Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-12-02

that the return Of votes was not authen-
ticnted By the signature of the electors, or
any ofthem, either on the outside or in
side Of the enuelope, or in any other
manner that it merely stated in the in
side that the votes Of Georgia were, for
Thomas Jefferson four. and for Aaron
Burr four, without the signature of any
person ,ohdtsoeuer. Mr. Wells added
that he was very undecided as to the
proper course TO be pursued by the tel
iers. 1t was however suggested by one
of them that the paper should be hand
ed to the presiding officer, without any
statement from the tellers except that
the return was informal; that he consen-
ted to the arrangement under the firm
conviction that Mr.. Jefferson would an
nounce the nature OF the iuformality
from the chair; but to his utmost sur
prise he (Mr. Jefferson rapidly declared
that the votes Of Georgia was four for
Thomas Jefferson and four for Aaron
Burr, without noticing their informality,
and in a hurried manner put them aside,
and then broke the seals and handed to
the tellers the package OF the next State.
Mr.. Wells observed, that as soon as
Mr.. Jefferson looked at the paper pur-
porting to contain statement OF the
electoral vote of Georgia, his counten-
ance changed, but the decision and
promptitude with which he acted on that
occasion convinced him of that which
he "a federalisD and his party had al
ways doubted, that is to say, Mr.. JEFF
ferson's decision of character, at least
when his own interest is at hazard.
Mr.. Wells further stated that if the
votes of Georgia had not been counted,
as il would have brought all the candid
ates into the House, Mr.. Pinckney among
the number, Mr.. Jefferson could not
have been elected president.
The same honorable member of Con-
gress further stated, that some few
years, after receiving the above infor-
nation from Mr.. Wells, he became in
timately acquainted with John Nicho-
las, who was one of the tellers referred
to, and who removed from Virginia into
the western part Of the State of New
York. Mr.. Nicholas gave to the hon
orable member the same statement in
substance, not knowing that it had been
previously derived from Mr.. Wells.
Mr.. Nicholas was warm personal & po-
litical friend Of Mr.. Jcfferson's, and de-
cIared that he never felt so astounded
in his life as when he discovered the ir-
regularity. He claimed some credit for
the adroit manner in which he had man.
aged Mr.. Rutledge, SO far as to obtain
his consent to hand the paper to Mr..
Jefferson without public explanation
from the tellers, and which was affected
by conciliatory appeal to the magma
nimity Of the member from South Car
olina.
The whole number of electoral votes
aiven at the election 1900, was one ham,
dred anil Mirty-eight ; necessary to a
choice, seventy. Mr.. Jefferson and Mr..
Burr had each, according TO the return
made, seuenty-three. Gergia gave four
votes, ifthat number had been deducted
from Jefferson and Burr, as illegally re-
turned Of which there is no. doubt, they
would have had only sirty-nine votes
each; consequently they would not
have had in the language of the Consti-
tuition, ga majority Of the whole number
electors appointed" and the candidates
out Of which choice Of president must
be made would have been Mr.. Jefferson
Mr.. Burr, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. Pinck-
ney. The federal members won,d then
have said to the republicans, we will u
mite with you in choice ofeither the gen
tIemen except Mr.. Jefferson; and ifthe
government is to be brought TO a termin
alton by our failure to elect president
the responsibility will be on you.
The high-minded and honorable course ia
ken by Mr.. Burr in relation to this matter
may be seen by the following extract from
letter, from that gentleman to General Smith
How unlike the underhanded measures pur
sued by Mr.. Jefferson in relation to the Geor
gia returns.
New YoRK Dec. l6, 1900.
"Itis highly probable that shal
have an equal number Of votes with
Mr.. Jefferson; but il. such should be the
result, every man who knows me
ought to know that | would utterly
disclaim all competition. Be assured
that the federal party can entertain NJ
Dssh for such an exchange. As to my
friends, they would dishonor my views
and insult nv feelings by suspicion