The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-12-08

yet living 10 this State. He SAYS that Mr. Wells,
"a teller on the part Of the Senate Infarrsd him
that the envelope was blank that the return Of
votes was not authenticated BY the signatures of
the electors, or any Of them either on the outside
or The INSIDE OF tbs envelope or IN any other man
ner that Il merely stated 10 the inside that the
votes OF Georgia WERE for Thomas Jc fierson four.
and for Aaron Burr four, without the sigma, ire OF
any person whatsoever Mr.. Wells added that he
was very undecided as 10 the proper course TO be
pursued by the tellers. 1t was however suggested
Ivy one OF them that the paper should be handed TO
the presiding officer, without any statement from
the tellers except that the return vas informal
that he consented TO this arraage mert under the
firm conviction that Mr.. Jefferson would announce
the nature Of the informally from tie chair; but,
TO his utmost surprise, he Nr. Joifrrsoh) rapidly
declared that the votes OF Georgia was four for
( Thomas Jefferson. and four for Aaron Burr witl-
out noticing their inGormaiity. and in hurried
manner put them aside. and then broke the seals
and handed 10 the ellers the package from lie next
State. Mr.. Wells observed, that a. soon as Mr.
Jefferson looked at the paper purporiIng TO contain
a statement OF the electoral vee OF the State Of
Georgia, his couotenance changed bot that the de-
clsion and promptitudo with which he acted on
that occasion convinced him of that which he IA
isderalist) and his party had always doubted, that
lie TO say, Mr. Jefferson's decision Of character n
least when his own interest was at hazard. Mr..
Wells further stated that if The votes Of Georgia
had been thus counted, il would have brought
all the candidates into the House Mr.. PinckBey
among the number Mr.. Jefferson could mol have
been elected president.
The same honorable member of Congress further
stated, that some few years after receiving be above
information from NJ. Wells, he became Intimately
I acquainted with John Nicholas, who was one of
the telltrs referred to- and no had removed from
Virginia into The western part OF the s ale OF New
York. Mr.. Nicholas gave TO the honorah HE uenl.
Der the same statement IN substance, not knowing
that II had been previously derived from Mr.. lis.
Mr. Nicholas was a warm personal and political
friend Of NJ jefferson, and declared tina, he never
felt so astonished in his life when he discovered
the irregulsriiy. He claimed some credi, for the
adroit manner III which he had managed NJ Rut-
ledge, 80 far TO obtain his consent TO hand lilo
paper 10 Mr. J, fferson without public explanation
frem the cllers, and which effected b. a cor
clllatorv appeal 10 The magnannt} o. the menber
from South Carolina.
The whole number Of electoral votes given st
the election II 1900, was one huudr ard iairly-
aght; necessary TO choice. seventy. NJ jet.
eraon and Mr.. Burr had each, according 10 tho
reform made, s,yenty-three. Georgia gave four
votes. Ii that number had been deducted rom
J tfersou and Burr, as illegally reformed, OF which
z y
ty.nine votes zach consequently ibcy would not
have bad, IN the language at the Constitution. "a
majority Of the whole number OF 81. ctorS appoinr-
ed" and the candidates out Of watch choice of
President must be made would have htcr NJ .Fef.
terson, Mr. Burr, NJ Adams, anu Mr. Piaekuey,
The federal men bers would then have did 10 tie
Republicans, we will unite in Won in tie choice
Of either Of The gentlemen presented to the House
except Mr.. Jefferson; and it the Government is 70
g.. ~, -
4 President, the responsibility will be on you.
And it is to be believed, that in such case the
doubtful members who were sghing for Office. if
any such there were, would have rejected the
suggestion in toto
The baoting continued from the llth until the
9TH OF February inclusive. Nine States were ne
cessary to a choice. On the first ballo, Mr Jetfar
had eight, Mr.. Bur six, and two States we're
divided. At every ballot the same result was an
bounced, until the thirty sixth ballot, whjsawas
given on the 7lh of February, when NJ. Jeti-rson
was declared duly elected, ten States having voted
for him.
Ga the first bsllot Mr.. Jsiferson received New
York, New Jersey, Pennsy vaoia, Virginia, North
Carol sd, Kentucky, Georgia and TeucesSee-S.
NJ. Burr received New Hampshire, Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware aud
South Carohna-6.
Divided, Vernon, and Marvland-2.
On the final ballot M. Jefferson received New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North
Caroline, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Mary
land, our Votes aud four bIanks,) Vermont, tone
vote and one blankl-l0.
Delaware blank, South Carolina no vnte
During the baot'ng enc hundred and six men,
bers of the House Of Representatives were present.
OF this number tiity one, the hrst ballot, voted
for Mr.. Jefferson and in no subsequent vote was
that number increased. The election was effected
by the States Of Maryland ard Vermont giving
their vote instead Of remaining equally divided,
aud thus having no vote and that change was pro
duccd in Msrvlano by Mr. Crack, Mr.. Dennis,
Nj. Raer, and Mr., Chew 1 homas voting blank, and
Mr.. Lewis R, Morris, o, Vermont, iG like manner
voting blank, leaving Mr. Matthew Lyon the sole
representative OF the State.
Previous TO tho balloting, Mr.. Burr addressed
10 Gen. 5. Smith, OF Baltimore, member of the
House of Repre- sentatives, the ioIloeing letter:
1t will be by the date, that soon Colonel
Burr supposed that there was probability of
lie, he constituted General Smith his proxy, 10 de.
clare his sentiments.
Extract
"NEw YoRK. 10th December 1900.
4" 1t is highly improbable that shall have an e.
quail number OF votes with Mr. jefferson: but if
such should be the result, every man who Knows
me ought 10 know that would utterly discIainl
sll competition. BE assured thatthe federal party
can entertain no wish for such an exchange As
TO my friends, they would dishonor INV views and
insult my feelings by suspicion that would sub
nit to be instrumental in ccuntoractiur the wishes
and the expectations of the United States And
now constitute you my proxy TO declare these
sentiments il the occasion should requires
&The effect of this letter upon public opinion
NAV be judged Of BY the following, among other
testimonials which might he inserted.