Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-06
To tie PEOPLE.
THE DEFENCE.
No. v.

With regard TO the amendment 10 tie
contribution it is unnecessary here to go
into an extensive discussion, as this has
been so recently done, that the arguments
urged may be presumed 10 be fresh in
the recollection ufthe reader. It's having
been proposed, in The first instance. by two
thlIda OF each branch of the legislature
and afterwards approved by states con-
tanning more than four flths Of the popu-
iaton OF the whole United States, concu-
sIvely prove the estimation in which it is
held by the people The declaration that
It was a measure subversive OF the rights
Of the small states is fully repealed by
the fact that ri the six small states four
have approved it.
There is only one furhsr view which it
IS proper, in this place, to take. 1t has
been said that this is a measure of the
President and his personal friends; and
that its chief object is to secure his future
election.
We have already seen that it has not
been officially suggested by him and that
no evidence is before the public of his
having, even in his individual character,
recommended it. Why then is it called
MS measure? Il must be from the influ-
ence it will have on the ensuing election.
Let us examine what this will be. At
the nominations for the president and
vice-Dresident by the republican members
OF congress, Mr.. Jefferson had every vote.
In the republican prints, and at every po-
ltical meeting in relation to the election
oil a president no other man has been nam
ed. Whence then the necessity Of pre-
cautionary measures where there was no
danger! Had thess been a division on
this point among the republicans, there
might be some pIausi5illy in the sugges-
ton; but in a case, where perfect harTno-
nv prevails; where no man is even dreamt
Of but Mr. Jefferson, II is absurd 10 ascribe
the least influence 70 personal attachment
to him. The absurdity of such motive
viii more conclusivcIy appear from the
following analysis of electoral votes.
~ the ensuing election it is impossi-
BE fer tie federaIists to obtain more than
~ votes, viz. from New-iampshire Z,
Connecticut o, Massachusetts ~, Della
ware 8, Maryland 3, and North Carolina l..
The probability is that they will fall short
of this number at least ten. But allow
them 40. The whole number OF votes is
US; from which deducl ~, and there
remains one hundred and thirty three, the
number Of the republican votes.
Suppose 10 amendment made to the
constitution--All these votes would in
such event go to MIR. Jefferson.
TO prevent the individual, contemplate
ed for vice-presideot, from becoming pre-
sdent, by receiving the federal votes, it
would be necessary to withdraw from him
forty-thres republican votes. This would
leave him ninety, which, with the forty-two
federal votes, would make number less
than the number OF VI les given to Mr..
Jefferson. But in order TO guard against
all unexpected contingencies, it would be
perfectly safe to withhold ninety votes !;
as there would still remain forty three,
one more than the entire number Of fede-
raj votes. IN this way, a republican vice
president, as well as president, would be
secured, as the constitution provides that
ain every case, after the choice of the presi-
dent, the person having the greatest num-
Der Of votes of the electors, shall be the
vice-president."
CURTIUS.
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