Letter written by Samuel Crane, Randolph County lawyer, dated 2 January 1863. The letter is addressed to a delegate from Barbour County at the office of the House of Delegates in Wheeling; the Barbour County delegate may be Joseph Teter, Jr. The letter regards Crane's interest in the office of Governor of the newly formed state of West Virginia. Crane also states that the contents of the letter should be considered private. Later that year, Crane was nominated and elected as the first State Auditor of West Virginia.

Transcript of the letter: "Dear Sir, Our new state bill is now a law, the president having signed it. The next thing is who shall be our rulers to govern? F.H. Pierpont does not as I understand desire the office of governor of the new state. Under the circumstances many of my friends in the converting state are anxious for me to have that office. Now [as?] my friends can trust me I should love to fill that office. None will be able to [bring?] to the executive functions more devotion to her interests than myself. Some might have more experience and more knowledge but none with more love for her [greatness?] than myself. I have therefore submitted the inquiry to some of my personal friends and among these I have included yourself to ask their advice upon it, put please remember that this is altogether confidential and under no circumstances is my name to be used unless it is by the consent of the people. You can [sound?] your people in Barbour without letting them know my wishes and let me know. And if it will be approved then I shall not [?] at all to let it be known or the people in their primary meetings can designate it. Please consider this note private. Your friend, Samuel Crane"