Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-11-23
Political History.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION In 1901.
From, Dauis's life of Burr.

During the summer Of $500, Gen. Ham
ilton prepared for the press his celebrated
pamphlet, entitled, "a letter from AieXan>
der Hamilton, concerning the public con-
iuct and character Of John Adams, Esq.
President OF the United States" IL was the
design ofthe author Of this pamphlet that ii
should be privately printed, aud circulated
IN South Carolina only few days before the
election, for the purpose Of preventing Mr..
Adams from getting the vote OF South Caro-
lima, but securing it 10 Mr.. Pinckney, who
was the federal candidate fer the Vice>Pres-
idency. The consequence would have been
TO place MIR. Pinckney's electoral vote high>
er than Mr. Adams's, and thus, If the ieder-
al party succeeded, Mr.. Pinckney would
have been elected President, and MIR. Adams
Vice Paes: dent. Colonel Burr ascer,ained
the contents OF this pamphlet, and that II
was in the press. It's immediate publication,
he know, must distract the federal party, ant
thus promote the republican cause in those
States where The election had not yet taken
place. Arrangements were accordingly
made for copy, as soon as the printing of II
was completed and " hen obtained, John
Swartwout, Robert Swartwout, and Mat
thew l.. Davis. by appointment, met Colonel
Burr at his own house. The pamphlet was
lead, and extracts made for the press. Mr..
Davis was charged with forward ding these
extracts te William Duane, editor OF the Au-
rora, and 10 Charles Holt, editor oil The Bee,
printed in New London, which was accord
ipgiy done, and The extracts Immediately
published.
The effect of this sudden and unexpected
explosion was such as might have been anti
cipated. Ii rent the federal party in twain.
The publication, from time TO time, VI eN-
tracts, and the excitement which was predu-
ced throughout the country 10y them, al
length compelled MIR. Hamilton TO author
iZe the publication Of the entire pamphlet
and accordingly, in October, as the electors
were 10 be chosen in November, il was adj
vertised for sale in the Daily Gazette. The
editor Of the paper explained that ii was not
the intention of General Hamilton TO give
publicity 10 this letter, at the time it
made public; but that extracts from il, by
some unknown means had found their way
TO the public, and therefore the whole was
now given.
Further evidence of the vigilance and elfi>
cheney OF Col Burr, in promoting the revo-
luton Of 1900, is deemed unnecessary. Ii is
most solemnly believed that the overthrow Of
the federal party at that time would no, have
been accomplished bat through his zeal sa
gacity and industry. His friends, therefore,
have ascribed 10 him, and moi without some
foundation, the election OF AIR. Jefferson to
the Presidency.
Governor Jay having refused 10 comply |
with the wishes of zone Of the most dislin> !
guIshed federalists in The United States" as !
a measure for party purposes,
which he Governor Jayo thought it would 1
not become him TO adopt, the Legislature did .
not convene until the 18th day of November,
1900, and on the 9th they proceeded 10 the
choice OF electors for President and Vice
President. The republican ticket prevailed.
o 4 IL. IN
Isaac Lodyard of Queens county, Aniho-
ny Lispenard of New York p. Van Court
landt OF Westchester James Burt of Or
ange; Gilbert Livingston of Duchess; Tho
mas jenkins OF Columbia: PelerVan Ness
Of Columbia Robert Ellis OF Saratoga John ,
w oodworth OF Rensselaer, j. Van Rensel-
asr of Albany; Jacob Eacker of Montgom-
cry and William Floyd of Suffolk.
The vote stood
Republican Federal
In the Senate, IS "a
In the Assembly, Ga 80
Thus, on joint ballot, the republican MAJ
jority was nineteen and consequently, as the
city Of New York elected Twelve members,
il the federa!ists had succeeded in The city
hey would have had, On joint ballot a major
ty OF from six 10 ten.
As part OF the history oflhis election, the
Glowing letter and extracts OF letters are
lero inserted.
1homGs Jefferson to -zaron Burr.
WAsuINGroN, Dec 10, 1900
"Dear Sir,-Although W have not official
Information of the votes for President and
Vice President. and cannst have until the
hgst week in February, yet the state of the |
yetes is given on such evidence as satisfies
both parties that the Two republican candi>
dates stand highest From South Carolina
we have not even heard Of the actual vote,
but we have learned who were appointed e. |
lectors, and with sufficient certainty how
they would vote. Ii is said they would it'll !
draw from yourself one vote. II has also
been said, that General Smith Of Tennes-
zee, had declared that he would give his Sc
coAd vote TO Mr.. Gailafin, not from any in
deposition towards you, bot extreme rever-
ence 10 the character of MIR. GaI!atin. Its
llso surmised that the vote Of GesrgIa will
lot be entire. Yet nobody pretends 10 know
hese things ola certainty, and we know e
1ough 10 he certain that what il is surmised
will be withheld, will still leave you four or
i've votes at least above Mr.. Adams. How
'ver, il was badly managed, not TO have ar
'anged with certainty what seems 10 have
seen left 10 hazard. II was the mors mate
'ial, because understand several high 0y-
ing iederslists have expressed their hope that
he TIVE republican tickets may be equal, &
heir determination in that case to prevent
choice by the House Of Representatives
which they are strong enough to do) and let
The Government deyolve on a President Of
he Senate. Decency required that | should {
De entirely passive during The late contest, {
hal never once asked whether arrange
nsnts had been made 10 prevent so many
rom dropping votes Intentionally as might ,
-usLrate half The Iepubican wish nor did