. Some state affiliates ran candidates in local elections as late as 1842, but for the most part, the AMP no longer existed.

2d Anti-Masonic Party National Convention [1836]

Popular Vote of 1840

Electoral Vote of 1840">