The office of Mayor of Portland offered to Capt. Downing
and declined.

Portland, State of Maine, April 10, 1832.
To the citizens of Portland.

When I arrived in this city, last night, from Madawaska,
jest after the hubbub was over about the election,

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I was informed some of my friends in Ward No.7, had
voted for me for Mayor. I believe the votes are put in
the papers long with the scattering votes, as I see they
dont publish my name.

Now the upshot ont is, I cant take that are office,
I've got so much other business to attend to. And so I
take this opportunity to declare that I absolutely decline
being a candidate. I have a great regard for the citizens
of Portland, for it was they that first gave me a boost
up towards an office, and I should be very glad to do
any thing for 'em that I could; but I must beg to be
excused from being Mayor this year.