Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04117 Author/Creator: Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 February 1789 Pagination: 3 p. ; 23.8 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Relates the Virginia Electoral Council's votes for President, and declares that 10 votes were cast for [George] Washington, five for John Adams, three for [George] Clinton, one for [John] Hancock and one for [John] Jay. Relates that Antifederalism is still a factor, particularly near where Patrick Henry lives, south of the J[ames] River; it has influenced the electors and representatives. Describes Mr. [James] Madison's recent election win over Mr. [James] Monroe. Comments on his distaste for the Antifederalists, declaring, "It is a disagreeable thing for difficulties to arise between the two Branches of a Legislature, but yet I cannot help rejoicing that the wild Antifederalists of the lower house in New York have met with so firm a Check from the Senate." Is happy with the prospects of the new government.
[draft]
My dear Sir Richmond Feb.y 1789
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 21. ult. The intelligence it contained as to the turn in the Eastern & Middle States respecting the vice President concurred with all our late accounts and had its effect in our Electoral Council - the votes here are [inserted: 10 for Washington] 5 for Jno. Adams 3 for Clinton 1 for Hancock & 1 for Jay - from two of our districts the Electors did not attend. on the South side of Jas. River where Mr Henry resides antifederalism still continues and there the Elections have turned [struck: of] [inserted: on] anti's both for Electors & Representatives, amounting to three throughout every other part of the [inserted: state] this spirit has so died away that federalists have been Elected to both offices. Mr. Madison has carried his Election, which could not have been effected a fortnight [strikeout] [inserted: sooner] than it [struck: happen] [inserted: happened] [2] happened - Mr. Monroe was his opponent - Mr Madison had every [species] of misrepresentation respecting both himself & the constitution to combat in his district - do not understand me as charging Monroe - his party however was exceedingly industrious. and predicted in my last, the Measures of our Assembly have done great good to the Federal cause - the people discover the intemperance with which they are marked & the discovery leads them to reflect upon the deceptions before practised on them.
It is a disagreeable thing for difficulties to arise between the two Branches of a Legislature, but yet I cannot help rejoicing that the wild antifederalism of the lower House in New York has met with so firm a check from the Senate - there is no doubt but that in a common vote of the whole together, the Senate would have had no influence in any choice which might have been made, and none but anti's would have come in. I hope the expected compromise did not issue in such [3] such a manner as to blend the two Bodies in the business of voting.
My Intelligence from all quarters gives an happy prospect as to the commencement of the New Govt. and I rejoice at it - you would naturally expect from [inserted: me] the news of North Carolina politics, but I assure you we hear not a word about them - we heard some time ago that the people there were much ashamed of the conduct of their convention, but I do not learn that [struck: it] [inserted: this] has produced any overt acts towards a different conduct.
I receive with great pleasure your communication from my amiable and valuable Friends Mrs Knox & Mrs Colden - do me the favor to assure them that no information could have been more gratifying to me, than that they were highly pleased at my remembrance of them. I am my dr Sir Yr. Afft. Friend & Humble Servt.
Ed. Carrington
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